Alaska Ley del Limón

31 de agosto 2006 a las 11:35 am Filed under Ley del Limón

Los artículos que están cubiertos bajo la Ley de Limón de Alaska:

• vehículos de cuatro ruedas utiliza normalmente para fines personales, familiares o domésticos, se exija el registro. Excepción de los tractores, vehículos agrícolas, motocicletas o vehículos todo terreno.
• Alaska Ley de Limón se puede aplicar si se ha producido el siguiente
• 3 intentos de reparación - 30 días laborables fuera de servicio
• Longitud de tiempo o de millas antes de la Ley Limón de Alaska se queda sin
• Express período de garantía o 1 año, lo que ocurra primero.

La Ley de Limón en Alaska

AS 45.45.305. El reemplazo o reembolso. Si durante el período de la garantía expresa o dentro de un año desde la fecha de entrega del vehículo de motor al propietario original, el período que termina en primer lugar, el fabricante,, comerciante distribuidor, agente o reparación no pueda dar cumplimiento al vehículo de motor a una garantía expresa aplicable tras un número razonable de intentos, el fabricante o distribuidor deberá aceptar la devolución del vehículo de motor no conforme, y, a elección del propietario, podrá sustituir el vehículo no conforme con un vehículo nuevo, comparables o reembolsará la precio total de compra al propietario menos una cantidad razonable para el uso del vehículo de motor desde el momento en que fue entregado al propietario original. Un reembolso en esta sección se hará acreedor a una de registro, si las hubiere, y el propietario, ya que sus intereses pueden aparecer.

AS 45.45.310. Aviso por el propietario.

Con el fin de reclamar un reembolso o reemplazo bajo AS 45.45.305, el propietario deberá dar aviso por escrito por correo certificado al fabricante y su distribuidor o agente de reparación en cualquier momento antes de que hayan transcurrido 60 días después de la expiración de la garantía expresa o uno de los período de años después de la fecha de entrega del vehículo de motor al propietario original, el período que termina primero, (1) que acredite que el vehículo tiene una no conformidad, (2) proporcionar una descripción razonable de la no conformidad, (3) que acredite que el fabricante, distribuidor, comerciante o agente de reparación ha realizado un número razonable de intentos para conformar el vehículo, y (4) que indica que el propietario exige un reembolso o reemplazo de vehículos para ser entregados a los 60 días después del envío de la notificación escrita. Dentro de los 30 días después de recibir la notificación requerida por esta sección, el fabricante puede hacer un último intento para conformar el vehículo antes de un reembolso o reemplazo se realiza bajo AS 45.45.305.

AS 45.45.315. Excepciones.

Un propietario no puede recibir un reembolso o reemplazo bajo AS 45.45.300 - 45.45.360 si el fabricante o el distribuidor muestra que la no conformidad se quejaron de

• (1) no sea considerablemente disminuida debido a la utilización o el valor de mercado del vehículo de motor, o
• (2) es el resultado de la alteración del vehículo de motor por el propietario o una persona que no sea un distribuidor o agente de reparación que no esté autorizado por el fabricante o distribuidor, o el abuso o negligencia del propietario o una persona que no sea el distribuidor o reparación de agente.

AS 45.45.320. Presunción.

La presunción de que un número razonable de intentos se han hecho para conformar un vehículo de motor bajo una garantía que se establece si procede:

• (1) la misma anomalía ha sido objeto de reparación de tres o más veces por el fabricante, distribuidor, comerciante o agente de reparación durante la vigencia de la garantía expresa o el período de un año después de la entrega del vehículo de motor al propietario original, aplicándose el plazo que termina primero, pero la no conformidad sigue existiendo, o
• (2) el vehículo está fuera de servicio para su reparación por un total de 30 o más días hábiles durante el período de garantía o el período de un año a que se refiere en (1) de esta sección, el período que termina primero, cualquier período de tiempo que las reparaciones no se realizan por razones que están fuera del control del fabricante, distribuidor, comerciante o agente de reparación se excluye del plazo de 30 días contemplado en el presente apartado.

AS 45.45.325. Disponibilidad de piezas.

Un fabricante de cuyos vehículos se venden en el estado a través de un distribuidor autorizado presentará su distribuidor o agente de la reparación de cualquier elemento necesario para hacer una reparación de una no conformidad cubierta por una garantía expresa, tan pronto como sea posible, sin cargo adicional para la carga o manipulación, si la parte no está en el distribuidor o agente de inventario cuando el vehículo no conforme se señala a la reparación de distribuidor o agente para su reparación.

AS 45.45.335. Reventa sin dar a conocer prohibidos.

Un vehículo de motor devuelvan bajo AS 45.45.305 no pueden ser revendidas por el fabricante o el distribuidor en el estado a menos que la divulgación completa de la razón de la devolución se hace al posible comprador antes de la reventa se concluye.

AS 45.45.340. Otros derechos y recursos.

Las disposiciones del AS 45.45.300 - 45.45.360 no limitan los derechos y recursos que pueden estar disponibles para el propietario de un vehículo de motor bajo otras disposiciones de la ley. Esta sección no crea una nueva causa de acción contra un concesionario o agente que vende la reparación o intentos de reparación de un vehículo de motor que se encuentran disconformes bajo AS 45.45.300 - 45.45.360.

AS 45.45.345. Reparación de instalaciones.

Un fabricante o distribuidor o de los vehículos de motor que se autoriza la venta del fabricante o vehículos distribuidor de motor en el estado mantendrá autorizados instalaciones de distribución dentro del estado que son capaces de realizar el servicio y hacer las reparaciones necesarias por la garantía expresa del fabricante y por AS 45,45 0.300 - 45.45.360.

AS 45.45.350. Reembolso de los Gastos de Envío.

El fabricante o distribuidor que acepta la devolución de un vehículo de motor no conforme bajo AS 45.45.305 reembolsará al propietario por cualquier costo razonable durante el transporte del vehículo desde y hacia el cercano centro autorizado de servicio de garantía y reparación de una inconformidad que causa el retorno del vehículo.

AS 45.45.355. Arbitraje o la mediación.

Si un fabricante o distribuidor ha establecido un procedimiento de resolución de controversia que cumple sustancialmente con los requisitos de 16 CFR 703, como que el artículo puede ser modificado, o si el fabricante o distribuidor, después de la recepción de la notificación requerida por la AS 45.45.310, ofrece en por escrito para participar en un arbitraje o mediación con el propietario y el arbitraje o la mediación de la decisión es vinculante para el fabricante o el distribuidor, pero no sobre el propietario, y si la solución de controversias informal o de arbitraje o mediación no es aprobada por el fiscal general, el disposiciones del AS 45.45.305 restitución relativa, sustitución o AS 45.45.350 relativas a los gastos de envío no se aplican a un propietario que no ha recurrido primero al procedimiento de solución de controversias informal o arbitraje o mediación.

AS 45.45.360. Definiciones.

Definiciones en AS 45.45.300 - 45.45.360:

• (1) "distribuidor", la persona que haya obtenido una licencia de, o esté autorizada por un fabricante de automóviles a dedicarse a la venta al por menor y reparación de la garantía de los vehículos del fabricante de motor nuevos en el estado;
• (2) "distribuidor": una persona que esté autorizada por un fabricante de participar en la distribución al por mayor de vehículos del fabricante de motor nuevos en el estado;
• (3) "garantía explícita" o "garantía" significa una garantía expresa por escrito por el fabricante de un vehículo nuevo;
• (4) "precio de compra completo", el precio total pagado por un vehículo de motor por el propietario original, incluidos los costes añadidos al precio al por menor, tales como derechos de inscripción original, las tarifas del transporte, la preparación del concesionario y distribuidor de las opciones instaladas;
• (5) "fabricante": una persona que por el trabajo transforma las materias primas y componentes a los vehículos automóviles para la venta al por mayor o al por menor;
• (6) "vehículo de motor" o "vehículo", un vehículo terrestre que tienen cuatro o más ruedas, que se auto-propulsado por un motor, se utiliza normalmente para personal, familiar, o la casa, y es obligatorio el registro en virtud de AS 28,10, pero no incluye un tractor, vehículos agrícolas, o un vehículo diseñado principalmente para su uso fuera de carretera;
• (7) "no conformidad", un defecto o condición en un vehículo de motor causada por un fabricante, distribuidor, comerciante, o la reparación de agente que impide considerablemente el uso o valor de mercado de un vehículo;
• (8) "propietario": un comprador, que no sean para la reventa de un vehículo de motor nuevo, y una persona a la que la propiedad del vehículo de motor es transferida de conformidad con la NC 28;
• (9) "compensación razonable" significa una cantidad atribuible al uso de un propietario de un vehículo de motor; una indemnización "razonable" no podrá exceder de un importe igual a la depreciación del valor del vehículo para el período durante el cual el vehículo está disponible para su uso por el propietario, calculado por el método de depreciación en línea recta más de siete años, más un importe igual a la depreciación del valor del vehículo, que es causada por cualquier negligencia o abuso por parte del propietario, o el cuerpo daños no causados por una no conformidad;
• (10) "agente de reparación" significa una persona que ha sido específicamente autorizado por un fabricante de vehículos de motor o distribuidor para realizar reparaciones en garantía en el estado en una o más de los vehículos del fabricante o distribuidor de motor;
• (11) "impide considerablemente el valor de mercado", una inconformidad que disminuye sustancialmente el valor en dólares de un vehículo al propietario cuando se compara con el valor en dólares de un vehículo similar que no tenga la no conformidad;
• (12) "impide considerablemente el servicio", una inconformidad que impide que un vehículo de motor de ser operado o hace que el vehículo inseguro para operar.

Comentarios

Arizona Ley del Limón

31 de agosto 2006 a las 11:35 am Filed under Ley del Limón

Los artículos que están cubiertos bajo la Ley de Limón de Arizona
Los vehículos de menos de 10.000 libras. GVW, utilizado para transportar personas o propiedad sobre las carreteras, también se aplica al vehículo automotor y el chasis de una casa rodante. (M)
La Ley de Limón de Arizona se puede aplicar si se ha producido el siguiente
4 intentos de reparación o 30 días naturales fuera de servicio.
Longitud de tiempo o de millas antes de la Ley de Arizona de Limón se queda sin
Express período de garantía o 2 años o 24.000 millas, lo que ocurra primero.

La Ley de Limón en Arizona

44-1261. Definiciones; exenciones

A. En este artículo, salvo que el contexto exija lo contrario:

• 1. "Consumidor" significa que el comprador, que no sean para fines de reventa de un vehículo de motor, cualquier persona a la que el vehículo de motor se transfiere durante la duración de una garantía expresa aplicable al vehículo de motor o cualquier otra persona habilitada por los términos de la garantía para hacer cumplir las obligaciones de la garantía.
• 2. "Vehículo de motor", un vehículo autopropulsado destina principalmente para el transporte de personas o de propiedad sobre la vía pública.

B. Si el vehículo es un hogar de motor, las disposiciones del presente artículo se aplicará a los vehículos de la automotriz y el chasis, pero no incluye las porciones de los vehículos diseñados, usados o mantenidos principalmente como vivienda móvil, oficina o espacio comercial .

C. Las disposiciones del presente artículo no será aplicable a un vehículo de motor con un peso bruto declarado más de diez mil libras.

44-1262. Nuevo vehículo de motor, reparación durante la garantía expresa o dos años o millas veinticuatro mil

A. Si un vehículo de motor nuevo no se ajusta a todas las garantías expresas aplicables:

• 1. Los consumidores tendrán un escrito de disconformidad con el fabricante, su agente o su distribuidor autorizado o el emisor de una garantía durante el más breve de lo siguiente:
  • (A) El término de la garantía expresa.
  • (B) El período de dos años o millas veinticuatro mil siguiente a la fecha de la entrega original del vehículo de motor para el consumidor, lo que ocurra primero.
• 2. El fabricante, su agente o su distribuidor autorizado o el emisor de una garantía hacer dichas reparaciones que sean necesarias para adaptar el vehículo de motor a tales garantías expresas, incluso si las reparaciones se realizan después de la expiración del término o período de dos años o veinte y cuatro mil millas límite.

B. Esta sección no limita en modo alguno los recursos a disposición de un consumidor en virtud de una garantía de vehículo de motor nuevo que se extiende más allá de los límites prescritos en esta sección.

44-1263. La incapacidad para cumplir los vehículos de motor para expresar garantía, reposición de un vehículo o la devolución del dinero; defensas afirmativas

A. Si el fabricante, sus agentes o sus distribuidores autorizados son incapaces de aceptar el vehículo de motor a cualquier garantía expresa aplicable al reparar o corregir cualquier defecto o condición que impide considerablemente el uso y el valor del vehículo de motor para el consumidor después de un número razonable de intentos, el fabricante deberá sustituir el vehículo de motor con un vehículo de motor nuevo o aceptar la devolución del vehículo de motor del consumidor y de la restitución al consumidor el precio de compra completo, incluyendo todos los gastos colaterales, menos una cantidad razonable por el uso del consumidor de la vehículo. El fabricante deberá facilitar los reembolsos a los consumidores y tenedor de la prenda, en su caso, ya que sus intereses parecidos. Una cantidad razonable por el uso de esa cantidad es directamente atribuible al uso por el consumidor antes de su primer informe por escrito de la inconformidad al fabricante, agente o distribuidor y durante cualquier período posterior cuando el vehículo no está fuera de servicio debido a reparaciones.

B. Es una defensa afirmativa a cualquier reclamación en virtud de este artículo que:

• 1. Una supuesta inconformidad no substancialmente el uso y valor de mercado del vehículo de motor.
• 2. Una no conformidad es el resultado de abuso, negligencia o modificaciones o alteraciones no autorizadas de los vehículos de motor.

44-1264. un número razonable de intentos para ajustarse los vehículos de motor para expresar garantía, presunción

A. Se presume que un número razonable de intentos se han comprometido a conformar un vehículo de motor a las garantías expresas aplicables si:

• 1. La misma anomalía ha sido objeto de reparación de cuatro o más veces por el fabricante o sus agentes o distribuidores autorizados en el más corto de período de garantía o el período de dos años o millas veinticuatro mil siguiente a la fecha de la entrega original del motor vehículo para el consumidor, lo que ocurra antes, pero la no conformidad sigue existiendo.
• 2. El vehículo de motor está fuera de servicio debido a reparaciones por un total acumulativo de treinta o más días naturales durante el más corto de período de garantía o el período de dos años o veinte millas y cuatro mil, lo que ocurra primero.

B. La duración de una garantía expresa, el plazo de dos años y el período de treinta días se extienden por un período de tiempo durante el cual los servicios de reparación no están disponibles para el consumidor a causa de cualquier guerra, invasión, huelga, incendio, inundación u otros desastres naturales desastre.

C. La presunción prescrita en esta sección no se aplica contra un fabricante a menos que el fabricante ha recibido con anterioridad por escrito de notificación directa o por cuenta del consumidor del defecto alegado y ha tenido una oportunidad de curar el defecto alegado.

44-1265. Nonlimitation de los derechos; reembolso o reemplazo no es necesario si no a determinados procedimientos seguidos; los honorarios del abogado

A. Si un fabricante ha establecido o participa en un procedimiento de resolución de controversia que se ajuste en todos los aspectos con 16 de las regulaciones federales parte 703, sección 44-1263 relativa a la restitución o la sustitución no se aplica a cualquier consumidor que no ha recurrido a la primera tal procedimiento.

B. Los consumidores tendrán iniciar una demanda en virtud del presente artículo dentro de los seis meses siguientes a la anterior en que expire el período de garantía o dos años o millas veinticuatro mil siguiente a la fecha de la entrega original del vehículo de motor para el consumidor, lo que ocurra primero . Si un consumidor se impone una medida prevista en este artículo, el tribunal concederá los gastos de consumo razonable y honorarios de abogados.

44-1266. Aviso a los distribuidores y posibles compradores

A. El fabricante que haya sido condenada mediante sentencia o decreto para la sustitución o recompra de un vehículo de motor con arreglo al presente artículo, o la reparación o sustitución de la legislación de otro Estado, antes de ofrecer el vehículo a la reventa, se adhieren a la cabina del vehículo una notificación por escrito indicando el vehículo de motor haya sido reemplazado o compradas. A consumer has a cause of action against any person who removes the written notification from the motor vehicle, except as provided in subsection B of this section.

B. A motor vehicle dealer, broker, wholesale motor vehicle dealer or wholesale motor vehicle auction dealer as defined in section 28-4301 who offers for sale a motor vehicle that has been replaced or repurchased pursuant to this article or the repair or replace laws of another state shall provide the purchaser with the manufacturer's written notification indicating that the motor vehicle has been replaced or repurchased before completion of the sale.

C. It shall constitute an affirmative defense in an action brought pursuant to subsection A of this section against a motor vehicle dealer or an agent of a motor vehicle dealer that the notification described in subsection A of this section was removed by someone other than the dealer or agent without the knowledge of the dealer or agent.

Comentarios

Arkansas Lemon Law

August 31, 2006 at 11:34 am · Filed under Lemon Laws

Items that are covered under Arkansas Lemon Law
Vehicle purchased or leased for transportation of persons or property, excluding living facilities of a mobile home or vehicles over 10,000 lbs.-but including motor homes. Excludes motorcycles and mopeds.
Arkansas Lemon Law may apply if the following has occurred
1 repair attempt for a defect that may cause death or serious injury or 3 repair attempts, 30 calendar days out of service, or 5 repair attempts on separate occasions to repair any non conformities that together impair the use and value of the vehicle.
Length of time or miles before the Arkansas Lemon Law runs out
2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs last.

Lemon Law in Arkansas

§ 4-90-401. Título.

This subchapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Arkansas New Motor Vehicle Quality Assurance Act”.
Historia. Acts 1993, No. 285, § 1; 1993, No. 297, § 1.

§ 4-90-402. Legislative determinations and intent.

The Arkansas General Assembly recognizes that a motor vehicle is a major consumer acquisition and that a defective motor vehicle undoubtedly creates a hardship for the consumer. The Arkansas General Assembly further recognizes that a duly franchised motor vehicle dealer is an authorized service agent of the manufacturer. It is the intent of the Arkansas General Assembly that a good faith motor vehicle warranty complaint by a consumer be resolved by the manufacturer within a specified period of time. It is further the intent of the Arkansas General Assembly to provide the statutory procedures whereby a consumer may receive a replacement motor vehicle, or a full refund, for a motor vehicle which cannot be brought into conformity with the warranty provided for in this subchapter. However, nothing in this subchapter shall in any way limit the rights or remedies which are otherwise available to a consumer under any other law. Historia. Acts 1993, No. 285, § 2; 1993, No. 297, § 2.

§ 4-90-403. Definitions.

As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (1)Ê”Calendar day” means any day of the week other than a legal holiday; (2)Ê”Collateral charges” means those additional charges to a consumer wholly incurred as a result of the acquisition of the motor vehicle. For the purposes of this subchapter, collateral charges include, but are not limited to, manufacturer-installed or agent-installed items, earned finance charges, sales taxes, title charges, and charges for extended warranties provided by the manufacturer, its subsidiary, or agent; (3)Ê”Condition” means a general problem that may be attributable to a defect in more than one (1) part; (4) “Consumer” means the purchaser or lessee, other than for the purposes of lease or resale, of a new or previously untitled motor vehicle, or any other person entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty during the duration of the motor vehicle quality assurance period, provided the purchaser has titled and registered the motor vehicle as prescribed by law; (5) “Incidental charges” means those reasonable costs incurred by the consumer, including, but not limited to, towing charges and the costs of obtaining alternative transportation which are directly caused by the nonconformity or nonconformities which are the subject of the claim, but shall not include loss of use, loss of income, or personal injury claims; (6) “Lease price” means the aggregate of: (A) The lessor's actual purchase costs; (B) Collateral charges, if applicable; (C) Any fee paid to another person to obtain the lease; (D) Any insurance or other costs expended by the lessor for the benefit of the lease; (E) An amount equal to state and local sales taxes, not otherwise included as collateral charges, paid by the lessor when the vehicle was initially purchased; and (F) An amount equal to five percent (5%) of the lessor's actual purchase price; (7) “Lessee” means any consumer who leases a motor vehicle for one (1) year or more pursuant to a written lease agreement which provides that the lessee is responsible for repairs to such motor vehicle; (8) “Lessee cost” means the aggregate deposit and rental payments previously paid to the lessor for the leased vehicle; (9) “Lessor” means a person who holds title to a motor vehicle leased to a lessee under the written lease agreement or who holds the lessor's rights under such agreement; (10) “Manufacturer” means: (A) Any person who is engaged in the business of constructing or assembling new motor vehicles or installing, on previously assembled vehicle chassis, special bodies or equipment which, when installed, form an integral part of the new motor vehicle; or (B) In the case of motor vehicles not manufactured in the United States, any person who is engaged in the business of importing new motor vehicles into the United States for the purpose of selling or distributing new motor vehicles to new motor vehicle dealers; (11) “Motor vehicle” or “vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle licensed, purchased, or leased in this state and primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over the public streets and highways, but does not include mopeds, motorcycles, the living facilities of a motor home, or vehicles over ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) gross vehicle weight rating. For purposes of this definition, the limit of ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) gross vehicle weight rating does not apply to motor homes; (12) “Motor vehicle quality assurance period” means a period of time that: (A) Begins: (i) On the date of original delivery of a motor vehicle; or (ii) In the case of a replacement vehicle provided by a manufacturer to a consumer under this subchapter, on the date of delivery of the replacement vehicle to the consumer; and (B) Ends twenty-four (24) months after the date of the original delivery of the motor vehicle to a consumer, or the first twenty-four thousand (24,000) miles of operation attributable to the consumer, whichever is later; (13) “Nonconformity” means any specific or generic defect or condition or any concurrent combination of defects or conditions that: (A) Substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of a motor vehicle; or (B) Renders the motor vehicle nonconforming to the terms of an applicable manufacturer's express warranty or implied warranty of merchantability; (14) “Person” means any natural person, partnership, firm, corporation, association, joint venture, trust, or other legal entity; (15) “Purchase price” means the cash price paid for the motor vehicle appearing in the sales agreement or contract, including any net allowance for a trade-in vehicle; (16) “Replacement motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is identical or reasonably equivalent to the motor vehicle to be replaced, as the motor vehicle replaced existed at the time of the original acquisition; and (17) “Warranty” means any written warranty issued by the manufacturer, or any affirmation of fact or promise made by the manufacturer, excluding statements made by the dealer, in connection with the sale or lease of a motor vehicle to a consumer which relates to the nature of the material or workmanship and affirms or promises that such material or workmanship is free of defects or will meet a specified level of performance. Historia. Acts 1993, No. 285, § 3; 1993, No. 297, § 3; 1995, No. 302, § 1.

§ 4-90-404. Notice by consumer – Disclosure by manufacturer, agent, or dealer.

(a)(1) A consumer must notify the manufacturer of a claim under this subchapter if the manufacturer has made the disclosure required by subsection (b) of this section. (2) However, if the manufacturer has not made the required disclosure, the consumer is not required to notify the manufacturer of a claim under this subchapter. (b)(1) At the time of the consumer's purchase or lease of the vehicle, the manufacturer, its agent, or an authorized dealer shall provide to the consumer a written statement that explains the consumer's rights and obligations under this subchapter. (2) The written statement shall be prepared by the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General and shall include the telephone number of the Consumer Protection Division that the consumer can contact to obtain information regarding his or her rights and obligations under this subchapter. (3) For each failure of the manufacturer, its agent, or an authorized dealer to provide to a consumer the written statement required under this section, the manufacturer shall be liable to the State of Arkansas for a civil penalty of not less than twenty-fivej·a 6 (c)(1) The manufacturer shall clearly and conspicuously disclose to the consumer, in the warranty or owner's manual, that written notice of the nonconformity is required before the buyer may be eligible for a refund or replacement of the vehicle. (2) The manufacturer shall provide the consumer with conspicuous notice of the address and phone number for its zone, district, or regional office for this state at the time of vehicle acquisition, to which the buyer must send notification. Historia. Acts 1993, No. 285, § 5; 1993, No. 297, § 5; 1995, No. 302, § 2.

