Virginia Lemon Law Attorney

Get Out of Your Lemon at No Cost to You

Virginia consumers dealing with a defective vehicle have real legal options under both state and federal law. National Lemon Law Center connects you with affiliated attorneys who have over 20 years of lemon law experience and have helped more than 19,000 consumers recover over $70 million. Representation costs you nothing upfront: affiliated attorneys seek their fees directly from the manufacturer or dealer, not from you.

Don’t let a manufacturer keep stringing you along. Call (877) 315-3666 to speak with a Virginia lemon law attorney at no cost to you.

Does Your Vehicle Qualify Under Virginia’s Lemon Law?

Virginia’s lemon law is formally titled the Virginia Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act (VA Code Ann. 59.1-207.9 through 59.1-207.16:1). It protects consumers who purchased or leased a new motor vehicle with a defect or condition that significantly impairs its use, market value, or safety. This is called a nonconformity, and it can include problems that don’t affect driveability as long as the impairment is significant.

Covered Vehicle Types

Covered vehicles include passenger cars carrying up to 10 persons, pickups and panel trucks (subject to weight and use requirements), motorcycles, autocycles, mopeds, and the self-propelled motorized chassis of motor homes.

Three Thresholds That Trigger the Lemon Law Presumption

Any one of three thresholds can trigger the lemon law presumption:

• Repair attempts for the same defect: The same nonconformity has been subject to repair 3 or more times, and the problem still exists.
• Serious safety defect: A life-threatening malfunction that impedes your ability to control or operate the vehicle, or that creates a risk of fire or explosion, has been subject to repair at least once and still exists.
• Days out of service: The vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days.

The 18-Month Rights Period & Written Notice Requirement

Virginia’s lemon law rights period ends 18 months after the date of original delivery. You must report the defect during this window. Before seeking a refund or replacement, you are required to notify the manufacturer in writing. If the qualifying thresholds above are already met when that notice is sent, the manufacturer has 15 days to correct or repair the nonconformity. Under VA Code Ann. 59.1-207.14, a successful consumer may recover reasonable attorney fees, expert witness fees, and court costs from the manufacturer. You also have an unconditional right to demand a full refund rather than accept a replacement vehicle.

Federal Lemon Law Coverage Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

Virginia’s state lemon law covers only motor vehicles, but the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act extends protection to any consumer product that comes with a written warranty, including cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, RVs, boats, computers, and home appliances. Used vehicles may also be covered if they carry an original or extended manufacturer’s warranty.

A vehicle that doesn’t meet Virginia’s state law thresholds may still qualify for relief, including cash compensation, under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. Federal protection also lasts for the full length of the manufacturer’s warranty rather than ending at 18 months from delivery. The federal law includes a fee-shifting provision, so attorney fees may be paid by the manufacturer, which can keep representation free for you.

What to Do If You Have a Lemon in Virginia

If you believe you own a lemon, taking the right steps early protects your claim. Keep thorough records of all repair orders, work orders, service reports, and any communications with the dealership or manufacturer. Continue making payments on the vehicle even while it’s not working, as stopping payments can complicate your legal claim.

Report the defect to the manufacturer, its agents, or an authorized dealer during the warranty period. Repairs can be completed after the warranty expires as long as the defect was reported while the warranty was still in effect. Because Virginia’s lemon law rights period ends 18 months from the vehicle’s delivery date, acting promptly matters. Manufacturers sometimes steer consumers toward arbitration, but participating in a manufacturer’s informal dispute settlement procedure is your choice under Virginia law, not a legal requirement before pursuing other remedies. Most lemon law claims are resolved out of court through negotiation. At National Lemon Law Center, we know lemon law at the federal level and across all state variations. Affiliated attorneys can review your situation and connect you with a qualified Virginia lemon law attorney at no upfront cost.

Virginia Resource Links

• About Virginia
• Map of Virginia