State lemon law · checked October 23, 2026

Tennessee lemon law

Verified against the statute / official state publicationTenn. Code §§55-24-101–55-24-112

The short version

Certified mail to the MANUFACTURER — telling the dealer is not the statutory notice.
The deadline runs from the LATER clock: warranty end or 1 year, plus 6 months.
Three attempts or 30 calendar days inside the term of protection.

The presumption — Tennessee's numbers

Presumption window	The term of protection is the earlier of the warranty term or 1 year after delivery.
Same defect	3+ repair attempts
Days out of service	30+ calendar days

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.

The buyback — Tennessee's formula

Tennessee allows a reasonable allowance for use with no published formula. This checker refuses to invent the number.

Notice and procedure

Before proceeding, send written notification BY CERTIFIED MAIL directly to the manufacturer (if the address isn't in your manual, mail it to an authorized dealer, who must forward it). If the presumption is already met when notice arrives, the manufacturer gets at most 10 more days to repair (§55-24-105(c)).

Dispute route: An approved informal dispute settlement procedure (§55-24-106) must be used first where the manufacturer has one; its decision is not binding on you.

Attorney's fees: Tennessee provides attorney's fees to a prevailing consumer.

Your deadline

Suit must be filed within 6 months after the LATER of the express warranty expiring or 1 year after delivery — Tennessee is one of the few 'later of' deadline states. Time in an informal dispute procedure doesn't count.

Who and what is covered

New vehicles	Covered
Leased vehicles	Covered
Used vehicles	Covered in defined situations — see notes
Motorcycles	Covered
RV / motor home	Covered — chassis / powertrain only

Motorcycles are covered in Tennessee.
Motor homes used as a dwelling are excluded; the self-propelled chassis is covered.

Included in the $39 Lemon Verdict Pack

Your repair-log tracker, the Tennessee notice letter, the buyback worksheet on Tennessee's formula, and your deadline calendar.

See the Lemon Verdict Pack

Sources

Tenn. Code §55-24-105 (presumption + certified-mail notice)
Tenn. Code §55-24-103 (remedies)
Tenn. Code §55-24-111 (action window)

Checked October 23, 2026. Laws change; if your claim is close to a line, verify the current statute or ask a lawyer in Tennessee. This page is information, not legal advice.