How does the lemon law process work in Ohio?
Ohio's lemon law is enforced through civil court and through manufacturer-sponsored arbitration where certified.
1. Governing Statute
Ohio Rev. Code §§ 1345.71-.78 (Ohio Lemon Law). Implementing regulations and the Attorney General's certified dispute settlement procedure list are administered by the Ohio AG's Consumer Protection Section.
2. Coverage
Covers new motor vehicles, including passenger cars, noncommercial motor vehicles under 1 ton, and the noncommercial portion of motorhomes (chassis and powertrain), purchased or leased in Ohio. Demonstrators included. Leased vehicles covered. Used vehicles are not covered by the Ohio Lemon Law but may be covered under federal Magnuson-Moss and the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act.
3. Lemon Presumption
Under § 1345.73, presumption applies if within 1 year of delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever first: (a) substantially the same nonconformity has been subject to repair 3+ times, (b) the vehicle is out of service for repair 30+ cumulative calendar days, (c) 8 or more repair attempts have been made for any nonconformity, or (d) at least 1 repair attempt for a nonconformity that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.
4. Notice to Manufacturer
Although not always required by statute, written notice to the manufacturer by certified mail at the presumption trigger is strongly recommended and required by some warranty booklets.
5. Manufacturer's Buy-Back / Replacement
At the consumer's option, manufacturer must replace the vehicle or refund the full purchase price including all incidental and collateral charges (registration, tax, dealer-installed options, finance charges), minus a reasonable allowance for use (§ 1345.72).
6. Arbitration
If the manufacturer has a certified informal dispute settlement procedure (e.g., BBB AUTO LINE, NCDS), the consumer must first resort to it (§ 1345.77). The decision is binding on the manufacturer; the consumer may reject and sue.
7. Lawsuit & Fee-Shifting
A prevailing consumer recovers attorney's fees and costs (§ 1345.75). Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. § 2310(d)) and the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act (§ 1345.09) — which allows treble damages — are typically pleaded in parallel.
This is legal information, not legal advice.
- Manufacturer denies lemon designation after one safety-defect repair attempt
- CSPA treble damages available for deceptive dealer conduct
- Leased vehicle and lessor refuses to release title
- Ohio Rev. Code §§ 1345.71-.78 (Lemon Law)
- Ohio Rev. Code §§ 1345.01-.13 (Consumer Sales Practices Act)
- 15 U.S.C. § 2301 (Magnuson-Moss)
- 16 CFR Part 703
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.