States
Florida lemon law: when a new car is a lemon
What Fla. Stat. ch. 681 (Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act) asks before a manufacturer must repurchase or replace a car, the steps on the way and the last day to act.
Does your car meet the Florida lemon law tests?
Florida, November 5, 2026 read in the statute
The presumption appears to be met
| Protection period | 2 years: until January 5, 2028. You are inside it. |
| Repair attempts, same defect | Met: needs 3, you have 3 |
| Days out of service | Not met: needs 30 calendar days, you have 12 |
| Also | The 3 attempts must be followed by a final attempt after written notice. |
| Notice | After the third attempt, written notice by registered or express mail; the manufacturer has 10 days to respond and 10 days to repair (§ 681.104). At 15 days out of service, written notice too. |
| Dispute step | A certified manufacturer procedure first if there is one (file within 60 days after the rights period); then the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board (§ 681.109). |
| Request arbitration by March 5, 2028 (486 days left) | Request arbitration within 60 days after the 24-month rights period ends; a lawsuit within 1 year after the rights period or after the final arbitration action (§§ 681.109, 681.112). |
Tests as written in the law; a court or arbitrator decides. Fla. Stat. ch. 681 (Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act)
The Florida lemon law in detailFlorida’s Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act, chapter 681 of the Florida Statutes, read on the legislature’s site on November 1, 2026, gives a new car buyer a 24-month lemon law rights period from delivery. The presumption has two steps: after three repairs of the same nonconformity the owner sends written notice by registered or express mail, and the manufacturer has ten days to respond and ten more days to make a final repair; or the car has been out of service 30 days or more, with a written notice due at 15 days. If the manufacturer has a certified dispute procedure, the owner uses it first, then may go to the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board, applying within 60 days after the rights period ends. The use offset is the miles driven times the price, divided by 120,000.
When is the last day to act?
Request arbitration, Florida
November 4, 2027
| Days from today | 364 left |
| Rule: Request arbitration within 60 days after the 24-month rights period ends; a lawsuit within 1 year after the rights period or after the final arbitration action (§§ 681.109, 681.112). | |
State laws read by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
Florida’s state board
Florida runs one of the best known state lemon law programs. The New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board, organized by the Attorney General, hears the owner and the manufacturer and can order a repurchase or a replacement.
The act covers vehicles sold in Florida, including demonstrators, leased vehicles and recreational vehicles, which get 60 days out of service instead of 30. Motorcycles, mopeds and trucks over 10,000 pounds are outside it. A lawsuit must be filed within one year after the rights period ends or after the final action of the board.
The Florida lemon law at a glance
| Law | Fla. Stat. ch. 681 (Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act) |
| Protection period | 2 years |
| Repair attempts | 3 attempts on the same defect |
| Serious safety defect | no separate test |
| Days out of service | 30 calendar days |
| Also | The 3 attempts must be followed by a final attempt after written notice. |
| Written notice | After the third attempt, written notice by registered or express mail; the manufacturer has 10 days to respond and 10 days to repair (§ 681.104). At 15 days out of service, written notice too. |
| Dispute step | State-run program. A certified manufacturer procedure first if there is one (file within 60 days after the rights period); then the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board (§ 681.109). |
| Deadline | Request arbitration within 60 days after the 24-month rights period ends; a lawsuit within 1 year after the rights period or after the final arbitration action (§§ 681.109, 681.112). |
| Use offset in a buyback | Miles up to the settlement or hearing × base price ÷ 120,000 (§ 681.102). |
| Vehicles covered | New vehicles sold in Florida, including demonstrators, leased vehicles and RVs (60 days out of service); not motorcycles, mopeds or trucks over 10,000 lb. |
| Used cars | Not covered. |
| State page | no agency page |
| Level of reading | read in the statute |
From written notice to a decision
Certified mail, return receipt requested.
Earliest decisionbetween Nov 5, 2026 and Dec 15, 2026
1. Done · milestone
Written notice reaches the manufacturer
Oct 16, 2026
After the third attempt, written notice by registered or express mail; the manufacturer has 10 days to respond and 10 days to repair (§ 681.104). At 15 days out of service, written notice too.
Fla. Stat. ch. 681 (Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act)2. In progress · 3 weeks
Final repair window
Nov 5, 2026
After notice, 10 days to respond and 10 more days to complete the repair (Fla. Stat. 681.104).
Fla. Stat. ch. 681 (Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act)3. Upcoming · 0 day – 6 weeks
Dispute program decides
Nov 5, 2026 – Dec 15, 2026
A program that follows 16 CFR Part 703 must decide within 40 days of receiving your dispute. A certified manufacturer procedure first if there is one (file within 60 days after the rights period); then the Florida New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board (§ 681.109).
16 CFR 703.5(d)4. Upcoming · milestone
Accept, refuse or go further
Nov 5, 2026 – Dec 15, 2026
Request arbitration within 60 days after the 24-month rights period ends; a lawsuit within 1 year after the rights period or after the final arbitration action (§§ 681.109, 681.112).