Help for Michigan Drivers With Defective Vehicles
A Michigan lemon law attorney helps drivers hold manufacturers accountable when a new vehicle can’t be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts. At Lemon Law Group Partners, our Michigan lemon law attorneys handle claims under the state’s New Motor Vehicle Warranties Act (MCL 257.1401–1410) and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act — pursuing a repurchase, replacement, or cash settlement for owners of defective vehicles, with no upfront attorney’s fees.
Updated · Sources: MCL 257.1401–.1410 and the Michigan Attorney General
Michigan lemon law in 60 seconds
New cars, SUVs, pickups and vans bought or leased in Michigan
Or the warranty term, whichever ends first
Within 2 years of the first repair
Within the first year or the warranty
Recoverable from the maker if you win
After the 3rd repair: written notice by return receipt
The maker then gets 5 business days to fix it
Use the maker’s program first if it has one — not binding on you
Refund or comparable replacement, plus towing and rental costs
The path to a buyback
- 1Report it
Within 1 year or the warranty
- 2Repairs
4 tries or 30 days down
- 3Notice
After the 3rd repair
- 4Final repair
Maker gets 5 business days
- 5Arbitration
Maker’s program, if any
- 6Buyback
Refund or replacement in 30 days
Plain-English summary of MCL 257.1401-257.1410, checked against the statute in October 2026. Not legal advice — have an attorney review your situation.
Official sources: Act 87 of 1986 (MCL 257.1401–1410) · MCL 257.1403 — remedies & presumption · Michigan Attorney General lemon law guidance
How it works
How Michigan’s Lemon Law Works
Michigan’s New Motor Vehicle Warranties Act (MCL 257.1401–1410) requires a manufacturer to buy back or replace a new vehicle it can’t repair within a reasonable number of attempts. Here’s the path a Michigan lemon law claim follows.
Repairs begin
You report a covered defect and the dealer attempts warranty repairs during the rights period — the warranty term or the first year after delivery, whichever ends first.
Written notice to the manufacturer
After the 3rd attempt (or 25 days out of service), you notify the manufacturer in writing by a return-receipt service (for example, certified mail, return receipt requested). Their designated facility then has 5 business days for a final fix. We handle this step.
The lemon threshold
The vehicle is presumed a lemon after 4 repair attempts for the same defect, or 30+ cumulative days out of service during the first year.
Arbitration or negotiation
Some automakers run a dispute-resolution program you may need to use first. We prepare and present the claim either way, working to resolve it without a hearing.
Repurchase or replacement
A refund of the purchase price — less a reasonable allowance for mileage used — plus towing and rental reimbursement, or a comparable replacement vehicle.
Eligibility
Does Your Vehicle Qualify?
Michigan’s lemon law covers new passenger cars, SUVs, pickups, and vans bought or leased in the state — for personal or business use. A few conditions generally need to be met.
Personal or business use
Personal, family, and household vehicles qualify — and so do business or commercial vehicles when the buyer purchases or leases fewer than 10 new motor vehicles a year.
Substantial defect
A defect that impairs the vehicle’s use or value, or prevents it from conforming to the manufacturer’s express warranty.
Reported in time
First reported within the warranty term or the first year after delivery.
Still unfixed
The defect persists after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
(same defect)
of service
Working with counsel
Why Work With a Michigan Lemon Law Attorney
You can file on your own, but manufacturers defend these claims with experienced counsel. Here’s what representation adds.
We know the other side’s playbook
Our founder defended automakers before representing consumers, so we can anticipate how manufacturers evaluate and contest claims.
We counter delay tactics
Manufacturers often stall, hoping owners give up. We keep the statutory clock and the paperwork moving toward a resolution.
We document to support recovery
A well-documented repair history and demand are what move a claim toward a repurchase, replacement, or cash settlement.
Fees are contingent — No Fee Unless We Recover§. No upfront attorney’s fees, and in successful claims fees are typically recovered from the manufacturer. Clients may be responsible for certain costs as described in their fee agreement.
