Georgia Lemon Law Remedies
What you can recover under Georgia's lemon-law framework — refund, replacement, cash-and-keep, FBPA exemplary/treble damages, and § 10-1-784 / § 10-1-399 attorney-fee recovery.
Georgia’s lemon-law remedy framework relies on a two-statute combination: the Georgia Lemon Law for refund or replacement with discretionary § 10-1-784(c) attorney fees, plus the Fair Business Practices Act (FBPA) for exemplary/treble damages and mandatory § 10-1-399(d) attorney fees.
Topics in this section
The basic recovery framework
For a Georgia Lemon Law refund under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-784(b):
| Element | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cash paid (down payment + payments) | Full reimbursement |
| Loan payoff to lender | Paid directly to lender |
| Sales tax (Title Ad Valorem Tax) | Reimbursed |
| Title and registration fees | Reimbursed |
| Dealer-installed options | Reimbursed |
| Incidental damages | Reimbursed when proven |
| Subtotal | (sum) |
| Less: reasonable allowance for use | Subtract |
| Net refund amount | Final amount |
| Plus: § 10-1-784(c) attorney fees | Discretionary in court action |
| Plus: FBPA damages (when applicable) | Additional + potential treble |
How the use deduction works
Georgia courts and the arbitration panel typically use:
(Miles driven before defect manifestation ÷ 120,000) × Purchase price
Typically 10-25% of purchase price. Georgia’s broader 24,000-mile Rights Period means the use deduction can be material.
Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT)
Georgia replaced sales tax on vehicles with the Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) in 2013. Under § 10-1-784(b)(1)(A), the manufacturer must reimburse the full TAVT paid — this is a substantial amount (typically 6.6-7% of vehicle value) and a common point of dispute.
What makes Georgia distinctive
- Free state-administered arbitration through the Consumer Protection Division.
- 1-attempt rule for serious safety defects (braking/steering) — among the most consumer-friendly.
- 24-month / 24,000-mile Rights Period — broader than IL/PA/OH.
- FBPA exemplary damages for intentional violations in civil court.
- TAVT reimbursement is a meaningful chunk of recovery in Georgia.
Related
Georgia Lemon Law — Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most-asked questions about Georgia's Lemon Law and FBPA.
Read → TopicThe Georgia Lemon Law Process
Step-by-step: how a Georgia lemon-law case moves through repair attempts, the certified-mail notice and 28-day final repair window, the state arbitration panel, court action, and settlement.
Read → TopicGeorgia Lemon Law Cases by Manufacturer
How the Georgia Lemon Law and FBPA apply to specific manufacturers.
Read → TopicQualifying Defects Under Georgia Lemon Law
What kinds of vehicle defects qualify for a Georgia Lemon Law refund — the substantial-impairment test under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-782(11).
Read → TopicThe Law: Georgia Lemon Law and FBPA
The statutes behind a Georgia lemon-law claim — the Motor Vehicle Warranty Rights Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-780), the Georgia Fair Business Practices Act (§ 10-1-390), Magnuson-Moss, and timing rules.
Read → TopicVehicle Types Covered by Georgia Lemon Law
How Georgia's Lemon Law applies to used cars, leases, EVs, motorcycles, RVs, and commercial vehicles.
Read →Think you've got a lemon?
Compare your situation to your state's requirements — and connect with a vetted lemon-law attorney for a free case review.