§ 4-90-405. Required warranty repairs.

If a motor vehicle does not conform to the warranty and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent, or authorized dealer during the motor vehicle quality assurance period, the manufacturer, its agent, or authorized dealer shall make such repairs as are necessary to correct the nonconformity, even if the repairs are made after the expiration of the term of protection. Historia. Acts 1993, No. 285, § 4; 1993, No. 297, § 4.

§ 4-90-406. Failure to make required repairs.

(A) (1) Después de tres (3) se han hecho intentos para reparar la misma anomalía que perjudica sustancialmente el vehículo de motor, o después de un (1) tratar de reparar una inconformidad que se puedan causar la muerte o lesiones corporales graves, la consumidor deberá dar aviso por escrito, por correo certificado o registrado, el fabricante de la necesidad de reparar la no conformidad a fin de permitir al fabricante un último intento para curar la inconformidad. (2) El fabricante, dentro de los diez (10) días siguientes a la recepción de la notificación, notificar y dar al consumidor la oportunidad de reparar el vehículo en un taller de reparación razonablemente accesible, y, después de la entrega del vehículo a la reparación designado instalación por parte del consumidor, el fabricante, dentro de los diez (10) días, conforme el vehículo de motor a la garantía. (3) Si el fabricante no notificar y proporcionar al consumidor la oportunidad de reparar el vehículo en un taller de reparación razonablemente accesible o no para llevar a cabo las reparaciones dentro de los plazos previstos en el presente inciso, el requisito de que el fabricante recibirá un El último intento para curar la inconformidad no se aplica y una presunción nonrebuttable de un número razonable de intentos de reparaciones. (B) (1) (A) Si el fabricante, su agente o distribuidor autorizado no ha cumplido el vehículo de motor a la garantía por la reparación o la corrección de un (1) o más no conformidades que pueden perjudicar substancialmente el vehículo de motor después de un número razonable de intentos, el fabricante, dentro de los cuarenta (40) días, deberá: (i) En el momento de su recibo de pago de una razonable compensación por el uso por el consumidor, sustituya el vehículo de motor de un vehículo de motor de reemplazo aceptable para el consumidor, o (ii) de recompra del vehículo de motor al consumidor o al arrendador y restitución al consumidor o al arrendador el precio de compra total o precio del arrendamiento, menos una razonable compensación por el uso sostenido y menos una razonable compensación por daños físicos al vehículo bajo la propiedad de el consumidor. (B) El reemplazo o reembolso deberá incluir el pago de todas las garantías y que se hayan razonablemente posibles cargos adicionales. (2) (A) El consumidor dispondrá de un derecho incondicional a elegir un reembolso en lugar de una sustitución. (B) En el momento de la devolución o sustitución, el consumidor, acreedor, o el arrendador deberá proporcionar al fabricante título claro y posesión de vehículo de motor. (3) La cantidad de desplazamiento razonables para su uso por el consumidor se determinará multiplicando el precio real del vehículo de motor nuevos pagado o por pagar por el consumidor, que incluye los costes de transporte e instalado por el fabricante o agente de las opciones instaladas, por un fracción en la que tiene como denominador ciento veinte mil (120.000) y cuyo numerador el número de millas recorridas por vehículo de motor nuevo antes de la hora el primer comprador entregó el vehículo al fabricante, su agente o distribuidor autorizado para la corrección de el problema que dio lugar a la no conformidad. Historia. Actos de 1993, N º 285, § 6, 1993, N ° 297, § 6, 1995, N º 302, § 3.

§ 4-90-407. Los reembolsos.

(A) (1) La devolución deberá efectuarse para el consumidor y acreedor de registro, en su caso, ya que sus intereses pueden aparecer. (2) En su caso, los reembolsos se efectuarán con el arrendador y el arrendatario de la siguiente manera: (A) El arrendatario deberá recibir el costo arrendatario menos una razonable compensación por el uso, y (B) El arrendador deberá recibir el precio del alquiler menos el depósito total y los pagos de alquiler pagado previamente al arrendador para que el vehículo arrendado. (B) Si el fabricante no ofrece un reembolso al arrendador o el arrendatario en virtud del presente subcapítulo, el acuerdo del consumidor de arrendamiento con el arrendador deberá darse por concluido tras el pago de la restitución y la pena no para la terminación temprana se evaluará. (C) Si un vehículo sustituido fue financiado por el fabricante, su filial, o el agente, el fabricante, filial, o el agente no podrá exigir al comprador para entrar en cualquier acuerdo de refinanciación sobre un vehículo de sustitución que crearía ninguna obligación financiera sobre el comprador más allá de las del acuerdo de financiación inicial. Historia. Actos de 1993, N º 285, § 7, 1993, N ° 297, § 7.

§ 4-90-408. Reembolso de remolque y los costos de alquiler.

Cada vez que un vehículo sea reemplazado o reembolsado bajo este subcapítulo, el fabricante deberá reembolsar al consumidor para el remolque necesarios y los gastos de alquiler realmente efectuados como consecuencia directa de la no conformidad. Historia. Actos de 1993, N º 285, § 10, 1993, N ° 297, § 10.

§ 4-90-409. Opción para conservar la utilización del vehículo.

Un consumidor tiene la opción de mantener el uso de los vehículos devueltos bajo este subcapítulo hasta el momento en que el consumidor ha sido ofrecido un reembolso completo o un vehículo de sustitución de valor comparable. Historia. Actos de 1993, N º 285, § 11, 1993, N ° 297, § 11.

§ 4-90-410. Presunción de los intentos razonables para reparar - Ampliación del tiempo de reparar en caso de guerra, invasión, huelga, incendio, inundación o desastre natural.

(A) Existe una presunción refutable de un número razonable de intentos de reparar se considera que han llevado a cabo para corregir una no conformidad si: (1) La no conformidad ha sido sometidas a una reparación conforme a lo dispuesto en el § 4-90-406 (a), pero la no conformidad sigue existiendo, (2) El vehículo está fuera de servicio debido a reparaciones, o intento de reparación, cualquier inconformidad con un total acumulado de treinta días naturales (30), o (3) Se han producido cinco (5) o más intentos, en ocasiones separadas, para reparar los incumplimientos que, en conjunto substancialmente el uso y el valor del vehículo de motor para el consumidor. (B) (1) Los treinta días naturales (30) en la subdivisión (a) (2) de esta sección se prolongará por un período de tiempo durante el cual los servicios de reparación no están disponibles como resultado directo de la guerra, invasión, huelga, incendio, inundación o desastre natural. (2) El fabricante, su agente o distribuidor autorizado deberá presentar o someter a disposiciones para el uso gratuito de un vehículo a cualquier consumidor cuyo vehículo está fuera de servicio más allá de treinta (30) días a causa de la reparación de retraso como consecuencia directa de la guerra , invasión, huelga, incendio, inundación o desastre natural. (C) La carga está en el fabricante de mostrar que la razón de una prórroga en virtud de la subsección (b) de esta sección fue la causa directa del fracaso del fabricante, su agente o distribuidor autorizado para curar cualquier falta de conformidad en el momento de la el evento. Historia. Actos de 1993, N º 285, § 12, 1993, N ° 297, § 12.

§ 4-90-411. Diagnóstico y reparación - Documentación.

(A) El fabricante, su agente o distribuidor autorizado no podrá negarse a diagnosticar o reparar cualquier vehículo con el fin de evitar la responsabilidad bajo este subcapítulo. (B) (1) El fabricante, su agente o distribuidor autorizado deberá presentar un consumidor con una orden de reparación por escrito cada vez que el vehículo del consumidor debe estar presente para su examen y reparación. (2) La orden de reparación debe indicar todo el trabajo realizado en el vehículo, incluido el examen del vehículo, partes y mano de obra. Historia. Actos de 1993, N º 285, § 13, 1993, N ° 297, § 13.

§ 4-90-412. Reventa de vehículos devueltos no conformes.

If a motor vehicle has been replaced or repurchased by a manufacturer as the result of a court judgment, an arbitration award, or any voluntary agreement entered into between a manufacturer and a consumer that occurs after a consumer complaint has been investigated and evaluated pursuant to this subchapter or a similar law of another state, the motor vehicle may not be resold in Arkansas unless: (1) The manufacturer provides the same express warranty the manufacturer provided to the original purchaser, except that the term of the warranty need only last for twelve thousand (12,000) miles or twelve (12) months after the date of resale, whichever occurs first; and (2) The manufacturer provides a written disclosure, signed by the consumer, indicating that the vehicle was returned to the manufacturer because of a nonconformity not cured within a reasonable time as provided by Arkansas law. Historia. Acts 1993, No. 285, § 14; 1993, No. 297, § 14.

§ 4-90-413. Affirmative defenses.

It is an affirmative defense to any claim under this subchapter that: (1) The nonconformity, defect, or condition does not substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the motor vehicle; (2) The nonconformity, defect, or condition is the result of an accident, abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modification or alteration of the motor vehicle by persons other than the manufacturer, its agent, or authorized dealer; (3) The claim by the consumer was not filed in good faith; or (4) Any other defense allowed by law that may be raised against the claim. Historia. Acts 1993, No. 285, § 15; 1993, No. 297, § 15.

§ 4-90-414. Informal proceeding as precedent.

(a)(1) Any manufacturer doing business in this state, entering into franchise agreements for the sale of its motor vehicles in this state, or offering express warranties on its motor vehicles sold or distributed for sale in this state, shall operate, or participate in, an informal dispute settlement proceeding located in the State of Arkansas which complies with the requirements of this section. (2) The provisions of § 4-90-406(b)(1) and (2) concerning refunds or replacement do not apply to a consumer who has not first used this informal proceeding before commencing a civil action, unless the manufacturer allows a consumer to commence an action without first using this informal procedure. (3)(A) The consumer shall receive adequate written notice from the manufacturer of the existence of the procedure. (B) Adequate written notice may include the incorporation of the informal dispute settlement procedure into the terms of the written warranty to which the motor vehicle does not conform. (b) The informal dispute procedure must be certified by the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General as meeting the following criteria: (1) The informal dispute procedure must comply with the minimum requirements of the Federal Trade Commission for informal dispute settlement procedures as set forth in 16 CFR § 703.1 et seq., as in effect on the date of adoption of this subchapter, unless any provision of 16 CFR § 703.1 et seq. is in conflict with this subchapter, in which case the provisions of this subchapter shall govern; (2) The informal dispute procedure must prescribe a reasonable time, not to exceed thirty (30) days after the decision is accepted by the buyer, within which the manufacturer or its agent must fulfill the terms of its decisions; (3)(A) No documents shall be received by any informal dispute procedure unless those documents have been provided to each of the parties in the dispute at or prior to the proceeding, with an opportunity for the parties to comment on the documents either in writing or orally. (B) If a consumer is present during the informal dispute proceeding, the consumer may request postponement of the proceeding meeting to allow sufficient time to review any documents presented at the time of the meeting which had not been presented to the consumer prior to the time of the meeting; (4)(A) The informal dispute procedure shall allow each party to appear and make an oral presentation within the State of Arkansas unless the consumer agrees to submit the dispute for decision on the basis of documents alone or by telephone, or unless the party fails to appear for an oral presentation after reasonable prior written notice. (B) If the consumer agrees to submit the dispute for decision on the basis of documents alone, then the manufacturer or dealer representatives may not participate in the discussion or decision of the dispute; (5) Consumers shall be given an adequate opportunity to contest a manufacturer's assertion that a nonconformity falls within intended specifications for the vehicle by having the basis of the manufacturer's claim appraised by a technical expert selected and paid for by the consumer prior to the informal dispute settlement hearing; (6) A consumer may not be charged with a fee to participate in an informal dispute procedure; and (7) Any party to the dispute has the right to be represented by an attorney in an informal dispute proceeding. (c)(1)(A) The informal dispute procedure shall annually submit a pool of not less than six (6) members who are appointed with the advice and consent of the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General. (B) Selected strictly by rotation, one (1) member shall hear disputes scheduled for a particular session unless the consumer requests a panel of three (3) members, in which case three (3) members shall hear disputes scheduled for a particular three-member session. (C) If the informal dispute procedure deems it appropriate to require the services of an independent investigator, such investigator shall be selected from a pool of not less than four (4) members who are appointed annually with the advice and consent of the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General and from which the particular investigator shall be selected strictly by rotation. (2) Upon notification to the administrator of any informal dispute procedure that a determination has been made by the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General that a member of any pool is not conforming to standards of fairness and impartiality, that member shall be immediately removed from the pool. Historia. Acts 1993, No. 285, § 16; 1993, No. 297, § 16.

§ 4-90-415. Enforcement – Exclusivity – Costs and expenses.

(a) A consumer may bring a civil action to enforce this subchapter in a court of competent jurisdiction. (b) This subchapter does not limit the rights and remedies that are otherwise available to a consumer under any applicable provisions of law. (c) A consumer who prevails in any legal proceeding under this subchapter is entitled to recover as part of the judgment a sum equal to the aggregate amount of costs and expenses, including attorney's fees based upon actual time expended by the attorney, determined by the court to have been reasonably incurred by the consumer for or in connection with the commencement and prosecution of the action. Historia. Acts 1993, No. 285, §§ 17-19; 1993, No. 297, §§ 17-19.

§ 4-90-416. Time limitation for commencement of action.

(a) An action brought under this subchapter must be commenced within two (2) years following the date the buyer first reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent, or authorized dealer. (b) When the buyer has commenced an informal dispute settlement procedure described in § 4-90-414, the two-year period specified in subsection (a) of this section begins to run at the time the informal dispute settlement procedure is being commenced. Historia. Acts 1993, No. 285, § 20; 1993, No. 297, § 20.

§ 4-90-417. Deceptive trade practices.

A violation of any of the provisions of this subchapter shall be deemed a deceptive trade practice under § 4-88-101 et seq. Historia. Acts 1993, No. 285, § 21; 1993, No. 297, § 21.

Comentarios

La Ley de Limón de California

August 31, 2006 at 11:34 am · Filed under Lemon Laws

Los artículos que están cubiertos bajo la Ley de Limón de California
Los vehículos utilizados principalmente para la vida personal, familiar, o la casa, excepto motocicletas, partes de los hogares de motor usado principalmente para habitar o vehículos todo terreno. Incluye el chasis, la cabina del chasis y la parte de un hogar de motor dedicados a su población
La Ley de Limón de California se puede aplicar si se ha producido el siguiente
Dos intentos de reparación de un defecto que puede causar la muerte o lesiones graves o cuatro intentos de reparación o 30 días naturales fuera de servicio
Longitud de tiempo o de millas antes de la Ley Limón de California se queda sin
18 meses - 18.000 millas lo que ocurra primero.

Lemon Law in California

1793,22. (A) Esta sección se conocerá y podrá ser citada como la Ley de Protección del Consumidor Tanner.
(B) Se presume que un número razonable de intentos se han hecho para conformar un vehículo de motor nuevos de las garantías expresas aplicables si el plazo de un año a partir de su entrega al comprador o 12.000 millas en el odómetro del vehículo, lo que ocurra primero , ya sea (1) la misma anomalía ha sido objeto de reparación de cuatro o más veces por el fabricante o sus agentes y el comprador tiene al menos una vez notificado directamente con el fabricante de la necesidad de la reparación de la no conformidad o (2) el vehículo está fuera de servicio debido a reparaciones de las no conformidades por el fabricante o sus agentes para un total acumulado de más de 30 días naturales desde la entrega del vehículo al comprador. El límite de 30 días se ampliará sólo si las reparaciones no pueden realizarse debido a circunstancias fuera del control del fabricante o sus agentes. El comprador estará obligado a comunicar directamente a la fabricante de conformidad con el párrafo (1) sólo si el fabricante tiene de manera clara y visible a conocer al comprador, con la garantía o el manual del propietario, las disposiciones de esta sección y la de la subdivisión (d), del Sección 1793.2, incluido el requisito de que el comprador deberá notificar al fabricante directamente con arreglo al apartado (1). Esta presunción será una presunción iuris tantum que afectan a la carga de la prueba, y se puede alegar que el comprador en cualquier acción civil, incluyendo una acción en la corte de reclamos menores, u otro procedimiento formal o informal.
(C) Si un proceso de resolución de controversias cualificados de terceros existe, y que el comprador recibe una notificación oportuna por escrito de la disponibilidad de ese proceso de resolución de controversias cualificados de terceros con una descripción de su funcionamiento y efecto, la presunción en la subdivisión (b) no podrán hacerse valer por el comprador hasta después de que el comprador haya recurrido a la inicialmente el proceso de impugnación de resolución cualificados de terceros como se requiere en la subdivisión (d). Notificación de la disponibilidad del proceso de resolución de controversias cualificados de terceros no es oportuna si el comprador sufre ningún perjuicio que resulte de cualquier retraso en la notificación. Si un proceso de resolución de controversias cualificados de terceros no existe, o si el comprador no está satisfecho con la decisión de terceros, o si el fabricante o su agente se niega a cumplir puntualmente las condiciones del proceso de decisión calificada de controversias por terceros después de la resolución la decisión sea aceptada por el comprador, el comprador puede hacer valer la presunción prevista en el inciso (b) en una acción para hacer cumplir los derechos del comprador bajo la subdivisión (d) de la Sección 1793.2. The findings and decision of a qualified third-party dispute resolution process shall be admissible in evidence in the action without further foundation. Any period of limitation of actions under any federal or California laws with respect to any person shall be extended for a period equal to the number of days between the date a complaint is filed with a third-party dispute resolution process and the date of its decision or the date before which the manufacturer or its agent is required by the decision to fulfill its terms if the decision is accepted by the buyer, whichever occurs later.
(D) Un proceso de resolución de controversias cualificados de terceros deberá ser aquélla que hace todo lo siguiente:
(1) conforme a las exigencias mínimas de la Comisión Federal de Comercio para los procedimientos informales de solución de controversias como se establece en la Parte 703 del Título 16 del Código de Regulaciones Federales, como los reglamentos leer el 1 de enero de 1987.
(2) Representa las decisiones que son vinculantes para el fabricante si el comprador opta por aceptar la decisión.
(3) prescribe un plazo razonable, sin exceder de 30 días después de la decisión sea aceptada por el comprador, dentro del cual el fabricante o su representante deberá cumplir con los términos de sus decisiones.
(4) Proporciona árbitros que están asignados a resolver los litigios con las copias de, y la instrucción en las disposiciones de la Comisión Federal de Comercio reglamentos de la Parte 703 del Título 16 del Código de Reglamentaciones Federales como los reglamentos leer el 1 de enero de 1987, la División 2 (comenzando con la Sección 2101) del Código de Comercio, y este capítulo.
(5) Requiere el fabricante, cuando el proceso de pedidos, en los términos de este capítulo, que el vehículo de motor no conforme se sustituye con el consentimiento del comprador a este recurso o que la restitución se otorgue al comprador, para sustituir el vehículo de motor o hacer la restitución de conformidad con el párrafo (2) de la subdivisión (d) de la Sección 1793.2.
(6) Provides, at the request of the arbitrator or a majority of the arbitration panel, for an inspection and written report on the condition of a nonconforming motor vehicle, at no cost to the buyer, by an automobile expert who is independent of the manufacturer.
(7) Takes into account, in rendering decisions, all legal and equitable factors, including, but not limited to, the written warranty, the rights and remedies conferred in regulations of the Federal Trade Commission contained in Part 703 of Title 16 of the Code of Federal Regulations as those regulations read on January 1, 1987, Division 2 (commencing with Section 2101) of the Commercial Code, this chapter, and any other equitable considerations appropriate in the circumstances. Nada en este capítulo requiere que, para ser certificado como un proceso de impugnación de resolución calificados de terceros conforme a esta sección, las decisiones del proceso debe considerar o proporcionar los recursos en forma de concesión de daños punitivos o daños múltiples, bajo la subdivisión (c) de la Sección 1794, o de los honorarios de abogados bajo la subdivisión (d) de la Sección 1794, ni de daños indirectos, aparte de lo dispuesto en las subdivisiones (a) y (b) de la Sección 1794, incluyendo, pero no limitado a, la reparación razonable, remolque , y el coche de alquiler los gastos realmente efectuados por el comprador.
(8) Requires that no arbitrator deciding a dispute may be a party to the dispute and that no other person, including an employee, agent, or dealer for the manufacturer, may be allowed to participate substantively in the merits of any dispute with the arbitrator unless the buyer is allowed to participate also. Nada en esta subdivisión se prohíbe a cualquier miembro de una junta de arbitraje para decidir una controversia.
(9) Obtains and maintains certification by the Department of Consumer Affairs pursuant to Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 472) of Division 1 of the Business and Professions Code.
(e) For the purposes of subdivision (d) of Section 1793.2 and this section, the following terms have the following meanings:
(1) "no conformidades", una inconformidad que perjudica sustancialmente el uso, valor o seguridad del vehículo de motor nuevo para el comprador o arrendatario.
(2) “New motor vehicle” means a new motor vehicle which is used or bought for use primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. “New motor vehicle” includes the chassis, chassis cab, and that portion of a motor home devoted to its propulsion, but does not include any portion designed, used, or maintained primarily for human habitation, a dealer-owned vehicle and a “demonstrator” or other motor vehicle sold with a manufacturer's new car warranty but does not include a motorcycle or a motor vehicle which is not registered under the Vehicle Code because it is to be operated or used exclusively off the highways. A “demonstrator” is a vehicle assigned by a dealer for the purpose of demonstrating qualities and characteristics common to vehicles of the same or similar model and type.
(3) "motor de origen», una unidad vehicular construido sobre, o está permanentemente unido a un chasis de vehículos autopropulsados de motor, chasis-cabina, o una furgoneta, que se convierte en una parte integral del vehículo completo, diseñado para la habitación humana o para el recreo de urgencia la ocupación.
(F) (1) Salvo lo dispuesto en el párrafo (2), ninguna persona podrá vender, ya sea al por mayor o al por menor, arrendar, o transferir un vehículo de motor transferidos por un comprador o arrendatario a un fabricante de conformidad con el párrafo (2) de la subdivisión (d) de la Sección 1793.2 o una ley similar de cualquier otro estado, a menos que la naturaleza de la no conformidad con experiencia por parte del comprador o arrendatario original es clara y evidente a conocer al posible comprador, al arrendatario o cesionario, el inconformismo se ha corregido, y el fabricante garantiza al nuevo comprador, arrendatario o cesionario por escrito durante un período de un año que el vehículo de motor es libre de dicha inconformidad.
(2) A excepción de la exigencia de que la naturaleza de la no conformidad a conocer al cesionario, el párrafo (1) no se aplica a la transferencia de un vehículo de motor a una institución educativa si la finalidad de la transferencia es hacer que el vehículo de motor disponibles para su uso en cursos de reparación de automóviles.

Comentarios

Colorado Ley de Limón

August 31, 2006 at 11:34 am · Filed under Lemon Laws

Items that are covered under Colorado Lemon Law
Private passenger motor vehicles, normally used for personal, family or household purposes, and used to carry not more than 10 persons, sold within the state, including pickups, vans; excluding motor homes and motorcycles.
Colorado Lemon Law may apply if the following has occurred
4 repair attempts – 30 business days out of service
Length of time or miles before the Colorado Lemon Law runs out
Express warranty period or 1 year, whichever occurs first.

Lemon Law in Colorado

42-10-101

Definiciones. As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Consumer” means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, of a motor vehicle normally used for personal, family, or household purposes, any person to whom such motor vehicle is transferred for the same purposes during the duration of a manufacturer's express warranty for such motor vehicle, and any other person entitled by the terms of such warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty.

(2) “Motor vehicle” means a self-propelled private passenger vehicle, including pickup trucks and vans, designed primarily for travel on the public highways and used to carry not more than ten persons, which is sold to a consumer in this state; except that the term does not include motor homes as defined in section 42-1-102 (57) or vehicles designed to travel on three or fewer wheels in contact with the ground.