Our story
Founded by Former Big Three Car Manufacturer Defense Counsel
Lemon Law Group Partners was founded in 2012 by an attorney who previously defended one of Detroit’s Big Three automakers. After years on the manufacturer’s side of these disputes, our founder chose to represent the consumers on the other side of them. Because we know how automakers evaluate, value, and defend lemon law claims, we document and present each claim with that perspective in mind — pursuing the full compensation available under Michigan law and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
Choosing counsel
How to Choose a Michigan Lemon Law Attorney
When you compare lemon law attorneys in Michigan, these are the factors that matter — and how our firm measures up on each.
Look for What matters
- Michigan licensure & statute knowledge — licensed in Michigan, working regularly under MCL 257.1401–1410.
- Understanding of the manufacturer’s side — automakers defend these claims with experienced counsel.
- Fee structure — contingency; no attorney’s fees unless we recover, often paid by the manufacturer; clients may be responsible for certain costs.
- Documented process — how the firm handles notice, arbitration, and negotiation.
- Communication — a named point of contact and clear updates.
We meet it Our firm
- Attorneys licensed in Michigan handle claims under MCL 257.1401–1410.
- Founded by an attorney who previously defended a Big Three automaker.
- Contingency with no upfront attorney’s fees; fees typically recovered from the manufacturer.
- We manage the full process; many claims resolve without a hearing.
- Each client works with an assigned case manager.
The firm
Why Lemon Law Group Partners in Michigan
A Michigan-rooted firm founded by attorneys who once sat on the manufacturer’s side of these cases.
800+
Michigan lemon law claims resolved.¶
MI-Licensed
Attorneys licensed in Michigan handle claims under state law.
Both Sides
25+ years of lemon law experience — defense, then consumer.
No Fee Unless We Recover§
No attorney’s fees unless we recover; clients may be responsible for certain costs.
A free case review with our Michigan team — No Fee Unless We Recover§, no upfront attorney’s fees. Explore your options with attorneys who handle Michigan lemon law claims.
Call (888) 415-0610¶ Figure reflects Michigan 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.
Your Michigan team
Michigan-Licensed Attorneys
Edward L. Ewald Jr., Esq.
Edward L. Ewald Jr. is a highly experienced attorney with a distinguished career in lemon law and civil litigation.
Jason S. Hegedus, Esq.
Jason S. Hegedus is the Managing Partner of Lemon Law Group Partners PLC and one of the most seasoned lemon law attorneys in the firm.
Kathryn B. Abrams, Esq.
Kathryn B. Abrams is a highly skilled attorney with significant experience in lemon law and various other legal areas.
Michigan drivers, real results
4.9 average on Google (40 reviews) for our Southfield, Michigan office — part of 1,500+ five-star reviews nationwide‡
“The absolute best service! They were able to win my case and went above and beyond with the repurchase of my car. I went through so much with the dealership and they alleviated so much stress for me. I will recommend them to anyone!”
“Best lawyers for lemon law. It was easy to deal with them and I was informed every step of the way. No tricks, no gimmicks, just straight shooters. I went in knowing all the information and steps before it happened.”
“Mica navigated our claim with Ford like a true professional. We could not have received the outcome without her perseverance and hard work! Thank you Mica.”
“Lemon Law Group made filing a claim for a lemon with the manufacturer easy to understand. They handled all the necessary steps and kept me informed.”
“These guys are the real deal. They got me a settlement offer from the manufacturer.”
“Did a great job helping me get compensation from the manufacturer for issues with my car. Alex, my Case Manager, was very responsive and easy to work with.”
Reviews reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee similar results. Read more on Google.
Recent Michigan Lemon Law Cases
Representative matters recently accepted for representation by the firm in Michigan. Case acceptance does not indicate or guarantee any particular outcome.
Outcomes
What a Michigan Lemon Law Claim Can Achieve
Examples of the types of outcomes a Michigan lemon law claim can lead to when a vehicle can’t be repaired within the manufacturer’s obligations.
Manufacturer Buyback
When repeated repair attempts fail to fix a covered defect, the primary remedy is often a full repurchase — the manufacturer buys the vehicle back, typically refunding the purchase price less a statutory mileage offset.
Resolved Without a Hearing
Many Michigan lemon law claims settle directly with the manufacturer — without an arbitration hearing or trial — once the repair history is documented and presented.
Settlement After a Stalled DIY Claim
Owners who first try to negotiate on their own often find the process stalls. Counsel who understand how manufacturers evaluate claims can move a stalled matter toward a settlement offer.
