In the early 1960s, consumers were subject to misleading language and one-sided warranties that protected the manufacturer or seller more than the consumer. The Federal Trade Commission conducted a study that showed that the majority of warranties at the time were unfair to the consumer. There was also a lot of misleading language about limited warranty, full warranty, and express warranties, as well as ‘guarantees.’
To combat this, the government issued the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act in 1975.
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects consumers from defective consumer goods and unscrupulous sellers of consumer products. It’s a federal law that applies to all products over $25 that come with an express written warranty. Under this law, any product that is in the warranty period that fails to get repaired within a reasonable amount of attempts is eligible for either a refund of the purchase price or a complete replacement.
Magnuson-Moss Warranty and Lemon Cars
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act has a big impact on the rights of car buyers and the duties of car manufacturers. While state laws in Pennsylvania cover lemon cars, the Magnuson-Moss act also covers motorcycles and expands the scope of state law.
In practical terms, this means that any person who buys a car for personal family or household use has certain rights. If you buy a defective vehicle that’s still within the warranty period, the manufacturer has a ‘reasonable number’ of chances to repair the car. If it fails to do so, you are entitled to a full refund of the purchase price or a replacement vehicle of similar style and value.
Do You Have a Lemon Car?
Buying a car should be a pleasant experience that opens up new opportunities. However, manufacturer defects can make the purchase a never-ending visit to various repair shops while you watch the warranty run out.
Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Pennsylvania lemon laws, you have legal recourse to either a replacement or refund of your lemon within certain terms and conditions. Navigating these laws by yourself can be challenging, which is why J.P. Ward & Associates is here to help.
At J.P. Ward & Associates, our team of attorneys is here to help protect your rights. If you’ve bought a defective product and believe the seller or manufacturer is in breach of warranty, we can offer you legal advice on how to proceed. Give us a call at (412) 426-4878 and schedule a free consultation today!