Connecticut's lemon law and your rights as a buyer

What the lemon law protects, what it doesn't, and what rights you keep when you buy used. With the state's exact deadlines.

This guide summarizes the recorded scope for Connecticut (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-179 and siguientes (chapter 743b)). Eligibility, deadlines and notice requirements depend on the law and applicable coverage; read the state conditions below, including used-vehicle conditions where relevant.

What it covers

Vehicles bought or leased new in Connecticut and registered as "passenger", "combination" or "motorcycle", with a warranty defect that substantially impairs use, safety or value.

Rights period: The defect is reported within 2 years of delivery to the first owner or the first 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you buy the car used while its factory warranty is still running, the law protects you too.

When it is presumed a lemon

Four or more failed repair attempts for the same defect, or 30 or more calendar days in the shop in total, within those 2 years or 24,000 miles (§ 42-179(e)(1)). If the defect could cause death or serious injury, two attempts within the express warranty term or the first year, whichever ends first, are enough (§ 42-179(f)). Either way you need at least one repair attempt, or a refusal by the maker or dealer to attempt it (§ 42-179(e)(3)). The periods are extended by any time repair service is unavailable because of war, invasion, strike, fire, flood or other natural disaster. You must notify the maker in writing only if the warranty or owner's manual clearly and conspicuously says so (§ 42-179(c)).

The presumption does not replace the other requirements. Check the official conditions and procedure for your situation.

The process

First, the manufacturer's dispute program, but only if the Attorney General certified it; with no certified program you can go straight to arbitration (§ 42-179(j), § 42-181(b)). Then, Department of Consumer Protection arbitration: online application only, a $50 fee refunded if DCP or the arbitrator finds the case does not allege a violation (§ 42-181(b)); the manufacturer pays $250. The initial review can take up to 2 weeks. The arbitrator must decide within 60 days of the day you filed the form with the fee (§ 42-181(d)); DCP cannot change the decision, and it is final and binding, subject only to judicial review in Superior Court. If you sell the car while the case is open, you must tell the buyer in writing before they sign the bill of sale and notify DCP within 5 days (§ 42-181(c)).

Who handles it: Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection — Lemon Law Program.

Hotline: (800) 538-CARS (2277) · (860) 713-6120.

What you get if you win

A new vehicle acceptable to you, or a refund of the full contract price, charges such as tax and registration, interest paid while it was in repair, and incidental costs, minus a use allowance (price × miles driven ÷ 120,000).

What it does not cover

By vehicle type: the law defines “motor vehicle” only as a passenger motor vehicle, a passenger and commercial (combination) motor vehicle or a motorcycle (§ 42-179(a)(2), using the § 14-1 definitions). That leaves out trucks and commercially registered vehicles, motor homes and campers (a “motor home” is a truck or van chassis, not a passenger car), mopeds under 50 cc (a “motor-driven cycle”, which § 14-1 expressly excludes from “motorcycle”), electric bicycles, electric foot scooters, ATVs and snowmobiles. By defect or purchase: defects the manufacturer's express warranty does not cover; defects that do not substantially impair use, safety or value; defects from abuse, neglect or unauthorized modifications (§ 42-179(d)(4)); cars bought for resale (§ 42-179(a)(1)); and cars not bought or leased new in Connecticut.

I bought used: what do I have left

More than it seems, even if it isn't the lemon law:

• The Buyers Guide (FTC). The guide states the dealer warranty. "As Is" describes that warranty; it does not by itself resolve other state-law rights or remaining manufacturer coverage. The federal rule applies in 48 states (Maine and Wisconsin have their own equivalent rules). If the sale is conducted in Spanish, the dealer must post a Spanish-language Buyers Guide.
• Remaining manufacturer warranty. Check the warranty contract and its duration and transfer conditions; vehicle age does not guarantee coverage.
• In Connecticut: If a dealer sells you a used car for $3,000 or more, it cannot drop the implied warranty, and it must give you a written parts-and-labor warranty: 30 days or 1,500 miles if it costs $3,000 to $4,999, and 60 days or 3,000 miles if it costs $5,000 or more (§ 42-221). This does not apply to cars 7 years old or older, or to private sales. The dealer must also do a safety inspection before selling (§ 14-62(g)), and deceptive practices can be pursued under CUTPA (§ 42-110b) and with the DMV (form K-35).