Illustrative examples only. Outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case; results vary and are not guaranteed.
Buyback math
Michigan Lemon Law Buyback Calculator
In a refund, Michigan lets the manufacturer subtract a “reasonable allowance for use” from the purchase or lease price. MCL 257.1403(2) sets the formula.
The formula
Offset = Price × (miles before your first report + miles beyond 25,000) ÷ 100,000
Example: a $45,000 vehicle with the defect first reported at 8,000 miles: $45,000 × 8,000 ÷ 100,000 = $3,600 offset, leaving about $41,400 of the price.
Estimate only, not legal advice. The final figure can also reflect manufacturer charges, appraised damage not caused by normal use or the defect, towing and rental costs, and how your claim resolves. Many claims settle by agreement.
Want the real numbers for your vehicle?
Free case review. No attorney’s fees unless we recover§; clients may be responsible for certain costs.
Free template
Sample Michigan Final Repair Notice Letter
After the third repair attempt for the same defect, or once the vehicle has been out of service for 25 days, Michigan law requires written notice to the manufacturer by return-receipt service. The manufacturer then gets one final chance: 5 business days at its chosen repair facility.
- Send it to the manufacturer, not just the dealer. Use the address in your owner’s manual or warranty booklet.
- Keep a copy of the letter and the mailing receipt.
- Attach copies of every repair order.
[Your name]
[Street address]
[City], MI [ZIP]
[Phone] · [Email]
[Date]
Sent by return-receipt service (certified mail, return receipt requested)
[Manufacturer name]
[Manufacturer address from your owner’s manual or warranty booklet]
Re: Notice of defect and request for final repair attempt, MCL 257.1403
Vehicle: [Year, make, model] · VIN: [VIN]
Delivered: [Delivery date] · Selling dealer: [Dealer] · Current mileage: [Miles]
To whom it may concern:
I am the [owner / lessee] of the vehicle listed above. It has a defect that impairs its use or value: [describe the problem and when it happens].
I reported this defect to your authorized dealer during the warranty period. It has been subject to repair [3] times and is still not fixed: [date, dealer, repair order number and mileage for each visit]. [Or: The vehicle has been out of service for repairs for a total of 25 or more days: list the dates and repair orders.]
Under Michigan’s New Motor Vehicle Warranties Act, MCL 257.1403, I am notifying you of the need to repair this defect. Please tell me which reasonably accessible repair facility to take the vehicle to for a final repair attempt. I understand you have 5 business days after the vehicle is delivered to that facility to complete the repair.
You can reach me at [phone] or [email]. Copies of my repair orders are enclosed.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Printed name]
Enclosures: repair orders dated [dates]
Sample for general information only. It is not legal advice, and using it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Your facts may call for different wording. Clients don’t need to send this themselves: we handle the notice step for you.
Our Michigan Location
Michigan office
Lemon Law Group Partners, PLC
17344 W 12 Mile Rd Ste 104
Southfield, MI 48076
(888) 415-0610
View our Southfield office on Google Maps ↗︎
Serving vehicle owners throughout Michigan, including Metro Detroit (Royal Oak, Southfield, Troy, Warren, Dearborn, Livonia, and Farmington Hills), plus Grand Rapids, Lansing, Flint, and Ann Arbor. Local to Metro Detroit? See our Southfield lemon law attorney page for directions and a free case review.
Michigan Lemon Law FAQ
What is Michigan’s lemon law?
Source: MCL 257.1403 · Michigan AG guidance
Do I qualify for lemon law in Michigan?
Source: MCL 257.1403
How many repair attempts do you need for a lemon law claim in Michigan?
Source: MCL 257.1403
How do I choose a lemon law attorney in Michigan?
Source: MCL 257.1407
What does a lemon law case cost in Michigan?
Source: MCL 257.1407
Do I have to pay a lawyer upfront for a lemon law claim in Michigan?
Source: MCL 257.1407
How long does a Michigan lemon law claim take?
Source: MCL 257.1401–1410
Does Michigan’s lemon law cover used cars?
Source: MCL 257.1402
Michigan Cities We Serve
Lemon Law Group Partners represents drivers across Metro Detroit from our Southfield office. Choose your city for local case data, area dealerships, and court venue:
