Getting your vehicle declared a lemon under Florida law requires careful documentation, strict compliance with deadlines, and following the correct procedure under the Florida Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act. Here are practical tips to strengthen your claim and improve your chances of success:
Florida’s Lemon Law generally applies to new or demonstrator vehicles purchased or leased in Florida for personal, family, or household use. The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety, and it must arise during the first 24 months after delivery. Start by confirming your vehicle qualifies under the statute before moving forward.
Keep meticulous records from day one. Save all repair orders, invoices, dealership notes, towing receipts, and correspondence. Each repair visit should clearly describe your complaint in writing—avoid vague statements like “check vehicle.” Instead, specify the exact issue (e.g., “vehicle stalls while driving at highway speed” or “loss of power steering while turning”). The wording on the repair order matters because it establishes the defect history.
Give the manufacturer a reasonable number of repair attempts. In most cases, this means three repair attempts for the same defect, or at least 15 cumulative days out of service for one or more defects during the Lemon Law rights period. However, serious safety defects may qualify with fewer attempts. Make sure repairs are performed by an authorized dealership—not an independent mechanic—or they may not count toward your claim.
Send a Motor Vehicle Defect Notification (MVDN) letter if required. Before filing a formal Lemon Law claim, Florida typically requires you to give the manufacturer one final opportunity to repair the defect. This must be done by certified mail to the address listed in your warranty booklet. Keep proof of mailing and delivery. The manufacturer then has 10 days to respond and 10 days to repair.
Act within the time limits. A Lemon Law arbitration request must generally be filed within 60 days after the expiration of the Lemon Law rights period (the first 24 months). Missing this deadline can bar your claim entirely. Timing is critical.
Avoid modifying the vehicle. Aftermarket alterations, performance tuning, or unauthorized repairs can give the manufacturer grounds to argue the defect was caused by owner modification. Keep the vehicle in original condition while pursuing your claim.
Be consistent in your complaints. If the issue is intermittent, report it every time it happens. Gaps in complaints or inconsistent descriptions can weaken your case. Even if the dealership says they “cannot duplicate the concern,” make sure your complaint is documented.
Consider whether the defect substantially impairs use, value, or safety. Minor cosmetic issues typically do not qualify. Problems involving stalling, braking, steering, transmission failure, electrical shutdowns, or repeated no-start conditions are more likely to meet the statutory standard.
Finally, understand that Florida’s Lemon Law process usually involves state-run arbitration before filing a lawsuit. The arbitration board can order a repurchase or replacement if your claim is successful. Because manufacturers often contest these claims aggressively, many consumers benefit from consulting an attorney experienced in Florida Lemon Law cases—especially if the vehicle has serious safety defects or repeated failed repair attempts.
If handled properly and within deadlines, Florida’s Lemon Law can result in a refund (minus a mileage offset) or a comparable replacement vehicle. The key is documentation, persistence, and strict compliance with the statutory process.