Tennessee Lemon Law Lawyers and Attorneys

Unfortunately, lemons are sold quite frequently in the United States. American citizens need to be protected from possible lemon purchases, so many states practice Lemon Law in order to do just that. Without Lemon Law, people would be unfairly stuck with malfunctioning vehicles.

Because there is a great need for Lemon Law attorneys in this day and age, most states have Lemon Law attorneys available for hire to help you if you find yourself in an unfortunate situation. To find out more information about Lemon Law in the state of Tennessee, do some reading online.

Tennessee Code, 55-24-201 to 55-24-212

55-24-201. Definitions.

As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Consumer” means the purchaser (other than for purposes of resale) or the lessee of a motor vehicle, any person to whom such motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of an express warranty applicable to such motor vehicle, and any other person entitled by the terms of such warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty. “Consumer” does not include any governmental entity or any business or commercial entity which registers three (3) or more vehicles;

(2) “Lessee” means any consumer who leases a motor vehicle pursuant to a written lease agreement by which a manufacturer’s warranty was issued as a condition of sale or which provides that the lessee is responsible for repairs to such motor vehicle;

(3)(a) “Motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle as defined in § 55-1-103, which is sold and subject to the registration and certificate of title provisions in chapters 1-6 of this title in the state of Tennessee, or subject to similar registration and certificate of title provisions in another state, and classified as a Class B vehicle according to § 55-4-111. For the purposes of this part, “motor vehicle” does not include motorized bicycles as defined in § 55-8-101, motor homes as defined in § 55-1-104, lawnmowers or garden tractors, recreational vehicles or off-road vehicles and vehicles over ten thousand (10,000) pounds gross vehicle weight;

(b) “Manufacturer” means any person who manufactures or assembles new or unused motor vehicles or, in the case of motor vehicles not manufactured in the United States, the importer of such motor vehicle; and

(c) “Person” means every natural person, partnership, corporation, association, trust, estate or other legal entity;

(4) “Substantially impair” means to render a motor vehicle unreliable or unsafe for normal operation or to reduce its resale market value below the average resale value for comparable motor vehicles; and

(5) “Term of protection” means the term of applicable express warranties or the period of one (1) year following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever comes first; or, in the case of a replacement vehicle provided by a manufacturer to a consumer under this part, one (1) year from the date of delivery to the consumer of the replacement vehicle.

55-24-202. Nonconforming vehicles.

Reports – Repairs.

If a new motor vehicle does not conform to all applicable express warranties and the consumer reports the nonconformity, defect or condition to the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer during the term of protection, the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer shall correct the nonconformity, defect or condition at no charge to the consumer, notwithstanding the fact that such repairs are made after the expiration of such term. Any corrections or attempted corrections undertaken by an authorized dealer under the provisions of this section shall be treated as warranty work and billed by the dealer to the manufacturer in the same manner as other work under warranty is billed.

55-24-203. Replacement or repair of vehicles.

Refunds – Refinancing agreements – Defenses.

(a) The manufacturer must replace the motor vehicle with a comparable motor vehicle or accept return of the vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer the full purchase price if:
(1) The nonconformity, defect or condition substantially impairs the motor vehicle; and
(2) The manufacturer, its agent or authorized dealer is unable to conform the motor vehicle to any applicable express warranty after a reasonable number of attempts.

(b) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Collateral charges” means manufacturer-installed or agent-installed items or service charges, credit life and disability insurance charges, sales taxes, title charges, license fees, registration fees, any similar governmental charges and other reasonable expenses incurred for the purchase of the motor vehicle;
(2) “Comparable motor vehicle” means a new motor vehicle of comparable worth to the same make and model with all options and accessories, with appropriate adjustments being allowed for any model year differences;
(3) “Full purchase price” means the actual cost paid by the consumer, including all collateral charges, less a reasonable allowance for use; and
(4)(A) “Reasonable allowance for use” means that amount directly attributable to use by a consumer prior to such consumer’s first report of the nonconformity to the manufacturer, agent or dealer and during any subsequent period when the vehicle is not out of service by reason of repair, plus a reasonable amount for any damage not attributable to normal wear.
(B) A reasonable allowance for use shall not exceed one half (1/2) of the amount allowed per mile by the internal revenue service, as provided by regulation, revenue procedure or revenue ruling promulgated pursuant to 162 of the Internal Revenue Code, for use of a personal vehicle for business purposes, plus an amount to account for any loss to the fair market value of the vehicle resulting from damage beyond normal wear and tear, unless the damage resulted from nonconformity to an express warranty.

(c) Refunds shall be made to the consumer, and lien holder, if any, as their interests appear. The provisions of this section shall not affect the interests of a lien holder; unless the lien holder consents to the replacement of the lien with a corresponding lien on the vehicle accepted by the consumer in exchange for the vehicle having a nonconformity, the lien holder shall be paid in full the amount due on the lien, including interest and other charges, before an exchange of automobiles or a refund to the consumer is made.

