Lemon Law

For complete information on the Wisconsin Lemon Law, please review the program information:

What qualifies as a “lemon”?​

Your vehicle may qualify as a “lemon” if all the following are true:

  • You bought or leased a new vehicle
  • The vehicle is a car, truck, motorcycle, or motor home
  • The vehicle developed a defect or defects (a nonconformity) during its first year and before the warranty expired
  • The defect seriously harms the vehicle’s use, value, or safety
  • One of the following happened during the vehicle’s first year and before the warranty expired:
    • The dealer failed 4 times to fix the same nonconformity
    • The vehicle was unable to be operated (“out of service”) for 30 days or more due to defects

What does not qualify as a “lemon"?

  • Mopeds, semitrailers, or trailers designed for use in combination with a truck or truck tractor are not covered by the Wisconsin Lemon Law.
  • Vehicles purchased outside the state of Wisconsin or purchased online and delivered outside Wisconsin
    • If the vehicle was purchased in another state, contact that state’s transportation department to determine what your rights might be under law
  • Used vehicles are not considered “lemons”. If you have issues with a used vehicle purchased from a Wisconsin dealer, you may want to file a dealer complaint.

Recent Changes to Wisconsin Lemon Law

  • On March 1, 2014, changes to the Wisconsin Lemon Law were put into effect. If you purchased a new vehicle prior to March 1, 2014, and you believe the vehicle may be a “lemon”, please contact the Lemon Law program specialist: WisLemonLaw@dot.wi.gov.
  • Effective March 2, 2016, the MV2692 Vehicle Warranty Repair Request/Nonconformity Report form is no longer required to be used by consumers when submitting a lemon law claim to a manufacturer.

Questions?​​