Tennessee Lemon Law offers protection for consumers who buy or lease vehicles with significant defects that remain unresolved under the manufacturer’s warranty.
If the manufacturer cannot fix the defect, they must replace, repurchase, or provide cash compensation, potentially including civil penalties up to three times the original amount.
Your Rights Under Tennessee Lemon Law
Tennessee Lemon Law ensures that consumers who purchase or lease vehicles with defects that are not fixed after a reasonable number of attempts are entitled to compensation. This compensation may include:
- Replacement: A comparable vehicle of the same make and model.
- Repurchase: A full refund, including taxes and fees, minus a mileage offset.
- Cash Settlement: Compensation for the decreased value or damages, with possible civil penalties up to triple the original amount.
Tennessee Lemon Law also requires manufacturers to cover attorney fees, ensuring consumers can pursue their claims without additional financial stress.
What Vehicles Are Covered by Tennessee Lemon Law?
Tennessee Lemon Law applies to:
- New and certified pre-owned vehicles under the manufacturer’s warranty.
- Used vehicles sold with remaining factory warranties.
- Vehicles like cars, trucks, motorcycles, SUVs, RVs, and certain business vehicles (under 10,000 lbs).
Exclusions include minor defects, misuse, or unauthorized modifications.
How to Qualify for Tennessee Lemon Law?
To qualify for Tennessee Lemon Law, the defect must:
- Be reported during Tennessee’s “term of protection” — the express warranty term, or 1 year from original delivery, whichever comes first (Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-24-101(7)). Tennessee sets no separate mileage cap.
- Survive a reasonable number of repair attempts. Tennessee presumes that standard is met when the same defect has been repaired 3 or more times, or the vehicle has been out of service 30 or more cumulative days — both within that same term of protection (§ 55-24-105(a)).
- Before pursuing a remedy, you must give the manufacturer written notice by certified mail, allowing up to 10 additional days to cure the defect.
- A lawsuit must be filed within 6 months following the later of the warranty’s expiration or 1 year from original delivery — one of the shortest filing windows in the country (§ 55-24-107).
Types of Defects Covered by Tennessee Lemon Law
Tennessee Lemon Law covers defects that affect the operation or safety of the vehicle, such as:
- Engine failure
- Squealing brakes
- Coolant leaks
- Window leaks
- Electrical failure
- Transmission issues
These defects must persist after a reasonable number of repair attempts and be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty
Lemon Law for Used Cars in Tennessee
Tennessee Lemon Law applies to used vehicles under specific conditions:
- The defect must still be covered by the original manufacturer’s warranty.
- It must affect the vehicle’s safety, value, or use.
- The defect must remain unresolved after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
If your used vehicle qualifies, we can help you secure compensation.
Why Choose Us for Your Tennessee Lemon Law Case?
Tennessee Lemon Law Specialists: We understand state laws and how to win these cases.
- Proven Expertise: Over 10 years of success with thousands of cases.
- No Upfront Fees: You pay nothing unless we win your case.
- 24/7 Availability: We’re here whenever you need us.
- Comprehensive Support: From start to finish, we handle every detail.
- Civil Penalties: We fight for you to potentially triple the compensation you’re owed.
No upfront fees.
We get paid by the manufacturer. Your agreement explains any costs.