Key takeaways
- State lemon laws are mostly written for new, warrantied vehicles used on public roads: cars, trucks, SUVs and vans. Electric vehicles generally fit the same definitions.
- Motorcycles and motor homes depend on the state. Florida's law leaves out motorcycles, while Washington's covers motorcycles of 750 cc or more (Fla. Stat. § 681.102(14); RCW 19.118.021(9), (12)).
- Motor home laws often cover the chassis and drivetrain but not the living quarters, and some states cap truck size by gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
- If a state lemon law doesn't fit, the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act can still apply to a consumer product sold with a written warranty (15 U.S.C. § 2310(d)).
On this page
Most state lemon laws cover new cars, trucks, SUVs and vans that come with a manufacturer's warranty and are made for public roads. Electric vehicles usually fit the same rules. Motorcycles, motor homes and heavy trucks are where states split, and each state writes its own list of what's in and what's out.
This page gives you the general picture. Then it points you to a page for your type of vehicle and to your state's lemon law page.
What vehicles do lemon laws usually cover?
They usually cover new passenger vehicles sold or leased with the manufacturer's written warranty. That includes most cars, pickups, SUVs and passenger vans.
State laws word this in different ways. Florida's statute covers a new vehicle "propelled by power other than muscular power" that is sold in the state to carry people or property, and it adds demonstrators and some leased vehicles (Fla. Stat. § 681.102(14)). Washington's covers a new self-propelled vehicle "primarily designed for the transportation of persons or property over the public highways" (RCW 19.118.021(12)).
Notice what those two have in common. The vehicle is new, it moves under its own power, and it's built for the road. That's the core most states start from. Leased vehicles are covered in many states too; see our page on leased vehicles.
What vehicles do lemon laws often leave out?
Some exclusions show up again and again. The details differ by state, so treat this table as a map, not an answer.
| Vehicle or part | How states tend to treat it | One verified example |
|---|---|---|
| Motorcycles | Split. Some include, some exclude | Florida excludes; Washington includes 750 cc and up |
| Motor home living quarters | Often excluded | Florida and Washington both exclude the living areas |
| Motor home chassis and drivetrain | Often included | Washington covers the self-propelled vehicle and chassis |
| Towable travel trailers | Usually outside, since they aren't self-propelled | Washington's definition is limited to self-propelled vehicles |
| Heavy trucks | Some states set a weight cap | Florida: over 10,000 lbs excluded; Washington: 19,000 lbs GVWR or more excluded |
| Business fleets | Some states exclude | Washington excludes fleets of 10 or more bought at one time |
| Off-road vehicles, mopeds | Often excluded | Florida excludes both |
Sources for the examples: Fla. Stat. § 681.102(14), (20); RCW 19.118.021(9), (10), (12).
Used vehicles are a separate question. Many state laws focus on new vehicles, but a used vehicle still under the original warranty may have options. See used cars and lemon laws.
What if my vehicle falls outside my state's lemon law?
A warranty claim may still be open to you. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. §§ 2301-2312) covers "consumer products," which the Act defines as tangible personal property normally used for personal, family or household purposes (15 U.S.C. § 2301(1)).
Under § 2310(d), a consumer damaged by a warrantor's failure to honor a written or implied warranty can sue for damages and other relief. That's why a travel trailer or a motorcycle that a state law skips isn't automatically out of luck. Read more on our Magnuson-Moss page.
Questions about your vehicle's repair history?
Tell us what has happened with your vehicle. A member of our team will look at your dates and repair orders with you. Reaching out does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Which vehicle page should I read?
Pick the page that matches what's in your driveway. Each one covers the defects we hear about most for that type of vehicle and the coverage questions that come with it.
RVs and motor homes
Motor homes raise questions no car does. The chassis maker and the coach builder often give separate warranties, and many states only cover the driving parts. Towable trailers follow different rules. Read RV and motor home lemon law.
Motorcycles
Some states cover motorcycles and some don't, and a few draw the line by engine size. Read motorcycle lemon law for the warranty basics and the records to keep.
Electric vehicles
EV problems often involve the battery, charging or software. Over-the-air updates add a new wrinkle: does a remote fix count as a repair attempt? Read electric vehicle lemon law.
Trucks and SUVs
Pickups and SUVs bring up towing, four-wheel-drive and transmission defects, plus questions about business use and weight limits. Read lemon law for trucks and SUVs.
How do I check whether my exact vehicle qualifies?
Start with three facts: the vehicle's type, whether it was new with a manufacturer's warranty, and the state where you bought or registered it. Then read your state's definition.
Our does my vehicle qualify page walks through the common tests. Your state page lists the state's own rules. Keep your purchase contract, warranty booklet and every repair order together while you check. Those papers answer most of the questions a lawyer will ask.
Frequently asked questions
Do lemon laws cover trucks and SUVs?
In most cases, yes, as long as the truck or SUV is a new vehicle sold with a manufacturer's warranty and it fits the state's definition. The common catch is size. Some states set a weight cap. Florida, for example, excludes trucks over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, and Washington excludes trucks with a GVWR of 19,000 pounds or more. A few states also look at how the truck is used, such as personal use versus a business fleet. Check your state page and your window sticker or door-jamb label for the GVWR.
Are motorcycles covered by lemon laws?
Sometimes. It depends on how your state defines a covered vehicle. Florida's lemon law lists motorcycles and mopeds among the vehicles it does not cover. Washington's law takes the opposite approach and includes new motorcycles with an engine displacement of at least 750 cc. If your state leaves motorcycles out, a written warranty claim under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act may still be possible, because the Act covers consumer products sold with a written warranty, not just cars.
Is an RV or motor home covered by a lemon law?
Often in part. Many state laws treat a motor home as two things: the self-propelled chassis and drivetrain, and the living quarters built onto it. Washington's law applies to the vehicle and chassis but not to the portions used primarily as a mobile dwelling. Florida's law covers recreational vehicles but excludes their living facilities, such as plumbing, the furnace and the generator. Towable trailers usually aren't self-propelled, so they tend to fall outside state lemon law definitions and rely on warranty law instead.
Do lemon laws apply to electric vehicles?
Generally, yes. State definitions usually describe a self-propelled vehicle or one powered by something other than muscle, and an EV fits that wording. Florida's definition, for example, covers a new vehicle propelled by power other than muscular power. The questions that come up with EVs are about the defect itself: battery and charging failures, software faults and whether a remote software update counts as a repair attempt. Those turn on your state's law and your repair records.
What vehicles are usually excluded from lemon laws?
The exclusions vary, but some show up often. Florida's statute, for example, leaves out off-road vehicles, vehicles run only on tracks, trucks over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, motorcycles, mopeds, electric bicycles and the living facilities of recreational vehicles. Other states exclude vehicles bought as part of a large business fleet. Washington's law leaves out vehicles bought by a business as part of a fleet of ten or more at one time. Many state laws also focus on new vehicles, so a used vehicle is a separate question.
What if my vehicle isn't covered by my state's lemon law?
You may still have a warranty claim. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2301-2312, lets a consumer who is damaged by a warrantor's failure to honor a written or implied warranty sue for damages and other relief. It applies to consumer products in general, so it can reach motorcycles, travel trailers and RV living quarters that a state law leaves out. State warranty law can also apply. A lawyer can tell you which of these fits your paperwork.