(d) In instances where a vehicle which was financed by the manufacturer or its subsidiary or agent is replaced under the provisions of this section, the manufacturer, subsidiary or agent shall not require the consumer to enter into any refinancing agreement which would create any financial obligations upon such consumer beyond those imposed by the original financing agreement.

(e) It shall be an affirmative defense to any claim under this part:
(1) That an alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair a motor vehicle; or
(2) That a nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect or unauthorized modifications or alterations of a motor vehicle by a consumer.

55-24-204. Leased vehicles – Refunds.

(a) In the case of a leased vehicle, refunds will be made to the lessor and lessee as follows: The lessee will receive the lessee cost and the lessor will receive the lease price less the aggregate deposit and rental payments previously paid to the lessor for the leased vehicle.

(b) For purposes of this section:
(1) “Lease price” means the aggregate of:
(A) Lessor’s actual purchase cost;
(B) Freight, if applicable;
(C) Accessories, if applicable;
(D) Any fee paid to another to obtain the lease; and
(E) An amount equal to five percent (5%) of subdivision (b)(1);

(2) “Lessee cost”
means the aggregate deposit and rental payments previously paid to the lessor for the leased vehicle less service fees; and

(3) “Service fees” means the portion of a lease payment attributable to:

(A) An amount for earned interest calculated on the rental payments previously paid to the lessor for the leased vehicle at an annual rate equal to two (2) points above the prime rate in effect on the date of the execution of the lease; and

(B) Any insurance or other costs expended by the lessor for the benefit of the lessee.

55-24-205. Presumptions

Term of protection – Notice to manufacturer.

(a) It shall be presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a motor vehicle to the applicable express warranties, if:
(1) The same nonconformity has been subject to repair three (3) or more times by the manufacturer or its agents or authorized dealers, but such nonconformity continues to exist;
or
(2) The vehicle is out of service by reason of repair for a cumulative total of thirty (30) or more calendar days during the term of protection.

(b) The term of protection and such thirty-day period shall be extended by any period of time during which repair services are not available to the consumer because of a war, invasion, strike or fire, flood or other natural disaster.

(c) It shall be the responsibility of the consumer, or the representative of the consumer, prior to proceeding under the provisions of 55-24-203, to give written notification by certified mail directly to the manufacturer of the need for the correction or repair of the nonconformity. If the address of the manufacturer is not readily available to the consumer in the owner’s manual or manufacturer’s warranty received by the consumer at the time of purchase of the motor vehicle, such written notification shall be mailed to an authorized dealer. The authorized dealer shall upon receipt forward such notification to the manufacturer. If, at the time such notice is given, either of the conditions set forth in subsection (a) already exists, the manufacturer shall be given an additional opportunity after receipt of the notification, not to exceed ten (10) days, to correct or repair the nonconformity.

55-24-206. Informal dispute settlement procedure.

(a) If a manufacturer has established or participates in an informal dispute settlement procedure which complies with the provisions of Title 16, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 703, as those provisions read on November 3, 1983, and of this part, and causes the consumer to be notified of the procedure, the provisions of 55-24-203 concerning refunds or replacement shall not apply to any consumer who has not first resorted to such procedure. The attorney general and reporter shall, upon application, issue a determination whether an informal dispute resolution mechanism qualifies under this section.

(b)(1) The informal dispute settlement panel shall determine whether the motor vehicle does or does not conform to all applicable express warranties.
(2) If the motor vehicle does not conform to all applicable express warranties, the informal dispute settlement panel shall then determine whether the nonconformity substantially impairs the motor vehicle.
(3) If the nonconformity does substantially impair the motor vehicle, the informal dispute settlement panel shall then determine, in accordance with this part, whether a reasonable number of attempts have been made to correct the nonconformity.
(4) If a reasonable number of attempts have been made to correct the nonconformity, the informal dispute settlement panel shall determine whether the manufacturer has been given
an opportunity to repair the motor vehicle as provided in 55-24-202.
(5) If the manufacturer has been given an opportunity to repair the motor vehicle as provided in 55-24-202, the panel shall find that the consumer is entitled to refund or replacement as provided in 55-24-203(a).
(6) The informal dispute settlement panel shall determine the amount of collateral charges, where appropriate.

55-24-207. Statute of limitations.

(a) Any action brought under this part shall be commenced within six (6) months following:
(1) Expiration of the express warranty term; or
(2) one (1) year following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever is the later date.

(b) The statute of limitations shall be tolled for the period beginning on the date when the consumer submits a dispute to an informal dispute settlement procedure as provided in 55-24-206 and ending on the date of its decision or the date before which the manufacturer, its agent or its authorized dealer is required by the decision to fulfill its terms, whichever comes later.

55-24-208. Recovery of costs and expenses – Attorneys’ fees.

If a consumer finally prevails in any action brought under this part, such consumer may be allowed by the court to recover as part of the judgment a sum equal to the aggregate amount of costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees based on actual time expended, determined by the court to have been reasonably incurred by the plaintiff for or in connection with the commencement and prosecution of such action.

55-24-209. Copy of repair order to consumer.

