Indiana Lemon Law
Dealing with a Defective Vehicle in Indiana?
If your new vehicle keeps returning to the dealer for the same defect, Indiana’s lemon law may entitle you to a refund or a replacement vehicle — but manufacturers rarely volunteer either. An experienced Indiana lemon law attorney turns your repair history into a documented claim the manufacturer has to answer, on the statute’s timeline instead of the dealership’s.
Our firm was founded by former car-manufacturer defense counsel. We know how automakers evaluate and resist these claims, we handle the notice and filing requirements, and our fees are typically recovered from the manufacturer — not from you.
At a glance
Indiana Lemon Law: Key Facts
Indiana’s Motor Vehicle Protection Act, Ind. Code § 24-5-13, covering nonconformities that substantially impair the use, market value, or safety of the vehicle.
New vehicles purchased or leased in Indiana (or registered here) with a defect first reported within the Term of Protection — 18 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Four repair attempts for the same nonconformity that continues to exist, or the vehicle out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more business days.
A refund of the contract price including credits and allowances, less a reasonable allowance for use — or a comparable replacement vehicle.
How it works
How an Indiana Lemon Law Claim Works
- Warranty repairs begin
You report the defect and the dealer attempts repairs within the 18-month/18,000-mile Term of Protection.
- The presumption attaches
Four failed attempts for the same defect — or 30+ business days out of service — establishes the statutory presumption.
- Demand or manufacturer program
We demand repurchase or replacement; if the manufacturer maintains a qualifying informal dispute procedure, that step is completed without surrendering your rights.
- Refund or replacement
A successful claim returns the contract price (less a use allowance) or a comparable replacement — with attorney’s fees recoverable in successful actions.
Indiana presumes a reasonable number of attempts after four repairs for the same defect, or 30+ business days out of service, within the Term of Protection — the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Working with counsel
Why Work With an Indiana Lemon Law Attorney
You can file on your own, but manufacturers defend these claims with experienced counsel. Here is what representation adds.
Our founder defended automakers before representing consumers — we know how manufacturers evaluate, delay, and contest Indiana claims.
We build the repair-order timeline that triggers Indiana’s statutory presumption and time the demand around it.
Fee-shifting under state law and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act lets prevailing consumers recover attorney’s fees from the manufacturer. No attorney’s fees unless we recover§; clients may be responsible for certain costs.
From the first demand letter through arbitration or court, your case is managed by our team — you keep driving your life while we handle the claim.
Our story
Founded by Former Car Manufacturer Defense Counsel
Before representing consumers, our founder sat on the manufacturer’s side of these cases — evaluating claims, directing defense strategy, and deciding when automakers would pay. That experience now works for Indiana drivers: we know which repair records matter, how manufacturers value buybacks, and where their defenses break down.
Manufacturers often stall, hoping owners give up. We keep the statutory clock and the paperwork moving toward a resolution. A well-documented repair history and demand are what move a claim toward a repurchase, replacement, or cash settlement.
Outcomes
What an Indiana Lemon Law Claim Can Achieve
A refund of the price you paid plus qualifying charges, less a reasonable allowance for your use of the vehicle.
A comparable replacement vehicle — generally the same year and model with approximately the same mileage — if you prefer to stay in the same model — your election under most state programs.
Prevailing consumers can recover reasonable attorney’s fees from the manufacturer under state fee-shifting and Magnuson-Moss.
Many claims resolve with the driver keeping the vehicle plus a cash payment reflecting its diminished value.
Recent cases
Recent Indiana Lemon Law Cases
A sample of Indiana claims retained by the firm, drawn from case records. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Indiana Lemon Law FAQ
What is Indiana’s lemon law?
The Motor Vehicle Protection Act, Ind. Code § 24-5-13, requires a manufacturer to refund or replace a new vehicle with a nonconformity that substantially impairs its use, market value, or safety when it is not corrected within a reasonable number of attempts during the Term of Protection.
Do I qualify under the Indiana lemon law?
You may qualify if the vehicle was purchased or leased in Indiana (or is registered here), and a covered defect was first reported within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, whichever comes first.
How many repair attempts do I need in Indiana?
Four repair attempts for the same nonconformity that continues to exist, or a cumulative total of 30 or more business days out of service, establishes the presumption.
Do I have to use arbitration in Indiana?
Only if the manufacturer maintains a qualifying informal dispute settlement procedure — and you are not bound to accept its outcome before pursuing your claim in court.
What can I recover under the Indiana lemon law?
A refund of the full contract price — including credits and allowances for any trade-in — less a reasonable allowance for your use of the vehicle, or a comparable replacement vehicle.
What is the deadline for an Indiana lemon law claim?
The defect must arise within the Term of Protection, and a civil action must generally be brought within two years after the term expires. Early documentation wins these cases.
What does an Indiana lemon law case cost?
No attorney’s fees unless we recover; clients may be responsible for certain costs. Indiana law and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act allow prevailing consumers to recover reasonable attorney’s fees from the manufacturer.
Does the Indiana lemon law cover used cars?
The Act covers vehicles sold or leased new. Used vehicles are usually pursued under the manufacturer’s remaining warranty and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act instead.
Official sources: Ind. Code § 24-5-13 — Motor Vehicle Protection Act · Indiana Attorney General — Consumer Protection Division
Indiana Cities We Serve
We help drivers across Indiana. Choose your city for local case data, area dealerships, and venue:
¶ Figure reflects Indiana lemon law and vehicle warranty claims resolved by Lemon Law Group Partners from August 21, 2012 through June 30, 2026. Source: firm case-management records. “Resolved” means a claim concluded by manufacturer repurchase, replacement, cash settlement, or other negotiated resolution.