(3) “Warranty” means the written warranty, so labeled, of the manufacturer of a new motor vehicle, including any terms or conditions precedent to the enforcement of obligations under that warranty.

42-10-102

Repairs to conform vehicle to warranty.

Si un vehículo de motor no se ajusta a una garantía y el consumidor los informes de la inconformidad al fabricante, su agente o su distribuidor autorizado durante el período de garantía o durante un período de un año desde la fecha de la entrega original del motor vehículo a un consumidor, lo que es la fecha anterior, el fabricante, su agente o su distribuidor autorizado deberá hacer las reparaciones que sean necesarias para cumplir el vehículo de tal garantía, a pesar de que las reparaciones se efectúen después de la expiración de dicho plazo o en el plazo de un año.

42-10-103

El incumplimiento de la garantía del vehículo - reemplazo o devolución del vehículo.

(1) Si el fabricante, su agente o su distribuidor autorizado es la imposibilidad de ajustarse el vehículo de motor a la garantía por la reparación o corregir el defecto o condición que impide considerablemente el uso y el valor de mercado de tal vehículo de motor después de un número razonable de intentos , el fabricante, a su elección, reemplazar el vehículo de motor de un vehículo de motor similar o aceptar la devolución del vehículo de motor del consumidor y de la restitución al consumidor el precio de compra completo, incluido el impuesto sobre las ventas, derechos de licencia, y cuotas de inscripción y cargos similares gubernamentales, menos una cantidad razonable por el uso del consumidor del vehículo de motor. La devolución deberá efectuarse para el consumidor y acreedor, en su caso, ya que sus intereses pueden aparecer. Una cantidad razonable por el uso de dicha cuantía se puede atribuir directamente a los usados por el consumidor y cualquier previos con otros consumidores antes de su primer informe por escrito al consumidor de la inconformidad al fabricante, agente o distribuidor y durante cualquier período posterior cuando el vehículo no está fuera de servicio debido a reparaciones.

(2) (a) Se presume que un número razonable de intentos se han comprometido a conformar un vehículo de motor a la garantía si:

• (I) La misma anomalía ha sido objeto de reparación de cuatro o más veces por el fabricante, su agente o su distribuidor autorizado dentro del plazo de garantía o durante un período de un año después de la fecha de la entrega original del vehículo de motor a la consumidor, lo que es la fecha anterior, pero como no conformidad sigue existiendo, o
• (II), el vehículo está fuera de servicio debido a reparaciones por un total acumulativo de treinta o más días hábiles del taller de reparación durante el plazo indicado en el inciso (I) de este párrafo (a) o durante el período contemplado en dicho párrafo (I), lo que es la fecha más temprana.

(B) A los efectos de esta subsección (2), el plazo de una garantía, el plazo de un año, y el plazo de treinta días se ampliará por un período de tiempo durante el cual los servicios de reparación no están disponibles para el consumidor por de guerra, invasión, huelga, o un incendio, inundación, u otro desastre natural.

(C) En ningún caso, una presunción en virtud del párrafo (a) de este inciso (2) se aplican contra un fabricante a menos que el fabricante ha recibido notificación previa por escrito por correo certificado, o en nombre de los consumidores y se ha proporcionado una oportunidad de curar el defecto alegado. Tal defecto se considerará como una no conformidad sometidas a una reparación con arreglo al inciso (i) del párrafo (a) de este inciso (2).

(D) Cada compra de automóviles incluirá un formulario, que contiene el nombre del fabricante y su dirección profesional, con el manual de cada propietario del vehículo en que el consumidor puede dar una notificación por escrito de cualquier defecto, ya que dicha notificación es requerida por el párrafo (c) del esta subsección (2), y la forma clara y evidente se divulga que la notificación escrita por correo certificado de la no conformidad es necesario, para que el consumidor obtenga los recursos en virtud del presente artículo.

(3) Los honorarios del tribunal concederá razonables de abogados a la parte que prevalece en cualquier acción ejercitada para exigir que las disposiciones del presente artículo.

42-10-104

defensas afirmativas.

(1) Deberá ser una defensa afirmativa a cualquier reclamación en virtud del presente artículo que:

• (A) El presunto inconformidad no afecte sustancialmente a poner en peligro el uso y el valor de mercado de un vehículo de motor, o
• (B) Una no conformidad es el resultado de abuso, negligencia o modificaciones o alteraciones no autorizadas de los vehículos de motor por un consumidor.

42-10-105

Limitaciones a los derechos y recursos. Nada de lo dispuesto en este artículo se limita de modo alguno los derechos o recursos que se pondrán a disposición de un consumidor en virtud de cualquier otra ley estatal o cualquier otra ley federal. Nada de lo dispuesto en este artículo afectará a los demás derechos y deberes entre el consumidor y un vendedor, arrendador o acreedor de un vehículo de motor o de los derechos entre ninguno de ellos. Nada de lo dispuesto en este artículo se interpretará como una imposición de una obligación en cualquier distribuidor autorizado con respecto a un fabricante o la creación de una causa de acción por un fabricante en contra de su distribuidor autorizado, a excepción que el hecho de que un distribuidor autorizado para preparar adecuadamente un vehículo de motor para la venta, opciones para instalar correctamente en un vehículo de motor, o para hacer reparaciones correctamente en un vehículo de motor, cuando esta preparación, instalación o reparación habría prevenir o curar una no conformidad, serán recurribles por el fabricante.

42-10-106

Aplicabilidad de los procedimientos federales.

If a manufacturer has established or participates in an informal dispute settlement procedure which substantially complies with the provisions of part 703 of title 16 of the code of federal regulations, as from time to time amended, the provisions of section 42-10-103 (1) concerning refunds or replacement shall not apply to any consumer who has not first resorted to such procedure.

42-10-107

Statute of limitations.

Any action brought to enforce the provisions of this article shall be commenced within six months following the expiration date of any warranty term or within one year following the date of the original delivery of a motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever is the earlier date; except that the statute of limitations shall be tolled during the period the consumer has submitted to arbitration under section 42-10-106.

Comentarios

Connecticut Ley de Limón

August 31, 2006 at 11:34 am · Filed under Lemon Laws

Items that are covered under Connecticut Lemon Law
Passenger and commercial motor vehicles sold or leased within the state. Excludes agricultural tractors. (M)
Connecticut Lemon Law may apply if the following has occurred
4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 2 repair attempts if serious safety hazard.
Length of time or miles before the Connecticut Lemon Law runs out
2 years or 18,000 miles, whichever period occurs first.

Lemon Law in Connecticut

CHAPTER 743b* NEW AUTOMOBILE WARRANTIES

Sec. 42-179. New motor vehicle warranties.

Leased vehicles. Resales. Transferencias. Manufacturer buybacks.(a) As used in this chapter: (1) “Consumer” means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, of a motor vehicle, a lessee of a motor vehicle, any person to whom such motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of an express warranty applicable to such motor vehicle, and any person entitled by the terms of such warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty; and (2) “motor vehicle” means a passenger motor vehicle or a passenger and commercial motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, which is sold or leased in this state.

(b) If a new motor vehicle does not conform to all applicable express warranties, and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer during the period of two years following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to a consumer or during the period of the first eighteen thousand miles of operation, whichever period ends first, the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer shall make such repairs as are necessary to conform the vehicle to such express warranties, notwithstanding the fact that such repairs are made after the expiration of the applicable period.

(c) No consumer shall be required to notify the manufacturer of a claim under this section and sections 42-181 to 42-184, inclusive, unless the manufacturer has clearly and conspicuously disclosed to the consumer, in the warranty or owner's manual, that written notification of the nonconformity is required before the consumer may be eligible for a refund or replacement of the vehicle. The manufacturer shall include with the warranty or owner's manual the name and address to which the consumer shall send such written notification.

(d) If the manufacturer, or its agents or authorized dealers are unable to conform the motor vehicle to any applicable express warranty by repairing or correcting any defect or condition which substantially impairs the use, safety or value of the motor vehicle to the consumer after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer shall replace the motor vehicle with a new motor vehicle acceptable to the consumer, or accept return of the vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer, lessor and lienholder, if any, as their interests may appear, the following: (1) The full contract price, including but not limited to, charges for undercoating, dealer preparation and transportation and installed options, (2) all collateral charges, including but not limited to, sales tax, license and registration fees, and similar government charges, (3) all finance charges incurred by the consumer after he first reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer, agent or dealer and during any subsequent period when the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair, and (4) all incidental damages as defined in section 42a-2-715, less a reasonable allowance for the consumer's use of the vehicle. No authorized dealer shall be held liable by the manufacturer for any refunds or vehicle replacements in the absence of evidence indicating that dealership repairs have been carried out in a manner inconsistent with the manufacturers' instructions. Refunds or replacements shall be made to the consumer, lessor and lienholder if any, as their interests may appear. A reasonable allowance for use shall be that amount obtained by multiplying the total contract price of the vehicle by a fraction having as its denominator one hundred thousand and having as its numerator the number of miles that the vehicle traveled prior to the manufacturer's acceptance of its return. It shall be an affirmative defense to any claim under this section (1) that an alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair such use, safety or value or (2) that a nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized modifications or alterations of a motor vehicle by a consumer.

(E) Se presume que un número razonable de intentos se han comprometido a conformar un vehículo de motor a las garantías expresas aplicables, si (1) la no conformidad mismo ha sido objeto de reparación de cuatro o más veces por el fabricante o sus agentes o distribuidores autorizados durante el período de dos años a partir de la fecha de la entrega original del vehículo de motor a un consumidor o durante el período de los dieciocho primeros mil kilómetros de operación, lo que termina primero periodo, pero como no conformidad sigue existiendo o (2) la vehículo está fuera de servicio debido a reparaciones por un total acumulativo de treinta o más días durante el plazo establecido, determinado conforme a la subdivisión (1) de este inciso. Este plazo de dos años y período de treinta días se prorrogará por un período de tiempo durante el cual los servicios de reparación no están disponibles para el consumidor a causa de una guerra, invasión, huelga o un incendio, inundación u otro desastre natural. No se hará declaración en virtud de esta sección a menos que al menos un intento de reparar una no conformidad ha sido presentada por el fabricante o su agente o un distribuidor autorizado oa menos que dicho fabricante, su agente o un distribuidor autorizado se ha negado a tratar de reparar dicha inconformidad.

(F) Si un vehículo de motor tiene una inconformidad que se traduce en una condición que puede causar la muerte o lesiones corporales graves si el vehículo es conducido, se presume que un número razonable de intentos se han realizado para cumplir dicho vehículo a la aplicables las garantías expresas, si la no conformidad ha sido objeto de reparación al menos dos veces por el fabricante o sus agentes o distribuidores autorizados en el período de garantía o durante el período de un año después de la fecha de la entrega original del vehículo de motor a un consumidor, el período que finalice primero, pero como no conformidad sigue existiendo. La duración de una garantía expresa y período de un año se prolongará por un período de tiempo durante el cual los servicios de reparación no están disponibles para el consumidor debido a la guerra, invasión, huelga o un incendio, inundación u otro desastre natural.

(G) (1) Ningún vehículo de motor que se devuelve a cualquier persona en virtud de una disposición de este capítulo o en la solución de cualquier controversia relativa a cualquier queja presentada en virtud de las disposiciones de este capítulo y que requiere un reemplazo o reembolso deberá ser revendidos, transferidos o arrendados en el estado sin dar a conocer por escrito clara y visible el hecho de que tal vehículo de motor fue devuelto tal antes de la reventa o arrendamiento financiero. Esa información se colocará en el vehículo de motor y se incluirán en un contrato para la venta o arrendamiento. El Comisionado de Vehículos Motorizados, a más tardar reglamentos dictados de conformidad con las disposiciones del capítulo 54, determinará la forma y el contenido de cualquier declaración que dicha divulgación y establecer disposiciones por las que el comisionado podrá eliminar dicha revelación escrita después el momento en que el Comisionado podrá determinar que vehículos de motor que ya no es defectuoso. (2) Si un fabricante no acepta la devolución de un vehículo de motor o compensa cualquier persona que acepta la devolución de un vehículo de motor conforme a la subdivisión (1) de este inciso dicho fabricante estampará un sello de las palabras "FABRICANTE de Recompra" clara y evidente en la cara del título original en letras de al menos un cuarto pulgadas de alto y, dentro de los diez días siguientes a la recepción del título, deberá presentar una copia del título con el sello del Departamento de Vehículos Motorizados. El Departamento de Vehículos Motorizados deberá mantener un listado de los mismos vehículos de recompra de acciones y en el caso de cualquier solicitud de un título para un vehículo de recompra de acciones, hará que las palabras "fabricante de Recompra" aparecer de forma clara y visible en la cara del nuevo título en letras que sean al menos un cuarto de pulgada de alto. Cualquier persona que solicita un título deberá divulgar al departamento el hecho de que dicho vehículo fue devuelto como se establece en esta subsección. (3) Si un fabricante no acepta la devolución de un vehículo de motor de un consumidor debido a una no conformidad o defecto, a cambio de un reembolso o un vehículo de sustitución, ya sea como resultado de una determinación administrativa o judicial, un procedimiento de arbitraje o de un voluntario la liquidación, el fabricante deberá notificar al Departamento de Vehículos Motorizados y facilitará el departamento con toda la información pertinente, incluido el año, marca, modelo, número de identificación del vehículo y número de título antes del vehículo. El Comisionado de Vehículos Motorizados adoptará reglamentos de conformidad con el capítulo 54 que especifica el formato y el plazo en que deberá facilitar esa información y la naturaleza de la información adicional que el comisionado pueda requerir. (4) Las disposiciones de este inciso se aplicará a los vehículos de motor originalmente regresó en otro estado de un consumidor debido a una no conformidad o defecto, a cambio de un reembolso o reemplazo del vehículo y que un arrendador o cedente, con conocimiento real que posteriormente vende, las transferencias o arriendos en este estado.

(H) Todas las garantías expresas e implícitas que surjan de la venta de un vehículo de motor nuevos estarán sujetos a las disposiciones de la parte 3 del artículo 42 bis 2 del título.

(I) Nada en esta sección se limita de modo alguno los derechos o recursos que se pondrán a disposición de un consumidor en virtud de cualquier otra ley.

(J) Si un fabricante ha establecido un procedimiento de resolución de controversia que está certificado por el Fiscal General que cumple en todos los aspectos con las disposiciones del Título 16 del Código de Regulaciones Federales Parte 703, como en efecto el 1 de octubre de 1982, y con la disposiciones de la subsección (b) de la sección 42-182, las disposiciones del inciso (d) de esta sección relativa a una restitución o sustitución no se aplicará a cualquier consumidor que no ha recurrido primero a tal procedimiento.

(PA 82-287; PA 83-351, S. 1; 83-458; PA 84-338, S. 3, 8; 84-429, S. 75; PA 85-331, S. 1, 6; 85-613, S. 132, 154; PA 87-342, S. 1, 5; 87-522, S. 2, 6; PA 89-173, S. 1, 2; PA 92-190; PA 93-435, S. 14, 95.)

History: PA 83-351 amended Subsec. (a) to provide that the definitions therein also apply to Sec. 42-180; PA 83-458 amended Subsec. (c) by prohibiting manufacturers from holding dealers liable for refunds or vehicle replacements under certain circumstances; PA 84-338 created a period during which a consumer may require a manufacturer or dealer to repair a nonconformity existing in a new motor vehicle sold on or after July 1, 1984, outlined requirements concerning notifying the manufacturer of a nonconformity, specified the elements included in a refund of the contract price, required that a replacement vehicle be acceptable to the consumer, defined a defect as anything which impairs the use, safety or value of the vehicle, redefined the amount deducted for reasonable allowance for use, required disclosure that any vehicle which requires refund or replacement and which is being resold has been returned, and established that a manufacturer's informal dispute resolution procedure must comply with Title 16, Code of Federal Regulations Part 703 as in effect on October 1, 1982; PA 84-429 made technical changes for statutory consistency; PA 85-331 amended Subsec. (i) by specifying that a manufacturer's informal dispute resolution procedure must be certified by the attorney general as complying with Title 16 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 703, as in effect on October 1, 1982, and with the provisions of Subsec. (b) of Sec. 42-182, or order to come within the provision of this section; PA 85-613 made technical changes in Subsec. (e); PA 87-342 extended the provisions of the section to leased vehicles, removed obsolete language and made technical changes; PA 87-522 amended Subsecs. (b) and (e) by removing archaic language and making other technical changes, inserted a new Subsec. (f) concerning motor vehicles which have a nonconformity which results in a condition which is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven, relettered the remaining existing Subsecs. and amended the relettered Subsec. (g) by requiring a manufacturer who accepts the return of a motor vehicle due to a defect or nonconformity to notify the department of motor vehicles; PA 89-173 amended Subsec. (e) to require at least one repair attempt prior to making of a claim and amended Subsec. (g) to require persons other than manufacturers to make disclosures and to provide for regulations by the commissioner of motor vehicles concerning the format, nature and time period of information required; PA 92-190 amended Subsec. (g) to make chapter apply to “transferred” vehicles and to specify that the required written disclosure “shall be affixed to the motor vehicle and shall be included in any contract for sale or lease”, dividing Subsec. into Subdivs. and adding provisions designated as Subdiv. (2) which, among other things, provided for the stamping of the words “manufacturer buyback” on the original title of any buyback vehicle and added Subdiv. (4) specifying applicability to vehicles returned in another state because of nonconformity or defect and subsequently sold in this state; PA 93-435 reinstated language last printed in the 1991 revision, but dropped in the 1993 revision due to a clerical error, effective June 28, 1993.

Cited. 203 C. 63, 67, 69, 71, 73, 74, 78. Cited. 209 C. 579, 584587. Lemon law I cited. Id. Cited. 212 C. 83, 88. Motorcycles fall within definition of “motor vehicle”. 40 CS 156158. Subsec. (a): Cited. 40 CS 156, 157. Subsec. (d): Cited. 203 C. 63, 78, 79. Cited. 209 C. 579, 587. Cited. 213 C. 136, 140, 142, 143. Subsec. (g): Cited. 209 C. 579, 587. Subsec. (i): Cited. 209 C. 579, 587. Cited. 212 C. 83, 88, 89, 93.

Sec. 42-179a. Copies of paperwork or invoices.

A dealer or authorized agent of a manufacturer shall, upon the request of a consumer, provide such consumer with copies of any paperwork or invoices related to repair work performed on such consumer's automobile in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of section 42-179. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of an infraction.

(PA 85-331, S. 4, 6.) Cited. 203 C. 63, 73, 74. Cited. 209 C. 579, 585.
Sec. 42-179b. Dealers and lessors to deliver information.

Each motor vehicle dealer, as defined in subsection (11) of section 14-1, and each person engaged in the business of leasing new motor vehicles shall, at the time of sale or execution of the lease of any new motor vehicle, deliver to the consumer, as defined in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 42-179, of such vehicle written information, in a form approved by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, which explains the new automobile warranty and dispute settlement program established pursuant to this chapter.

(PA 89-173, S. 4.)

Sec. 42-180. Costs and attorney's fees in breach of warranty actions.

In any action by a consumer against the manufacturer of a motor vehicle, or the manufacturer's agent or authorized dealer, based upon the alleged breach of an express or implied warranty made in connection with the sale or lease of such motor vehicle, the court, in its discretion, may award to the plaintiff his costs and reasonable attorney's fees or, if the court determines that the action was brought without any substantial justification, may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to the defendant.

(PA 83-351, S. 2; PA 87-342, S. 2, 5.) History: PA 87-342 extended provisions of section to leased vehicles. Cited. 209 C. 579, 586, 587.

Sec. 42-181. Department arbitration procedure.

Records. Appeals.
(a) The Department of Consumer Protection, shall provide an independent arbitration procedure for the settlement of disputes between consumers and manufacturers of motor vehicles which do not conform to all applicable warranties under the terms of section 42-179. The commissioner shall establish one or more automobile dispute settlement panels which shall consist of three members appointed by the Commissioner of Consumer Protection, only one of whom may be directly involved in the manufacture, distribution, sale or service of any product. Members shall be persons interested in consumer disputes and shall serve without compensation for terms of two years at the discretion of the commissioner. In lieu of referring an arbitration dispute to a panel established under the provisions of this section, the Department of Consumer Protection may refer an arbitration dispute to the American Arbitration Association in accordance with regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54.

(B) En caso de cualquier vehículo de motor comprados en cualquier momento a partir del 01 de octubre 1984, o arrendados en cualquier momento a partir del 17 de junio 1987, no se ajusta a tales garantías aplicables tal como se define en dicha sección 42-179, un consumidor puede presentar una queja a un tribunal de arbitraje, si el fabricante del vehículo no ha establecido un procedimiento de resolución de controversia que el Fiscal General ha certificado que cumple en todos los aspectos con los requisitos de dicha sección 42-179. El consumidor podrá iniciar una solicitud de arbitraje por llamar a un número de teléfono gratuito designado por el comisionado o solicitando una audiencia de arbitraje por escrito. El consumidor deberá presentar, en los formularios prescritos por el comisionado, cuanta información se considere relevante para la resolución de la controversia y será devolver el formulario acompañado de una cuota de cincuenta pesos. formulario de queja Éstas deberán ofrecer al consumidor una elección de presentar ningún testimonio posterior por vía oral o por escrito. Antes de presentar la reclamación ante un tribunal de arbitraje, el Departamento de Protección del Consumidor llevará a cabo una revisión inicial de la denuncia. El departamento determinará si la denuncia debe ser aceptado o rechazado por el arbitraje en función de si se alega que el fabricante no ha cumplido con la sección 42-179. La tasa de presentación deberán ser devueltas si el departamento determina que la queja no alega una violación de cualquier garantía aplicable en virtud de las prescripciones de dicha sección 42-179. Una vez admitida la queja, el comisionado será notificada al fabricante de la presentación de una solicitud de arbitraje y obtener del fabricante, por escrito en un formulario prescrito por el Comisionado, cuanta información se considere relevante para la resolución de la controversia. El fabricante deberá devolver el formulario en los quince días siguientes a la recepción, junto con una tasa de presentación de doscientos cincuenta dólares. Un arrendatario que trae una queja a un tribunal de arbitraje conforme a esta sección deberá, al presentar el formulario de queja previsto en esta sección, proporcionar al arrendador una notificación por correo registrado o certificado con acuse de recibo, y el arrendador podrá solicitar al panel arbitral para hacerse parte en el procedimiento de arbitraje. determinaciones iniciales de desestimar una denuncia de arbitraje se someterá a un tribunal de arbitraje para la decisión final sobre el recibo de una petición expresa del consumidor para una revisión de la determinación inicial de elegibilidad y una cuota de cincuenta pesos. Si una queja es aceptada para el arbitraje, el panel arbitral podrá determinar que una queja no alega que el fabricante no ha cumplido con la sección 42-179, en cualquier momento antes de dicho grupo hace su decisión sobre el fondo de la controversia. La tasa adjuntas forman queja del consumidor, se reembolsará a los consumidores y la tasa de acompañamiento del formulario presentado por el fabricante, se reembolsará a los fabricantes, si el panel arbitral determina que una queja no alega una violación de las disposiciones de la sección 42-179 .

