Hiring a Lemon Law Lawyer in Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania lemon law for new cars, the rules for used cars, where to file a complaint, how to check a lawyer's license, and free help. We do not recommend or rank lawyers.
What a lawyer costs in Pennsylvania: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Pennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c), a contingent fee agreement must be in writing and state how the fee is determined, including the percentage(s) for settlement, trial or appeal, litigation and other expenses deducted from the recovery, and whether expenses are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. At the end, the lawyer must give the client a written statement showing the remittance and how it was determined. Rule 1.5(d) bars fees in domestic relations matters contingent on securing a divorce or on the amount of alimony or support, and contingent fees for defending a criminal case. Rule 1.5(b) also requires the basis or rate of the fee to be communicated in writing to clients the lawyer has not regularly represented. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | Fee disputes are not normally handled through Pennsylvania's discipline process; the Disciplinary Board directs clients to contact the bar association in the county where the attorney practices. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The Pennsylvania Lawyers Fund for Client Security reimburses victims of attorney dishonesty in the practice of law. The maximum award is $150,000 per claimant, with a $1,000,000 aggregate cap per attorney (effective February 24, 2014) that only the Supreme Court can exceed. Awards are discretionary. Filing is free and a lawyer is not required; mail the original signed Statement of Claim Form with supporting documents (scanned, emailed or faxed copies are accepted, though originals may be requested). |
Pennsylvania rules to know first
| Lemon law for new cars | Pennsylvania's Automobile Lemon Law covers new vehicles designed to carry no more than 15 people, bought or leased and registered in Pennsylvania for personal, family or household use, including motorcycles (but not motor homes or off-road vehicles). The manufacturer must repair, at no cost, a defect that substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value or safety that occurs within one year of delivery, the first 12,000 miles, or the warranty term, whichever comes first (for motorcycles, one year or the warranty term). If it fails after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer must, at the buyer's choice, replace the vehicle with a comparable one or refund the full purchase or lease price, including collateral charges, minus a use allowance of no more than 10 cents per mile or 10% of the price, whichever is less; a refund must be paid within 30 days of the buyer's choice. A reasonable number of attempts is presumed if the same defect was repaired three times and still exists, or the vehicle was out of service 30 or more calendar days. If the manufacturer has a qualifying informal dispute program, the buyer must use it before suing, but its decision does not bind the buyer. A buyer who sues may recover reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs. |
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| How to make a lemon law claim | 1) Repairs: the defect must occur within one year after delivery, the first 12,000 miles, or the warranty term, whichever comes first (for motorcycles, one year or the warranty term). The purchaser must take the vehicle to the manufacturer's authorized repair facility in Pennsylvania; if the defect makes that impossible, written notice of the defect to the manufacturer or its repair facility counts as returning the vehicle. Keep the itemized repair statements the dealer must provide each visit. When the vehicle comes back to the same dealer a second time for the same defect, the dealer must notify the manufacturer by certified mail within seven days. The Act does not require a separate written notice from the consumer or a final repair attempt before a claim. 2) Arbitration: if the manufacturer has an informal dispute settlement procedure that complies with federal rules (16 C.F.R. part 703), the purchaser must use it first before suing over defects affecting use, value or safety. The decision is not binding on the purchaser, who may then sue. The Act does not create a state-run arbitration program or set a consumer fee. 3) Lawsuit: the purchaser may file a civil action in a court of common pleas and, if successful, recovers reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. The Act does not state a specific deadline to sue. Manufacturers must give buyers the Attorney General's statement of rights and a list of zone offices to contact for lemon law remedies (§ 3). Reflects amendments through Act 151 of 2024 (motorcycles). |
| Where to file a consumer complaint | Consumers can submit a complaint to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General online or by printing and mailing a complaint form (available in English and Spanish); separate forms cover scams, aviation, Do Not Call, health care and other issues. The Bureau of Consumer Protection mediates consumer complaints and can take legal action against businesses engaged in unfair practices when it serves the public interest. Bureau of Consumer Protection description: https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/the-office/divisions/public-protection/ |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The Pennsylvania Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) connects people with a qualified attorney in the right location. Complete the online form (available 24/7) or call 800-932-0311 (select option 2) and describe your legal issue to get an immediate referral, then contact the attorney directly. The initial 30-minute consultation costs no more than $30. The PBA LRS operates in 47 of Pennsylvania's 67 counties. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania offers a public attorney search to view an attorney's contact information and disciplinary history. Search by last name, first name, attorney ID number, city, county or license status; status definitions are on a linked page. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Complaints about Pennsylvania attorneys go to the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and its Office of Disciplinary Counsel. File online with the electronic form, or print, sign and mail the complaint form (available in English and several other languages) to the district office where the attorney practices. You receive an acknowledgment and file number; Disciplinary Counsel investigates and may contact you, the attorney and others, and you get official notice of the outcome. Complaints are kept confidential except as the rules allow, and the process does not provide money or legal advice. The Board's attorney search shows disciplinary history; some prior discipline documents are online and others can be requested from the Executive Office ($0.50 per page). Board main line: 717.231.3380. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Free civil legal aid for low-income Pennsylvanians is provided by regional legal aid programs. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists seven Pennsylvania grantees: Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, MidPenn Legal Services, Neighborhood Legal Services Association, North Penn Legal Services, Northwestern Legal Services, Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center, and Summit Legal Aid. |
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All legal help in Pennsylvania · Background guide
Last verified against official sources: October 27, 2026.
How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources
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.