Iowa'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 Iowa (Iowa Code, chapter 322G). 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

New or previously untitled vehicles, bought or leased in Iowa, with a warranty defect that substantially impairs use, value or safety. Gross vehicle weight rating up to 15,000 lb. It also covers you if you bought or leased the vehicle in another state and you are an Iowa resident when you assert your rights (§ 322G.15(2)).

Rights period: The warranty term, 2 years from original delivery or the first 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. If you reported the defect within that period and it was not fixed, it is extended. If you buy the car used within that period and the warranty covers you, it protects you too.

When it is presumed a lemon

Three repair attempts for the same defect; or a single attempt if the defect can cause death or serious injury; or 30 cumulative days out of service. After 3 attempts (or 1 for safety), or 20 days out of service, you send written notice (certified or registered mail, or overnight delivery, with proof of sending) and the maker gets one final attempt (§ 322G.4).

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

The process

If the maker has a dispute program recognized by the Attorney General (for example NCDS or BBB AUTO LINE), you must use it first; it is free and must decide within 60 days. After that you can go to district court, up to 1 year after the protection period ends. Iowa has no state arbitration board.

Who handles it: Iowa Attorney General — Consumer Protection Division.

Hotline: 515-281-5926 · 888-777-4590 (fuera del área de Des Moines) · consumer@ag.iowa.gov.

What you get if you win

Replacement or full refund, at the consumer's choice, including collateral and incidental charges (such as towing), minus a use offset: miles up to the third attempt (or the first for safety, or day 20 out of service) × price ÷ 120,000. If you win in district court, the maker also pays your attorney's fees and costs (§ 322G.8(3)).

What it does not cover

Motorcycles, mopeds, autocycles, motor homes and vehicles over 15,000 lb; cars bought for resale; defects from accident, abuse, neglect or unauthorized modifications; cars outside 2 years or 24,000 miles.

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 Iowa: Iowa has no used-car lemon law. You are protected by the mandatory Damage Disclosure Statement (§ 321.69), buyback disclosure (§ 322G.12), the consumer fraud law (§ 714.16), enforceable through the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, and the Buyers Guide the dealer must post on every used car, which says whether it is sold "As Is" or with a warranty. Selling "As Is" does not allow hiding mechanical problems or collision or flood damage.