(c) The Department of Consumer Protection shall investigate, gather and organize all information necessary for a fair and timely decision in each dispute. The commissioner may issue subpoenas on behalf of any arbitration panel to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents, papers and records relevant to the dispute. The department shall forward a copy of all written testimony, including all documentary evidence, to an independent technical expert certified by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence or having a degree or other credentials from a nationally recognized organization or institution attesting to automotive expertise, who shall review such material and be available to advise and consult with the arbitration panel. An expert shall sit as a nonvoting member of an arbitration panel whenever oral testimony is presented. Such experts may be recommended by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles at the request of the Commissioner of Consumer Protection. An arbitration panel shall, as expeditiously as possible, but not later than sixty days after the time the consumer files the complaint form together with the filing fee, render a fair decision based on the information gathered and disclose its findings and the reasons therefor to the parties involved. The failure of the arbitrators to render a decision within sixty days shall not void any subsequent decision or otherwise limit the powers of the arbitrators. The arbitration panel shall base its determination of liability solely on whether the manufacturer has failed to comply with section 42-179. The arbitration decision shall be final and binding as to the rights of the parties pursuant to section 42-179, subject only to judicial review as set forth in this subsection. The decision shall provide appropriate remedies, including, but not limited to one or more of the following: (1) Replacement of the vehicle with an identical or comparable new vehicle acceptable to the consumer; (2) Refund of the full contract price, plus collateral charges as specified in subsection (d) of said section 42-179; (3) Reimbursement for expenses and compensation for incidental damages as specified in subsection (d) of said section 42-179; (4) Any other remedies available under the applicable warranties, section 42-179, this section and sections 42-182 to 42-184, inclusive, or the Magnuson-Moss Warranty-Federal Trade Commission Improvement Act, 88 Stat. 2183 (1975), 15 USC 2301 et seq., as in effect on October 1, 1982, other than repair of the vehicle. The decision shall specify a date for performance and completion of all awarded remedies. Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes or any regulation to the contrary, the Department of Consumer Protection shall not amend, reverse, rescind or revoke any decision or action of an arbitration panel. The department shall contact the consumer, within ten working days after the date for performance, to determine whether performance has occurred. The manufacturer shall act in good faith in abiding by any arbitration decision. In addition, either party to the arbitration may make application to the superior court for the judicial district in which one of the parties resides or, when the court is not in session, any judge thereof for an order confirming, vacating, modifying or correcting any award, in accordance with the provisions of this section and sections 52-417, 52-418, 52-419 and 52-420. Upon filing such application the moving party shall mail a copy of the application to the Attorney General and, upon entry of any judgment or decree, shall mail a copy of such judgment or decree to the Attorney General. A review of such application shall be confined to the record of the proceedings before the arbitration panel. The court shall conduct a de novo review of the questions of law raised in the application. In addition to the grounds set forth in sections 52-418 and 52-419, the court shall consider questions of fact raised in the application. In reviewing questions of fact, the court shall uphold the award unless it determines that the factual findings of the arbitrators are not supported by substantial evidence in the record and that the substantial rights of the moving party have been prejudiced. If the arbitrators fail to state findings or reasons for the award, or the stated findings or reasons are inadequate, the court shall search the record to determine whether a basis exists to uphold the award. If it is determined by the court that the manufacturer has acted without good cause in bringing an appeal of an award, the court, in its discretion, may grant to the consumer his costs and reasonable attorney's fees. If the manufacturer fails to perform all awarded remedies by the date for performance specified by the arbitrators, and the enforcement of the award has not been stayed pursuant to subsection (c) of section 52-420, then each additional day the manufacturer wilfully fails to comply shall be deemed a separate violation for purposes of section 42-184.

(d) The department shall maintain such records of each dispute as the commissioner may require, including an index of disputes by brand name and model. The department shall annually compile and maintain statistics indicating the record of manufacturer compliance with arbitration decisions and the number of refunds or replacements awarded. A copy of the statistical summary shall be filed with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and shall be considered by him in determining the issuance of any manufacturer license as required under section 14-67a. The summary shall be a public record.

(e) If a manufacturer has not established an informal dispute settlement procedure certified by the Attorney General as complying with the requirements of said section 42-179, public notice of the availability of the department's automobile dispute settlement procedure shall be prominently posted in the place of business of each new car dealer licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles to engage in the sale of such manufacturer's new motor vehicles. Display of such public notice shall be a condition of licensure under sections 14-52 and 14-64. The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall determine the size, type face, form and wording of the sign required by this section, which shall include the toll-free telephone number and the address to which requests for the department's arbitration services may be sent.

(f) Any consumer injured by the operation of any procedure which does not conform with procedures established by a manufacturer pursuant to subsection (b) of section 42-182 and the provisions of Title 16 Code of Federal Regulations Part 703, as in effect on October 1, 1982, may appeal any decision rendered as the result of such a procedure by requesting arbitration de novo of the dispute by an arbitration panel. Filing procedures and fees for appeals shall be the same as those required in subsection (b) of this section. The findings of the manufacturer's informal dispute settlement procedure may be admissible in evidence at such arbitration panel hearing and in any civil action subsequently arising out of any warranty obligation or matter related to the dispute. Any consumer so injured may, in addition, request the Attorney General to investigate the manufacturer's procedure to determine whether its certification shall be suspended or revoked after proper notice and hearing. The Attorney General shall establish procedures for processing such consumer complaints and maintain a record of the disposition of such complaints, which record shall be included in the annual report prepared in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of section 42-182.

(g) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of this section. Written copies of the regulations and appropriate arbitration hearing procedures shall be provided to any person upon request.

(PA 84-338, S. 1; PA 85-331, S. 2, 6; PA 87-342, S. 3, 5; 87-522, S. 3, 6; PA 89-173, S. 3, 7; PA 90-8, S. 1, 2; PA 96-259, S. 1.) History: PA 85-331 changed department panel to arbitration panel, deleted the requirement that a consumer return the complaint form within five days from Subsec. (b), sanctioned the use of a technical expert with credentials from a nationally recognized organization, prohibited the commissioner from altering the decision of an arbitration panel, and allowed either party to appeal the decision of an arbitration panel to superior court in Subsec. (c), and in Subsec. (f) required the attorney general to establish procedures for processing consumer complaints and maintaining records; PA 87-342 amended Subsec. (b) by extending the provisions of the section to leased vehicles; PA 87-522 amended Subsec. (b) by providing that the department of consumer protection shall conduct an initial review of a complaint, and that such initial review may be reviewed by an arbitration panel upon written request of a consumer, provided such panel may determine that the complaint does not allege a violation of Sec. 42-179 at any time and amended Subsec. (c) by providing that the failure of the arbitrators to render a decision within sixty days shall not void any subsequent decision or otherwise limit the power of the arbitrators, eliminated the remedy of repair of the vehicle, requiring a party moving for an order confirming or modifying any award to mail a copy of the application as subsequent entry of judgment to the attorney general and provided that each day a manufacturer fails to perform all awarded remedies shall be deemed a separate violation for purposes of Sec. 42-184; PA 89-173 amended Subdiv. (4) of Subsec. (c) to exclude repair from the list of remedies; PA 90-8 amended Subsec. (c) to specify that arbitration panel is to base its determination of liability solely on question of compliance with Sec. 42-179, to specify that decision is final and binding subject only to judicial review and to specify limits of inquiry under judicial review; PA 96-259 amended Subsec. (d) to require the department to compile statistics annually rather than at intervals of no more than six months.

Cited. 203 C. 63, 65, 66, 70, 7380. Cited. 209 C. 579581, 583, 585, 586, 589, 590, 592594, 596. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 212 C. 83, 84, 8894, 97. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 213 C. 136138, 141, 142, 144. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 218 C. 646, 659, 660. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Subsec. (a): Cited. 212 C. 83, 88. Subsec. (b): Cited. 203 C. 63, 66, 73. Cited. 209 C. 579, 585, 595. Cited. 212 C. 83, 88, 90, 98. Subsec. (c): Cited. 203 C. 63, 66, 73, 78. Court concluded general assembly intended to authorize arbitrators to award reasonable attorneys' fees to consumers who prevail. 209 C. 579, 585, 595. Subdiv. (5) cited. Id., 579, 587, 588, 593. Subdiv. (4) cited. Id., 579, 589. Judicial review procedures are constitutionally insufficient. 212 C. 83, 84, 8890, 93, 9597. Subdiv. (2) cited. 213 C. 136, 142. Cited. 226 C. 475, 492. Subsec. (e): Cited. 212 C. 83, 88. Subsec. (g): Cited. 203 C. 63, 66.

Sec. 42-182. Certification of manufacturer's informal dispute settlement procedures.

(a) The Attorney General shall prepare an annual report evaluating the operation of informal dispute settlement procedures established by manufacturers of new motor vehicles and shall issue a certificate of approval to those manufacturers whose settlement procedures comply in all respects with the provisions of Title 16 Code of Federal Regulations Part 703, as in effect on October 1, 1982, and with the provisions of subsection

(B) de esta sección. El informe y la certificación será de registros públicos. The Attorney General or an agent authorized by him may conduct any inquiry or investigation in connection with the certification or evaluation of a manufacturer's informal dispute settlement procedure and may hold hearings, issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and the production of records, documents or other evidence in connection therewith, administer oaths, examine witnesses, receive oral and documentary evidence and issue written interrogatories prescribing a return date which would allow a reasonable time to respond, which responses shall be under oath. Service of subpoenas compelling testimony or the production of documents and written interrogatories as provided herein, may be made by (1) personal service or service at the usual place of abode; or (2) registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, a duly executed copy of which shall be addressed to the person to be served at his principal place of business in this state, or, if said person has no principal place of business in this state, to his principal office or to his residence. In the event that any person shall fail to comply with a subpoena or with interrogatories issued pursuant to this section, the Attorney General or an agent authorized by him may apply to the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford-New Britain* for compliance, which court may, upon notice to such person, issue an order requiring such compliance, which shall be served upon such person. Hearings under this subsection shall be held in the manner provided for contested cases under sections 4-176e to 4-181a, inclusive, except that no informal disposition may be made by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order or default, in any proceeding concerning the certification of an automobile manufacturer's informal dispute settlement procedure unless such proceeding is open to the public in accordance with the provisions of section 1-21. The Attorney General, after notice and hearing, may suspend or revoke the certification of an automobile manufacturer's informal dispute settlement procedure which violates the provisions of subsection (b) of this section or the provisions of Title 16 Code of Federal Regulations Part 703, as in effect on October 1, 1982. Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Attorney General or his authorized agent, may appeal in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-183 and 4-184. Section 4-184a shall be applicable to such appeals. Hearings, meetings and conferences, except telephone conversations, relating to evaluation and certification shall be open to the public in accordance with the provisions of section 1-21. If the Attorney General certifies a manufacturer's informal dispute settlement procedure, the provisions of subsection (d) of section 42-179 concerning refunds or replacement shall not apply to any consumer who has not first resorted to such procedure. A copy of the Attorney General's report and certification shall be forwarded by the Attorney General to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, who may consider such report and certification in determining the fitness of an applicant for a manufacturer's license to engage in business as a manufacturer of motor vehicles for sale in this state, as provided for in section 14-67a. (b) A manufacturer's informal dispute procedure shall not include any practices which: (1) Delay a decision in any dispute beyond sixty days after the date on which the consumer initially resorts to the informal dispute settlement procedure either by a telephone call or by written notification that a dispute exists; (2) delay performance of remedies awarded in a settlement beyond ten days after receipt of notice of the consumer's acceptance of the decision, except that a manufacturer may have thirty days following the date of such receipt to deliver a replacement of a motor vehicle acceptable to the consumer or to refund the full contract price of the vehicle together with all collateral charges, and all consequential and incidental damages as defined in said section 42-179; (3) require the consumer to make the vehicle available more than once for inspection by a manufacturer's representative, and more than once for repair of the same defect by a dealer, in which cases, and upon proof of the consumer's financial responsibility in accordance with the provisions of section 14-112, the manufacturer of the defective vehicle shall provide for the loan of a reliable vehicle, not more than two years old, for use during the periods required for inspection or repair; (4) fail to consider in decisions any remedies provided by sections 42-179 and 42-181, this section and sections 42-183 and 42-184, such remedies to include (A) repair, replacement and refund, (B) reimbursement for expenses and collateral charges, (C) compensation for consequential and incidental damages as defined in said section 42-179 and (D) any other remedies available under applicable express or implied warranties; (5) require the consumer to take any action or assume any obligation not specifically authorized under the provisions of Title 16 Code of Federal Regulations Part 703, as in effect on October 1, 1982; or (6) fail to conform to all applicable standards and requirements of this chapter in the processing of consumer complaints.

(c) Any manufacturer operating or participating in an informal dispute settlement procedure for resolving disputes with consumers in this state shall be required to maintain records which indicate the number of: (1) Vehicles sold in this state during the reporting period; (2) telephone and written requests from consumers to enter the dispute resolution program; (3) requests rejected as ineligible for the program; (4) requests accepted for resolution by the program; (5) cases in which a decision was reached and the manufacturer has complied with the decision within the time period for compliance established by the decision; (6) cases in which a decision was reached and the manufacturer's compliance occurred after the expiration of the time period for compliance established by the decision; (7) cases in which a decision was reached, the time period for compliance has expired and the manufacturer has not complied with such decision; (8) cases in which a decision was reached and the time period for compliance has not yet expired; (9) cases in which a decision awarded no relief to the consumer; (10) cases in which a decision awarded the consumer further repair or extended warranty; (11) cases in which a decision required the manufacturer to accept the return of the vehicle and a refund was issued to the consumer; (12) cases in which a decision required the manufacturer to accept the return of the vehicle and a replacement vehicle was provided to the consumer; (13) cases in which a decision is pending; (14) cases in which the consumer accepted the decision; (15) cases in which the consumer rejected the decision; (16) cases resolved by predecision settlement.

(PA 84-338, S. 2, 8; PA 85-331, S. 3, 6; PA 87-522, S. 5, 6; PA 88-230, S. 1, 12; 88-317, S. 94, 107; PA 90-98, S. 1, 2; PA 93-142, S. 4, 7, 8; PA 95-220, S. 46.) *Note: On and after September 1, 1998, the phrase “judicial district of Hartford” shall be substituted for “judicial district of Hartford-New Britain”.

History: PA 85-331 empowered the attorney general to conduct hearings in connection with the certification or evaluation of manufacturer's informal dispute settlement procedures, prohibited informal dispositions, unless such proceeding is open to the public, provided for the revocation of certification, appeals from decisions of the attorney general, required meetings relating to certification or evaluation to be open to the public, deleted the attorney general's power to adopt regulations, prohibited manufacturer's settlement procedures from failing to conform to standards of this chapter in processing consumer complaints; PA 87-522 amended Subsec. (a) by authorizing the attorney general to issue written interrogatories and prescribing the manner in which subpoenas may be served, and amended Subsec. (c) by specifying the type of records which manufacturers operating or participating in informal dispute settlement procedure are required to keep; PA 88-230 replaced “judicial district of Hartford-New Britain” with “judicial district of Hartford”, effective September 1, 1991; PA 88-317 amended reference to Secs. 4-177 to 4-181 in Subsec. (a) to include new sections added to Ch. 54, effective July 1, 1989, and applicable to all agency proceedings commencing on or after that date; PA 90-98 changed the effective date of PA 88-230 from September 1, 1991, to September 1, 1993; PA 93-142 changed the effective date of PA 88-230 from September 1, 1993, to September 1, 1996, effective June 14, 1993; PA 95-220 changed the effective date of PA 88-230 from September 1, 1996, to September 1, 1998, effective July 1, 1995.

Cited. 203 C. 63, 65, 66, 70, 7380. Cited. 209 C. 579, 585, 586, 589, 590, 592594, 596. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 212 C. 8385, 8893, 97. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 213 C. 136, 137, 141, 142, 144. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 218 C. 646, 659, 660. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Subsec. (b): Cited. 209 C. 579, 587.

Sec. 42-183. Institution of proceedings.

The Commissioner of Consumer Protection may, in consultation with the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, request institution of proceedings under section 14-67c against any manufacturer found to have failed to comply with the provisions of sections 42-179, 42-181 and 42-182, this section and section 42-184.

(PA 84-338, S. 4, 8.) Cited. 203 C. 63, 65, 66, 70, 7380. Cited. 209 C. 579, 585, 586, 589, 590, 592594, 596. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 212 C. 83, 84, 8893, 97. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 213 C. 136, 137, 141, 142, 144. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 218 C. 646, 659, 660. Lemon Law II cited. Id.

Sec. 42-184. Unfair trade practices.

A violation of any of the provisions of sections 42-179 and 42-181 to 42-183, inclusive, shall be deemed an unfair or deceptive trade practice under chapter 735a.

(PA 84-338, S. 5, 8.) Cited. 203 C. 63, 65, 66, 70, 7380. Cited. 209 C. 579, 585, 586, 589, 590, 592594, 596. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 212 C. 83, 84, 8893, 97. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 213 C. 136, 137, 141, 142, 144. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 218 C. 646, 659, 660. Lemon Law II cited. Id.

Sec. 42-185. Waiver of filing fees, statement prohibited.

Notwithstanding the provisions of any general statute, regulation or grant of authority to the contrary, no filing fee or statement required under the provisions of this chapter shall be waived, refunded, reduced or withheld from use, by the state pursuant to any contract, stipulated settlement, consent order, administrative directive or by any other means except as provided in this chapter or by order of a court of competent jurisdiction made upon proof of economic hardship and a finding that such settlement, consent order, directive or other action is in the public interest.

(PA 85-331, S. 5, 6.) Cited. 203 C. 63, 73. Cited. 209 C. 579, 585. Cited. 212 C. 83, 84, 8893, 97, 99. Lemon Law II cited. Id. Cited. 218 C. 646, 659, 660. Lemon Law II cited. Id.

Sec. 42-186. Action brought by lessee against manufacturer.

Lessee to notify lessor. Lessor authorized to petition to be made a party to proceeding. In any action by a consumer who is a lessee against the manufacturer of a motor vehicle, or the manufacturer's agent or authorized dealer, based upon the alleged breach of an express or implied warranty made in connection with the lease of such motor vehicle pursuant to section 42-179, the lessee shall, at the time of the service of process upon such manufacturer, manufacturer's agent or authorized dealer, notify the lessor of such motor vehicle of such action by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and such lessor may petition the court to be made a party to the proceedings.

(PA 87-342, S. 4, 5.)

CHAPTER 743f* USED AUTOMOBILE WARRANTIES

*See also chapter 743b (Sec. 42-179 et seq.) re new automobile warranties. See also chapter 743g (Sec. 42-227 et seq.) re automobile manufacturers' warranty adjustment programs. Used automobile warranties act cited. 31 CA 634, 635.

Sec. 42-220. Definitions.

As used in sections 42-220 to 42-226, inclusive: (1) “Dealer” means any person, firm or corporation licensed pursuant to section 14-52, as a new car dealer or a used car dealer, as defined in section 14-51, or any person, firm or corporation licensed pursuant to section 14-15 which engages in the business of selling a used motor vehicle to a consumer; (2) “Motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (30) of section 14-1; (3) “Used motor vehicle” means a used or secondhand motor vehicle, as defined in subdivision (62) of section 14-1; (4) “Cash purchase price” means all amounts charged for the purchase of a motor vehicle, including the value of a trade-in vehicle, except a finance charge; and (5) “Consumer” means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, of a used motor vehicle normally used for personal, family or household purposes, and the spouse or child of the purchaser if such motor vehicle is transferred to the spouse or child during the duration of any warranty applicable to such motor vehicle, and any other person entitled by the terms of such warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty. “Consumer” does not mean the lessee of a motor vehicle or the spouse, child or other family member of the lessee who, pursuant to a lease contract option, purchases such vehicle at the end of the lease term.

(PA 87-393, S. 1; PA 92-20, S. 1, 2; PA 95-121, S. 1, 2.) History: PA 92-20 amended Subdiv. (5) to provide the term “consumer” does not include the lessee of a motor vehicle who, pursuant to a lease contract option, purchases such vehicle at the end of the lease term; PA 95-121 redefined “dealer” to include leasing companies which engage in business of selling a used motor vehicle to a consumer and redefined “consumer” to specifically include the spouse, child or other family member of lessee who purchases such vehicle at the end of the lease term, effective July 1, 1995. Cited. 31 CA 634, 641.

Sec. 42-221. Implied warranties.

Express warranties. Exemptions. Renuncia.
(a) A dealer selling a used motor vehicle which has a cash purchase price of three thousand dollars or more shall not exclude, modify, disclaim or limit implied warranties on the motor vehicle.

(b) Each contract entered into by a dealer for the sale to a consumer of a used motor vehicle which has a cash purchase price of three thousand dollars or more but less than five thousand dollars, shall include an express warranty, covering the full cost of both parts and labor, that the vehicle is mechanically operational and sound and will remain so for at least thirty days or one thousand five hundred miles of operation, whichever period ends first, in the absence of damage resulting from an automobile accident or from misuse of the vehicle by the consumer. Each contract entered into by a dealer for the sale of a used motor vehicle which has a cash purchase price of five thousand dollars or more shall include an express warranty, covering the full cost of both parts and labor, that the vehicle is mechanically operational and sound and will remain so for at least sixty days or three thousand miles of operation, whichever period ends first, in the absence of damage resulting from an automobile accident or from misuse of the vehicle by the consumer. A dealer may not limit a warranty covered by this section by the use of such phrases as “fifty-fifty”, “labor only”, “drive train only”, or other words attempting to disclaim his responsibility.

(c) The provisions of this section shall not apply to: (1) The sale of a used motor vehicle having a cash purchase price of less than three thousand dollars; (2) the sale of such motor vehicles between dealers; or (3) the sale of a used motor vehicle which is seven years of age or older, which age shall be calculated from the first day in January of the designated model year of such vehicle.

(d) The consumer may waive a warranty required pursuant to this section only as to a particular defect in the vehicle which the dealer has disclosed to the consumer as being defective. No such waiver shall be effective unless such waiver: (1) Is in writing; (2) is conspicuous, as defined in subdivision (10) of section 42a-1-201 and is in plain language; (3) identifies the particular disclosed defect in the vehicle for which such warranty is to be waived; (4) states what warranty, if any, shall apply to such disclosed defect; and (5) is signed by both the customer and the dealer prior to sale.

(PA 87-393, S. 2.) Subsec. (b): Cited. 31 CA 634, 635.

Sec. 42-222. Effect of notification of breach of warranty during warranty period.

A dealer shall honor any warranty required by sections 42-220 to 42-226, inclusive, notwithstanding the fact that the warranty period has expired, provided the consumer notifies the dealer of a claimed breach of the warranty within the warranty period specified in subsection (b) of section 42-221.

(PA 87-393, S. 3.)

Sec. 42-223. Extensions of warranty period.

Voidable agreements.
(a) The term of any warranty required under the provisions of sections 42-220 to 42-226, inclusive, shall be extended by any time period during which the used motor vehicle is in the possession of the dealer or his duly authorized agent for the purpose of repairing the used motor vehicle under the terms and obligations of said warranty.

(b) The term of any such warranty shall be extended by any time during which repair services are not available to the consumer because of a war, invasion or strike, fire, flood or other natural disaster.

(c) Any agreement entered into by a consumer for the purchase of a used motor vehicle which waives, limits or disclaims the rights set forth in sections 42-220 to 42-226, inclusive, except as provided in subsection (d) of section 42-221, shall be voidable at the option of the consumer. If a dealer fails to provide a written warranty as required by said sections, the dealer shall be deemed to have given said warranty.

(d) Nothing in sections 42-220 to 42-226, inclusive, shall in any way limit the rights or remedies which are otherwise available to a consumer under any other law.

(PA 87-393, S. 4.) Sec. 42-224. “As is” sales.

Descargo de responsabilidad.
(a) A used motor vehicle may be sold “as is” by a dealer only if its cash purchase price is less than three thousand dollars or if such used motor vehicle is seven years of age or older, which age shall be calculated from the first day in January of the designated model year of such vehicle.

(b) No “as is” disclaimer by a dealer shall be enforceable unless all of the following conditions are met: (1) A disclaimer shall appear on the front page of the contract of sale, which shall read as follows: “AS IS” THIS VEHICLE IS SOLD “AS IS”. THIS MEANS THAT YOU WILL LOSE YOUR IMPLIED WARRANTIES. YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS NEEDED AFTER SALE. IF WE HAVE MADE ANY PROMISES TO YOU, THE LAW SAYS WE MUST KEEP THEM, EVEN IF WE SELL “AS IS”. TO PROTECT YOURSELF, ASK US TO PUT ALL PROMISES INTO WRITING. (2) The text of the disclaimer shall be printed in twelve-point boldface type, except the heading shall be in sixteen-point extra boldface type. The entire notice shall be boxed. (3) The consumer shall indicate his assent to the disclaimer by signing his name within the box containing the disclaimer.

