What Is Connecticut Lemon Law?
Consumers who purchase new vehicles have protections under the Connecticut Lemon Law. This law covers new vehicles purchased in Connecticut that are registered as either a passenger vehicle, a combination vehicle, or as a motorcycle. Vehicles that have a manufacturer defect that occurs within the Vehicle’s first two years or 24,000 miles, are covered under the Lemon Law.
If a manufacturer is unable to repair a defect after being given a reasonable opportunity to do so, the manufacturer is required to repurchase or replace the vehicle. Therefore, manufacturers are held responsible for the defective vehicles they sell, under the Lemon Law.
History Of Lemon Law
On June 4, 1982, Connecticut became the first state in the country to enact a Lemon Law. Connecticut State Representative, John J. Woodcock III, was instrumental in advocating for this law to be passed in Connecticut.
Americans began to use the term “Lemon” in 1909, to refer to a product that was “worthless.”
Connecticut began allowing consumers to sue in 1983, under its Lemon Law. It was then expanded to include arbitration through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection in 1985.
The Connecticut Consumer That Influenced The Lemon Law
In 1980, New London resident Daniel Brochu, paid $6,500 for an Oldsmobile Omega that turned out to be a lemon. ”In the first 18 months that we owned the car, it was in the shop for more than 135 days.” said Mr. Brochu. (New York Times, 1982). The Oldsmobile Omega had transmission issues, electrical system failure, the paint peeled, water pooled inside, and the emergency brake pedal broke off.
The car was in the dealer’s shop for repairs 135 days over an 18-month period. (Consumer Reports, September 1982.) Mr. Brochu protested at the state capitol, along with Thomas F. Ziemba. Ziemba flew his Cessna over the capitol building with a banner that read: “My ’82 Chevy is one reason Conn. needs a lemon law.” (Newsweek, May 31, 1982, p.50).
According to the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Connecticut consumers have received more than $60 million in refunds and replacement vehicles through the Lemon Law program.
Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection announced in November 2019 that a record number of 93 cases had been brought under the Lemon Law program.
If you believe you purchased a lemon, please contact Consumer Law Group, LLC. Our attorneys will carefully examine the facts of your case and determine the steps to take to pursue a claim under this law.