The Lemon Law in Minnesota

Minnesota's lemon law covers new passenger cars, pickup trucks and vans (and the chassis of motor homes) used at least 40% for personal, family or household purposes. The manufacturer must repair defects reported during the express warranty or within two years of delivery, whichever is earlier. A reasonable number of attempts is presumed if the same defect was repaired four or more times and continues, the vehicle was out of service a total of 30 or more business days, or a braking or steering defect likely to cause death or serious injury continues after one repair attempt; the consumer must first give the manufacturer written notice and a chance to fix it. If the defect substantially impairs use or market value and is not fixed, the manufacturer must replace the vehicle or refund the full price (including taxes, fees, towing and rental costs), minus a use allowance of no more than 10 cents per mile or 10% of the price, whichever is less; the consumer may choose a refund. Consumers generally must first use the manufacturer's informal dispute program, and must sue within three years of delivery (or six months after the program's final decision).

1) Written notice: the presumption that the manufacturer had a reasonable number of repair attempts applies only if the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer has received prior written notice from or on behalf of the consumer at least once and had an opportunity to fix the defect. A dealer or agent that receives the notice must forward it to the manufacturer by certified mail, return receipt requested. 2) Final repair attempt: no separate final-repair step is described beyond that opportunity to cure. 3) Arbitration: every manufacturer must run or take part in an informal dispute settlement program located in Minnesota that meets federal rules (16 C.F.R. Part 703). The consumer must use it before suing for refund or replacement, unless the manufacturer allows otherwise. Any consumer fee may not exceed the conciliation court filing fee in the county where the arbitration is held. Decisions are nonbinding unless the parties agree otherwise, and either party may take the case to district court for a new trial; a manufacturer must do so within 30 days after receiving the decision. Minnesota has no state-run arbitration program. 4) Deadline: a lawsuit must be started within three years after original delivery. If the consumer applied to the dispute program within those three years and is unhappy with the decision, the lawsuit must be started within six months after the program's final decision.

Dealers selling used cars, pickups and vans for personal use must give a written warranty covering major parts (engine, transmission, drive axle, brakes, steering and some other parts). It lasts 60 days or 2,500 miles for cars under 36,000 miles; 30 days or 1,000 miles for 36,000 to under 75,000 miles; and 15 days or 500 miles for 75,000 to under 200,000 miles (this last tier does not apply to sales by new-car dealers). Exclusions include cars with 200,000 or more miles, cars sold for under $3,000 or eight or more model years old (unless they have 75,000 to under 200,000 miles), diesel vehicles, and salvage-titled vehicles. The law requires the warranty on covered sales; a consumer can waive coverage of a specific part only if the dealer discloses a defect in that part on the Buyers Guide and the consumer circles and signs the disclosure.