(c) An “as is” sale of a used motor vehicle waives implied warranties but shall not waive any express warranties, whether oral or written, which may have been made nor shall it affect the dealer's responsibility for any representations which may have been made, whether oral or written, upon which the buyer relied in entering into the transaction.

(d) Nothing in sections 42-220 to 42-226, inclusive, shall be construed to limit the effect of any other requirements of law or of any representations on a certificate of title that the vehicle is in suitable condition for legal operation on the highways of this state.

(PA 87-393, S. 5.)

Sec. 42-225. Deceptive statements.

Motor vehicle declared constructive total loss. Disclosure required. Promise to repair.
(a) No dealer may make any false, misleading or deceptive statements about the condition or history of any used motor vehicle offered for sale.

(b) No dealer shall fail to disclose to a consumer in a contract for the sale of a used motor vehicle that such vehicle has been declared a constructive total loss, as defined in section 38a-353, if: (1) The certificate of title of such vehicle is stamped “totalled”, “salvaged” or with a comparable designation; (2) the bill of sale of such vehicle states such vehicle has been declared a constructive total loss, as defined in section 38a-353; or (3) such dealer has been notified by (A) the seller of such vehicle or (B) the lender holding title to such vehicle that such vehicle has been declared a constructive total loss as defined in section 38a-353.

(c) If a dealer promises that any repairs will be made or any conditions corrected in connection with the purchase of a used motor vehicle, he shall list such repairs in writing, attach a copy of such list to the contract and incorporate such list into the contract.

(PA 87-393, S. 6; PA 93-397, S. 1.) History: PA 93-397 inserted new Subsec. (b) requiring dealers to disclose to a customer if a motor vehicle has been declared a constructive total loss, relettering former Subsec. (b) as (c). Subsec. (a): Cited. 33 CA 575, 588.

Sec. 42-226. Independent inspection.

No dealer may refuse any consumer the opportunity to have an independent inspection of any used motor vehicle offered for sale. If the consumer requests an inspection it shall be conducted by a person chosen by the consumer, but the dealer may establish reasonable conditions regarding the place, time and extent of the inspection.

(PA 87-393, S. 7.)

Sec. 42-226a. Penalty.

Any dealer who violates any of the provisions of sections 42-221 to 42-226, inclusive, shall be subject to the penalties provided in section 14-64.

(PA 93-397, S. 3.)

Comentarios

Delaware Ley de Limón

August 31, 2006 at 11:34 am · Filed under Lemon Laws

Items that are covered under Delaware Lemon Law
Passenger motor vehicles, except motorcycles and living facilities of motor homes, bought, leased or registered in the state.
Delaware Lemon Law may apply if the following has occurred
4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service.
Length of time or miles before the Delaware Lemon Law runs out
Express warranty period of 1 year, whichever occurs first.

Lemon Law in Delaware

§ 5001. Definitions. As used in this chapter:
(1) “Consumer” means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, of an automobile; a person to whom an automobile is transferred during the duration of an express warranty applicable to the automobile; or any other person entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty.
(2) “Dealer” means a person actively engaged in the business of buying, selling or exchanging automobiles at retail and who has an established place of business.
(3) “Manufacturer” means a person engaged in the business of manufacturing, assembling or distributing automobiles, who will, under normal business conditions during the year, manufacture, assemble or distribute to dealers at least 10 new automobiles.
(4) “Manufacturer's express warranty” or “warranty” means the written warranty of the manufacturer of a new automobile of its condition and fitness for use, including any terms or conditions precedent to the enforcement of obligations under that warranty.
(5) “Automobile” means any passenger motor vehicle, except motorcycles, which is leased or bought in Delaware or registered by the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Public Safety except the living facilities of motor homes.
(6) “Nonconformity” means a defect or condition which substantially impairs the use, value or safety of an automobile.
(7) “Lien” means a security interest in an automobile.
(8) “Lienholder” means a person with a security interest in an automobile pursuant to a lien.
(64 Del. Laws, c. 173, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 36, § 1.) § 5002. Duty to repair nonconforming automobiles.

If a new automobile does not conform to the manufacturer's express warranty, and the consumer reports the nonconformity to the manufacturer or its agent or dealer during the term of the warranty or during the period of 1 year following the date of original delivery of an automobile to the consumer, whichever is earlier, the manufacturer shall make, or arrange with its dealer or agent to make, within a reasonable period of time, all repairs necessary to conform the new automobile to the warranty, notwithstanding that the repairs or corrections are made after the expiration of the term of the warranty or the 1-year period.

(64 Del. Laws, c. 173, § 1.) § 5003. Remedies upon failure to repair.

(a) If the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer does not conform the automobile to any applicable express warranty by repairing or correcting any nonconformity after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer shall either replace the automobile with a comparable new automobile acceptable to the consumer or repurchase the automobile from the consumer and refund to the consumer the full purchase, including all credits and allowances for any trade-in vehicle; provided, however, that the consumer shall have the unqualified right to decline a replacement automobile and to demand instead a repurchase.
(b) In instances in which an automobile is replaced by a manufacturer under this section, said manufacturer shall accept return of the automobile and reimburse the consumer for any incidental costs, including dealer preparation fees, fees for transfer of registration, sales taxes or other charges or fees incurred by the consumer as a result of such replacement. In instances in which an automobile which was financed by the manufacturer or its subsidiary or agent is replaced under this section, said manufacturer, subsidiary or agent shall not require the consumer to enter into any refinancing agreement for a replacement automobile which would create any financial obligations upon such consumer beyond those created by the original financing agreement.
(c) In instances in which a refund is tendered under this section, the manufacturer shall accept return of the automobile from the consumer and shall reimburse the consumer for related purchase costs, including sales taxes, registration fees and dealer preparation fees, less:

(1) A reasonable allowance for the consumer's use of the automobile, not to exceed the full purchase price of the automobile multiplied by a fraction which consists of the number of miles driven before the consumer first reported the nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent or dealer divided by 100,000 miles; and
(2) A reasonable allowance for damage not attributable to normal wear and tear, but not to include damage resulting from a nonconformity.

(d) Refunds shall be made to the consumer, and lienholder, if any, as their interests may appear.
(e) No authorized dealer shall be held liable by the manufacturer for any refunds or automobile replacements in the absence of evidence indicating that dealership repairs have been carried out in a manner inconsistent with the manufacturer's instructions.
(64 Del. Laws, c. 173, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 36, § 3.) § 5004. Presumptions.

(a) It shall be presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a new automobile to the manufacturer's express warranty if, within the warranty term or during the period of 1 year following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever is the earlier date:

(1) Substantially the same nonconformity has been subject to repair or correction 4 or more times by the manufacturer, its agents or its dealers and the nonconformity continues to exist; or
(2) The automobile is out of service by reason of repair or correction of a nonconformity by the manufacturer, its agents or its dealers for a cumulative total of more than 30 calendar days since the original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer. This 30-day limit shall commence with the first day on which the consumer presents the automobile to the manufacturer, its agent or dealer for service of the nonconformity and a written document describing the nonconformity is prepared by the manufacturer, its agent or dealer. The 30-day limit shall be extended only if repairs cannot be performed due to conditions beyond the control of the manufacturer, its agents or its dealers, including war, invasion, strike, fire, flood or other natural disaster.

(b) The presumption provided in this section shall not apply against a manufacturer unless the manufacturer has received prior direct written notification from or on behalf of the consumer and has had an opportunity to repair or correct the nonconformity; provided, however, that if the manufacturer does not directly attempt or arrange with its dealer or agent to repair or correct the nonconformity, the manufacturer may not defend a claim by a consumer under this chapter on the ground that the agent or dealer failed to properly repair or correct the nonconformity or that the repairs or corrections made by the agent or dealer caused or contributed to the nonconformity.(64 Del. Laws, c. 173, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 36, § 4.) § 5005. Costs and attorney's fees in breach of warranty actions.

In any court action brought under this chapter by a consumer against the manufacturer of an automobile, or the manufacturer's agent or authorized dealer, based upon the alleged breach of an express warranty made in connection with the sale of such automobile, the court, in its discretion, may award to the plaintiff his costs and reasonable attorney's fees or, if the court determines that the action is brought in bad faith or is frivolous in nature, may award reasonable attorney's fees to the defendant.

(64 Del. Laws, c. 173, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 36, § 5.) § 5006. Affirmative defense to claim.

It shall be an affirmative defense to a claim under this chapter that the alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair the use, value or safety of the new automobile or that the nonconformity is the result of abuse or neglect or of unauthorized modifications or alterations of the new automobile by anyone other than the manufacturer, its agent or dealer.

(64 Del. Laws, c. 173, § 1.) § 5007. Informal dispute settlement procedure.

(a) If a manufacturer has established an informal settlement procedure that has a certificate of approval by the Division of Consumer Protection, the remedies provided by this chapter shall not be available to any consumer who has not first resorted to such procedure. In the event a manufacturer's informal dispute settlement procedure does not have a certificate of approval from the Division of Consumer Protection, a consumer may immediately and directly seek the remedies provided by this chapter.
(b) The Division of Consumer Protection shall annually evaluate the operation of informal dispute settlement procedures established by manufacturers and shall issue an annual certificate of approval to those manufacturers whose procedures comply with Title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 703 and with subsections (c), (d) and (e) of this section. The Division of Consumer Protection shall suspend the certification of, or decertify, any informal dispute settlement which no longer complies with said provisions.
(c) Any manufacturer who has established an informal settlement procedure shall file with the Division of Consumer Protection a copy of each decision of the informal dispute settlement procedure within 30 days after the decision is rendered.
(d) In order to obtain the certification of the Division of Consumer Protection, a manufacturer's informal dispute settlement procedure shall not convene any informal dispute settlement hearing or meeting outside the State and shall refrain from any practices which:

(1) Delay a decision in any dispute beyond 65 days after the date on which the consumer initially resorts to the informal dispute settlement procedure by written notification that a dispute exists; or
(2) Delay performance of remedies awarded in a settlement beyond 30 days after receipt of notice of the consumer's acceptance of the decision; provided, however, that such time limits shall not include periods of time when the consumer or the consumer's car is unavailable for the remedies specified in the settlement; or
(3) Require the consumer to make the automobile available more than once for inspection by a manufacturer's representative or more than once for repair of the same nonconformity; or
(4) Fail to consider in decisions any remedies provided by this chapter, such remedies to include:
a. Repair, replacement and refund;
b. Reimbursement for related purchase costs; or

(5) Require the consumer to take any action or assume any obligation not specifically authorized under the provisions of Title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 703.

(e) A manufacturer desiring annual certification of an informal dispute settlement procedure shall make application to the Division of Consumer Protection on forms developed by, and shall provide such information as required by, the Division of Consumer Protection.
(64 Del. Laws, c. 173, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 36, § 6; 69 Del. Laws, c. 291, § 98(c).) § 5008. Remedies cumulative.

Nothing in this chapter shall in any way limit the rights or remedies available to a consumer under Subtitle I of this title.

(64 Del. Laws, c. 173, § 1.) § 5009. Enforcement.

In addition to any remedies the consumer may have at law or in equity, a violation of this chapter shall be an unlawful practice as defined in § 2513 of this title. The Division of Consumer Protection shall promulgate rules and regulations in order to implement the purposes of this chapter.

(64 Del. Laws, c. 173, § 1; 66 Del. Laws, c. 36, § 7; 69 Del. Laws, c. 291, § 98(c).)

Comentarios

La Ley de Limón de la Florida

August 31, 2006 at 11:34 am · Filed under Lemon Laws

Items that are covered under Florida Lemon Law
Vehicles sold, transferred or leased , in the state, and used primarily for personal, family or household purposes, excluding off-road vehicles, mopeds, trucks over 10,000 lbs., the living facilities of recreation vehicles, and motorcycles.
Florida Lemon Law may apply if the following has occurred
3 intentos de reparación - 30 días naturales fuera de servicio
Length of time or miles before the Florida Lemon Law runs out
18 months or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

Lemon Law in Florida

681.10 Short title.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act.”

681.101 Legislative intent.

The Legislature recognizes that a motor vehicle is a major consumer purchase and that a defective motor vehicle undoubtedly creates a hardship for the consumer. The Legislature further recognizes that a duly franchised motor vehicle dealer is an authorized service agent of the manufacturer. It is the intent of the Legislature that a good faith motor vehicle warranty complaint by a consumer be resolved by the manufacturer within a specified period of time; however, it is not the intent of the Legislature that a consumer establish the presumption of a reasonable number of attempts as to each manufacturer that provides a warranty directly to the consumer. It is further the intent of the Legislature to provide the statutory procedures whereby a consumer may receive a replacement motor vehicle, or a full refund, for a motor vehicle which cannot be brought into conformity with the warranty provided for in this chapter. However, nothing in this chapter shall in any way limit or expand the rights or remedies which are otherwise available to a consumer under any other law.

681.102 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) “Authorized service agent” means any person, including a franchised motor vehicle dealer, who is authorized by the manufacturer to service motor vehicles. In the case of a recreational vehicle when there are two or more manufacturers, an authorized service agent for any individual manufacturer is any person, including a franchised motor vehicle dealer, who is authorized to service the items warranted by that manufacturer. The term does not include a rental car company authorized to repair rental vehicles.

(2) “Board” means the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board.

(3) “Collateral charges” means those additional charges to a consumer wholly incurred as a result of the acquisition of the motor vehicle. For the purposes of this chapter, collateral charges include, but are not limited to, manufacturer-installed or agent-installed items or service charges, earned finance charges, sales taxes, and title charges.

(4) “Consumer” means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, or the lessee, of a motor vehicle primarily used for personal, family, or household purposes; any person to whom such motor vehicle is transferred for the same purposes during the duration of the Lemon Law rights period; and any other person entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty.

(5) “Days” means calendar days.

(6) “Department” means the Department of Legal Affairs.

(7) “Division” means the Division of Consumer Services of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

(8) “Incidental charges” means those reasonable costs to the consumer which are directly caused by the nonconformity of the motor vehicle.

(9) “Lease price” means the aggregate of the capitalized cost, as defined in s. 521.003(2), and each of the following items to the extent not included in the capitalized cost:

(a) Lessor's earned rent charges through the date of repurchase.

(b) Collateral charges, if applicable.

(c) Any fee paid to another to obtain the lease.

(d) Any insurance or other costs expended by the lessor for the benefit of the lessee.

(e) An amount equal to state and local sales taxes, not otherwise included as collateral charges, paid by the lessor when the vehicle was initially purchased.

(10) “Lemon Law rights period” means the period ending 24 months after the date of the original delivery of a motor vehicle to a consumer.

(11) “Lessee” means any consumer who leases a motor vehicle for 1 year or more pursuant to a written lease agreement which provides that the lessee is responsible for repairs to such motor vehicle or any consumer who leases a motor vehicle pursuant to a lease-purchase agreement.

(12) “Lessee cost” means the aggregate deposit and rental payments previously paid to the lessor for the leased vehicle but excludes debt from any other transaction.

(13) “Lessor” means a person who holds title to a motor vehicle that is leased to a lessee under a written lease agreement or who holds the lessor's rights under such agreement.

(14) “Manufacturer” means any person, whether a resident or nonresident of this state, who manufactures or assembles motor vehicles, or who manufactures or assembles chassis for recreational vehicles, or who manufactures or installs on previously assembled truck or recreational vehicle chassis special bodies or equipment which, when installed, forms an integral part of the motor vehicle, a distributor as defined in s. 320.60(5), or an importer as defined in s. 320.60(7). A dealer as defined in s. 320.60(11)(a) shall not be deemed to be a manufacturer, distributor, or importer as provided in this section.

(15) “Motor vehicle” means a new vehicle, propelled by power other than muscular power, which is sold in this state to transport persons or property, and includes a recreational vehicle or a vehicle used as a demonstrator or leased vehicle if a manufacturer's warranty was issued as a condition of sale, or the lessee is responsible for repairs, but does not include vehicles run only upon tracks, off-road vehicles, trucks over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, motorcycles, mopeds, or the living facilities of recreational vehicles. “Living facilities of recreational vehicles” are those portions designed, used, or maintained primarily as living quarters and include, but are not limited to, the flooring, plumbing system and fixtures, roof air conditioner, furnace, generator, electrical systems other than automotive circuits, the side entrance door, exterior compartments, and windows other than the windshield and driver and front passenger windows.

(16) “Nonconformity” means a defect or condition that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of a motor vehicle, but does not include a defect or condition that results from an accident, abuse, neglect, modification, or alteration of the motor vehicle by persons other than the manufacturer or its authorized service agent.

(17) “Procedure” means an informal dispute-settlement procedure established by a manufacturer to mediate and arbitrate motor vehicle warranty disputes.

(18) “Program” means the mediation and arbitration pilot program for recreational vehicles established in this chapter.

(19) “Purchase price” means the cash price as defined in s. 520.31(1), inclusive of any allowance for a trade-in vehicle, but excludes debt from any other transaction. “Any allowance for a trade-in vehicle” means the net trade-in allowance as reflected in the purchase contract or lease agreement if acceptable to the consumer and manufacturer. If such amount is not acceptable to the consumer and manufacturer, then the trade-in allowance shall be an amount equal to 100 percent of the retail price of the trade-in vehicle as reflected in the NADA Official Used Car Guide (Southeastern Edition) or NADA Recreation Vehicle Appraisal Guide, whichever is applicable, in effect at the time of the trade-in. The manufacturer shall be responsible for providing the applicable NADA book.

(20) “Reasonable offset for use” means the number of miles attributable to a consumer up to the date of a settlement agreement or arbitration hearing, whichever occurs first, multiplied by the purchase price of the vehicle and divided by 120,000, except in the case of a recreational vehicle, in which event it shall be divided by 60,000.

(21) “Recreational vehicle” means a motor vehicle primarily designed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping, or travel use, but does not include a van conversion.

(22) “Replacement motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is identical or reasonably equivalent to the motor vehicle to be replaced, as the motor vehicle to be replaced existed at the time of acquisition. “Reasonably equivalent to the motor vehicle to be replaced” means the manufacturer's suggested retail price of the replacement vehicle shall not exceed 105 percent of the manufacturer's suggested retail price of the motor vehicle to be replaced. In the case of a recreational vehicle, “reasonably equivalent to the motor vehicle to be replaced” means the retail price of the replacement vehicle shall not exceed 105 percent of the purchase price of the recreational vehicle to be replaced.

(23) “Warranty” means any written warranty issued by the manufacturer, or any affirmation of fact or promise made by the manufacturer, excluding statements made by the dealer, in connection with the sale of a motor vehicle to a consumer which relates to the nature of the material or workmanship and affirms or promises that such material or workmanship is free of defects or will meet a specified level of performance.

681.103 Duty of manufacturer to conform a motor vehicle to the warranty.

(1) If a motor vehicle does not conform to the warranty and the consumer first reports the problem to the manufacturer or its authorized service agent during the Lemon Law rights period, the manufacturer or its authorized service agent shall make such repairs as are necessary to conform the vehicle to the warranty, irrespective of whether such repairs are made after the expiration of the Lemon Law rights period. Such repairs shall be at no cost to the consumer if made during the term of the manufacturer's written express warranty. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to grant an extension of the Lemon Law rights period or to expand the time within which a consumer must file a claim under this chapter.

(2) Each manufacturer shall provide to its consumers conspicuous notice of the address and phone number for its zone, district, or regional office for this state in the written warranty or owner's manual. By January 1 of each year, each manufacturer shall forward to the Department of Legal Affairs a copy of the owner's manual and any written warranty for each make and model of motor vehicle that it sells in this state.

(3) At the time of acquisition, the manufacturer shall inform the consumer clearly and conspicuously in writing how and where to file a claim with a certified procedure if such procedure has been established by the manufacturer pursuant to s. 681.108. The manufacturer shall provide to the dealer and, at the time of acquisition, the dealer shall provide to the consumer a written statement that explains the consumer's rights under this chapter. The written statement shall be prepared by the Department of Legal Affairs and shall contain a toll-free number for the division that the consumer can contact to obtain information regarding the consumer's rights and obligations under this chapter or to commence arbitration. If the manufacturer obtains a signed receipt for timely delivery of sufficient quantities of this written statement to meet the dealer's vehicle sales requirements, it shall constitute prima facie evidence of compliance with this subsection by the manufacturer. The consumer's signed acknowledgment of receipt of materials required under this subsection shall constitute prima facie evidence of compliance by the manufacturer and dealer. The form of the acknowledgments shall be approved by the Department of Legal Affairs, and the dealer shall maintain the consumer's signed acknowledgment for 3 years.

(4) A manufacturer, through its authorized service agent, shall provide to the consumer, each time the consumer's motor vehicle is returned after being examined or repaired under the warranty, a fully itemized, legible statement or repair order indicating any test drive performed and the approximate length of the test drive, any diagnosis made, and all work performed on the motor vehicle including, but not limited to, a general description of the problem reported by the consumer or an identification of the defect or condition, parts and labor, the date and the odometer reading when the motor vehicle was submitted for examination or repair, and the date when the repair or examination was completed.

681.104 Nonconformity of motor vehicles.

(1)

(a) After three attempts have been made to repair the same nonconformity, the consumer shall give written notification, by registered or express mail to the manufacturer, of the need to repair the nonconformity to allow the manufacturer a final attempt to cure the nonconformity. The manufacturer shall have 10 days, commencing upon receipt of such notification, to respond and give the consumer the opportunity to have the motor vehicle repaired at a reasonably accessible repair facility within a reasonable time after the consumer's receipt of the response. The manufacturer shall have 10 days, except in the case of a recreational vehicle, in which event the manufacturer shall have 45 days, commencing upon the delivery of the motor vehicle to the designated repair facility by the consumer, to conform the motor vehicle to the warranty. If the manufacturer fails to respond to the consumer and give the consumer the opportunity to have the motor vehicle repaired at a reasonably accessible repair facility or perform the repairs within the time periods prescribed in this subsection, the requirement that the manufacturer be given a final attempt to cure the nonconformity does not apply.

(b) If the motor vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of one or more nonconformities by the manufacturer or its authorized service agent for a cumulative total of 15 or more days, exclusive of downtime for routine maintenance prescribed by the owner's manual, the consumer shall so notify the manufacturer in writing by registered or express mail to give the manufacturer or its authorized service agent an opportunity to inspect or repair the vehicle.

(2)

(a) If the manufacturer, or its authorized service agent, cannot conform the motor vehicle to the warranty by repairing or correcting any nonconformity after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer, within 40 days, shall repurchase the motor vehicle and refund the full purchase price to the consumer, less a reasonable offset for use, or, in consideration of its receipt of payment from the consumer of a reasonable offset for use, replace the motor vehicle with a replacement motor vehicle acceptable to the consumer. The refund or replacement must include all reasonably incurred collateral and incidental charges. However, the consumer has an unconditional right to choose a refund rather than a replacement motor vehicle. Upon receipt of such refund or replacement, the consumer, lien holder, or lessor shall furnish to the manufacturer clear title to and possession of the motor vehicle.

(b) Refunds shall be made to the consumer and lien holder of record, if any, as their interests may appear. If applicable, refunds shall be made to the lessor and lessee as follows: The lessee shall receive the lessee cost and the lessor shall receive the lease price less the lessee cost. A penalty for early lease termination may not be assessed against a lessee who receives a replacement motor vehicle or refund under this chapter. The Department of Revenue shall refund to the manufacturer any sales tax which the manufacturer refunded to the consumer, lien holder, or lessor under this section, if the manufacturer provides to the department a written request for a refund and evidence that the sales tax was paid when the vehicle was purchased and that the manufacturer refunded the sales tax to the consumer, lien holder, or lessor.

