State lemon law · checked October 23, 2026
Verified against the statute / official state publicationN.J.S.A. 56:12-29 et seq.; N.J.A.C. 13:45A-26
| Presumption window | New Jersey's rights period is 2 years / 24,000 miles. (Older guides still print 18,000 miles — the statute controls.) |
|---|---|
| Same defect | 3+ repair attempts |
| Safety defect | 1+ attempt(s) — A defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury: 1 attempt. |
| Days out of service | 20+ calendar days — Only 20 cumulative days out of service (45 for motor homes) — the lowest days threshold in the country. |
The presumption is the set of numbers that shifts the burden to the manufacturer. A claim can exist outside the presumption — it is a shortcut, not the whole road. Read why.
Deduction = mileage when the vehicle was first presented for correction of the defect × purchase price ÷ 100,000 (N.J.A.C. 13:45A-26.12).
Send notice by certified mail. The manufacturer gets a final cure attempt (10 days) before the presumption is complete.
Dispute route: New Jersey runs a state Lemon Law Unit dispute program (Division of Consumer Affairs) with administrative hearings — a real alternative to court.
Attorney's fees: New Jersey provides attorney's fees to a prevailing consumer.
New Jersey's operative clock is the 2-year / 24,000-mile rights period; the Division of Consumer Affairs Lemon Law Unit tracks buybacks and branded titles.
| New vehicles | Covered |
|---|---|
| Leased vehicles | Covered |
| Used vehicles | Covered in defined situations — see notes |
| Motorcycles | Covered |
| RV / motor home | Covered — chassis / powertrain only |
Your repair-log tracker, the New Jersey notice letter, the buyback worksheet on New Jersey's formula, and your deadline calendar.
Checked October 23, 2026. Laws change; if your claim is close to a line, verify the current statute or ask a lawyer in New Jersey. This page is information, not legal advice.