Arkansas’ New Lemon Law Now in Effect

Arkansas Attorney General Dustin McDaniel announced that the state’s new “Lemon Law,” passed by the General Assembly in the 2009 session went into effect July 31. The law was amended this year to cover more vehicles. In Arkansas, if a consumer purchases a vehicle that has repeated, substantial problems that impair its use and cannot be fixed, that vehicle is considered a “lemon,” and the consumer could be entitled to a replacement or refund,

Previously, under Arkansas’s Lemon Law, vehicles that had a gross vehicle weight-rating of over 10,000 pounds were not covered. With the enactment of ACT 322, which took effect on July 31, 2009, coverage was expanded to include most vehicles with a weight-rating of up to 13,000 pounds. The one exception is that the 13,000 pound limitation does not apply to vehicles that are “substantially altered” after the initial sale.

“The practical effect of the change to our state’s Lemon Law is that it now provides protection for bigger trucks and SUVs, which many farmers, business owners, construction workers and families buy each year,” said McDaniel. “With this change, consumers in the market for a larger vehicle should feel more confident making a purchase.”

Any consumer who buys, leases, or licenses a new motor vehicle in the State of Arkansas is covered by the Lemon Law during the term of the manufacturer’s warranty for up to two years after the original delivery date of the vehicle or for the first 24,000 miles, whichever is longer. If the vehicle is transferred to someone else during this period, that owner or person leasing the vehicle is also covered under the Lemon Law.

Source: Arkansas Attorney General’s Office, www.ArkansasAG.gov