Washington'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 Washington (RCW chapter 19.118 (Motor Vehicle Warranties Act)). 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 vehicles, including demonstrators, bought or leased at retail in Washington, with a defect that substantially impairs use, value or safety. Military members stationed in Washington may include a new car bought in another state within the last 30 months.

Rights period: Eligibility period: 2 years from delivery to the first owner and before 24,000 miles. Arbitration must be requested within 30 months of that delivery. If you buy the car used within those 2 years and 24,000 miles, you can also file.

When it is presumed a lemon

The same defect with 4 or more diagnosis or repair attempts; a serious safety defect with 2 or more attempts; 2 or more serious safety defects within 12 months; or 30 or more cumulative calendar days out of service, at least 15 during the warranty. At least one attempt must be during the warranty.

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

The process

For a motor home, use the separate Attorney General motorhome procedure linked above; written notices to manufacturers and final repair opportunities differ. First you send a written request for repurchase or replacement to the maker's corporate, dispute resolution, zone or regional office; it has 40 calendar days to respond. If it is not resolved, you request free arbitration through the Attorney General's Lemon Law Administration. Before going to superior court you must exhaust either the state arbitration board or the maker's own dispute resolution program, if it has one that complies with 16 CFR 703; either one counts (RCW 19.118.080(3) and RCW 19.118.150). You cannot stop making loan or lease payments in the meantime.

Who handles it: Washington State Attorney General — Lemon Law Administration.

Hotline: 1-800-551-4636 (solo en Washington, Consumer Resource Center del AG) · 360-753-6200 (oficina del AG).

What you get if you win

Replacement or repurchase, at the consumer's choice. On repurchase: purchase price, collateral charges and incidental costs, minus an offset for use (miles × price ÷ 120,000; ÷ 25,000 for motorcycles; ÷ 90,000 for motor homes).

What it does not cover

Motorcycles under 750 cc; trucks of 19,000 lb or more gross weight; vehicles in a business fleet of 10 or more; problems from abuse, neglect or modifications made after the sale. A car you buy to resell or sublease is also left out. Motor homes have separate coverage categories and notice/repair procedures; consult the Attorney General’s Motor Home Lemon Law guide (https://www.atg.wa.gov/motor-home-lemon-law) before using repair-count or out-of-service thresholds.

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 Washington: Every used car a dealer sells for personal use carries an implied warranty of merchantability (RCW 62A.2-314): it must be drivable, reasonably safe and free of major defects. It can only be removed if you explicitly negotiate it and the dealer gives you in writing which parts are not covered; an "As Is" sticker alone is not enough (Attorney General). Dealer unfair practices are listed in RCW 46.70.180 and reported to DOL Dealer Investigations (360-664-6484).