Washington, D.C. Lemon Law FAQ

Quick answers to the questions D.C. consumers ask most. Each links to a fuller guide.

Common questions

• When is a car a lemon in D.C.? — The substantial-impairment standard and the one-safety-attempt / four-general / 30-day presumption.
• How long do I have to file? — Four years from original delivery (§ 50-507).
• How much does a claim cost? — Usually nothing out of pocket, thanks to fee-shifting.
• Are used vehicles covered? — Not by the main remedy — but the CPPA and Magnuson-Moss are strong routes.
• What if the manufacturer denied my claim? — Common defenses and how to respond.
• Which repair shop should I use? — Why authorized-dealer repairs are what count.
• Do I need a lawyer? — When to handle it yourself and when to get counsel.

The D.C. essentials

• Covered: passenger vehicles sold or registered in D.C.; leases covered. Motorcycles, motor homes, RVs, and transit buses excluded; used vehicles get disclosure rules only.
• Window: defect reported within 18,000 miles or two years (whichever earlier).
• Presumption: one repair attempt for a safety defect, four for a general defect, or 30 days out of service.
• Forum: the Board of Consumer Claims Arbitration (§ 50-503), the mandatory first step.
• Remedy: consumer’s choice of refund or replacement; offset only beyond the first 12,000 miles.
• Deadline: file within four years of delivery (§ 50-507).

Bottom line

If your vehicle has a substantial defect that survived a reasonable number of repairs — one for a safety defect — you likely have a claim. File with the Board of Consumer Claims Arbitration within four years. Get a free case review.

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The Washington, D.C. Lemon Law Process

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Qualifying Defects Under the D.C. Lemon Law

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Washington, D.C. Lemon Law Remedies

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The Law: D.C. Lemon Law and the Consumer Protection Procedures Act

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Vehicle Types and the D.C. Lemon Law

How Washington, D.C.'s lemon law treats different vehicles — passenger vehicles, leased vehicles, EVs, motorcycles, RVs, used vehicles, and commercial vehicles.

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