(3) It is presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a motor vehicle to the warranty if, during the Lemon Law rights period, either:

(a) The same nonconformity has been subject to repair at least three times by the manufacturer or its authorized service agent, plus a final attempt by the manufacturer to repair the motor vehicle if undertaken as provided for in paragraph (1)(a), and such nonconformity continues to exist; or

(b) The motor vehicle has been out of service by reason of repair of one or more nonconformities by the manufacturer, or its authorized service agent, for a cumulative total of 30 or more days, 60 or more days in the case of a recreational vehicle, exclusive of downtime for routine maintenance prescribed by the owner's manual. The manufacturer or its authorized service agent must have had at least one opportunity to inspect or repair the vehicle following receipt of the notification as provided in paragraph (1)(b). The 30-day period, or 60-day period in the case of a recreational vehicle, may be extended by any period of time during which repair services are not available to the consumer because of war, invasion, strike, fire, flood, or natural disaster.

(4) It is an affirmative defense to any claim under this chapter that:

(a) The alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the motor vehicle;

(b) The nonconformity is the result of an accident, abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or alterations of the motor vehicle by persons other than the manufacturer or its authorized service agent; or

(c) The claim by the consumer was not filed in good faith.

Any other affirmative defense allowed by law may be raised against the claim.

681.106 Bad faith claims.

Any claim by a consumer which is found by the court to have been filed in bad faith or solely for the purpose of harassment, or in complete absence of a justiciable issue of either law or fact raised by the consumer, shall result in the consumer being liable for all costs and reasonable attorney's fees incurred by the manufacturer, or its agent, as a direct result of the bad faith claim.

681.108 Dispute-settlement procedures.

(1) If a manufacturer has established a procedure, which the division has certified as substantially complying with the provisions of 16 CFR part 703, in effect October 1, 1983, and with the provisions of this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter, and has informed the consumer how and where to file a claim with such procedure pursuant to s. 681.103(3), the provisions of s. 681.104(2) apply to the consumer only if the consumer has first resorted to such procedure. The decision makers for a certified procedure shall, in rendering decisions, take into account all legal and equitable factors germane to a fair and just decision, including, but not limited to, the warranty; the rights and remedies conferred under 16 CFR part 703, in effect October 1, 1983; the provisions of this chapter; and any other equitable considerations appropriate under the circumstances. Decision makers and staff of a procedure shall be trained in the provisions of this chapter and in 16 CFR part 703, in effect October 1, 1983. In an action brought by a consumer concerning an alleged nonconformity, the decision that results from a certified procedure is admissible in evidence.

(2) A manufacturer may apply to the division for certification of its procedure. After receipt and evaluation of the application, the division shall certify the procedure or notify the manufacturer of any deficiencies in the application or the procedure.

(3) A certified procedure or a procedure of an applicant seeking certification shall submit to the division a copy of each settlement approved by the procedure or decision made by a decision maker within 30 days after the settlement is reached or the decision is rendered. The decision or settlement must contain at a minimum the:

1. Name and address of the consumer;
2. Name of the manufacturer and address of the dealership from which the motor vehicle was purchased;
3. Date the claim was received and the location of the procedure office that handled the claim;
4. Relief requested by the consumer;
5. Name of each decision maker rendering the decision or person approving the settlement;
6. Statement of the terms of the settlement or decision;
7. Date of the settlement or decision; and
8. Statement of whether the decision was accepted or rejected by the consumer.

(4) Any manufacturer establishing or applying to establish a certified procedure must file with the division a copy of the annual audit required under the provisions of 16 CFR part 703, in effect October 1, 1983, together with any additional information required for purposes of certification, including the number of refunds and replacements made in this state pursuant to the provisions of this chapter by the manufacturer during the period audited.

(5) The division shall review each certified procedure at least annually, prepare an annual report evaluating the operation of certified procedures established by motor vehicle manufacturers and procedures of applicants seeking certification, and, for a period not to exceed 1 year, shall grant certification to, or renew certification for, those manufacturers whose procedures substantially comply with the provisions of 16 CFR part 703, in effect October 1, 1983, and with the provisions of this chapter and rules adopted under this chapter. If certification is revoked or denied, the division shall state the reasons for such action. The reports and records of actions taken with respect to certification shall be public records.

(6) A manufacturer whose certification is denied or revoked is entitled to a hearing pursuant to chapter 120.

(7) If federal preemption of state authority to regulate procedures occurs, the provisions of subsection (1) concerning prior resort do not apply.

(8) The division shall adopt rules to implement this section.

681.109 Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board.

Dispute eligibility.

(1) If a manufacturer has a certified procedure, a consumer claim arising during the Lemon Law rights period must be filed with the certified procedure no later than 60 days after the expiration of the Lemon Law rights period. If a decision is not rendered by the certified procedure within 40 days of filing, the consumer may apply to the division to have the dispute removed to the board for arbitration.

(2) If a manufacturer has a certified procedure, a consumer claim arising during the Lemon Law rights period must be filed with the certified procedure no later than 60 days after the expiration of the Lemon Law rights period. If a consumer is not satisfied with the decision or the manufacturer's compliance therewith, the consumer may apply to the division to have the dispute submitted to the board for arbitration. A manufacturer may not seek review of a decision made under its procedure.

(3) If a manufacturer has no certified procedure or if a certified procedure does not have jurisdiction to resolve the dispute, a consumer may apply directly to the division to have the dispute submitted to the board for arbitration.

(4) A consumer must request arbitration before the board with respect to a claim arising during the Lemon Law rights period no later than 60 days after the expiration of the Lemon Law rights period, or within 30 days after the final action of a certified procedure, whichever date occurs later.

(5) The division shall screen all requests for arbitration before the board to determine eligibility. The consumer's request for arbitration before the board shall be made on a form prescribed by the department. The division shall forward to the board all disputes that the division determines are potentially entitled to relief under this chapter.

(6) The division may reject a dispute that it determines to be fraudulent or outside the scope of the board's authority. Any dispute deemed by the division to be ineligible for arbitration by the board due to insufficient evidence may be reconsidered upon the submission of new information regarding the dispute. Following a second review, the division may reject a dispute if the evidence is clearly insufficient to qualify for relief. Any dispute rejected by the division shall be forwarded to the department and a copy shall be sent by registered mail to the consumer and the manufacturer, containing a brief explanation as to the reason for rejection.

(7) If the division rejects a dispute, the consumer may file a lawsuit to enforce the remedies provided under this chapter. In any civil action arising under this chapter and relating to a matter considered by the division, any determination made to reject a dispute is admissible in evidence.

(8) The department shall have the authority to adopt reasonable rules to carry out the provisions of this section.

681.1095 Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board.

Creation and function.

(1) There is established within the Department of Legal Affairs, the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board, consisting of members appointed by the Attorney General for an initial term of 1 year. Board members may be reappointed for additional terms of 2 years. Each board member is accountable to the Attorney General for the performance of the member's duties and is exempt from civil liability for any act or omission which occurs while acting in the member's official capacity. The Department of Legal Affairs shall defend a member in any action against the member or the board which arises from any such act or omission. The Attorney General may establish as many regions of the board as necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter.

(2) The boards shall hear cases in various locations throughout the state so any consumer whose dispute is approved for arbitration by the division may attend an arbitration hearing at a reasonably convenient location and present a dispute orally. Hearings shall be conducted by panels of three board members assigned by the department. A majority vote of the three-member board panel shall be required to render a decision. Arbitration proceedings under this section shall be open to the public on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms.

(3) Each region of the board shall consist of up to eight members. The members of the board shall construe and apply the provisions of this chapter, and rules adopted thereunder, in making their decisions. An administrator and a secretary shall be assigned to each board by the Department of Legal Affairs. At least one member of each board must be a person with expertise in motor vehicle mechanics. A member must not be employed by a manufacturer or a franchised motor vehicle dealer or be a staff member, a decision maker, or a consultant for a procedure. Board members shall be trained in the application of this chapter and any rules adopted under this chapter, shall be reimbursed for travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061, and shall be compensated at a rate or wage prescribed by the Attorney General.

(4) Before filing a civil action on a matter subject to s. 681.104, the consumer must first submit the dispute to the division, and to the board if such dispute is deemed eligible for arbitration.

(5) Manufacturers shall submit to arbitration conducted by the board if such arbitration is requested by a consumer and the dispute is deemed eligible for arbitration by the division pursuant to s. 681.109.

(6) The board shall hear the dispute within 40 days and render a decision within 60 days after the date the request for arbitration is approved. The board may continue the hearing on its own motion or upon the request of a party for good cause shown. A request for continuance by the consumer constitutes waiver of the time periods set forth in this subsection. The Department of Legal Affairs, at the board's request, may investigate disputes, and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and for the production of records, documents, and other evidence before the board. The failure of the board to hear a dispute or render a decision within the prescribed periods does not invalidate the decision.

(7) At all arbitration proceedings, the parties may present oral and written testimony, present witnesses and evidence relevant to the dispute, cross-examine witnesses, and be represented by counsel. The board may administer oaths or affirmations to witnesses and inspect the vehicle if requested by a party or if the board deems such inspection appropriate.

(8) The board shall grant relief, if a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to correct a nonconformity or nonconformities.

(9) The decision of the board shall be sent by registered mail to the consumer and the manufacturer, and shall contain written findings of fact and rationale for the decision. If the decision is in favor of the consumer, the manufacturer must, within 40 days after receipt of the decision, comply with the terms of the decision. Compliance occurs on the date the consumer receives delivery of an acceptable replacement motor vehicle or the refund specified in the arbitration award. In any civil action arising under this chapter and relating to a dispute arbitrated before the board, any decision by the board is admissible in evidence.

(10) A decision is final unless appealed by either party. A petition to the circuit court to appeal a decision must be made within 30 days after receipt of the decision. The petition shall be filed in the county where the consumer resides, or where the motor vehicle was acquired, or where the arbitration hearing was conducted. Within 7 days after the petition has been filed, the appealing party must send a copy of the petition to the department. If the department does not receive notice of such petition within 40 days after the manufacturer's receipt of a decision in favor of the consumer, and the manufacturer has neither complied with, nor has petitioned to appeal such decision, the department may apply to the circuit court to seek imposition of a fine up to $1,000 per day against the manufacturer until the amount stands at twice the purchase price of the motor vehicle, unless the manufacturer provides clear and convincing evidence that the delay or failure was beyond its control or was acceptable to the consumer as evidenced by a written statement signed by the consumer. If the manufacturer fails to provide such evidence or fails to pay the fine, the department shall initiate proceedings against the manufacturer for failure to pay such fine. The proceeds from the fine herein imposed shall be placed in the Motor Vehicle Warranty Trust Fund in the department for implementation and enforcement of this chapter. If the manufacturer fails to comply with the provisions of this subsection, the court shall affirm the award upon application by the consumer.

(11) All provisions in this section and s. 681.109 pertaining to compulsory arbitration before the board, the dispute eligibility screening by the division, the proceedings and decisions of the board, and any appeals thereof, are exempt from the provisions of chapter 120.

(12) An appeal of a decision by the board to the circuit court by a consumer or a manufacturer shall be by trial de novo. In a written petition to appeal a decision by the board, the appealing party must state the action requested and the grounds relied upon for appeal. Within 30 days of final disposition of the appeal, the appealing party shall furnish the department with notice of such disposition and, upon request, shall furnish the department with a copy of the order or judgment of the court.

(13) If a decision of the board in favor of the consumer is upheld by the court, recovery by the consumer shall include the pecuniary value of the award, attorney's fees incurred in obtaining confirmation of the award, and all costs and continuing damages in the amount of $25 per day for each day beyond the 40-day period following the manufacturer's receipt of the board's decision. If a court determines that the manufacturer acted in bad faith in bringing the appeal or brought the appeal solely for the purpose of harassment or in complete absence of a justiciable issue of law or fact, the court shall double, and may triple, the amount of the total award.

(14) When a judgment affirms a decision by the board in favor of a consumer, appellate review may be conditioned upon payment by the manufacturer of the consumer's attorney's fees and giving security for costs and expenses resulting from the review period.

(15) The department shall maintain records of each dispute submitted to the board, and the program, including an index of motor vehicles by year, make, and model, and shall compile aggregate annual statistics for all disputes submitted to, and decided by, the board, as well as annual statistics for each manufacturer that include, but are not limited to, the value, if applicable, and the number and percent of:

(a) Replacement motor vehicle requests;

(b) Purchase price refund requests;

(c) Replacement motor vehicles obtained in prehearing settlements;

(d) Purchase price refunds obtained in prehearing settlements;

(e) Replacement motor vehicles awarded in arbitration;

(f) Purchase price refunds awarded in arbitration;

(g) Board decisions neither complied with in 40 days nor petitioned for appeal within 30 days;

(h) Board decisions appealed;

(i) Appeals affirmed by the court; and

(j) Appeals found by the court to be brought in bad faith or solely for the purpose of harassment.

The statistics compiled under this subsection are public information.

(16) When requested by the department, a manufacturer must verify the settlement terms for disputes that are approved for arbitration but are not decided by the board.

681.1096 Pilot RV Mediation and Arbitration Program.

Creation and qualifications.

(1) This section and s. 681.1097 shall apply to disputes determined eligible under this chapter involving recreational vehicles acquired on or after October 1, 1997, and shall remain in effect until September 30, 2001, at which time recreational vehicle disputes shall be subject to the provisions of ss. 681.109 and 681.1095. The Attorney General shall report annually to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of each house of the Legislature, and appropriate legislative committees regarding the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the pilot program.

(2) Each manufacturer of a recreational vehicle involved in a dispute that is determined eligible under this chapter, including chassis and component manufacturers which separately warrant the chassis and components and which otherwise meet the definition of manufacturer set forth in s. 681.102(14), shall participate in a mediation and arbitration program that is deemed qualified by the department.

(3) In order to be deemed qualified by the department, the mediation and arbitration program must, at a minimum, meet the following requirements:

(a) The program must be administered by an administrator and staff that is sufficiently insulated from the manufacturer to ensure impartial mediation and arbitration services.

(b) Program administration fees must be paid by the manufacturer and no such fees shall be charged to a consumer.

(c) The program must be adequately staffed at a level sufficient to ensure the provision of fair and expeditious dispute resolution services.

(d) Program mediators and arbitrators must be sufficiently insulated from a manufacturer to ensure the provision of impartial mediation and arbitration of disputes.

(e) Program mediators and arbitrators shall not be employed by a manufacturer or a motor vehicle dealer.

(f) Program mediators must complete a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit or county mediation training program, or other mediation training program approved by the department, in addition to a minimum of one-half day of training on this chapter conducted by the department.

(g) Program mediators must comply with the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators issued by the American Arbitration Association, the Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association, and the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution.

(h) Program arbitrators must complete a Florida Supreme Court certified circuit or county arbitration program, or other arbitration training program approved by the department, in addition to a minimum of 1 day of training in the application of this chapter and any rules adopted thereunder conducted by the department.

(i) Program arbitrators must comply with the Code of Ethics for Arbitrators in Commercial Disputes published by the American Arbitration Association and the American Bar Association in 1977 and as amended.

(j) Program arbitrators must construe and apply the provisions of this chapter and rules adopted thereunder in making decisions.

(k) The program must complete all mediation and arbitration of an eligible consumer claim within 70 days of the program administrator's receipt of the claim from the department. Failure of the program to complete all proceedings within the prescribed period will not invalidate any settlement agreement or arbitration decision.

(l) Mediation conferences and arbitration proceedings must be held at reasonably convenient locations within the state so as to enable a consumer to attend and present a dispute orally.

(4) The department shall monitor the program for compliance with this chapter. If the program is determined not qualified or if qualification is revoked, then the involved manufacturer shall be required to submit to arbitration conducted by the board if such arbitration is requested by a consumer and the dispute is deemed eligible for arbitration by the division pursuant to s. 681.109.

(5) If a program is determined not qualified or if qualification is revoked, the involved manufacturer shall be notified by the department of any deficiencies in the program and informed that it is entitled to a hearing pursuant to chapter 120.

(6) The program administrator, mediators, and arbitrators are exempt from civil liability arising from any act or omission in connection with any mediation or arbitration conducted under this chapter.

(7) The program administrator shall maintain records of each dispute submitted to the program, including the recordings of arbitration hearings. All records maintained by the program under this chapter shall be public records and shall be available for inspection by the department upon reasonable notice. The records for disputes closed as of September 30 of each year shall be turned over to the department by the program administrator by no later than October 30 of the same year, unless a later date is specified by the department.

(8) The department shall have the authority to adopt reasonable rules to carry out the provisions of this section.

681.1097 RV Pilot Mediation and Arbitration Program.

Dispute eligibility and program function.

(1) Before filing a civil action on a matter subject to s. 681.104, a consumer who acquires a recreational vehicle must first submit the dispute to the department, and to the program if the dispute is deemed eligible. Such consumer is not required to resort to a procedure certified pursuant to s. 681.108, notwithstanding that one of the manufacturers of the recreational vehicle has such a procedure. Such consumer is not required to resort to arbitration conducted by the board, except as provided in s. 681.1096(4) and in this section.

(2) A consumer acquiring a recreational vehicle must apply to participate in this program with respect to a claim arising during the Lemon Law rights period by filing the application in subsection (3) with the department no later than 60 days after the expiration of the Lemon Law rights period.

(3) The consumer's application for participation in the program must be on a form prescribed or approved by the department. The department shall screen all applications to participate in the program to determine eligibility. The department shall forward to the program administrator all applications the department determines are potentially entitled to relief under this chapter.

(a) If the department determines the application lacks sufficient information from which a determination of eligibility can be made, the department shall request additional information from the consumer and, upon review of such additional information, shall determine whether the application is eligible or reject the application as incomplete.

(b) The department shall reject any application it determines to be fraudulent or outside the scope of this chapter.

(c) The consumer and the manufacturer shall be notified in writing by the department if an application is rejected. Such notification of rejection shall include a brief explanation as to the reason for the rejection.

(d) If the department rejects a dispute, the consumer may file a lawsuit to enforce the remedies provided under this chapter. In any civil action arising under this chapter and relating to the matter considered by the department, any determination made to reject a dispute is admissible in evidence.

(4) Mediation shall be mandatory for both the consumer and manufacturer, unless the dispute is settled prior to the scheduled mediation conference. The mediation conference shall be confidential and inadmissible in any subsequent adversarial proceedings. Participation shall be limited to the parties directly involved in the dispute and their attorneys, if any. All manufacturers shall be represented by persons with settlement authority.

(a) Upon receipt of an eligible application from the department, the program administrator shall notify the consumer and all involved manufacturers in writing that an eligible application has been received. Such notification shall include a statement that a mediation conference will be scheduled, shall identify the assigned mediator, and provide information regarding the program's procedures. The program administrator shall provide all involved manufacturers with a copy of the completed application.

(b) The mediator shall be selected and assigned by the program administrator. The parties may factually object to a mediator based upon the mediator's past or present relationship with a party or a party's attorney, direct or indirect, whether financial, professional, social, or of any other kind. The program administrator shall consider any such objection, determine its validity, and notify the parties of any determination. If the objection is determined valid, the program administrator shall assign another mediator to the case.

(c) At the mediation conference, the mediator shall assist the parties' efforts to reach a mutually acceptable settlement of their dispute; however, the mediator shall not impose any settlement upon the parties.

(d) Upon conclusion of the mediation conference, the mediator shall notify the program administrator that the case has settled or remains at an impasse. The program administrator shall notify the department in writing of the outcome of the mediation.

(e) If the mediation conference ends in an impasse, it shall proceed to arbitration pursuant to subsection (5). The program administrator shall immediately notify the parties in writing that the dispute will proceed to arbitration and shall identify the assigned arbitrator.

(f) If the parties enter into a settlement at any time after the dispute has been submitted to the program, such settlement must be reduced to writing, signed by the consumer and all involved manufacturers, and filed with the program administrator. The program administrator shall send a copy to the department. All settlements must contain, at a minimum, the following information:

1. Name and address of the consumer.
2. Name and address of each involved manufacturer.
3. Year, make, model, and vehicle identification number of the subject recreational vehicle.
4. Name and address of the dealership from which the recreational vehicle was acquired.
5. Date the claim was received by the program administrator.
6. Name of the mediator and/or arbitrator, if any.
7. Statement of the terms of the agreement, including, but not limited to: whether the vehicle is to be reacquired by a manufacturer and the identity of the manufacturer that will reacquire the vehicle; the amount of any moneys to be paid by the consumer and/or a manufacturer; the year, make, and model of any replacement motor vehicle or motor vehicle accepted by the consumer as a trade-assist; and a time certain for performance not to exceed 40 days from the date the settlement agreement is signed by the parties.

(g) If a manufacturer fails to perform within the time required in any settlement agreement, the consumer must notify the program administrator of such failure in writing within 10 days of the required performance date. Within 10 days of receipt of such notice, the program administrator shall notify the department of the manufacturer's failure in compliance and shall schedule the matter for an arbitration hearing pursuant to subsection (5).

(5) If the mediation ends in an impasse, or if a manufacturer fails to comply with the settlement entered into between the parties, the program administrator shall schedule the dispute for an arbitration hearing. Arbitration proceedings shall be open to the public on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms.

(a) The arbitration hearing shall be conducted by a single arbitrator assigned by the program administrator. The arbitrator shall not be the same person as the mediator who conducted the prior mediation conference in the dispute. The parties may factually object to an arbitrator based on the arbitrator's past or present relationship with a party or a party's attorney, direct or indirect, whether financial, professional, social, or of any other kind. The program administrator shall consider any such objection, determine its validity, and notify the parties of any determination. If the objection is determined valid, the program administrator shall assign another arbitrator to the case.

(b) The arbitrator may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and for the production of records, documents, and other evidence. Subpoenas so issued shall be served and, upon application to the court by a party to the arbitration, enforced in the manner provided by law for the service and enforcement of subpoenas in civil actions. Fees for attendance as a witness shall be the same as for a witness in the circuit court.

(c) At all program arbitration proceedings, the parties may present oral and written testimony, present witnesses and evidence relevant to the dispute, cross-examine witnesses, and be represented by counsel. The arbitrator shall record the arbitration hearing and shall have the power to administer oaths. The arbitrator may inspect the vehicle if requested by a party or if the arbitrator considers such inspection appropriate.

(d) The program arbitrator may continue a hearing on his or her own motion or upon the request of a party for good cause shown. A request for continuance by the consumer constitutes a waiver of the time period set forth in s. 681.1096(3)(k) for completion of all proceedings under the program.

(e) Where the arbitration is the result of a manufacturer's failure to perform in accordance with a mediation agreement, any relief to the consumer granted by the arbitration will be no less than the relief agreed to by the manufacturer in the settlement agreement.

(f) The arbitrator shall grant relief if a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to correct a nonconformity or nonconformities.

(g) The program arbitrator shall render a decision within 10 days of the closing of the hearing. The decision shall be in writing on a form prescribed or approved by the department. The program administrator shall send a copy of the decision to the consumer and each involved manufacturer by registered mail. The program administrator shall also send a copy of the decision to the department within 5 days of mailing to the parties.

(h) A manufacturer shall comply with an arbitration decision within 40 days of the date the manufacturer receives the written decision. Compliance occurs on the date the consumer receives delivery of an acceptable replacement motor vehicle or the refund specified in the arbitration award. If a manufacturer fails to comply within the time required, the consumer must notify the program administrator in writing within 10 days. The program administrator shall notify the department of a manufacturer's failure to comply. The department shall have the authority to enforce compliance with arbitration decisions under this section in the same manner as is provided for enforcement of compliance with board decisions under s. 681.1095(10). In any civil action arising under this chapter and relating to a dispute arbitrated pursuant to this section, the decision of the arbitrator is admissible in evidence.

(6) Except as otherwise provided, all provisions in this section pertaining to mandatory mediation and arbitration, eligibility screening, mediation proceedings, arbitration hearings and decisions, and any appeals thereof are exempt from the provisions of chapter 120.

