Vehicle Types Covered Under Indiana Lemon Law

Indiana covers a wide range of vehicle types. RV cases are particularly distinctive in Indiana because Elkhart County — the “RV Capital of the World” — is home to the vast majority of US RV manufacturers (Thor, Forest River, Jayco, Keystone, Heartland, Coachmen, Newmar, and dozens more).

Vehicle types covered

Used vehicles — Not covered by § 24-5-13; Magnuson-Moss + IDCSA + UCC remain.
Leased vehicles — Lessees protected; refund includes lease payments + sales tax + residual.
Electric vehicles — Strong Tesla / Subaru Solterra (SIA Lafayette) growing market.
Motorcycles — Excluded from § 24-5-13 (§ 24-5-13-5); Magnuson-Moss + IDCSA remain. Indianapolis area for Harley + Indian.
RVs — Chassis only under § 24-5-13; but Elkhart home-state defendants for coach defects under IDCSA + Magnuson-Moss.
Commercial vehicles — Excluded above 10,000 lbs GVWR and commercial-only use.

RV cases — distinctive Indiana feature

Indiana’s Elkhart County is the “RV Capital of the World” — roughly 80% of US RV production happens here. Major manufacturers headquartered or operating in Elkhart County:

Thor Industries — HQ in Elkhart. Owns Airstream, Jayco, Keystone, Heartland, Tiffin (acquired), Dutchmen, and many sub-brands.
Forest River — Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary; many sub-brands (Berkshire, Cherokee, Cardinal, Coachmen, etc.).
Winnebago Industries — Newton, Iowa HQ but major Indiana presence (Newmar, Grand Design); Newmar in Nappanee, IN.
Coachmen — Forest River brand.
Heartland — Thor brand.
Newmar — Winnebago brand, Nappanee IN.

For Indiana plaintiffs against these home-state RV manufacturers:

Personal jurisdiction uncontested.
N.D. Ind. (South Bend) is the federal venue (Elkhart is in N.D. Ind.).
Discovery accessible — plant employees, records, witnesses in Elkhart.
Settlement leverage — home-state reputational concerns.

Although § 24-5-13 doesn’t cover RV coaches (only chassis), Magnuson-Moss + IDCSA + UCC provide robust coach coverage with mandatory fee shifting.

Home-state OEM manufacturer wrinkle

Four major automobile manufacturers operate plants in Indiana:

Toyota Princeton (Gibson County) — Highlander, Sequoia, Sienna, Grand Highlander.
Subaru of Indiana Automotive (SIA) Lafayette — Outback, Legacy, Impreza, Ascent.
GM Fort Wayne — Silverado HD, Sierra HD.
Honda Greensburg — Civic, CR-V.

These home-state defendants are subject to Indiana personal jurisdiction without question. Lemon Law cases against them are typically venued in the appropriate D. Ind. division.

GVWR / use restrictions

The Lemon Law (§ 24-5-13-2) excludes vehicles above 10,000 lbs GVWR and vehicles purchased for commercial use only. Magnuson-Moss applies regardless of GVWR.

Topic

Vehicle Types Covered Under Indiana Lemon Law