New Jersey Lemon Law
Dealing with a Defective Vehicle in New Jersey?
If your new vehicle keeps returning to the dealer for the same defect, New Jersey’s lemon law may entitle you to a refund or a replacement vehicle — but manufacturers rarely volunteer either. An experienced New Jersey 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
New Jersey Lemon Law: Key Facts
New Jersey’s Lemon Law, N.J.S.A. 56:12-29 et seq., covering nonconformities that substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle.
New passenger vehicles and motorcycles purchased, leased, or registered in New Jersey (vehicles registered for commercial use are excluded), for defects reported within two years or 24,000 miles of delivery, whichever comes first.
Three repair attempts for the same nonconformity, one attempt for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, or 20+ cumulative calendar days out of service.
A refund of the full purchase price plus collateral charges, or a comparable replacement vehicle — your choice — with attorney’s fees recoverable for prevailing consumers.
How it works
How a New Jersey Lemon Law Claim Works
- Repairs begin
You report a covered defect and the dealer attempts warranty repairs during the two-year/24,000-mile term of protection.
- Certified-mail notice
After two or more attempts, you notify the manufacturer by certified mail, return receipt requested, giving it one final 10-day opportunity to cure — this counts as the third attempt. We handle this step.
- Division of Consumer Affairs
New Jersey runs a state dispute-resolution program through the Division of Consumer Affairs; participation in a manufacturer program first is optional. We prepare and present the claim either way.
- Refund or replacement
A successful claim returns the purchase price plus collateral charges (less a mileage allowance) or a comparable replacement — with fee-shifting protecting prevailing consumers.
New Jersey presumes a reasonable number of attempts after three repairs for the same nonconformity, one attempt for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, or 20+ calendar days out of service — within the first two years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Working with counsel
Why Work With a New Jersey 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 New Jersey claims.
We build the repair-order timeline that triggers New Jersey’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 New Jersey 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.
Why our firm
Why Lemon Law Group Partners in New Jersey
A firm founded by attorneys who once sat on the manufacturer’s side of these cases — now representing New Jersey consumers.
¶ Figure reflects New Jersey 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.
Outcomes
What a New Jersey 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 New Jersey Lemon Law Cases
A sample of New Jersey claims retained by the firm, drawn from case records. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Your New Jersey team
New Jersey-Licensed Attorneys
Jay Chamberlin, Esq.
Attorney at Law — Licensed in New Jersey
Jay Chamberlin handles New Jersey lemon law and breach-of-warranty claims for the firm’s New Jersey clients.
Antranig Garibian, Esq.
Attorney at Law — Licensed in New Jersey
Antranig Garibian represents New Jersey consumers in lemon law and warranty matters for the firm.
Choosing counsel
How to Choose a New Jersey Lemon Law Attorney
When you compare lemon law attorneys in New Jersey, these are the factors that matter — and how our firm measures up on each.
Look for — what matters
- New Jersey licensure and statute knowledge — licensed in New Jersey, working regularly under N.J.S.A. 56:12-29 et seq..
- 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 New Jersey handle claims under N.J.S.A. 56:12-29 et seq..
- 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.
New Jersey Lemon Law FAQ
What is the New Jersey lemon law?
N.J.S.A. 56:12-29 et seq. requires a manufacturer to refund or replace a new vehicle with a nonconformity that substantially impairs its use, value, or safety when it is not repaired within a reasonable number of attempts during the term of protection.
Do I qualify under the New Jersey lemon law?
You may qualify if you purchased, leased, or registered a new vehicle in New Jersey (not registered for commercial use) and the defect arose within two years or 24,000 miles of delivery, whichever came first.
How many repair attempts do I need in New Jersey?
Three attempts for the same nonconformity, a single attempt for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, or 20 or more cumulative calendar days out of service.
Do I have to notify the manufacturer in New Jersey?
Yes — the presumption applies only after the manufacturer receives written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, and one final 10-day opportunity to cure. That final attempt counts as the third repair.
What can I recover under the New Jersey lemon law?
A refund of the full purchase price plus collateral charges such as taxes and fees — less a mileage allowance — or a comparable replacement vehicle, at your election.
Does New Jersey have a state dispute program?
Yes — the Division of Consumer Affairs runs a summary dispute-resolution process (a $50 filing fee, recoverable if you prevail). You may use a manufacturer program first but are not required to.
What is the deadline for a New Jersey lemon law claim?
The defect must arise within the two-year/24,000-mile term of protection, and prompt documentation of every repair order is what wins these cases — act early.
What does a New Jersey lemon law case cost?
No attorney’s fees unless we recover; clients may be responsible for certain costs. New Jersey law allows prevailing consumers to recover reasonable attorney’s fees from the manufacturer, and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act adds further fee-shifting leverage.
Official sources: N.J.S.A. 56:12-29 et seq. — New Jersey Lemon Law · New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs — Lemon Law Unit
New Jersey Cities We Serve
We help drivers across New Jersey. Choose your city for local case data, area dealerships, and venue:
