When Is a Car a Lemon in Washington, D.C.?

A car is a “lemon” in Washington, D.C. when it has a substantial defect the manufacturer can’t fix after a reasonable number of attempts, within the coverage window. Three things have to line up — and for safety defects, the threshold is just one attempt.

1. A substantial defect

The defect must substantially impair the use, market value, or safety of the vehicle (§ 50-501). Safety defects (brakes, steering, stalling) almost always qualify; trivial or cosmetic issues usually don’t. See qualifying defects.

2. A reasonable number of repair attempts

D.C. presumes the manufacturer has had enough chances when, within the window:

• a safety-related defect has been subject to repair one or more times and persists; or
• the same (general) defect has been subject to repair four or more times; or
• the vehicle is out of service for repair 30 days or more.

The one-attempt safety rule is what makes D.C. stand out. See the presumption.

3. Within the coverage window

The defect must arise within the first 18,000 miles or two years from original delivery, whichever is earlier (§ 50-501).

A covered vehicle

The vehicle must be designed for transporting persons and sold or registered in D.C. (motorcycles, RVs, and transit buses are excluded; used vehicles get disclosure rules only).

And — the deadline

You must file any action within four years of original delivery (§ 50-507), starting with the Arbitration Board.

Bottom line

In D.C., a car is a lemon when a substantial defect survives one repair attempt (safety), four (general), or 30 days out of service within the 18,000-mile/two-year window. Get a free case review.

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