Florida Lemon Law (FL)

Qualifying Criteria in Florida

Under Florida'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 Florida
• 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 the nonconformity. If unable, consumer may receive a refund or replacement. Florida has a specific state-run arbitration board.

Available Remedies

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

• Replacement vehicle of comparable value
• Full refund including purchase price, collateral charges, incidental damages, minus a reasonable use offset

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 Florida

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

1. 1 Report the defect to the manufacturer or authorized dealer
2. 2 Allow at least 3 repair attempts for the same defect or 15+ cumulative days out of service (must occur within the lemon law rights period)
3. 3 Send the manufacturer written notice by certified mail (use the form from the Florida Attorney General's office)
4. 4 Allow 10 business days for a final repair attempt after notice
5. 5 File with the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board if unresolved
6. 6 Accept or reject the arbitration decision (can appeal to circuit court within 60 days)

Arbitration in Florida

Consumer must file with the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board (operated by the Attorney General's Office) before filing a lawsuit. This is free to consumers.

Important: In Florida, 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 24 months of delivery or the duration of the express warranty, whichever is earlier. Must file with the Arbitration Board within 60 days of the lemon law rights period expiration.

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

Florida's lemon law is one of the most consumer-friendly. The state runs its own arbitration board at no cost to consumers. Covers new or demonstration vehicles purchased or leased in Florida. The 'Lemon Law Rights Period' is 24 months from delivery. Also covers motor homes (entire vehicle, not just chassis). Attorney fees may be awarded if the consumer prevails in court.