Alabama Lemon Law (AL)

Qualifying Criteria in Alabama

Under Alabama's lemon law, your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if it meets the following criteria:

• Vehicle type: New motor vehicles purchased or leased in Alabama
• Defect type: A nonconformity that substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of the vehicle and is covered under the manufacturer's warranty
• Coverage period: The defect must occur within 2 years of delivery or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first
• Repair attempts: The manufacturer or authorized dealer must have attempted to repair the same defect at least 3 times, or the vehicle must have been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more days

Manufacturer Obligations

Must repair defect within a reasonable number of attempts. If unable, must replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for use.

Available Remedies

If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Alabama law, you are entitled to:

• Replacement vehicle
• Full refund minus reasonable use allowance

The "reasonable use allowance" deduction is typically calculated based on the mileage you accumulated before the first repair attempt, proportional to the vehicle's expected lifetime mileage. This ensures the manufacturer is not paying for use you already received from the vehicle.

Step-by-Step Filing Process in Alabama

Follow these steps if you believe your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Alabama law:

1. 1 Report the defect to the manufacturer or authorized dealer in writing
2. 2 Allow the manufacturer a reasonable number of repair attempts (at least 3 for the same defect, or 30+ cumulative business days out of service)
3. 3 Submit your claim to the manufacturer's arbitration program if one exists
4. 4 If arbitration is unsatisfactory, file a lawsuit in court

Arbitration in Alabama

Consumer must use the manufacturer's certified arbitration program (if one exists) before filing a lawsuit.

Important: In Alabama, arbitration is a required step before you can file a lawsuit. This means you must exhaust the arbitration process first. The arbitration decision may or may not be binding depending on the specific program. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you typically have the right to appeal or file a civil action in court.

Filing Deadline

Within 1 year after expiration of the express warranty or within the lemon law rights period, whichever comes first.

Missing the filing deadline can forfeit your rights under the lemon law. Keep detailed records of every repair visit, including dates, mileage, descriptions of the problem, and copies of all repair orders and receipts. This documentation will be critical for your claim.

Additional Notes

Alabama's lemon law only covers new vehicles purchased or leased in Alabama. The vehicle must have a defect that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety.