State lemon law · checked October 23, 2026
Verified against the statute / official state publication73 P.S. §§1951–1963 (Automobile Lemon Law)
| Presumption window | The window is the earliest of 1 year, 12,000 miles, or the end of the warranty term. |
|---|---|
| Same defect | 3+ repair attempts |
| Days out of service | 30+ calendar days |
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.
The use deduction is capped at the LESSER of $0.10 per mile or 10% of the purchase price, figured on use before the first report of the defect (§1955).
No statutory pre-suit notice letter is required, but report the defect inside the window — defects first reported after the earliest of 1 year / 12,000 miles / warranty end fall outside the presumption.
Dispute route: Pennsylvania requires resort to a qualified manufacturer's informal dispute program, if one exists, before suing.
Attorney's fees: Pennsylvania provides attorney's fees to a prevailing consumer.
Pennsylvania's operative clock is the presumption window itself: the earliest of 1 year, 12,000 miles, or warranty end.
| New vehicles | Covered |
|---|---|
| Leased vehicles | Covered |
| Used vehicles | Not covered |
| Motorcycles | Covered |
| RV / motor home | Covered — chassis / powertrain only |
Your repair-log tracker, the Pennsylvania notice letter, the buyback worksheet on Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania. This page is information, not legal advice.