lemon law

American  

noun

1. a law that requires manufacturers to replace, repair, or refund the cost of automobiles that prove to be defective.

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Etymology

Origin of lemon law

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

“The shocking attorney conduct outlined in today’s filing by Ford underscores the need for the Legislature to consider additional reforms to the lemon law that remove perverse incentives for attorneys,” she wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2025

Many still bring up one of his proudest achievements: Washington state’s motor vehicle lemon law.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2023

Other information can include maintenance records, the number of previous owners, accident information, odometer verification, and lemon law and recall checks.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 28, 2021

Make sure you brush up on the lemon law in your state to help determine if this is the proper course of action.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 21, 2021

Under the state's so-called lemon law, automakers must notify the department of motor vehicles as well as any future buyers when they repurchase flawed automobiles.

From Time Magazine Archive