questions & answers

Question: Chrysler Corp. has put out a Lemon car to us and they know this, they have had to replace the gas tank four times, among other things. The vehicle is a 2013, it is 2015. We need help. Chrysler is dragging their feet doing anything, and the vehicle is just getting worse. What can we do?

Answer: Arizona Revised Statutes 44-1231 through 44-1267 contains Arizona’s Lemon laws. The federal lemon law laws are stated in 15 U.S.C. § 2301-2312.

A.R.S. 44-1263 deals with what the manufacturer must do if the vehicle does not conform to the express warranty. It states:

“A. If the manufacturer, its agents or its authorized dealers are unable to conform the motor vehicle to any applicable express warranty by repairing or correcting any defect or condition which substantially impairs the use and value of the motor vehicle to the consumer after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer shall replace the motor vehicle with a new motor vehicle or accept return of the motor vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer the full purchase price, including all collateral charges, less a reasonable allowance for the consumer's use of the vehicle. The manufacturer shall make refunds to the consumer and lienholder, if any, as their interests appear. A reasonable allowance for use is that amount directly attributable to use by the consumer before his first written report of the nonconformity to the manufacturer, agent or dealer and during any subsequent period when the vehicle is not out of service by reason of repair.
B. It is an affirmative defense to any claim under this article that either:
1. An alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair the use and market value of the motor vehicle.
2. A nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized modifications or alterations of the motor vehicle.
C. In the case of taxes paid pursuant to title 42, chapter 5, if the manufacturer:
1. Accepts return of a motor vehicle from a consumer without replacing the motor vehicle, the manufacturer shall refund the amount of tax attributed to the sale of the vehicle to that consumer.
2. Replaces a motor vehicle with a new motor vehicle of lesser value, the manufacturer shall refund the difference between the original amount of tax attributed to the sale of that vehicle and the amount of tax attributed to the sale of the replacement vehicle, excluding the value of the motor vehicle being replaced.
3. Replaces a motor vehicle with a new motor vehicle of greater value, the manufacturer shall calculate the gross proceeds of sales pursuant to section 42-5001, paragraph 6.
D. Pursuant to section 42-1118, subsection F, the manufacturer may apply to the department of revenue for a refund for the amount of tax that the manufacturer properly refunds to the consumer.”

For more information please consult an attorney. A list of attorneys licensed to practice law in Arizona can be found online at www.azbar.org.