Frequently Asked Questions

If your warranty says that you have to go to a BBB lemon law arbitration first, or one through the NCDS, then to arbitration you might have to go (but not yet!).    Many warranties require that you submit your claim to a non-binding arbitration process through the BBB or other forum before pursuing a lemon law lawsuit, but it does not require you to do it before contacting a lawyer to assist.  If your warranty requires this, it may be required, but there could be legal defenses that apply which can invalidate the warranty requirement.  However, be careful about doing this without a lawyer because a lot of the arbitration rules are rigged in favor of manufacturers, and in large part it is something of a kangaroo court. In most cases, the arbitration rules limit what you can recover under the law, which may be what invalidates the requirement. You could wind up with substantially less than you are otherwise entitled to receive if you pursue such a claim before engaging counsel and may end up spending time that could be better spent getting you out of your vehicle faster. In the vast majority of cases we can assist without ever needing to pursue that avenue, and in the rare cases that we do, we can assist you with it in parallel with our contacts to the manufacturer on your behalf.

We can assist you in determining if one applies to your vehicle and can help you with the procedure.  Call us to discuss your situation.

The NC lemon law rule on defect timing requires that the problem must begin within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles after the delivery of the vehicle to you. If your first repair visit for a problem occurred after this window, your vehicle does not qualify under North Carolina’s Lemon Law.

However, there is an important distinction. The 24, 24,000 mile window refers to when the problem first starts but not when your repair attempts are completed. So if a defect starts in that time period but later repairs take place afterwards, you are still covered and the claim can proceed, provided the other requirements are met.

What If My Problem Started After 24 Months?

If your defect first appeared after the 24-month or 24,000-mile threshold, NC’s Lemon Law does not apply. However, you may still have options under federal law.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal ‘lemon law’ and still provides you legal rights if a defect starts within the manufacturer’s warranty period.  So, if your defect begins after the 24 month, 24,000 mile window for the state lemon law, but still within the manufacturer bumper to bumper or powertrain warranty, you are still protected if that defect can’t be fixed. This law applies to both new and used vehicles that are covered by a written warranty.

What to Do Next

Of course, every situation is different. The 24-month, 24,000 mile window has some caveats that can significantly affect your claim, and getting it wrong can cost you. Before you assume you don’t have a case, just give us a call.

We review your repair history for free and give you a straight answer. If NC’s Lemon Law doesn’t apply to your situation, we’ll tell you whether the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act might still protect you.

Call 919.981.4475 or contact us online for a free case review. Read our case results to see what we have won for NC consumers. No fee unless we win.

NC lemon law used vehicles are not covered under North Carolina’s New Motor Vehicles Warranties Act. That law applies to new vehicles only. However, if you purchased a used vehicle that came with an existing warranty, you may still have options under federal law.

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Used Vehicles

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal law that covers written warranties on consumer products — including used vehicles. If your used vehicle came with a dealer warranty, a service contract, or a remaining manufacturer warranty, this law may protect you. In addition, it gives you many of the same remedies as NC’s Lemon Law — including the right to a refund or replacement if the seller cannot fix a covered defect.

However, there are important limitations. First, the vehicle must have come with a written warranty at the time of purchase. As-is vehicles — those sold without any warranty — are generally not covered. In addition, we only review used vehicle warranty claims for vehicles newer than ten model years.

What About Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles?

Certified pre-owned vehicles often come with remaining manufacturer warranties. As a result, they may qualify for protection under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. If your CPO vehicle has experienced repeated warranty repair failures, call us. We can review your situation and tell you whether you have a viable claim.

Not Sure What Applies to Your Situation?

Every used vehicle situation is different. Call us at 919.981.4475 or contact us online for a free case review. You can also visit the Federal Trade Commission’s guide on used car warranties for more information. Read our case results to see what we have won for NC consumers. No fee unless we win.

Yes — NC lemon law leased vehicles are covered. North Carolina’s New Motor Vehicles Warranties Act applies to both purchased and leased new motor vehicles. If you leased a new car or truck and it has a defect the manufacturer cannot fix, the NC lemon law protects you the same way it protects buyers.

How the NC Lemon Law Applies to Leased Vehicles

The same thresholds apply whether you bought or leased your vehicle. Your leased vehicle qualifies if either of the following is true:

Four or more repair attempts for the same defect. The manufacturer or dealer must have attempted to fix the same problem four or more times. Each visit should be documented with a written repair order. In addition, you must provide written notice before or at the fourth repair attempt that this is the final attempt for the legal presumption to apply in your favor.

