Hiring a Lemon Law Lawyer in Texas
The Texas 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 Texas: fee rules
| Rules on contingency fees | Under Texas Disciplinary Rule of Professional Conduct 1.04(d), a contingent fee agreement must be in writing and state how the fee is determined; if the percentage differs for settlement, trial or appeal, each percentage must be stated. The agreement must state the litigation and other expenses to be deducted from the recovery and whether they are deducted before or after the fee is calculated. At the end, the lawyer must give the client a written statement describing the outcome and, if there is a recovery, the remittance and how it was determined. Rule 1.04(e) bars contingent fees for defending a criminal case. Rule 1.04(a) prohibits illegal or unconscionable fees. |
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| If you disagree with a lawyer's bill | The State Bar of Texas's Client-Attorney Assistance Program (CAAP), a confidential statewide dispute resolution service, helps clients and lawyers resolve minor disagreements and can help you communicate with your attorney about a fee, but it cannot recover fees or refunds. If you believe a fee is unjust or unsupported by the fee agreement or work performed, the bar advises filing a grievance; CAAP and the grievance process cannot be used at the same time. CAAP staff answer 1-800-932-1900. |
| If a lawyer takes your money | The State Bar of Texas Client Security Fund generally requires a grievance that results in findings that the lawyer stole the client's money or failed to refund an unearned fee, unless the lawyer is already disbarred, resigned in lieu of discipline or deceased, plus proof of the loss. Apply online within 18 months after the date of the disciplinary judgment. |
Texas rules to know first
| Lemon law for new cars | Under the Texas lemon law, a manufacturer, converter or distributor must make repairs needed to conform a new motor vehicle to its express warranty, including after the warranty expires if the problem was reported during the warranty. If it cannot fix a defect that creates a serious safety hazard or substantially impairs the vehicle's use or market value after a reasonable number of attempts, it must reimburse reasonable incidental costs and either replace the vehicle with a comparable one or take it back and refund the full purchase price minus a reasonable allowance for use. A reasonable number of attempts is presumed, before the earlier of the warranty's expiration or 24 months/24,000 miles from delivery, if: the same defect was repaired four or more times and continues; a serious safety hazard was repaired two or more times and continues; or the vehicle was out of service for repair a cumulative 30 or more days (not counting days with a comparable loaner). The manufacturer must receive written notice and a chance to cure, and a proceeding must be started within six months after the earlier of the warranty's expiration or 24 months/24,000 miles from delivery. |
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| Used cars | The Attorney General explains that federal law requires used car dealers to tell buyers whether a used car is sold with or without a warranty, using a Buyer's Guide displayed on a side window. "AS IS" means the vehicle has no warranty and the seller has no obligation for repairs; "WARRANTY" means the guide must list exactly which parts and services are covered and for how long. The Buyer's Guide becomes part of the sales contract and overrides contrary contract terms, and must be in Spanish if the sale is in Spanish. Any warranty the seller offers must be in writing to be valid. |
| How to make a lemon law claim | 1) Written notice and final repair chance: the owner (or someone on the owner's behalf, or the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles) must give the manufacturer written notice of the defect, and the manufacturer must get an opportunity to fix it, before a refund or replacement can be ordered. TxDMV recommends sending the notice by certified mail. 2) State complaint process (required): a refund or replacement under the lemon law is available only after the owner uses the state's administrative process. The owner files a Lemon Law complaint with TxDMV with a $35 filing fee and gives the manufacturer notice of the complaint with a last opportunity to repair. TxDMV staff review the complaint and try mediation; if that fails, a TxDMV hearings examiner holds a hearing and issues a final written decision within 60 days after the hearing closes. Either side may ask TxDMV for rehearing and then appeal to state district court in Travis County. If no final order is issued within 150 days after the complaint is filed, TxDMV must notify the parties that the owner may file a civil lawsuit. 3) Deadline: the complaint must be filed no later than six months after the earliest of the express warranty's expiration or the date 24 months or 24,000 miles have passed since original delivery. Statute read at https://tcss.legis.texas.gov/resources/OC/htm/OC.2301.htm. The $35 fee, mediation step and 60-day decision timing are from the TxDMV page; the statute does not set the fee amount in the sections read. |
| Where to file a consumer complaint | Consumers can file a complaint online with the Office of the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by choosing the complaint form that fits their problem. Have the business's name and full address, a detailed description, dates and amounts, contract and payment information, and any steps taken to resolve it; supporting documents may be uploaded. Complaints are open to the public under Texas law, and the Attorney General cannot give legal advice. A confirmation email with a complaint number is sent after filing. |
Find and check a lawyer
| Lawyer referral service | The State Bar of Texas Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) helps you find a lawyer or other resource matched to your legal needs and financial means; staff cannot give legal advice. For Bexar, Dallas, Harris, Jefferson, Travis and Tarrant Counties, use the local certified lawyer referral service listed by the State Bar. For all other counties, call (800) 252-9690 (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. CST; Spanish spoken) or use the online referral. After the referral, you call to make an appointment; the lawyer provides up to a 30-minute consultation for no more than $20. LRIS has no participating attorneys who offer free or reduced-fee help, and fees after the consultation are set between you and the lawyer. |
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| Check that the lawyer is licensed | The State Bar of Texas's online membership directory (Find a Lawyer) provides basic information about attorneys licensed to practice in Texas. The bar notes the information is provided as is, without warranty, and that the directory is not a certified lawyer referral service. |
| Check discipline history or file a complaint | Grievances against Texas lawyers go to the State Bar of Texas Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel. Complete the current grievance form (effective October 1, 2025) through the bar's online submission system, or mail or fax it to State Bar of Texas, Chief Disciplinary Counsel's Office, P.O. Box 13287, Austin, Texas 78711 (fax 512-427-4315); outdated or incomplete forms are rejected, and supporting documents should be copies. Within 30 days the Chief Disciplinary Counsel classifies the grievance as an Inquiry (dismissed) or a Complaint (investigated, with the attorney asked to respond). A dismissed grievance can be amended and re-filed within 20 days of the dismissal notice, and dismissals can be appealed to the Board of Disciplinary Appeals. Grievance Information Helpline: 1-800-932-1900. |
Free legal help
| Free legal aid | Free civil legal aid for low-income Texans is provided by regional legal aid programs. The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) lists three Texas grantees: Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, Lone Star Legal Aid, and Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. The State Bar's LRIS page also links a self-service tool for finding free or reduced-fee legal resources by county. |
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All legal help in Texas · 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.