How to Write a Letter to a Car Manufacturer on the Lemon Law
Lemon laws are a type of state law in the United States that protects consumers who purchase or lease new (and in some states, used) cars. If the vehicle has defects or problems that cause it to repeatedly malfunction, or defective parts that interfere with your ability to operate the vehicle safely, you may be able to seek remediation under your state's lemon laws if your dealership failed to properly repair the problems after a reasonable number of attempts. Manufacturers will sometimes replace the defective vehicle or refund your money if they know you intend to bring suit against them. A simple way to initiate the process of settling the matter without going to court is to write a letter to a car manufacturer on the lemon law.
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Instructions
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Gather documentation showing the vehicle's problems or defects, along with each attempted repair. Make copies of each letter both to and from the manufacturer or dealership, repair receipts and any other documents you have related to the matter.
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List all problems the your vehicle is currently experiencing, in chronological order of when they first began. Make a note of how many repairs were attempted for each problem, the dates of each repair, how long the vehicle was in the shop and the final outcome for each attempt. Be sure to note whether the problem was unchanged or worsened after each repair attempt.
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Write a letter to a car manufacturer on the lemon law. Start by stating that your letter is a formal request for a replacement or a refund of your vehicle. List the vehicle's make, model and year, along with the vehicle identification number (VIN). Include that you no longer have any confidence in either the manufacturer's or the dealership's ability or willingness to resolve the issue as prescribed in the vehicle's warranty.
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List every problem the vehicle is currently exhibiting in list form in a new paragraph. Include the number of repair attempts, dates of repair, and the final outcome of each attempt that you previously determined.
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Conclude the letter by providing your telephone number and other contact information so the manufacturer can contact you to discuss the matter. Thank the manufacturer for their anticipated cooperation, then sign the bottom of the letter.
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Make two copies of the signed letter, and retain one copy for your records. Send the other two letters to the car manufacturer: one by Certified Mail with signature receipt, and one by regular mail. Be sure to maintain the green Certified Mail receipt so you have proof that you sent the letter and that the manufacturer signed and received it.
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Tips & Warnings
What constitutes a "reasonable number" of repairs varies depending on your state's laws, and moreso depending on the nature of the problem. For example, malfunctioning brakes that still do not work properly after one repair attempt would probably classify the vehicle as a lemon, while defective door locks would probably require two or three repair attempts before remediation can be sought. Consult an attorney if you are having trouble determining whether or not your vehicle qualifies as a lemon.
