Ohio Repair-Attempt Presumption (Ohio Rev. Code § 1345.72)

Ohio codifies its “reasonable number of repair attempts” thresholds at Ohio Rev. Code § 1345.73. Unique among major-state lemon laws, Ohio has four distinct presumption tests, including a 1-attempt rule for serious-safety defects and an unusual 8-attempt rule for any combination of nonconformities.

The four tests under § 1345.73

Test 1 — One-attempt rule (serious-safety defect)

The consumer meets the standard when:

• There has been at least one attempt to repair a nonconformity that results in a condition likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven; AND
• The defect continues to exist or recurs.

This is the most consumer-favorable Ohio test — a single failed repair of a life-threatening defect (brakes, steering, fire risk, sudden loss of power) is enough to trigger refund or replacement rights.

Test 2 — Three-attempt rule (same defect)

The consumer meets the standard when:

• The same nonconformity has been the subject of three or more repair attempts; AND
• The defect continues to exist.

This matches Pennsylvania’s three-attempt rule and is more favorable than Illinois’s or California’s four-attempt rule.

Test 3 — Eight-attempt rule (any combination)

The consumer meets the standard when:

• The vehicle has been subject to eight or more repair attempts for any number of nonconformities; AND
• The defects continue to exist.

This is unique to Ohio — most other states only count repair attempts for the same defect. Ohio’s 8-attempt rule covers vehicles with multiple recurring issues.

Test 4 — 30-day cumulative out-of-service rule

The consumer meets the standard when:

• The vehicle has been out of service for repair for a total of 30 or more days during the warranty period.

Notice requirements

Ohio’s Lemon Law does not strictly require certified-mail notice like Pennsylvania or Florida. Best practice is still to send written notice, but the procedural requirement is less strict.

What counts as a “repair attempt”

A repair attempt requires:

• The vehicle was presented to an authorized service facility.
• The consumer reported the defect.
• A repair order documents the visit.

Importantly:

• “No problem found” visits count.
• Different symptoms during the same visit can count as multiple attempts.
• Routine maintenance doesn’t count.
• Independent-mechanic visits don’t count.

The 12-month / 18,000-mile window

Repair attempts must occur within the Lemon Law’s 12-month / 18,000-mile window from delivery.

Bottom line

Ohio’s § 1345.73 thresholds — one attempt (serious-safety defect), three attempts (same defect), eight attempts (any combination), 30 days OOS — are among the most consumer-friendly among major-state lemon laws. The 1-attempt serious-safety rule and the 8-attempt “any combination” rule are both standout consumer protections.

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