Twenty or more business days out of service. Your vehicle has been out of service for warranty repairs for 20 or more business days within any 12-month period of the warranty for one or more defects.

What Can You Recover on a Leased Vehicle?

If your leased vehicle qualifies, you may be entitled to a refund of your lease payments, your down payment, and other out-of-pocket costs. In some cases, the manufacturer may provide a replacement vehicle. The specific remedy depends on the facts of your case.

The attorney fees are paid by the manufacturer. You pay nothing out of pocket.

Not Sure if Your Lease Qualifies?

Call us. We review your situation for free and give you a straight answer. Read our case results to see what we have won for NC consumers. Then contact us or call 919.981.4475 today.

Starting an NC lemon law claim is easier than you think. First, there is no obligation. Furthermore, there is no upfront cost. Norris Law Firm PLLC offers a free case review to help you understand your rights and options. What’s better than that?  You’ve got nothing to lose by calling us today.

Call 919.981.4475 or contact us online to get started. We will review your situation and tell you whether you have a valid NC lemon law claim.

What to Do Before You Call

Before your free case review, gather your vehicle records. Specifically, pull together the following documents:

• All sales documents — your purchase contract, financing agreement, and any addendums
• Warranty documents — your manufacturer warranty booklet and any service contracts
• All repair orders — every single repair visit, including visits where the dealer said they could not find the problem
• Correspondence — any letters, emails, or notices from the dealer or manufacturer

Furthermore, write down a timeline of events. Note when the problem first appeared. In addition, note how many times you have been to the dealer for the same issue. As a result, your case review will be faster and more thorough.

What Happens During Your Free NC Lemon Law Case Review

First, we review your documents. Then, we assess whether your vehicle meets the NC lemon law thresholds. Specifically, we look for four or more repair attempts for the same defect, or 20 or more business days out of service within a 12-month period. Furthermore, we check whether the defect first appeared within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles of ownership.

After that, we give you a straight answer. Either you have a claim worth pursuing, or you do not. We will never string you along. Moreover, if we take your case, we handle everything from that point forward. You stop dealing with the manufacturer and dealer. We take over.

No Risk. No Upfront Cost. No Obligation.

Under NC’s Lemon Law and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the manufacturer pays your attorney’s fees when you win. Therefore, you pay nothing out of pocket. In addition, if we do not win your case, you owe us nothing.

Read our case results to see what we have won for NC consumers. Then read our client testimonials to hear directly from people we have helped. After that, call us. You have everything to gain.

Call 919.981.4475 or contact us today to start your free NC lemon law claim review.

Under NC’s Lemon Law, the manufacturer gets a “reasonable” number of repair attempts to fix your vehicle’s defect. In most cases, reasonable means four attempts for the same problem. However, it can also mean 20 or more business days out of service within any 12-month period of the warranty.

How Many Manufacturer Repair Attempts Trigger a Lemon Law Claim?

NC’s Lemon Law sets two baselines for what is considered a reasonable number of repair attempts:

Four or more repair attempts for the same defect. Each visit must be documented with a written repair order. Always demand one — even if the dealer claims they could not find the problem. In fact, “can’t duplicate” visits still count as repair attempts.

20 or more business days out of service in one year. This threshold covers multiple different defects — not just one repeated problem. Keep a log of every date your vehicle goes in and comes out of the dealership (or the repair records).

Your vehicle must also meet one more test. The defect must substantially impair its value to the consumer – that’s you! Minor cosmetic issues typically do not qualify. However, serious engine, transmission, or electrical problems generally do. What is substantial, like beauty, is typically in the eye of the beholder, but it has to be objectively reasonble.

Ready to Find Out if You Have a Claim?

Read our case results to see what we have won. Then contact us or call 919.981.4475 for a free case review. No fee unless we win.

Yes — absolutely. Norris Law Firm PLLC serves NC lemon law clients across the entire state. In fact, it does not matter where you live.

How We Work With Clients Statewide

We handle everything remotely. Consultations happen by phone or video call. We exchange documents by email or through your secure client portal with a state-of-the-art practice management system. You never have to set foot in our Wake Forest office to get your case resolved.

A face-to-face meeting is nice, though it is not required. In fact, most of our clients never visit us in person, and their cases resolve just as well.

Where We Serve NC Lemon Law Clients

We represent consumers across all of North Carolina, including:

• Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the Triangle
• Charlotte and the Piedmont
• Greensboro, Winston-Salem, and High Point
• Wilmington and the Cape Fear Coast
• The Outer Banks and Eastern NC
• Asheville, Boone, and the Mountains
• Fayetteville, Greenville, and everywhere in between

If you bought your vehicle in North Carolina and (and even if you don’t live here) we can help — regardless of where your dealership is located. Simply put, distance is never a barrier.

