Lemon Law in Texas
In Texas, car prices are reaching new heights. As of 2025, the average price for a new vehicle stands at $48,699, while used cars average around $35,061. These statistics make the Lone Star State one of the most expensive places to purchase a vehicle.
If you’ve recently purchased a vehicle in Texas at these sky high costs and are experiencing persistent issues, you might be protected under the state’s lemon laws.
Don’t let a faulty vehicle drain your finances. Ask for a referral to a Texas lemon law attorney today to evaluate your case.
What Is a Lemon Law?
Texas Lemon Law offers consumer protection for buyers stuck with a defective vehicle. To qualify, the problem must stem from a manufacturer-related defect—not wear and tear or user error.
Additionally, the issue must persist despite multiple repair attempts. In other words, if your car has been in the shop too often for the same problem and the dealership can’t fix it, you may have legal grounds to take action.
When Do Texas Lemon Laws Apply?
Lemon law in Texas can apply to demonstrator vehicles and certified pre-owned models, but certain conditions must be met to qualify for protection. Both federal and state guidelines outline when a car officially crosses the line from inconvenient to defective.
To trigger lemon law protection in Texas, your vehicle must meet the following:
- The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety.
- You must report the problem during the warranty period or within 24 months/24,000 miles of delivery (whichever comes first).
- The dealer must have had a reasonable number of attempts to repair the issue, typically:
- Four repair attempts for the same issue, or
- Two repair attempts for a serious safety issue, or
- The vehicle has been out of service for 30 cumulative days for warranty repairs.
How Do You Ensure the Application of Lemon Laws?
To improve your chances under Texas lemon law, it’s essential to follow a few smart practices from the start. These steps help document your efforts and demonstrate that you’ve given the manufacturer every opportunity to make things right. Without this paper trail, even a strong case can fall apart.
Best practices for Texas drivers include:
- Stick with authorized service centers – Always take your vehicle to a dealership that’s approved by the manufacturer. If you go to an independent mechanic, it may give the manufacturer a reason to deny liability.
- Keep thorough repair records – Maintain copies of all service orders, parts invoices, and written notes from service advisors. These details help establish the repair history and prove how often your car was out of commission.
- Track time lost – Document every day your vehicle is unavailable, even if the service visits weren’t back-to-back. Texas lemon law accounts for cumulative downtime.
- Know the Texas requirements – The defect must occur within 24 months or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first), and qualify as either:
- Four repair attempts for the same problem,
- Two attempts for a serious safety issue, or
- At least 30 total days out of service.
According to the Better Business Bureau Auto Line, which handles many lemon law claims in Texas, these conditions are central to resolving disputes under the state’s lemon law program.
What Exactly Are Consumers Entitled To Under Lemon Laws?
If your vehicle qualifies under Texas lemon law, you have the legal right to either a replacement vehicle or a full refund. However, manufacturers are allowed to subtract a “reasonable allowance” for mileage—based on the use you got from the vehicle before the defect made it unreliable or unsafe.
Assuming your claim is successful, the compensation should cover much more than just the car itself. You may be reimbursed for:
- Down payment – The money you originally put toward financing or leasing the vehicle.
- Registration fees – Costs tied to titling and registering your vehicle in Texas.
- Sales taxes – Any tax paid at the time of purchase or lease.
- Rental car expenses – If you had to rely on alternate transportation while the car was in the shop.
- Monthly payments – Installments you made while the vehicle was unusable due to the defect.
- Towing costs – If the car required transport to and from the dealership or repair facility.
- Attorney’s fees – In many successful cases, the manufacturer is also required to cover your legal costs.
Do Lemon Laws Apply to Used Vehicles?
Texas lemon law primarily protects buyers of new vehicles, but it can extend to used cars if a warranty is still in effect. In many cases, certified pre-owned vehicles come with dealer-backed warranties that trigger lemon law protections if a defect arises during the coverage period.
When Should You Hire Qualified Texas Lemon Law Attorneys
If your vehicle has been out of service for a total of 30 days or more—or you’ve made repeated visits to the dealership with no resolution—it may be time to consult legal help. A skilled Texas lemon law attorney can step in when the manufacturer refuses to take responsibility, helping you push forward with a formal complaint or pursue compensation.
How Does the Lemon Law Litigation Process Work?
When you hire a Texas lemon law attorney, you’re not just getting legal guidance—you’re getting an advocate who can level the playing field. Experienced lawyers know how to present a compelling case backed by documentation, repair records, and state-specific criteria. More importantly, they understand how Texas courts and manufacturers operate.
Here’s what you can typically expect when working with a reputable lemon law firm in Texas:
- Free Case Evaluation – Most firms will review the facts of your case at no cost to determine whether you have a valid claim under Texas law.
- Claim Filing – Your attorney should manage the entire claims process, including formally notifying the manufacturer and initiating the proper legal steps.
- Escalation if Needed – If the manufacturer pushes back, your attorney can file a lawsuit under Texas or federal lemon law statutes to seek fair compensation.
- Negotiation and Settlement – If a settlement is reached before trial, it typically includes compensation for the vehicle, related expenses, and your legal costs.
- Contingency Fee Agreements – Most lemon lawyers in Texas operate on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless they win your case.
In Texas, lemon law cases are commonly filed in a county-level trial court. If federal claims are involved or if the case meets federal jurisdiction requirements, the lawsuit may be filed in one of Texas’s U.S. District Courts instead.
According to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, consumers also have the option to pursue administrative resolution through the state-run Lemon Law Complaint Process before going to court (TxDMV Lemon Law Guide).
Work With Experienced Texas Lemon Law Attorney
Need answers now? A knowledgeable Texas lemon law attorney can step in to help you understand your options and take swift action. Whether you’re stuck dealing with a stubborn dealership or an unresponsive manufacturer, we can connect you with a local attorney who knows how to get results. We can even help you connect with an attorney across Texas state lines!
Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced Texas lemon law attorney!
About the Author
Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.
With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.
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