State lemon law · checked October 23, 2026
Verified against the statute / official state publicationN.C.G.S. §§20-351–20-351.11
| Presumption window | The defect must occur no later than 24 months or 24,000 miles after delivery. |
|---|---|
| Same defect | 4+ repair attempts |
| Days out of service | 20+ business days — 20 or more BUSINESS days out of service. |
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 EARLIER of the 3rd repair attempt or the 20th cumulative business day out of service × purchase price ÷ 120,000 (§20-351.3(c)). Miles after that point are not counted against you.
No statutory notice letter gates the presumption; a manufacturer may require use of its informal settlement procedure only if that requirement is written clearly in the warranty (§20-351.7).
Dispute route: BBB AUTO LINE is the common route; a manufacturer can only require its procedure if the requirement is conspicuous in the warranty.
Attorney's fees: North Carolina provides attorney's fees — and treble damages are possible where the manufacturer unreasonably refuses to comply.
North Carolina's operative clock is the 24-month / 24,000-mile occurrence window. Dispute-program claim windows vary by manufacturer — check the warranty booklet.
| New vehicles | Covered |
|---|---|
| Leased vehicles | Covered |
| Used vehicles | Not covered |
| Motorcycles | Covered |
| RV / motor home | Covered — chassis / powertrain only |
Your repair-log tracker, the North Carolina notice letter, the buyback worksheet on North Carolina'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 North Carolina. This page is information, not legal advice.