One Important Note on Out-of-State Dealers

If you live in NC but purchased a used vehicle from a dealer in another state, we generally cannot help with claims against that out-of-state dealer. In those cases, visit the National Association of Consumer Advocates to find an attorney in the dealer’s state.

Ready to Get Started?

Call 919.981.4475 or contact us online for a free NC lemon law case review. Read our case results and client testimonials to see what we have done for NC consumers across the state. No fee unless we win.

Most NC lemon law cases never go to court. First, we build your case. Then, we present the evidence to the manufacturer. As a result, we often reach a favorable settlement without filing a lawsuit. However, manufacturers do not like replacing or buying back vehicles. Therefore, they sometimes fight back. When that happens, we file suit and take them to court.

The short answer is this: you may never need an NC lemon law lawsuit. But if you do, we are ready.

Does Your Vehicle Qualify Under the NC Lemon Law?

Before filing any claim, first check whether your vehicle qualifies. Here is how to determine that:

Step 1 — Did the problems start in the first 24 months or 24,000 miles?

If yes, then check either of the following:

• Has the vehicle been in for three or more repairs for the same defect? OR
• Has the vehicle been out of service for 20 or more business days within any 12-month period?

If yes to either, you may have a qualifying NC lemon law claim.

Step 2 — Did the problems start after 24 months or 24,000 miles but still within the warranty?

If yes, then check either of the following:

• Has the dealer failed to fix a recurring problem despite three or more attempts? OR
• Has the vehicle been out for repairs for an unreasonable period of time?

If yes to either, the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act may still protect you.

What Happens if We Have to File an NC Lemon Law Lawsuit?

Filing a lawsuit sounds scary. However, it is often exactly what gets manufacturers to act. Furthermore, most cases still settle after a lawsuit is filed — before going to trial. As a result, you may never set foot in a courtroom.

Moreover, filing an NC lemon law lawsuit does not cost you anything upfront. Under NC law, the manufacturer pays your attorney’s fees when you win. Therefore, there is no financial risk to you at any stage of the process.

You paid good money for your vehicle. You deserve to get what you paid for. Going it alone against manufacturers is frustrating and risky. In addition, there are legal nuances that can hurt your case if handled incorrectly. Therefore, let us handle it.

Read our case results to see what we have won. Then read our client testimonials to hear from consumers we have helped. After that, contact us for a free case review. Call 919.981.4475 today.

If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under NC’s Lemon Law, there can be several outcomes, a buyback, replacement, or cash compensation.  The choice is ultimately up to you.

Buyback

A buyback means the manufacturer repurchases your vehicle at the original contract price. Specifically, a buyback includes:

• Your original down payment
• All monthly payments made
• Sales tax, tag, title, and registration fees
• Finance charges and incidental costs
• Payoff of any remaining loan balance

However, the manufacturer may deduct a mileage offset. This offset accounts for the miles you drove before the defect was repaired for the third time.  The formula is set by statute.

Replacement Vehicle

A replacement means the manufacturer provides a comparable new vehicle. Our position is that a comparable new vehicle is the current model year with the same trim level that you currently have. There is no mileage deduction for replacements.

Cash Settlement

In some cases, a cash settlement is an option which involves you keeping your vehicle, which can be beneficial in cases where the vehicle is or can be fixed.

Which Option is Right for You?

Every situation is different. In some cases, a buyback makes more sense. In others a replacement is the better outcome. In others, you may consider monetary compensation.  We discuss both options with you before you make any decision, but the choice is ultimately up to you. We also make sure the manufacturer does not lowball the buyback calculation, try to substitute an inferior replacement vehicle or make you pay something you should not have to pay, or otherwise fairly compensates you for past problems.

The attorney fees are paid when you win, and you pay nothing out of pocket.

Read our case results to see what we have recovered for NC consumers. Then contact us or call 919.981.4475 for a free case review today.

Hiring an NC lemon law attorney costs you nothing upfront. If we do not win your case, you owe us nothing at all. This is how NC lemon law attorney fees work — and it is one of the most important things to understand before you call us.

How NC Lemon Law Attorney Fees Work

First, we take all lemon law cases on a contingency basis. That means we charge no upfront fees. In addition, NC’s Lemon Law and its federal equivalent, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, both contain fee-shifting provisions. so when you win, the fees are paid by the manufacturer.

