The Lemon Law in District of Columbia
Which vehicles District of Columbia's lemon law covers, how many repair attempts it takes, the remedy, and the rules for used cars.
Short answer: D.C.'s lemon law covers new motor vehicles. Defects must be reported to the manufacturer, its agent or dealer within the first 18,000 miles or two years after delivery, whichever comes first, and must be fixed at no charge. D.C. Code §§ 50-502, 50-504
| New car lemon law | D.C.'s lemon law covers new motor vehicles. Defects must be reported to the manufacturer, its agent or dealer within the first 18,000 miles or two years after delivery, whichever comes first, and must be fixed at no charge. A reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed if, in that period and after notice from the consumer, the same non-safety defect was repaired four or more times, a safety-related defect was repaired one or more times, or the vehicle was out of service 30 or more days in total, and the problem still exists. If a defect that significantly impairs the vehicle cannot be fixed, the manufacturer must, at the consumer's option, replace it with a comparable vehicle or refund the full purchase price including taxes and fees, minus up to 10 cents per mile for use beyond the first 12,000 miles and any damage not from normal wear. Any agreement waiving these rights is void. D.C. law also establishes a Board of Consumer Claims Arbitration that hears lemon law claims (§ 50-503). Re-verified 2026-10-27. Source: D.C. Code §§ 50-502, 50-504 |
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| How to file a lemon law claim | 1) Notice: the consumer must report the defect to the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer within the first 18,000 miles or 2 years after delivery to the original purchaser, whichever comes first. If a dealer or agent receives the report, it must forward written notice to the manufacturer by certified mail within 7 days. 2) Final repair attempt: no separate final-repair step is described. 3) Arbitration is required: to seek a refund or replacement, the consumer must first file a claim with the D.C. Board of Consumer Claims Arbitration, using forms approved by the Mayor. The Board decides within 5 business days whether the claim qualifies, and a decision is due within 60 days after the Board accepts the case. The arbitrators may award lemon law relief and reasonable attorney's fees. Only if the Board rejects the case, or the consumer rejects the decision, may the consumer go to court. Any party may petition the court within 20 days after receiving the decision to vacate it and get a new trial. The Mayor may set reasonable filing fees by rule. 4) Deadline: any action under the lemon law must be started within 4 years after the vehicle was originally delivered to the consumer. Board procedures: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/50-503. Time limit: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/50-507. The statute places the Board in the former Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs. Re-verified 2026-10-27. |
Where to get help in District of Columbia
- Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Office of Consumer Protection (Consumer and Tenant Response)
- File a complaint or claim
More District of Columbia consumer protection
- Your Right to Cancel a Purchase in District of Columbia
- Contractors and Repair Shops in District of Columbia
- Filing a Consumer Complaint in District of Columbia
- All District of Columbia consumer protection rules
FAQ
How does the lemon law work in District of Columbia?
D.C.'s lemon law covers new motor vehicles. Defects must be reported to the manufacturer, its agent or dealer within the first 18,000 miles or two years after delivery, whichever comes first, and must be fixed at no charge. A reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed if, in that period and after notice from the consumer, the same non-safety defect was repaired four or more times, a safety-related defect was repaired one or more times, or the vehicle was out of service 30 or more days in total, and the problem still exists. If a defect that significantly impairs the vehicle cannot be fixed, the manufacturer must, at the consumer's option, replace it with a comparable vehicle or refund the full purchase price including taxes and fees, minus up to 10 cents per mile for use beyond the first 12,000 miles and any damage not from normal wear. Any agreement waiving these rights is void.
How do you file a lemon law claim in District of Columbia?
1) Notice: the consumer must report the defect to the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer within the first 18,000 miles or 2 years after delivery to the original purchaser, whichever comes first. If a dealer or agent receives the report, it must forward written notice to the manufacturer by certified mail within 7 days. 2) Final repair attempt: no separate final-repair step is described. 3) Arbitration is required: to seek a refund or replacement, the consumer must first file a claim with the D.C. Board of Consumer Claims Arbitration, using forms approved by the Mayor. The Board decides within 5 business days whether the claim qualifies, and a decision is due within 60 days after the Board accepts the case. The arbitrators may award lemon law relief and reasonable attorney's fees. Only if the Board rejects the case, or the consumer rejects the decision, may the consumer go to court. Any party may petition the court within 20 days after receiving the decision to vacate it and get a new trial. The Mayor may set reasonable filing fees by rule. 4) Deadline: any action under the lemon law must be started within 4 years after the vehicle was originally delivered to the consumer.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.