March 5, 2008
Media Contact: Sandi Copes
Phone: (850) 245-0150
McCollum: Floridians Have Sweet Deal Under Lemon Law Program
~ Arbitration program seeks new appointees to help Floridians resolve Lemon Law disputes ~
TALLAHASSEE, FL – Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that his office is seeking applications for new appointees to the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board, which resolves warranty disputes arising under Florida's Lemon Law. Since 1989, the Lemon Law program has produced more than $350 million in refunds or replacement vehicles for more than 13,300 consumers who bought defective new vehicles. These disputes are resolved by holding arbitration hearings between consumers and manufacturers of new motor vehicles throughout the state. The Arbitration Board must determine whether the consumer's vehicle meets the legal requirements to be declared a "lemon."
“For nearly 20 years, Florida's Lemon Law program has been a model among consumer protection efforts,” said McCollum. “Floridians have somewhere to turn when their new car turns out to be a lemon, and $350 million in relief certainly demonstrates many Florida residents have relied on this free consumer service.”
Florida’s Lemon Law requires motor vehicle manufacturers to make a reasonable number of repairs to remedy substantial defects in a motor vehicle. If the manufacturer fails to do so, they are required to buy back the lemon vehicle and either pay a refund to the consumer or provide a replacement vehicle, according to provisions in Florida statutes. Consumers are protected under the Lemon Law for 24 months after the date of delivery of the vehicle. Anyone who experiences problems with their new vehicle during that period should immediately take the vehicle to the manufacturer's authorized dealer. The Lemon Law is jointly administered by the Attorney General's Office and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The Lemon Law arbitration program offers consumers a quick and free alternative to court litigation to resolve disputes. It is not necessary for consumers to retain an attorney in order to participate in the Lemon Law arbitration process and consumers who lose an arbitration case are not required to pay the manufacturer's attorney fees, as may be the case in unsuccessful litigation. Arbitration hearings conducted by the New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board are open to the public.
The application form and more information about the Lemon Law Arbitration Program are available on the Attorney General’s home page at http://myfloridalegal.com or by calling Carol Howell at (850) 414-3500. Consumers who have questions about their rights under Florida's Lemon Law may also call the Lemon Law Hotline toll-free at 1-800-321-5366.