The Lemon Law in Utah

Utah's New Motor Vehicles Warranties Act covers new motor vehicles sold in Utah, including the vehicle and chassis portion of motor homes and street-use motorcycles, but not vehicles over 14,000 pounds (other than motor homes and farm tractors), off-road motorcycles, mopeds or e-bikes. If a defect is reported during the warranty or within one year of delivery, whichever is earlier, the manufacturer must repair it. If a defect that substantially impairs use, market value or safety cannot be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer must replace the vehicle with a comparable new one or take it back and refund the full purchase price including collateral charges, minus a reasonable use allowance. A reasonable number of attempts is presumed if the same defect was repaired four or more times, or the vehicle was out of service 30 or more business days, during the warranty or the first year, whichever is earlier. The Division of Consumer Protection enforces the law; a consumer may sue only after the Division has investigated and evaluated the claim, and must first use any qualifying manufacturer dispute program. The court may award attorneys' fees to the prevailing party. A separate mediation process applies to structural defects in new recreational vehicle trailers.

1) Report the problem to the manufacturer, its agent or an authorized dealer during the express warranty term or within one year after original delivery, whichever ends first. Utah's New Motor Vehicle Warranties Act does not require a separate written notice or a final repair attempt for cars. 2) Arbitration: if the manufacturer has an informal dispute settlement procedure that complies with federal rules (16 C.F.R. part 703), the consumer must use it first before the refund-or-replacement remedy applies. The Act does not create a state-run arbitration program or set a consumer fee. 3) State review before suing: the Utah Division of Consumer Protection may enforce the Act, and a consumer may file a lawsuit only after the Division has investigated and evaluated the claim. The court may award attorney's fees to the winning side. 4) Deadline: the Act does not state a specific deadline to file a claim or lawsuit. (Separate rule: buyers of new recreational vehicle trailers with roof, subfloor or wall defects can require mediation, paid for by the manufacturer, after written notice and at least four failed repair attempts.)