Over the years, there have been plenty of words in the English language
that have taken on more than one meaning. Such is the case with
"lemon." This word can either refer to a tart citrus fruit that goes
great in ice tea or a recently purchased new car that has turned out to
be defective.
Like most other states, Connecticut has their own version of the Lemon
Law. There version falls under the Connecticut General Statute, Chapter
743b, "Automotive Warranties." But a lemon by any other name is still a
lemon.
Once you have established the fact that your new car is indeed a lemon,
the state of Connecticut will have a complete arbitration process
standing by to handle the matter and seek a remedy for your inoperable
vehicle.
Connecticut Lemon Law Conditions
In order to call your car a lemon in Connecticut, it must first be a
new car, motorcycle or leased auto. The specific issue needs to have a
huge impact on your ability to drive the car or be a safety issue. If
this car in question was bought after 1998, then the problem had to
have occurred within the first two years of ownership or the first
24,000 miles whichever came first.
To be a lemon means to have something seriously wrong with the car that
has forced you into the mechanics shop on at least four separate
occasions. Your car would also be considered a lemon if you weren't
able to drive it for at least 30 days because of this one defect. Keep
in mind that this defect issue also needs to be officially covered
under the car makers' original warranty, not necessarily something that
might be covered under an extended warranty you would buy.
If the issue involves a matter of safety, then you can jump ahead of
the process and don't need to apply the 30 day or 4 mechanic visit
rule. At that point you can move right to the arbitration process.
Connecticut Lemon Law Arbitration
When your car meets the lemon qualifications, you should contact the
Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection's Arbitration Program and
official request arbitration. You'll be sent a form and required to pay
a $50 registration fee to get the process rolling.
On the application form you'll be asked for details about your history
with the car: when you bought, when the problem started, when you took
it in for repairs, etc. You'll also need to provide all the financial
records including what you paid for the car and the amount you invested
in repairs.
Once you have qualified for arbitration you'll be given the option for
an oral or document presentation. With an oral arbitration, you'll have
to appear before the arbitrator along with a rep from the car maker.
The document presentation is just a review of the paperwork. This is
not a complicated process and therefore you don't really need a lawyer.
If you choose oral arbitration, you and the manufacturer's
representative will be present at the scheduled hearing. Both of you
will have the opportunity to present your case before a panel of three
neutral arbitrators.
Connecticut Lemon Law Remedies
If the arbitrator rules in your favor, you could be entitled to a
replacement vehicle of the same make and model or a complete refund of
your original contract price. The goal of the Department of Consumer
Protection is to resolve any lemon car disputes within 60 days.