Michigan's lemon law covers many buyers and lessees of new personal vehicles whose warranty-covered defects substantially impair use, value, or safety. If authorized dealers cannot fix a persistent defect within statutory thresholds (commonly cited: multiple repair attempts or an extended out-of-service time), consumers may be eligible for a refund or a comparable replacement. Keep detailed repair records, notify the manufacturer, and consider arbitration or legal counsel. Verify current timeframes, thresholds, and fee rules before acting.

Who the law protects

Michigan's lemon law protects consumers who buy or lease new motor vehicles for personal, family, or household use. The law treats many lessees the same as buyers, giving them access to the same remedies for covered defects. Commercial or business-use vehicles are generally outside the scope of consumer lemon-law protections .

What counts as a "lemon"

A vehicle is considered a lemon when it has a defect or condition covered by the manufacturer's warranty that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle to the consumer. This standard focuses on the consumer's experience rather than the manufacturer's view.

Covered problems often include engine, transmission, braking, or steering issues. Persistent or intermittent defects - such as water leaks, harmful odors, electrical failures, or paint and body problems that affect use or value - can also qualify.

When you can seek a remedy

Michigan law sets thresholds that trigger a presumption the vehicle is a lemon if the manufacturer or its authorized dealers cannot repair the same defect within a reasonable number of attempts or if the vehicle is out of service for a substantial total number of days during the warranty period. Commonly cited benchmarks include four or more repair attempts for the same defect or the vehicle being in the shop 30 or more days, but you should verify the current statutory thresholds and timing requirements for first and subsequent repairs in the statute or official legal guidance 1.

Some time limits apply to when the first repair attempt must occur and how long a series of repair attempts can be counted toward a lemon claim. Confirm the current periods that apply in Michigan before relying on them 2.

Remedies: refund or replacement

If your vehicle meets the law's requirements, the usual remedies are a full refund (purchase price less a reasonable usage offset) or a comparable replacement vehicle. If you accept a replacement, the replacement agreement generally cannot be altered in a way that reduces your statutory rights.

Consumers who pursue lemon-law claims may have access to informal dispute resolution or formal remedies in court. In some cases, prevailing consumers can recover attorney fees and costs, but the availability and scope of fee recovery depend on statutory language and case law - verify current rules before assuming fee-shifting applies 3.

Practical steps for consumers

  • Keep all repair orders, work invoices, and communications with the dealer or manufacturer.
  • Record dates the vehicle was in for repairs and how long it was out of service.
  • Notify the manufacturer and dealer in writing about the problem and give them a reasonable opportunity to repair.
  • If repairs fail, consider consulting an attorney who handles lemon-law claims or look into the manufacturer's dispute-resolution program.
This summary preserves the core structure of Michigan's lemon-law protections. Because specific timeframes, thresholds, and fee rules can change, check the Michigan statutes and recent guidance or consult a lawyer for case-specific advice 4.
  1. Confirm current Michigan statutory thresholds for lemon-law presumptions (number of repair attempts and total days out of service).
  2. Verify whether commercial or business-use vehicles are excluded and any relevant statutory definitions of "consumer" or "new motor vehicle."
  3. Check precise timing requirements for the first repair attempt and the window for counting subsequent repair attempts under Michigan law.
  4. Confirm whether prevailing consumers can recover attorney fees under current Michigan law and the conditions for fee-shifting.

FAQs about Mi Lemon Law

Who is protected by Michigan’s lemon law?
Consumers who purchase or lease new motor vehicles for personal, family, or household use are generally protected; commercial vehicles are typically excluded .
What kinds of defects can make a vehicle a lemon?
A defect covered by the manufacturer's warranty that substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety - examples include engine, transmission, brake, electrical, water leaks, or persistent odors.
How do I know when I can seek a refund or replacement?
If the same defect remains after the dealer or manufacturer has had a reasonable number of repair attempts or the vehicle has been out of service for a substantial total number of days during the warranty period. Common benchmarks appear in practice, but you should verify current statutory thresholds and timing .
What remedies are available under the law?
Typical remedies are a full refund (with a possible usage offset) or a comparable replacement vehicle. The consumer's choice and limits on changing the replacement agreement are governed by the statute.
What should I do if my new vehicle may be a lemon?
Keep all repair records and communications, notify the dealer and manufacturer in writing, document days out of service, and consider arbitration or consulting a lemon-law attorney if repairs fail.