State lemon law · checked October 23, 2026

Washington lemon law

Verified against the statute / official state publicationRCW 19.118 (Motor Vehicle Lemon Law)

The short version

40 days: after your written request, the manufacturer has 40 days to replace or repurchase.
Three different offset divisors — 120,000 cars, 90,000 motor homes, 25,000 motorcycles.
The AG arbitration clock (30 months) is shorter than most owners expect.

The presumption — Washington's numbers

Presumption window	Defects must be reported within 2 years / 24,000 miles.
Same defect	4+ repair attempts
Safety defect	2+ attempt(s) — A serious safety defect (likely to cause death or serious injury): 2 attempts.
Days out of service	30+ calendar days — Motor homes: 3 attempts plus a final attempt, or 60 days out of service. Note for days-out-only motor home claims: countable miles stop at the 15th cumulative day out of service.

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 — Washington's formula

Deduction = purchase price × miles before the first repair attempt ÷ 120,000. Motor homes divide by 90,000; motorcycles divide by 25,000.

Notice and procedure

Send the manufacturer a written request for replacement or repurchase. The manufacturer then has 40 days to comply (§19.118.041) before you escalate.

Dispute route: The Washington Attorney General runs a Lemon Law Administration arbitration program. The request must arrive within 30 months of delivery.

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

Your deadline

A request for Attorney General arbitration must be made within 30 months of original delivery.

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

Motor homes: covered, with a 60-day out-of-service threshold and a 90,000 offset divisor.
Motorcycles: covered, with a 25,000 offset divisor.

Included in the $39 Lemon Verdict Pack

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

See the Lemon Verdict Pack

Sources

RCW 19.118.041
RCW 19.118.061 (presumption)
RCW 19.118.090 (arbitration window)

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