Specifically, here is how it works:

• You pay nothing upfront. There are no retainer fees. There are no hourly fees.
• The fees are paid by the manufacturer when you win. This includes court costs, if needed.
• You owe us nothing if we lose. If we cannot resolve your case in your favor, you owe us zero.

Therefore, hiring Norris Law Firm PLLC is completely risk-free.

Why This Matters for NC Consumers

Many consumers avoid hiring an attorney because they assume it will cost them money. However, that assumption is wrong in lemon law cases. Furthermore, going it alone against a manufacturer is risky. Manufacturers have experienced legal teams. Their goal is to minimize what they pay you.

We can level the playing field. Because our fees are paid by the manufacturer at the end of your case, we are motivated to get you the best result possible.

Manufacturers sometimes offer early settlements to those without lawyers to avoid paying attorney’s fees or what they should pay by law. Those offers are often below what you are entitled to receive, so accepting one without legal advice can cost you thousands.

No Upfront Cost. No Fees Unless We Win.  Zero Risk

Hiring us for your lemon law case is straightforward. First, you contact us for a free case review. If we can help you and take your case, we go to work. After that, the manufacturer pays when you win and you don’t pay out of pocket.

Read our case results to see what we have recovered for NC consumers and our client testimonials to hear directly from people we have helped. Then contact us or call 919.981.4475 for a free case review today.

Basics

The NC Lemon Law defines a “motor vehicle” by reference to G.S. 20-4.01. In plain terms, the law covers any new car, truck, SUV, van, or motorcycle that meets all of the following:

• It was sold or leased in North Carolina
• It weighs 10,000 pounds or less
• It has never had a certificate of origin issued to a prior consumer — in other words, it is truly new

In addition, the vehicle must be covered by a manufacturer’s written warranty. If the manufacturer issued a written warranty with the vehicle, the NC Lemon Law applies.

What is NOT Covered?

Two categories are specifically excluded from coverage:

House trailers. As defined in G.S. 20-4.01, house trailers do not qualify as motor vehicles under the NC Lemon Law.

Vehicles over 10,000 pounds. Large commercial trucks and heavy-duty vehicles that exceed the weight threshold are not covered.

Not Sure if Your Vehicle Qualifies?

Most personal passenger vehicles — including cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and motorcycles — fall well within these parameters. If you are unsure whether your vehicle qualifies, call us. We review your situation for free and give you a straight answer.

Contact us or call 919.981.4475 for a free case review. Read our case results to see what we have won for NC consumers. No fee unless we win.

Got it — shorter, no transition word crutches, plain punchy language. Here’s the rewrite at ~400 words:

Under North Carolina’s Lemon Law, a vehicle is a lemon when a manufacturer cannot fix a defect after a reasonable number of repair attempts. That defect must have started within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles of ownership. It must also substantially impair the vehicle’s value to you.

Think your vehicle qualifies? Contact us for a free case review. No fee unless we win.

The Two Ways Your Vehicle Qualifies as a Lemon in NC

NC’s Lemon Law sets two minimum standards for before your vehicle qualifies, either or both of which can be true for your vehicle.

Four Repairs — Four or more repair attempts for the same defect

Your vehicle qualifies if the dealer has attempted to fix the same defect four or more times. Each visit must be documented with a written repair order. Always demand one — even if the dealer says they could not find the problem. That documentation is the foundation of your claim.

20 Days Out of Service — 20 or more Business days out of service in a one-year period.

Your vehicle also qualifies if it has been out of service for warranty repairs for 20 or more business days within any 12-month period. This threshold can involve multiple different defects — not just one repeated problem. Keep a log of every date your vehicle goes in and comes out of the dealership.

What “Substantially Impairs” Means

The defect does not have to make your vehicle undrivable. A serious electrical problem, a recurring engine failure, or a repeated transmission issue can all meet this standard. Minor cosmetic issues typically do not qualify. Manufacturers often argue a defect is not substantial — that is one of their most common tactics to deny claims.

The Written Notice Requirement

Many people miss this step. Before or at your fourth repair attempt for the same defect, you must give the manufacturer written notice that this is the final repair attempt. Skip this step and it can hurt your claim. Call us before that fourth visit — we handle the notice for you.

What Can You Recover?

NC’s Lemon Law gives you the right to a full refund, a replacement vehicle, or a cash settlement. The manufacturer also pays your attorney’s fees when you win. You pay nothing out of pocket.

Call 919.981.4475 or contact us online today.