States
Washington lemon law: when a new car is a lemon
What Wash. Rev. Code ch. 19.118 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 Washington lemon law tests?
Washington, November 5, 2026 read in the statute
Not yet: one more repair attempt
| Protection period | 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first: until January 5, 2028 or 24,000 miles. You are inside it. |
| Repair attempts, same defect | Not met: needs 4, you have 3 |
| Serious safety defect | Not met: needs 2 attempts, you have no safety defect |
| Days out of service | Not met: needs 30 calendar days, you have 12 |
| Also | Also: 2 or more different serious safety defects in 12 months, 1 attempt each; at least 15 of the 30 days in the warranty. |
| Notice | Written request to the manufacturer; it has 40 calendar days to replace or repurchase (RCW 19.118.041). |
| Dispute step | State arbitration administered by the Attorney General; the manufacturer must take part (RCW 19.118.090). |
| Request arbitration by July 5, 2028 (608 days left) | Request arbitration within 30 months of the original delivery (RCW 19.118.090). |
Tests as written in the law; a court or arbitrator decides. Wash. Rev. Code ch. 19.118
The Washington lemon law in detailWashington’s Motor Vehicle Warranties Act, chapter 19.118 of the Revised Code of Washington, read on the legislature’s site on November 1, 2026, covers new vehicles and later owners for two years or 24,000 miles from delivery, whichever comes first. The presumption applies after four repairs of the same nonconformity, at least one during the warranty; after two repairs of a serious safety defect; after a cumulative 30 calendar days out of service, at least 15 of them during the warranty; or when two or more different serious safety defects were each repaired once within 12 months. The owner sends a written request to the manufacturer, which has 40 calendar days to replace or repurchase. The Attorney General administers state arbitration, which the manufacturer must join; the request is due within 30 months of delivery.
When is the last day to act?
Request arbitration, Washington
March 5, 2028
| Days from today | 486 left |
| Rule: Request arbitration within 30 months of the original delivery (RCW 19.118.090). | |
State laws read by Radif Partners · Editorial policy · Method and sources
Washington’s state arbitration
The Attorney General’s office runs the Washington program, and the manufacturer must take part in it. The arbitrator can order a replacement or a repurchase. The 30-month window to ask for arbitration gives owners six months beyond the eligibility period.
The test for two different serious safety defects is unusual. A car whose brakes and steering each fail once within a year meets it, even though neither was repaired twice. Motor homes follow special rules in the chapter.
The Washington lemon law at a glance
| Law | Wash. Rev. Code ch. 19.118 |
| Protection period | 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first |
| Repair attempts | 4 attempts on the same defect |
| Serious safety defect | 2 attempts for a serious safety defect |
| Days out of service | 30 calendar days |
| Also | Also: 2 or more different serious safety defects in 12 months, 1 attempt each; at least 15 of the 30 days in the warranty. |
| Written notice | Written request to the manufacturer; it has 40 calendar days to replace or repurchase (RCW 19.118.041). |
| Dispute step | State-run program. State arbitration administered by the Attorney General; the manufacturer must take part (RCW 19.118.090). |
| Deadline | Request arbitration within 30 months of the original delivery (RCW 19.118.090). |
| Use offset in a buyback | No formula in the text we read |
| Vehicles covered | New vehicles; later owners within the eligibility period; motor homes have special rules. |
| 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 25, 2026 and Jan 4, 2027
1. Done · milestone
Written notice reaches the manufacturer
Oct 16, 2026
Written request to the manufacturer; it has 40 calendar days to replace or repurchase (RCW 19.118.041).
Wash. Rev. Code ch. 19.1182. In progress · 6 weeks
Final repair window
Nov 25, 2026
40 calendar days to replace or repurchase after your written request (RCW 19.118.041).
Wash. Rev. Code ch. 19.1183. Upcoming · 0 day – 6 weeks
Dispute program decides
Nov 25, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027
A program that follows 16 CFR Part 703 must decide within 40 days of receiving your dispute. State arbitration administered by the Attorney General; the manufacturer must take part (RCW 19.118.090).
16 CFR 703.5(d)4. Upcoming · milestone
Accept, refuse or go further
Nov 25, 2026 – Jan 4, 2027
Request arbitration within 30 months of the original delivery (RCW 19.118.090).