Lemon Law in Kansas
Is My Car a Lemon?
Your car will be considered a lemon if within 1 year of owning it (or during the warranty period), it has a major defect that impairs its use and value and:
- At least 4 attempts have been made to repair the defect.
- At least 10 attempts were made to repair a number of different defects.
OR
- It has been out of service for repairs for 30 days or longer.
NOTE: The Kansas lemon law covers new cars only.
If you indeed have a lemon, check if the car manufacturer has an arbitration process in place. If after arbitration you are unable to come to an agreement, contact a lemon law attorney for advice.
Filing a Claim Under KS Lemon Laws
If you think you have a lemon, keep excellent written records. Document the following:
- Phone calls to the dealership, repair department, and manufacturer.
- Trips to the dealership.
- Dates of vehicle in the repair department and reasons for the repair visits.
- What has been wrong with the vehicle and the repairs that were attempted.
- Time lost from work.
- Cash out of your pocket.
- Receipts and invoices for towing and repairs.
If the vehicle has met the criteria above:
- Check the recall list to see if the vehicle has been subject to a recall.
- Write a letter to the dealership, outlining your concerns, even if you've already been over them verbally. Sending the letter certified, with a return receipt requested, is suggested.
- Keep a copy with your notes and other records. Follow up with a phone call to make sure they received the letter.
- If the problem is not fixed after you send the letter, send a registered letter to the manufacturer. Let them know the problem and give them an outline of what you've done so far to try to correct it.
- Learn what process you must take with the manufacturer in order to resolve the issue, and follow it. (The dealer should have a brochure or a printed sheet with this information.)
- If, after you've done all of the above and you still don't have a resolution, you will need to contact an attorney or file a complaint with the Kansas Attorney General's Office.
Hiring a Lemon Law Attorney in KS
If you've never dealt with a lemon vehicle before, you may not know what to look for in a good attorney. Keep these tips in mind when doing your research:
- Find a lawyer who knows the Kansas lemon law.
- Lemon laws differ state by state; make sure they know the Kansas law well.
- Ask for recommendations and referrals.
- Hire an attorney with a proven track record and experience.
- Talk to multiple Kansas attorneys, as initial consultations are usually free.
Make sure you find a lemon law attorney that you trust and can feel confident with when being represented in court.
Benefits of Kansas Lemon Law Attorneys
A KS lawyer specializing in lemon can help in a variety of ways, including:
- Representing you in court.
- Gathering all required documents to be used in court.
- Negotiate with the vehicle manufacturer and their lawyers.
- Ensure you are given what you're owed.
Talk with multiple lemon law attorneys in Kansas before hiring one and ask how they can help your case specifically.