• Minnesota's lemon law gives consumers protection.young red-haired woman with her broken car. image by ta_samaya from Fotolia.com
  
  Minnesota has a statute designed to protect consumers when they buy or lease a car, van or pickup truck that's still under the manufacturer's original warranty. Popularly know as the lemon law, it is not meant to eliminate all problems encountered with a vehicle. The lemon law does, however, ensure that manufacturers honor provisions of the written warranty. To use the lemon law, it is required that a written notice be given to the manufacturer, authorized dealer or zone representative. Send a certified letter with a return receipt to the manufacturer referencing the lemon law, which is Minnesota Statutes, section 325F.665.
  
  

Manufacturer's Duty to Repair

• Even after the manufacturer's warranty expires, the authorized dealer or manufacturer must make repairs in agreement with the warranty terms. When the vehicle has a problem or defect covered by the warranty that was reported within the warranty period or two years after delivery, repairs are warranted.
  
  

Manufacturer's Duty to Refund or Replace

• Special refund and replacement provisions are in place for cars with substantial defects or problems. If the authorized dealer or manufacturer is unable to repair a car's problem after a "reasonable number of attempts," the lessee or buyer can go to court or a manufacturer's arbitration program for a full refund of the car's purchase price. A monetary deduction is made for the use of the vehicle. A reasonable number of attempts means either four or more unsuccessful attempts to repair the defect, one unsuccessful attempt from a dangerous steering or braking system defect likely to cause death or a car inoperable for 30 or more business days. The manufacturer does not have to replace the vehicle or give a refund if the problem does not substantially change the use or market value of the vehicle or the problem is the result of unauthorized vehicle modifications, neglect or abuse.
  
  

Refund Provisions

• Those awarded a refund are provided the full purchase price of the car or the amount paid on the lease. The manufacturer will deduct an allowance for the time the automobile was in use, not exceeding 10 percent of the purchase price or 10 cents per mile. The cost of some options installed by the dealer, license fees, sales tax, registration fees, towing reimbursement and rental expenses are also refunded. If awarded a replacement vehicle, the option is available to receive a refund in exchange.