A manufacturer, its agent or authorized dealer shall provide to the consumer, each time the consumer’s vehicle is returned from being serviced or repaired, a copy of the repair order indicating all work performed on the vehicle, including, but not limited to, parts and labor provided without cost or at reduced cost because of shop or manufacturer’s warranty, the date the vehicle was submitted for repair, the date it was returned to the consumer, and the odometer reading.

55-24-210. Election of remedies.

(a) Nothing in this part shall in any way limit the rights or remedies which are otherwise available to a consumer under any other law.

(b) In no event shall a consumer who has resorted to an informal dispute settlement procedure be precluded from seeking the rights or remedies available by law. However, if the consumer elects to pursue any other remedy in state or federal court, the remedy available under this part shall not be available insofar as it would result in recovery in excess of the recovery authorized by 55-24-203 without proof of fault resulting in damages in excess of such recovery.

(c) Any agreement entered into by a consumer for, or in connection with, the purchase or lease of a new motor vehicle which waives, limits or disclaims the rights set forth in this part shall be void as contrary to public policy. These rights shall inure to a subsequent transferee of such motor vehicle.

55-24-211. Commencing actions against sellers or lessors.

No action shall be commenced or maintained under the provisions of this part against the seller or lessor of a motor vehicle unless the seller or lessor is also the manufacturer, or unless the manufacturer of the motor vehicle is not subject to service of process in the state of Tennessee, or service cannot be secured by the long-arm statutes of Tennessee, or unless the manufacturer has been judicially declared insolvent.

55-24-212. Manufacturer’s warranty – Disclosure to purchaser.

Any business entity which purchases a fleet of new motor vehicles, titles such motor vehicles in the business entity’s name and sells such vehicles to an individual purchaser shall disclose in writing any remaining manufacturer’s warranty on such motor vehicles to such purchaser.

Sometimes, it can get confusing when trying to determine whether a vehicle can be defined specifically as a lemon. Each state has varying eligibility requirements, so it can be difficult to get a handle on what the truth is concerning the faulty vehicle you are dealing with. If you have taken the time to do your own investigating and still find yourself wondering whether you have a lemon, do not hesitate to personally consult with one of our expert Lemon Law attorneys. Our attorneys have a whole new level of experience when it comes to practicing Lemon Law. For example, our team has worked in the past to legally represent the manufacturing companies that create automobile parts. We know how to approach their legal team and win!

If you decide that you need assistance with your determination, head over to our website and complete the request for some personal contact information. We will have someone reach out to you for further information on how to proceed. If you prefer telephone, give the experts with our team call at (888)353-0456.

Due to the nature of used cars, they are not typically covered under Lemon Law. Because they are used, it is expected that they come with some difficulties. The court of law will not be surprised to find a malfunctioning, used vehicle. However, if your used car has an active warrantee, you may be able to move forward in trying to cover it as a lemon.

The point in which you need a Tennessee based Lemon Law attorney is really up to you. Attorneys can be very helpful at any point in the legal process: from the beginning steps of research to the end steps of compensation. We recommend speaking with an attorney sooner than later to make sure you take all the appropriate steps.

Tennessee Lemon Law attorneys are trained and expected to know the ins and outs of the legal system. Our attorneys will not only proceed with knowledge, but they will share their knowledge with you and will protect your rights along the way.

Each case is very unique. Our attorneys are aware of the vast differences between each Lemon Law case, and they know the correct approach to take with each case. Not every situation calls for the same action, so it is important to have someone on your side who knows what is needed for your particular case.

As mentioned in the previous paragraph, each Lemon Law case is extremely unique. Because of this, it is nearly impossible to predict when the case will end. However, after sitting down with you and hearing the details of your situation, our attorneys will be able to give a general time frame.

Our attorneys are not only experts in law, they are great communicators. Whether your case takes a couple weeks or several months, you will have someone on your side in-forming you every step of the way.

The financial responsibility for Lemon Law cases in Tennessee rightfully falls on the auto manufacturer involved in the case. This means that whether or not you wind up successful, you will not owe anything at the end of the case.

Once you have come to the conclusion that it is in your best interest to work with a Lemon Law attorney, take a closer look at the areas where we provide services near you. We offer legal consultation in the following major Tennessee cities and throughout the great state of Tennessee:

• Nashville
• Memphis
• Knoxville
• Chattanooga
• Clarksville
• Murfreesboro
• Franklin
• Jackson
• Johnson City
• Bartlett
• Hendersonville
• Kingsport
• Collierville
• Cleveland
• Smyrna
• Germantown
• Brentwood
• Columbia
• La Vergne
• Cookeville
• Gallatin
• Oak Ridge
• Morristown
• Spring Hill
• Maryvale
• Bristol
• Lebanon
• Mount Juliet
• East Ridge
• Farragut
• Shelbyville
• Tullahoma
• Dyersburg
• Springfield
• Goodlettsville
• Greeneville
• Sevierville
• Dickson
• Elizabethton

You have nothing to lose by hiring one of our Lemon Law attorneys. You will rest assured knowing that you have an expert walking you through every step of the Lemon Law process to get you the best possible outcome from your case.

Contact us today if your vehicle is a lemon!  We are here to help!