(7) Either party may make application to the circuit court for the county in which one of the parties resides or has a place of business or, if neither party resides or has a place of business in this state, the county where the arbitration hearing was held, for an order confirming, vacating, modifying, or correcting any award, in accordance with the provisions of this section and ss. 682.12, 682.13, 682.14, 682.15, and 682.17. Such application must be filed within 30 days of the moving party's receipt of the written decision or the decision becomes final. Upon filing such application, the moving party shall mail a copy to the department and, upon entry of any judgment or decree, shall mail a copy of such judgment or decree to the department. A review of such application by the circuit court shall be confined to the record of the proceedings before the program arbitrator. The court shall conduct a de novo review of the questions of law raised in the application. In addition to the grounds set forth in ss. 682.13 and 682.14, the court shall consider questions of fact raised in the application. In reviewing questions of fact, the court shall uphold the award unless it determines that the factual findings of the arbitrator are not supported by substantial evidence in the record and that the substantial rights of the moving party have been prejudiced. If the arbitrator fails to state findings or reasons for the stated award, or the findings or reasons are inadequate, the court shall search the record to determine whether a basis exists to uphold the award. The court shall expedite consideration of any application filed under this section on the calendar.

(a) If a decision of a program arbitrator in favor of a consumer is confirmed by the court, recovery by the consumer shall include the pecuniary value of the award, attorney's fees incurred in obtaining confirmation of the award, and all costs and continuing damages in the amount of $25 per day for each day beyond the 40-day period following a manufacturer's receipt of the arbitrator's decision. If a court determines the manufacturer acted in bad faith in bringing the appeal or brought the appeal solely for the purpose of harassment, or in complete absence of a justiciable issue of law or fact, the court shall double, and may triple, the amount of the total award.

(b) An appeal of a judgment or order by the court confirming, denying confirmation, modifying or correcting, or vacating the award may be taken in the manner and to the same extent as from orders or judgments in a civil action.

(8) The department shall have the authority to adopt reasonable rules to carry out the provisions of this section.

681.110 Compliance and disciplinary actions.

The Department of Legal Affairs may enforce and ensure compliance with the provisions of this chapter and rules adopted thereunder, may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses and production of evidence, and may seek relief in the circuit court to compel compliance with such subpoenas. The Department of Legal Affairs may impose a civil penalty against a manufacturer not to exceed $1,000 for each count or separate offense. The proceeds from the fine imposed herein shall be placed in the Motor Vehicle Warranty Trust Fund in the Department of Legal Affairs for implementation and enforcement of this chapter.

681.111 Unfair or deceptive trade practice.

A violation by a manufacturer of this chapter is an unfair or deceptive trade practice as defined in part II of chapter 501.

681.112 Consumer remedies.

(1) A consumer may file an action to recover damages caused by a violation of this chapter. The court shall award a consumer who prevails in such action the amount of any pecuniary loss, litigation costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and appropriate equitable relief.

(2) An action brought under this chapter must be commenced within 1 year after the expiration of the Lemon Law rights period, or, if a consumer resorts to an informal dispute-settlement procedure or submits a dispute to the division or board, within 1 year after the final action of the procedure, division, or board.

(3) This chapter does not prohibit a consumer from pursuing other rights or remedies under any other law.

681.113 Dealer liability.

Except as provided in ss. 681.103(3) and 681.114(2), nothing in this chapter imposes any liability on a dealer as defined in s. 320.60(11)(a) or creates a cause of action by a consumer against a dealer, except for written express warranties made by the dealer apart from the manufacturer's warranties. A dealer may not be made a party defendant in any action involving or relating to this chapter, except as provided in this section. The manufacturer shall not charge back or require reimbursement by the dealer for any costs, including, but not limited to, any refunds or vehicle replacements, incurred by the manufacturer arising out of this chapter, in the absence of evidence that the related repairs had been carried out by the dealer in a manner substantially inconsistent with the manufacturer's published instructions.

681.114 Resale of returned vehicles.

(1) A manufacturer who accepts the return of a motor vehicle by reason of a settlement, determination, or decision pursuant to this chapter shall notify the department and report the vehicle identification number of that motor vehicle within 10 days after such acceptance, transfer, or disposal of the vehicle, whichever occurs later.

(2) A person shall not knowingly lease, sell at wholesale or retail, or transfer a title to a motor vehicle returned by reason of a settlement, determination, or decision pursuant to this chapter or similar statute of another state unless the nature of the nonconformity is clearly and conspicuously disclosed to the prospective transferee, lessee, or buyer, and the manufacturer warrants to correct such nonconformity for a term of 1 year or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first. The Department of Legal Affairs shall prescribe by rule the form, content, and procedure pertaining to such disclosure statement.

(3) As used in this section, the term “settlement” means an agreement entered into between a manufacturer and consumer that occurs after a dispute is submitted to a procedure or program or is approved for arbitration before the board.

681.115 Certain agreements void.

Any agreement entered into by a consumer that waives, limits, or disclaims the rights set forth in this chapter is void as contrary to public policy. The rights set forth in this chapter shall extend to a subsequent transferee of such motor vehicle.

681.116 Preemption.

This chapter preempts any similar county or municipal ordinance regarding consumer warranty rights resulting from the acquisition of a motor vehicle in this state.

681.117 Fee.

Comentarios

Georgia Ley del Limón

August 31, 2006 at 11:34 am · Filed under Lemon Laws

Items that are covered under Georgia Lemon Law
Any self-propelled vehicles, primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over the public highways, leased or purchased in this state, or registered by the original consumer to this state, and on which the original title was issued to
Georgia Lemon Law may apply if the following has occurred
1 repair attempt for a for a serious safety defect in the braking or steering system. 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service.
Length of time or miles before the Georgia Lemon Law runs out
1 year or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs earlier.

Lemon Law in Georgia

10-1-780

This article shall be known and may be cited as the “Motor Vehicle Warranty Rights Act.”

10-1-781

The General Assembly recognizes that a new motor vehicle is a major consumer purchase and that a defective motor vehicle is likely to create hardship for, or may cause injury to, the consumer.It is the intent of the General Assembly to ensure that the consumer is made aware of his or her rights under this article.In enacting these comprehensive measures, it is the intent of the General Assembly to create the proper blend of private and public remedies necessary to enforce this article.

10-1-782

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this Code section apply throughout this article. As used in this article, the term:

(1) “Administrator” means the administrator appointed pursuant to Code Section 10-1-395.

(2) “Collateral charges” means those additional charges to a consumer or lessor wholly incurred as a result of the acquisition purchase of the motor vehicle. For the purposes of this article, collateral charges include but are not limited to manufacturer installed or dealer installed items or service charges, earned finance charges incurred by a consumer in the case of a purchase, and by the lessor in the case of a lease, sales tax, and title charges.

(3) “Consumer” means any person who has entered into an agreement or contract for the transfer, lease, or purchase of a new motor vehicle primarily for personal, family, or household purposes, regardless of how the documents characterize the transaction. The term shall also mean and include any sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation which is a commercial owner or lessee of no more than three new motor vehicles and which has ten or fewer employees and a net income after taxes of $100,000.00 per annum or less for federal income tax purposes. For the limited purpose of enforcing the rights granted under this article, the term “consumer” will also include any person or entity regularly engaged in the business of leasing new motor vehicles to consumers.

(4) “Court” means the superior court in the county where the consumer resides, except if the consumer does not reside in this state, then the superior court in the county where an arbitration hearing or determination was conducted or made pursuant to this article.

(5) “Distributor” means a person or entity holding a distribution agreement with a manufacturer for the distribution of new motor vehicles to new motor vehicle dealers or who is licensed or otherwise authorized to utilize trademarks or service marks associated with one or more makes of motor vehicles in connection with such distribution, who is not responsible to the manufacturer for honoring the manufacturer's express warranty, and who does not issue an express warranty to consumers.

(6) “Express warranty” means a warranty which is given by the manufacturer in writing.

(7) “Incidental costs” means any reasonable expenses incurred by the consumer in connection with the repair of the new motor vehicle, including but not limited to payments to dealers for attempted repairs of nonconformities, towing charges, and the costs of obtaining alternative transportation.

(8) “Informal dispute resolution settlement mechanism” means any procedure established, employed, utilized, or run by a manufacturer for the purpose of resolving disputes with consumers regarding any warranty.

(9) “Lemon law rights period” means the period ending one year after the date of the original delivery of a new motor vehicle to a consumer or the first 12,000 miles of operation after delivery of a new motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever occurs first.

(10) “Manufacturer” means any person engaged in the business of constructing or assembling new motor vehicles or engaged in the business of importing new motor vehicles into the United States for the purpose of selling or distributing new motor vehicles to new motor vehicle dealers.

(11) “New motor vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle, primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over the public highways, that was leased or purchased in this state or registered by the original consumer in this state and on which the original motor vehicle title was issued to the lessor or purchaser without having been previously issued to any person other than the selling dealer. If the motor vehicle is a motor home, this article shall apply to the self-propelled vehicle and chassis, but does not include those portions of the vehicle designated, used, or maintained primarily as a mobile dwelling, office, or commercial space. The term “new motor vehicle” does not include motorcycles or trucks with 10,000 pounds or more gross vehicle weight rating. The term “new motor vehicle” shall not include any vehicle on which the title and other transfer documents show a used, rather than new, vehicle. The term “new motor vehicle” includes a demonstrator or lease-purchase, as long as a manufacturer's warranty was issued as a condition of sale, unless specifically excluded under this definition.

(12) “New motor vehicle dealer” means a person who holds a dealer agreement with a manufacturer for the sale of new motor vehicles, who is engaged in the business of purchasing, selling, servicing, exchanging, leasing, distributing, or dealing in new motor vehicles, or who is licensed or otherwise authorized to utilize trademarks or service marks associated with one or more makes of motor vehicles in connection with such sales. For the purposes of subsection (d) of Code Section 10-1-784, concerning private civil actions for violations of this article, the term “new motor vehicle dealer” shall include any person or entity regularly engaged in the business of leasing new motor vehicles to consumers.

(13) “Nonconformity” means a defect, serious safety defect, or condition that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of a new motor vehicle to the consumer, but does not include a defect or condition that is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modification or alteration of the new motor vehicle.

(14) “Panel” means a new motor vehicle arbitration panel as designated in Code Sections 10-1-786 and 10-1-794.

(15) “Purchase price” means in the case of a sale of a new motor vehicle to a consumer the cash price of the new motor vehicle appearing in the sales agreement, contract, or leasing agreement, including any reasonable allowance for a trade-in vehicle. In determining whether the trade-in allowance was reasonable, the panel may take into account whether the purchase price of the vehicle was at fair market value or not and make appropriate adjustments to ensure that the consumer is made whole but not unjustly enriched. In the case of a consumer lease of a new motor vehicle, “purchase price” means the cash price paid by the lessor to a dealer or distributor to purchase the new motor vehicle.

(16) “Reasonable offset for use” means an amount directly attributable to use by the consumer before the consumer requests repurchase or replacement by the manufacturer pursuant to Code Section 10-1-784. The reasonable offset for use shall be computed by the number of miles that the vehicle traveled before the consumer's request of repurchase or replacement multiplied by the purchase price and divided by 100,000.

(17) “Reasonable number of attempts” under the lemon law rights period means the definition as provided in Code Section 10-1-784.

(18) “Replacement motor vehicle” means a new motor vehicle that is identical or reasonably equivalent to the motor vehicle to be replaced, as the motor vehicle to be replaced existed at the time of purchase or lease.

(19) “Serious safety defect” means a life-threatening malfunction or nonconformity.

(20) “Substantially impair” means to render the new motor vehicle unreliable, or unsafe for ordinary use, or to diminish the resale value of the new motor vehicle more than a meaningful amount below the average resale value for comparable motor vehicles.

(21) “Warranty” means any express written warranty of the manufacturer but shall not include any extended coverage purchased by the consumer as a separate item.

10-1-783

(a) Each new motor vehicle dealer shall provide an owner's manual which shall be published by the manufacturer and include a list of the addresses and phone numbers at which consumers may, at no cost, contact the manufacturer's customer service personnel who are authorized to direct activities regarding repair of the consumer's vehicle.

(b) At the time of purchase, the new motor vehicle dealer shall provide the consumer with a written statement that explains the consumer's rights under this article. The statement shall be written by the administrator and shall contain information regarding the procedures and remedies under this article.

(c) For the purposes of this article, if a new motor vehicle has a nonconformity and the consumer reports the nonconformity during the lemon law rights period to the manufacturer, its agent, or the new motor vehicle dealer who sold the new motor vehicle, the vehicle shall be repaired at the manufacturer's expense to correct the nonconformity regardless of whether such repairs are made after the expiration of the lemon law rights period. If in any subsequent proceeding under this article it is determined that the consumer's repair did not qualify under this article, and the manufacturer was not otherwise obligated to repair the vehicle, the consumer shall be liable to the manufacturer for the costs of the repair.

(d) Upon request from the consumer, the manufacturer or new motor vehicle dealer shall provide a copy of any report or computer reading compiled by the manufacturer's field or zone representative regarding inspection, diagnosis, or test-drive of the consumer's new motor vehicle.

(e) Each time the consumer's vehicle is returned from being diagnosed or repaired under the lemon law rights period or under a warranty, the new motor vehicle dealer shall provide to the consumer a fully itemized, legible statement or repair order indicating any diagnosis made, and all work performed on the vehicle, including but not limited to a general description of the problem reported by the consumer or an identification of the defect or condition, parts and labor, the date and the odometer reading when the vehicle was submitted for repair, and the date when the vehicle was made available to the consumer.

(f) No manufacturer, its agent, or new motor vehicle dealer may refuse to diagnose or repair any nonconformity for the purpose of avoiding liability under this article.

(g) The lemon law rights period and 30 day out-of-service period shall be extended by any time that repair services are not available to the consumer as a direct result of a strike, war, invasion, fire, flood, or other natural disaster.

10-1-784

(a)(1) If the manufacturer, its agent, or the new motor vehicle dealer is unable to repair or correct any nonconformity in a new motor vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts, the consumer shall notify the manufacturer by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the address provided by the manufacturer. The manufacturer shall, within seven days after receipt of such notification, notify the consumer of a reasonably accessible repair facility and after delivery of the vehicle to the designated repair facility by the consumer, the manufacturer shall, within 14 days, conform the motor vehicle to the warranty. If the manufacturer is unable to repair or correct any nonconformity of the new motor vehicle, the manufacturer shall, within 30 days of the consumer's written request, by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the option of the consumer, or the lessor in the event of a leased motor vehicle, replace or repurchase the new motor vehicle. If the manufacturer fails to notify the consumer of a reasonably accessible repair facility or perform the repairs within the time periods prescribed in this subsection, the requirement that the manufacturer be given a final attempt to cure the nonconformity does not apply.

(2) If a lessor elects replacement, the contractual obligation, except for those terms of the agreement which identify the vehicle, between the lessor and the consumer shall not be altered. If a lessor elects repurchase, it shall return to the consumer a sum equal to the allowance for any trade-in, and down payment or initial balloon payment, made by the consumer, and all future obligations of the consumer to the lessor shall cease. In the event a lessor elects to require the manufacturer to repurchase a leased vehicle, the consumer will remain liable for all lease obligations arising prior to the date that the lessor elects such replacement, but will have no future obligations under the lease, and will be liable for no penalty for early termination. A lessor must elect either a repurchase or replacement within 30 days of receiving written notice from the consumer that such an election is desired; if the lessor fails to make such an election within the 30 days, the consumer may make the election to repurchase or replace and the lessor shall be bound by the consumer's election.(3) The replacement motor vehicle shall be identical or reasonably equivalent to the motor vehicle to be replaced. Such replacement shall include payment of all collateral charges which the consumer or lessor will incur a second time which would not have been incurred again except for the replacement, and any and all incidental costs incurred by the consumer or lessor. In the case of a replacement motor vehicle, the reasonable offset for use shall be paid by the consumer to the manufacturer. Compensation for a reasonable offset for use shall be paid by the consumer to the manufacturer in the event that a replacement motor vehicle is elected. In the case of a lease where the consumer either has no option to purchase the motor vehicle at the end of the lease term, or the consumer has an option to purchase the motor vehicle at the end of the lease term but does not exercise the option, the lessor shall refund to the consumer the lesser of (A) the offset for use paid by the consumer to the manufacturer at the time of delivery of the replacement vehicle, or (B) the gain realized by the lessor by reason of the difference, if any, between the anticipated residual value of the original motor vehicle as determined at the inception of the lease and the realized value of the replacement motor vehicle at the end of the lease. If the lessor does not realize any gain from the disposition of the replacement vehicle, there will be no refund due to the consumer from the lessor. The foregoing rules apply only to leases where the consumer performs all of the consumer's obligations under the lease agreement and the lease terminates upon the scheduled expiration of the lease term as set forth in the lease agreement or any mutually agreed upon extension of the lease term. The administrator may provide by rule under Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” for determining the manner of calculating the amount of any further charges or refunds that may apply in the case of leases terminated prematurely either by the voluntary election of the parties, or involuntarily by the lessor in the event of the lessee's default, the loss or destruction of the vehicle, or for any other reason.(4) When repurchasing the new motor vehicle, the manufacturer shall refund to the consumer all collateral charges and incidental costs. In the event of a repurchase, purchase price refunds shall be made to the consumer and lienholder of record, if any, as his or her interests may appear, less a reasonable offset for use. In the event of a lease, purchase price refunds shall be made to the lessor, less a reasonable offset for use. If it is determined that the lessee is entitled to a refund, the consumer's lease agreement with the lessor shall be terminated upon payment of the refund and no penalty for early termination shall be assessed.

(b) A reasonable number of attempts shall be presumed as a matter of law to have been undertaken by the manufacturer, its agent, or the new motor vehicle dealer to repair or correct any nonconformity of a new motor vehicle, if: (1) a serious safety defect in the braking or steering system has been subject to repair at least once during the lemon law rights period and has not been corrected; (2) during any period of 24 months or less, or during any period in which the vehicle has been driven 24,000 miles or less, whichever occurs first, any other serious safety defect has been subject to repair two or more times, at least one of which is during the lemon law rights period, and the nonconformity continues to exist; (3) during any period of 24 months or less or during any period in which the vehicle has been driven 24,000 miles or less, whichever occurs first, the same nonconformity has been subject to repair, three or more times, at least one of which is during the lemon law rights period, and the nonconformity continues to exist; or (4) during any period of 24 months or less or during any period in which the vehicle has been driven 24,000 miles or less, whichever occurs first, the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of one or more nonconformities for a cumulative total of 30 calendar days, at least 15 of them during the lemon law rights period.If less than 15 days remain under the lemon law rights period when the new motor vehicle is first brought in for diagnosis or repair, the lemon law rights period as regards the problem to be diagnosed or repaired shall be extended for a period of 90 days.

(c) For purposes of this article, the lemon law rights period regarding nonconformities on all new motor vehicles sold in this state shall be for 12 months following the purchase of the vehicle or for 12,000 miles following the purchase of the vehicle, whichever occurs first.

(d) This article shall not create and shall not give rise to any cause of action against and shall not impose any liability upon any new motor vehicle dealer or distributor except as provided in this Code section. No new motor vehicle dealer or distributor shall be held liable by the manufacturer or by the consumer for any collateral charges, damages, costs, purchase price refunds, or vehicle replacements, and manufacturers and consumers shall not have a cause of action against a new motor vehicle dealer or distributor under this article.A violation of any duty or responsibility imposed upon a new motor vehicle dealer or distributor under this article shall constitute a per se violation of Code Section 10-1-393; provided, however, that enforcement against such violations shall be by public enforcement by the administrator and shall not be enforceable through private enforcement under the provisions of Code Section 10-1-399, except that a knowing violation of Code Section 10-1-785 shall be enforceable through private enforcement under the provisions of Code Section 10-1-399.The provisions of Code Sections 11-2-602 through 11-2-609 shall not apply to the sale of a new motor vehicle if the consumer seeks to use the remedies provided for in this article.A consumer shall be deemed to have used the remedies provided for in this article when he or she completes, signs, and returns forms prescribed by the administrator for the submission of disputes to an informal dispute resolution settlement mechanism or to a panel, whichever occurs first. Such forms shall contain a conspicuous statement clearly advising the consumer of the rights the consumer is waiving by participating in the procedures under this article. A consumer may not use the remedies provided for in this article if the consumer has already sought to use the remedies provided for in Code Sections 11-2-602 through 11-2-609, unless the nonconformity did not exist or was not known at the time of using the remedies provided for in such Code sections. Manufacturers and consumers may not make new motor vehicle dealers or distributors parties to arbitration panel proceedings or any other proceedings under this article. The provisions of this article shall not impair any obligation under any manufacturer-dealer franchise agreement or manufacturer-distributor agreement; provided, however, that any provision of any manufacturer-dealer franchise agreement or manufacturer-distributor agreement which attempts to shift any duty, obligation, responsibility, or liability imposed upon a manufacturer by this article to a new motor vehicle dealer or distributor, either directly or indirectly, shall be void and unenforceable, except for any liability imposed upon a manufacturer by this article which is directly caused by the gross negligence of the dealer in attempting to repair the motor vehicle after such gross negligence has been determined by the hearing officer, as provided in Article 22 of this chapter, the “Georgia Motor Vehicle Franchise Practices Act.”

10-1-785

(a) No manufacturer or other transferor shall knowingly resell, either at wholesale or retail, lease, transfer a title, or otherwise transfer, except to sell for scrap, any motor vehicle which has been determined to have a serious safety defect by reason of a determination, adjudication, or settlement decision pursuant to this article or similar statute of any other state, unless the serious safety defect has been corrected; the manufacturer warrants in writing upon the resale, transfer, or lease that the defect has been corrected; and the transferor provides the manufacturer's written warranty under this Code section to the consumer.

(b) After replacement or repurchase pursuant to this article of a motor vehicle with a nonconformity, other than a serious safety defect, which has not been corrected, the manufacturer shall notify the administrator, by certified mail, upon receipt of the manufacturer's motor vehicle.If such nonconformity is corrected, the manufacturer shall notify the administrator in the same manner of such correction.If the two events described in this subsection occur within 30 days of one another, both notices may be combined into the same notice.

(c) Upon the resale, either at wholesale or retail, lease, transfer of title, or other transfer of a motor vehicle with a nonconformity, other than a serious safety defect, which has not been corrected and which was previously returned after a final determination, adjudication, or settlement under this article or under a similar statute of any other state, the manufacturer shall execute and deliver to the transferee before transfer to a consumer an instrument in writing setting forth information identifying the nonconformity in a manner to be specified by the administrator; the transferor shall deliver the instrument to the consumer before transfer.

(d) Upon the resale, either at wholesale or retail, lease, transfer of title, or other transfer of a motor vehicle found to have a nonconformity under this article which has been corrected, the manufacturer shall warrant in writing on forms prescribed by the administrator upon the transfer that the nonconformity has been corrected, and the manufacturer, its agent, the new motor vehicle dealer, or other transferor shall execute and deliver to the transferee before transfer an instrument in writing setting forth information identifying the nonconformity and indicating in a manner to be specified by the administrator that it has been corrected and providing an express manufacturer's warranty on the vehicle regarding the nonconformity for 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

(e) For purposes of this Code section, the term “settlement” includes an agreement entered into between the manufacturer and the consumer that occurs after the dispute has been submitted to an informal dispute resolution settlement mechanism or has been deemed eligible by the administrator for arbitration before a panel.

10-1-786

(a) As provided in Code Section 10-1-794, the administrator may establish a new motor vehicle arbitration panel or panels to settle disputes between consumers and manufacturers as provided in this article. The panels shall not be affiliated with any manufacturer or new motor vehicle dealer and shall have available the services of persons with automotive technical expertise to assist in resolving disputes under this article.

