State lemon law · checked October 23, 2026
Verified against the statute / official state publicationIowa Code ch. 322G
| Presumption window | Iowa covers vehicles under 2 years / 24,000 miles (and under 15,000 lbs). |
|---|---|
| Same defect | 3+ repair attempts |
| Safety defect | 1+ attempt(s) — A safety defect likely to cause death or serious injury: 1 attempt, then the same notice route. |
| Days out of service | 20+ calendar days — Iowa's days route is two-stage: at 20 cumulative days out, you send written notice; the manufacturer then gets 10 MORE cumulative days out of service to conform the vehicle. |
The presumption is the set of numbers that shifts the burden to the manufacturer. A claim can exist outside the presumption — it is a shortcut, not the whole road. Read why.
Deduction = miles driven up to the EARLIEST trigger (the 3rd attempt date, the 1st safety-attempt date, or the day the vehicle hit 20 cumulative days out) × purchase price ÷ 120,000 (§322G.2(18)). Miles after the trigger are free.
After the 3rd attempt (or the 1st safety attempt, or 20 days out), send written notice by certified mail, registered mail, or overnight delivery. The manufacturer has 10 days to name a repair facility and 10 days to cure — that is the statutory final attempt.
Dispute route: Iowa's §322G.4 notice-and-final-attempt sequence is mandatory before remedies; a certified manufacturer program may also apply.
Attorney's fees: Iowa provides attorney's fees to a prevailing consumer.
Iowa's operative clocks are the 2-year / 24,000-mile window and the 10 + 10 notice sequence in §322G.4.
| New vehicles | Covered |
|---|---|
| Leased vehicles | Covered |
| Used vehicles | Covered in defined situations — see notes |
| Motorcycles | Covered |
| RV / motor home | Covered — chassis / powertrain only |
Your repair-log tracker, the Iowa notice letter, the buyback worksheet on Iowa's formula, and your deadline calendar.
Checked October 23, 2026. Laws change; if your claim is close to a line, verify the current statute or ask a lawyer in Iowa. This page is information, not legal advice.