You finally bought the new car you’ve been wanting. And then something goes wrong.

You take it back to the dealer.

They repair it.

Then something else happens.

You start wondering:

“Did I just buy a lemon?”

Maybe.

But before you can answer that question, you need to understand what the word “lemon” actually means.

What Is a Lemon?

“Lemon” isn’t just slang for a bad car.

Lemon Law refers to laws designed to protect consumers who purchase qualifying vehicles with substantial defects that cannot be corrected after a reasonable number of repair attempts.

Nevada has its own Lemon Law provisions governing qualifying new motor vehicles.  

So if your brand-new car keeps developing serious problems, Lemon Law is a term you should know.

Not Every Problem Makes a Car a Lemon

A brand-new vehicle can have a problem without legally being a lemon.

For example, a defective component may be replaced once and never cause another problem.

That’s different from a vehicle with a substantial defect that continues despite repeated repair attempts.

Nevada’s statute focuses on a defect (nonconformity) covered by an applicable express warranty that substantially impairs the vehicle’s use and value and cannot be corrected after a reasonable number of attempts.  

What Are the Important Nevada Benchmarks?

Nevada law creates a presumption that a reasonable number of attempts have occurred when:

1. Four or more repairs

The same nonconformity (defect) has been repaired four or more times during the applicable period, but the problem continues.

OR

2. Thirty days out of service

The new vehicle has been out of service for repairs for a cumulative total of at least 30 calendar days in its first year.

But here’s the part many consumers miss:

Four repair attempts or 30 cumulative days are important benchmarks under Nevada law—but they aren’t necessarily the only circumstances in which you may have a claim.

Don’t use those numbers as a reason to ignore a serious problem.

What Should I Do After the First Problem?

1. Report the problem

Take the vehicle to the appropriate repair facility.

2. Be specific

Describe exactly what is happening.

3. Keep the paperwork

Save every repair order.

4. Track the dates

Know how long your vehicle is unavailable.

5. Document recurring problems

Keep a simple log.

6. Keep communications

Save emails and texts.

7. Don’t modify the vehicle 

Unauthorized modifications can complicate warranty disputes.

What If the Same Problem Comes Back?

If the dealer repairs a defect and the exact problem returns, report it again.

If it happens again, report it again.

Don’t simply decide:

“Well, I guess that’s just how this car is.”

The manufacturer has a warranty obligation.

The purpose of taking the vehicle in for repairs is to get the vehicle repaired under the manufacturer’s warranty. 

What If the Dealer Can’t Find the Problem?

Don’t assume you’re imagining it.

Intermittent defects are real.

Write down exactly when the problem occurs.

If you can safely photograph or video the symptom when it occurs, do so.

And continue reporting the problem.

Your repair history can become important evidence.

What If the Manufacturer Wants to Buy the Car Back?

If a manufacturer offers to buy back your vehicle, don’t automatically accept the first number you are given.

Have the offer reviewed.

Understand:

• What amount is being refunded.

• What deductions are being taken.

• How the loan or lease will be handled.

• Whether taxes and fees are included.

• Whether you are being asked to sign a release.

• Whether attorney fees are being addressed separately.

• What claims you are giving up.

• What deduction the manufacturer is taking for miles driven.

A buyback agreement can have significant legal consequences.

What If My Car Is Too Old for Nevada Lemon Law?

This is where federal warranty law can become relevant.

Magnuson-Moss is a federal statute that can provide remedies for certain breaches of warranty, if the vehicle is still under its original manufacturer’s warranty.

But there’s an important limitation:

Magnuson-Moss is not a replacement for an expired manufacturer’s warranty.

If your vehicle is no longer covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty, you may not have a Magnuson-Moss claim.

Don’t Wait Too Long

Nevada’s Lemon Law provisions contain an 18-month deadline for commencing an action, measured from the new vehicle’s delivery date to the original owner.  

There are also important requirements concerning when defects must be reported and the manufacturer must be given an opportunity to repair them.

So if you bought your vehicle recently and it is already having serious problems, don’t put the paperwork in a drawer and forget about it.

The Manufacturer May Have to Pay Your Attorney

Here’s something many new-car owners don’t know:

You don’t pay us. The manufacturer pays our legal fees.

In qualifying Lemon Law and warranty cases, the applicable law may allow recovery of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs from the manufacturer.

That means you shouldn’t decide not to investigate your rights simply because you think hiring an attorney is too expensive.

You Don’t Need to Know Whether Your Car Is a Lemon

That’s the important point.

If you searched:

“My new car has problems.”

You’ve already asked the right question.

You don’t need to know the legal terminology.

You don’t need to know what NRS 597.630 says.

You don’t need to know whether four repair attempts have occurred.

You simply need to tell us what happened.

We’ll evaluate whether the facts may fit Nevada Lemon Law or another warranty claim.

Take the 30-Second Nevada New Car Problem Quiz

If your new car has developed serious or recurring problems:

TAKE THE 30-SECOND NEVADA NEW CAR PROBLEM QUIZ

You may discover that the problem you’re experiencing has a name.

Lemon Law.

And you may have more options than you realize.

This site is for informational use only, does not provide legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship through browsing or form submissions.