(b) The administrator may adopt rules under Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” for the uniform conduct of arbitrations by panels and by informal dispute resolution settlement mechanisms under this article, which rules may include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Procedures regarding presentation of oral and written testimony, witnesses and evidence relevant to the dispute, cross-examination of witnesses, and representation by counsel. The administrator shall provide by rule for oral hearings, when appropriate, in panel or informal dispute resolution settlement mechanism proceedings;(2) Procedures for production of records and documents requested by a party which the panel finds are reasonably related to the dispute;(3) Procedures for issuance of subpoenas on behalf of the panel by the administrator, which shall be enforced by the superior courts as in Code Section 10-1-398;(4) Procedures regarding written affidavits from employees and agents of a dealer, a manufacturer, any party, or from other potential witnesses and the consideration of such affidavits by a panel; and

(5) Records of panel proceedings and hearings shall be open to the public.

(c) A consumer shall exhaust any certified informal dispute resolution settlement procedure under Code Section 10-1-793 and the new motor vehicle arbitration panel remedy before filing any superior court action pursuant to Code Section 10-1-788.

(d) The administrator may adopt rules under Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” to implement this article. Such rules may include uniform standards by which the panel and any informal dispute resolution settlement mechanism under Code Section 10-1-793 shall make determinations under this article, including but not limited to rules which may provide for:

(1) Determining that a nonconformity exists;(2) Determining that a reasonable number of attempts to repair a nonconformity have been undertaken; or(3) Determining that a manufacturer has failed to comply with Code Section 10-1-784.

10-1-787

(a) A consumer shall request arbitration under this article by submitting a request in writing to the administrator.Except as otherwise provided in this article, disputes under the lemon law rights period shall be eligible for arbitration.The administrator shall make a reasonable determination of the eligibility of the request for arbitration and may provide necessary information to the consumer regarding the consumer's rights and remedies under this article.The administrator may adopt rules under Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” regarding the eligibility of requests for arbitration. The administrator shall assign a dispute he deems eligible to a panel.

(b) Manufacturers shall submit to arbitration under this article if the consumer's dispute is deemed eligible for arbitration by the administrator and by the panel.

(c) The new motor vehicle arbitration panel may reject for arbitration any dispute that it determines to be frivolous, fraudulent, filed in bad faith, res judicata, or beyond its authority.Any dispute deemed by the panel to be ineligible for arbitration due to insufficient evidence may be reconsidered by the panel upon the submission of other information or documents regarding the dispute that would allegedly qualify for relief under this article.Following a second review, the panel may reject the dispute for arbitration if evidence is still clearly insufficient to qualify the dispute for relief under this article.The administrator may adopt rules under Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” governing rejection of disputes by a panel.A decision to reject any dispute for arbitration shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the consumer and the manufacturer.

(d) An arbitration panel shall award the remedies under Code Section 10-1-784 if it finds a nonconformity and that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to correct the nonconformity.The panel may in its discretion award attorney's fees and technical or expert witness costs to a consumer.

(e) It is an affirmative defense to any claim under this article that: (1) the alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the new motor vehicle to the consumer; or (2) the alleged nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or alterations of the new motor vehicle.

(f) The panel's decision shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the consumer.The consumer must reject the decision in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the panel within 30 days of receipt of the panel's decision, or he or she shall be deemed to have accepted the panel's decision.The panel shall immediately notify the manufacturer by certified mail, return receipt requested, whether the consumer has accepted, rejected, or has been deemed to have accepted.

(g) Upon receipt of the panel's notice, the manufacturer shall have 40 calendar days to comply with the arbitration panel decision or to file a petition of appeal in superior court.At the time the petition of appeal is filed, the manufacturer shall send, by certified mail, a conformed copy of such petition to the administrator.

(h) If, at the end of the 40 calendar day period, neither compliance with nor a petition to appeal the panel's decision has occurred, the administrator may impose a fine of up to $1,000.00 per day until compliance occurs or until a maximum penalty of double the value of the vehicle or $100,000.00, whichever is less, accrues.If the manufacturer can provide clear and convincing evidence either that any delay or failure was beyond its control, or that any delay was acceptable to the consumer, the fine shall not be imposed.If the manufacturer fails to provide such evidence or fails to pay the fine, the administrator may initiate proceedings against the manufacturer for failure to pay any accrued fine and may initiate proceedings on behalf of the state to require specific performance of an arbitration decision under this article.The administrator shall deposit any fines in the state treasury.

10-1-788

(a) After the manufacturer has received notice of the consumer's acceptance or rejection, the consumer or the manufacturer shall have 40 days to request a trial de novo of the arbitration decision in superior court.

(b) If the manufacturer appeals, the court may require the manufacturer to post security for the consumer's financial loss due to the passage of time for review.

(c) If the manufacturer appeals and the consumer prevails, recovery may include the monetary value of the award, collateral charges, continuing incidental costs, if any, and attorney's fees and costs.

10-1-789

(a) Effective July 1, 1990, a fee of $3.00 shall be collected by the new motor vehicle dealer from the consumer at completion of a sale or a lease of each new motor vehicle.The fee shall be forwarded quarterly to the Office of Planning and Budget for deposit in the new motor vehicle arbitration account created in the state treasury. The first quarterly payments are due and payable on October 1, 1990, and shall be mailed by the dealer not later than October 10; thereafter, all payments are due and payable the first of the month in each quarter and shall be mailed by the dealer not later than the tenth day of such month.Moneys in the account shall be used for the purposes of this article, subject to appropriation. Funds in the new motor vehicle arbitration account shall be transferred to the general treasury at the end of each fiscal year. One dollar of each fee collected shall be retained by the dealer to cover administrative costs.

(b) At the end of each fiscal year, the administrator shall prepare a report listing the annual revenue generated and the expenses incurred in implementing and operating the arbitration program under this chapter.The Office of Planning and Budget shall provide the administrator with the figures regarding revenue generated.

(c) It is the intent of the General Assembly that any consumer who, on or after July 1, 1990, but prior to January 1, 1991, pays or should have paid the fee designated in this Code section shall be entitled to utilize the remedies provided in Code Sections 10-1-786, 10-1-787, and 10-1-788 in addition to any other remedies which exist in law or in equity regarding defective automobiles, notwithstanding the effective dates of this article or the effective dates of any provisions of this article.

10-1-790

A violation of this article, or any failure of any person, including a manufacturer or its agents, to honor any express warranty, automotive or otherwise, issued by that person, regardless of whether or not such warranty was purchased as a separate item by the consumer and regardless of whether or not any dispute under the warranty is deemed eligible for arbitration under this article, shall constitute an unfair and deceptive act or practice and a consumer transaction under Part 2 of Article 15 of this chapter.In determining whether there is an unfair and deceptive act or practice under this Code section, the principles in this article regarding a reasonable number of attempts may serve as guidelines. All public and private remedies provided under Part 2 of Article 15 of this chapter shall be available to enforce this article, subject to the affirmative defenses provided in Code Section 10-1-787, and except as provided in Code Section 10-1-784.

10-1-791

Any agreement entered into by a consumer for the purchase of a new motor vehicle that waives, limits, or disclaims the rights set forth in this article shall be void as contrary to public policy. Said rights shall extend to a subsequent transferee of a new motor vehicle.

10-1-792

Nothing in this article shall limit anyone from pursuing other rights or remedies under any other law, except as otherwise provided in this article.

10-1-793

(a) If a manufacturer has established an informal dispute resolution settlement mechanism in this state and is operating in accordance with rules promulgated by the administrator under this article, and the administrator has certified that the informal dispute resolution settlement procedure complies with and is operating in accordance with such rules, a consumer must submit a dispute under this article to the informal dispute resolution settlement procedure before submitting it to the new motor vehicle arbitration panel.The administrator may adopt rules consistent with this article under Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” regarding the informal dispute resolution settlement mechanisms, including but not limited to the composition, function, training, procedures, and conduct of informal dispute resolution settlement mechanisms and including eligibility requirements and procedures for appeals to a panel.Such rules must be complied with prior to certification.

(b) Informal dispute resolution settlement mechanisms shall take into account the principles contained in this article and in any rules promulgated thereunder and shall take into account all legal and equitable factors germane to a fair and just decision.A decision shall include any remedies appropriate under the circumstances, including repair, replacement, refund, reimbursement for collateral and incidental charges, and compensation for loss of value.For purposes of this Code section, the phrase: “Take into account the principles contained in this article” means to be aware of the provisions of this article, to understand how they might apply to the circumstances of the particular dispute, and to apply them if it is appropriate and fair to both parties to do so.

(c) At any time the administrator has reason to believe that a certified informal dispute resolution settlement mechanism is not acting in conformity with this article or with rules promulgated thereunder, he may initiate proceedings under Chapter 13 of Title 50, the “Georgia Administrative Procedure Act,” to revoke the certification of the informal dispute resolution settlement mechanism.An informal dispute resolution settlement mechanism shall keep such records as prescribed by the administrator in rules under this article and shall submit without notice to inspection and copying of these records by the administrator's employees.Expenses of any copying shall be borne by the informal dispute resolution settlement mechanism.

10-1-794

The new motor vehicle arbitration panel or panels shall begin operating on January 2, 1991.The administrator in his discretion may establish and operate the panel or panels under any of the following procedures, provided that disputes filed during the same time period shall not be handled under different procedures: (1) contracting with private or public entities to conduct arbitrations under the procedures and standards in this article, (2) appointing private citizens to serve on a panel or panels, or (3) hiring temporary or permanent employees to serve on the panel or panels. Each new motor vehicle arbitration panel shall consist of three members, none of whom may be directly or indirectly involved in the manufacture, distribution, sale, or service of any motor vehicle or employed by or related to the consumer.All panel members shall have a degree from an American Bar Association Accredited School of Law or shall have at least two years' experience in professional arbitration.Any private citizens appointed by the administrator to serve as panel members shall be reimbursed for expenses as are members of the General Assembly and shall be compensated at an hourly rate as determined by the administrator. Temporary or permanent employees hired to serve on the panels shall be in the unclassified service and may serve on a full or part-time basis at a salary determined by the administrator.All administrative staff hired by the administrator to aid in the administration of this article shall be in the unclassified service and compensated at a salary determined by the administrator.

Comentarios (2)

Hawaii Lemon Law

August 31, 2006 at 11:34 am · Filed under Lemon Laws

Items that are covered under Hawaii Lemon Law
Self-propelled vehicles primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over streets & highway which are used or bought for use primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. Includes dealer-owned vehicles and “demonstrators” or o
Hawaii Lemon Law may apply if the following has occurred
1 repair attempt for a defect that may cause death or serious injury or 3 repair attempts – 30 business days out of service
Length of time or miles before the Hawaii Lemon Law runs out
Express warranty period or 2 years or 24,000 miles.

Lemon Law in Hawaii

81I-1 Legislative intent.

The legislature recognizes that a motor vehicle is a major consumer purchase and that a defective motor vehicle creates a hardship for the consumer. The legislature further recognizes that a duly franchised motor vehicle dealer is an authorized service agent of the manufacturer. It is the intent of the legislature that a good faith motor vehicle warranty complaint by a consumer be resolved by the manufacturer within a specified period of time. It is further the intent of the legislature to provide statutory procedures whereby a consumer may receive a replacement motor vehicle, or a full refund, for a motor vehicle which is not brought into conformity with the applicable express warranties, as provided in this chapter. Finally, it is the intent of the legislature to ensure that consumers are made aware of their rights under this chapter and are not refused the information, documents, or service necessary to exercise their rights.

Nothing in this chapter shall in any way limit or expand the rights or remedies which are otherwise available to a consumer under any other law.

481I-2 Definitions.

When used in this section unless the context otherwise requires:

“Business day” means any day during which the service departments of authorized dealers of the manufacturer of the motor vehicle are normally open for business.

“Collateral charges” means those additional charges to a consumer wholly incurred as a result of the acquisition of the motor vehicle. For the purposes of this chapter, collateral charges include, but are not limited to, manufacturer-installed or agent-installed items, general excise tax, license and registration fees, title charges, and similar government charges.

“Consumer” means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, or the lessee of a motor vehicle, any person to whom the motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of the express warranty applicable to the motor vehicle, and any other person entitled to enforce the obligations of the express warranty.

“Express warranty” means any written warranty issued by the manufacturer, or any affirmation of fact or promise made by the manufacturer, excluding statements made by the dealer, in connection with the sale or lease of a motor vehicle to a consumer, which relates to the nature of the material or workmanship and affirms or promises that the motor vehicle shall conform to the affirmation, promise, or description or that the material or workmanship is free of defects or will meet a specified level of performance.

“Incidental charges” means those reasonable costs incurred by the consumer, including, but not limited to, towing charges and the costs of obtaining alternative transportation which are directly caused by the nonconformity or nonconformities which are the subject of the claim, but shall not include loss of use, loss of income, or personal injury claims.

“Lemon law rights period” means the term of the manufacturer's express warranty, the period ending two years after the date of the original delivery of a motor vehicle to a consumer, or the first 24,000 miles of operation, whichever occurs first.

“Lessee” means any consumer who leases a motor vehicle for one year or more pursuant to a written lease agreement which provides that the lessee is responsible for repairs to such motor vehicle, or any consumer who leases a motor vehicle pursuant to a lease-purchase agreement.

“Motor vehicle” means a self-propelled vehicle primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over public streets and highways which is used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. For purposes of this definition, a “motor vehicle” also includes a “demonstrator”, which means a vehicle assigned by a dealer for the purpose of demonstrating qualities and characteristics common to vehicles of the same or similar model or type, but does not include mopeds, motorcycles, or motor scooters, as those terms are defined in chapter 286, or vehicles over 10,000 pounds, gross vehicle weight rating. For purposes of this definition, a “motor vehicle” also includes (1) an individually registered vehicle used for an individual's business purposes and for personal, family, or household purposes; and (2) a vehicle owned or leased by a sole proprietorship, corporation or partnership which has purchased or leased no more than one vehicle per year, used for household, individual, or personal use in addition to business use.

“Nonconformity” means a defect, malfunction, or condition that fails to conform to the motor vehicle's applicable express warranty and that substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of a motor vehicle, but does not include a defect, malfunction, or condition that results from an accident, abuse, neglect, modification, or alteration of the motor vehicle by persons other than the manufacturer, its agent, distributor, or authorized dealer.

“Purchase price” means the cash price appearing in the sales agreement or contract and paid for the motor vehicle, including any net allowance for a trade-in vehicle. Where the consumer is a second or subsequent purchaser and the arbitration award is for a refund of the motor vehicle, “purchase price” means the purchase price of the second or subsequent purchase not to exceed the purchase price paid by the original purchaser.

“Reasonable offset” for use means the number of miles attributable to a consumer up to the date of the third repair attempt of the same nonconformity which is the subject of the claim, the date of the first repair attempt of a nonconformity that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, or the date of the thirtieth (30th) cumulative business day when the vehicle is out of service by reason of repair of one or more nonconformities, whichever occurs first. The reasonable offset for use shall be equal to one percent of the purchase price for every thousand miles of use.

“Replacement motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle which is identical or reasonably equivalent to the motor vehicle to be replaced, as the motor vehicle to be replaced existed at the time of original acquisition, including any service contract, undercoating, rust proofing, and factory or dealer installed options. A reasonable offset shall be made for the use of the motor vehicle and an additional offset may be made for loss to the fair market value of the vehicle resulting from damage beyond normal wear and tear, unless the damage resulted from the nonconformity.

“Substantially impairs” means to render the motor vehicle unfit, unreliable, or unsafe for warranted or normal use, or to significantly diminish the value of the motor vehicle.

481I-3 Motor vehicle: express warranties, return.

(a) If a motor vehicle does not conform to all applicable express warranties, and the consumer reports the nonconformity in writing to the manufacturer, its agent, distributor, or its authorized dealer during the term of the lemon law rights period, then the manufacturer, or, at its option, its agent, distributor, or its authorized dealer, shall make such repairs as are necessary to conform the vehicle to such express warranties, notwithstanding the fact that such repairs are made after the expiration of such term.

(b) If the manufacturer, its agents, distributors, or authorized dealers are unable to conform the motor vehicle to any applicable express warranty by repairing or correcting any defect or condition which substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of the motor vehicle after a reasonable number of documented attempts, then the manufacturer shall provide the consumer with a replacement motor vehicle or accept return of the vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer the following: the full purchase price including, but not limited to, charges for undercoating, dealer preparation, transportation and installed options, and all collateral and incidental charges, excluding finance and interest charges, and less a reasonable offset for the consumer's use of the motor vehicle. If either a replacement motor vehicle or a refund is awarded, an “offset” may be made for damage to the vehicle not attributable to normal wear and tear, if unrelated to the nonconformity. Refunds made pursuant to this subsection shall be deemed to be refunds of the sales price and treated as such for purposes of section 237-3. Refunds shall be made to the consumer and lien holder, if any, as their interests may appear on the records of ownership. If applicable, refunds shall be made to the lessor and lessee pursuant to rules adopted by the department of commerce and consumer affairs.

(c) It shall be an affirmative defense to any claim under this section that a nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications or alterations of a motor vehicle by a consumer.

(d) It shall be presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a motor vehicle to the applicable express warranties, if, during the lemon law rights period, any of the following occurs:

(1) The same nonconformity has been subject to examination or repair at least three times by the manufacturer, its agents, distributors, or authorized dealers, but such nonconformity continues to exists; or

(2) The nonconformity has been subject to examination or repair at least once by the manufacturer, its agents, distributors, or authorized dealers, but continues to be a nonconformity which is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven; or

(3) The motor vehicle is out of service by reason of repair by the manufacturer, its agents, distributors, or authorized dealers for one or more nonconformities for a cumulative total of thirty or more business days during the lemon law rights period. The term of the lemon law rights period and such thirty-day period shall be extended by any period of time during which repair services are not available to the consumer because of a war, invasion, strike, fire, flood or other natural disaster. The presumptions provided in this subsection shall not apply unless the manufacturer has received a written report of the nonconformity from the consumer and has had a reasonable opportunity to repair the nonconformity alleged. Upon a second notice of the nonconformity, or, if the motor vehicle has been out of service by reason of repair in excess of twenty business days, the dealer shall notify the manufacturer of the nonconformity.

(e) During the lemon law rights period, the manufacturer or its agent, distributor, or authorized dealer shall provide to the consumer, each time the consumer's vehicle is returned from being diagnosed or repaired under the warranty, a fully itemized, legible statement or repair order indicating any diagnosis made and all work performed on the vehicle, including, but not limited to, a general description of the problem reported by the consumer or an identification of the defect or condition, parts and labor supplied, the date and the odometer reading when the vehicle was submitted for repair, and the date when the vehicle was made available to the consumer. The consumer shall sign and receive a copy of the statement or repair order.

(f) Upon request from the consumer, the manufacturer, or at its option its agent, distributor, or authorized dealer, shall provide a copy of any report or computer reading regarding inspection, diagnosis, or test-drive of the consumer's motor vehicle, and shall provide a copy of any technical service bulletin related to the nonconformity issued by the manufacturer regarding the year and model of the consumer's motor vehicle as it pertains to any material, feature, component, or the performance thereof. Upon receipt of a consumer's written report of a nonconformity to the manufacturer, the manufacturer or, at its option, its agent, distributor, or authorized dealer, shall inform the consumer of any technical service bulletin or report relating to the nonconformity, and shall advise the consumer of the consumer's right to obtain a copy of such report or technical service bulletin.

(g) The manufacturer, its agent, distributor, or authorized dealer, shall provide the consumer at the time of purchase of the motor vehicle a written notice setting forth the terms of a state certified arbitration program and a statement of the rights of the consumer under this section in plain language, the form of which has been previously reviewed and approved by the department of commerce and consumer affairs for substantial compliance with title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, part 703, as may be modified by the requirements of this chapter. The written notice must specify the requirement that written notification to the manufacturer of the motor vehicle nonconformity is required before the consumer is eligible for a refund or replacement of the motor vehicle. The notice must also include the name and address to which the consumer must send such written notification. The provision of this statement is the direct responsibility of the dealer, as that term is defined in chapter 437.

(h) The consumer shall be required to notify the manufacturer of the nonconformity only if the consumer has received a written notice setting forth the terms of the state certified arbitration program and a statement of the rights of the consumer as set out in subsection (g).

(i) Where the state certified arbitration program is invoked by the consumer of a motor vehicle under express warranties, a decision resolving the dispute shall be rendered within forty-five days after the procedure is invoked. If no decision is rendered within forty-five days as required by this subsection, the dispute shall be submitted to the regulated industries complaints office of the department of commerce and consumer affairs for investigation and hearing. Any decision rendered resolving the dispute shall provide appropriate remedies including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Provision of a replacement motor vehicle; or

(2) Acceptance of the motor vehicle from the consumer, refund of the full purchase price, and all collateral and incidental charges. The decision shall specify a date for performance and completion of all awarded remedies.

(j) Any action brought under this section must be initiated within one year following expiration of the lemon law rights period.

(k) No vehicle transferred to a dealer or manufacturer by a buyer or a lessee under subsection (b) may be sold or leased by any person unless:

(1) The nature of the defect experienced by the original buyer or lessee is clearly and conspicuously disclosed on a separate document that must be signed by the manufacturer and the purchaser and must be in ten point, capitalized type, in substantially the following form: “IMPORTANT: THIS VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER BECAUSE A DEFECT(S) COVERED BY THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPRESS WARRANTY WAS NOT REPAIRED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AS PROVIDED BY HAWAII LAW.”;

(2) The defect is corrected; and

(3) The manufacturer warrants to the new buyer or lessee, in writing, that if the defect reappears within one year or 12,000 miles after the date of resale, whichever occurs first, it will be corrected at no expense to the consumer.

(l) A violation of subsection (k) shall constitute prima facie evidence of an unfair or deceptive act or practice under chapter 480.

481I-4 Arbitration mechanism.

(a) The department of commerce and consumer affairs shall establish and monitor a state certified arbitration program which is in substantial compliance with title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, part 703, as may be modified by this section, and shall adopt appropriate rules governing its operation.

(b) The director of commerce and consumer affairs may contract with an independent arbitration organization for annual term appointments to screen, hear, and resolve consumer complaints which have been initiated pursuant to section 481I-3. The following criteria shall be considered in evaluating the suitability of independent arbitration mechanisms: capability, objectivity, experience, non-affiliation with manufacturers of or dealers in new motor vehicles, reliability, financial stability, and fee structure.

(c) If a consumer agrees to participate in and be bound by the operation and decision of the state certified arbitration program, then all parties shall also participate in, and be bound by, the operation and decision of the state certified arbitration program. The prevailing party of an arbitration decision made pursuant to this section may be allowed reasonable attorney's fees.

(d) The submission of any dispute to arbitration in which the consumer elects non-binding arbitration shall not limit the right of any party to a subsequent trial de novo upon written demand made upon the opposing party to the arbitration within thirty calendar days after service of the arbitration award, and the award shall not be admissible as evidence at that trial. If the party demanding a trial de novo does not improve its position as a result of the trial by at least twenty-five per cent, then the court shall order that all of the reasonable costs of trial, consultation, and attorney's fees be paid for by the party making the demand. If neither party to a non-binding arbitration demands a trial de novo within thirty days after service of the arbitration award, the arbitrator's decision shall become binding on both parties upon the expiration of the thirty-day period.

(e) Funding of the state certified arbitration program shall be provided through an initial filing fee of $200 to be paid by the manufacturer and $50 to be paid by the consumer upon initiating a case for arbitration under this section. Every final decision in favor of the consumer issued by the independent arbitration mechanism shall include within its relief the return of the $50 filing fee to the consumer. The director of commerce and consumer affairs may establish a trust fund for the purpose of administering fees and costs associated with the state certified arbitration program.

(f) The failure of a manufacturer to timely comply with a binding decision of a state certified arbitration program shall be prima facie evidence of an unfair or deceptive act or practice under chapter 480 unless the manufacturer can prove that it attempted in “good faith” to comply, or that the failure was beyond the manufacturer's control, the result of a written agreement with the consumer, or based on an appeal filed under chapter 658.

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