Wisconsin Lemon Law (WI)

Qualifying Criteria in Wisconsin

Under Wisconsin'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 Wisconsin
• 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 1 year of delivery or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first
• Repair attempts: The manufacturer or authorized dealer must have attempted to repair the same defect at least 4 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, must replace or refund. Wisconsin's Department of Transportation administers the program.

Available Remedies

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

• Replacement vehicle
• Full refund minus reasonable use allowance
• Double damages for willful violations

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 Wisconsin

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

1. 1 Report the defect to the authorized dealer
2. 2 Allow at least 4 repair attempts or 30+ calendar days out of service
3. 3 Notify the manufacturer in writing
4. 4 Use the manufacturer's dispute resolution program or the WI DOT program
5. 5 File suit if unresolved — may recover double damages for willful violations

Arbitration in Wisconsin

Consumer must use the manufacturer's certified dispute resolution program or may file directly with the Wisconsin DOT Lemon Law Program.

Important: In Wisconsin, 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 the warranty period or 1 year/12,000 miles.

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

Wisconsin allows double damages for willful manufacturer violations. The state's DOT administers its own dispute program. Covers new motor vehicles purchased in Wisconsin.