Kimmel & Silverman, Texas Lemon Law Attorneys
Texas Lemon Law FAQ
What vehicles qualify under the Texas Lemon Law?
The Texas Lemon Law covers new cars, trucks, motorcycles, and motor homes that come with a manufacturer's warranty. It protects you whether you bought or leased the vehicle.
You're covered if you bought or leased from a licensed Texas dealer, or if you live in Texas and registered the vehicle here. Active duty service members stationed in Texas are covered too.
The repair attempts that count have to happen within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles, or before the warranty expires, whichever comes first.
When is my vehicle considered a lemon in Texas?
Texas presumes the manufacturer had a fair shot at fixing your vehicle in three situations.
1. The same problem is still there after four or more repair attempts.
2. A serious safety hazard is still there after two or more repair attempts. That means a life threatening defect that makes the vehicle hard to control or creates a real risk of fire or explosion.
3. A defect that substantially hurts the vehicle's use or value is still there, and the vehicle has spent 30 or more total days in the shop.
Those 30 days don't need to be in a row. Days you spent driving a comparable loaner from the manufacturer don't count toward the total.
Before the manufacturer has to buy back or replace your vehicle, it must get written notice of the defect and one final chance to fix it. Your attorney handles that notice for you.
What can I get from a Texas Lemon Law claim?
If your vehicle qualifies, the manufacturer has to do one of two things. It replaces your vehicle with a comparable one, or it takes the vehicle back and refunds the full purchase price.
The refund comes out a little lower to account for the miles you drove while the vehicle worked. The manufacturer also has to cover reasonable incidental costs you ran up because you couldn't use your vehicle.
On a lease, the lease can be terminated and the refund split between you and the leasing company.
What if my problems started after 24 months or 24,000 miles? Do I still have a claim?
You might. If your vehicle still has a manufacturer's warranty, the federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act protects you even when the Texas Lemon Law doesn't.
This law says the manufacturer has to fix warranty problems quickly and correctly. When it doesn't, you can recover money for the value your vehicle lost because of the defect. That holds true even if the dealer finally fixes the problem.
A Magnuson Moss settlement doesn't brand your title. You don't have to disclose the payment when you sell or trade in the vehicle. Your warranties stay in full effect. And just like a lemon law claim, you pay nothing for representation, win or lose.
What kinds of problems qualify?
Any defect covered by your manufacturer's warranty that hurts the vehicle's use, value, or safety can qualify.
That covers the big stuff, like engine and transmission failures, stalling, and hard cold starts. It also covers problems people often assume are too small to matter. Think check engine lights that keep coming back, infotainment screens that freeze, water leaks, doors, trunks, or windows that won't open right, steering vibration and "death wobble," and paint defects.
The manufacturer can push back if the problem came from abuse, neglect, or aftermarket changes. That's one more reason to keep your vehicle stock and serviced at an authorized dealer.
How much does a Texas lemon law attorney cost?
Nothing. Federal warranty law includes a fee shifting rule. When you win, the manufacturer pays your attorney fees and legal costs, either on top of your recovery or as part of the settlement.
When you open a claim with Kimmel & Silverman, you never pay a cent out of your own pocket. Win or lose.
Lawmakers built it this way on purpose. Manufacturers have deep pockets and full legal teams. Fee shifting gives regular drivers a fair fight.
What makes a strong Texas lemon law claim?
Paperwork. When you open a claim, we'll ask for your sales or lease contract, your registration, and every repair record you have.
Repair orders matter most. They show the mileage in and out, how many days the vehicle sat in the shop, what was wrong, and what the dealer did about it. More records mean a stronger claim. A stronger claim means a better outcome.
So every time you take the vehicle in, get an invoice. Read it before you leave and make sure it lists every problem you reported. Keep copies in one place.
Don't wait, either. A Texas Lemon Law claim has to start within six months after your warranty expires or 24 months or 24,000 miles pass, whichever comes first. Miss that window and you lose the lemon law remedy.
Are motorcycles covered by the Texas Lemon Law?
Yes. New motorcycles get the same protection as cars and trucks. The same repair counts, the same 30 day rule, and the same remedies apply.
Does the Texas Lemon Law cover leased vehicles?
Yes. Leased vehicles are covered the same way purchased ones are. A successful claim can end your lease early and return your money.
What about used vehicles?
A used vehicle still under the original or extended manufacturer's warranty can have a claim. Federal warranty law usually gives you the best path here.
Why choose Kimmel & Silverman for your Texas lemon law claim?
Kimmel & Silverman has handled lemon law cases since 1991 and has helped more than 185,000 drivers across the country. The firm represents drivers in sixteen states with a full team of attorneys, paralegals, support staff, and ASE certified experts.
The firm's work has earned awards across the legal community and coverage on hundreds of national and local newscasts and talk shows. In Texas, 1 800 LEMON LAW has appeared on KBTX in Bryan, KLTV in Tyler, KTRE in Lufkin, and KWTX in Waco.
The Texas office sits at 11325 Pegasus Street in Dallas, and the firm serves every county in the state.
Driving a lemon? Call 1 800 LEMON LAW (1 800 536 6652) for a free case review. You have nothing to lose but your lemon.
The Texas Lemon Law covers new cars, trucks, motorcycles, and motor homes that come with a manufacturer's warranty. It protects you whether you bought or leased the vehicle.
You're covered if you bought or leased from a licensed Texas dealer, or if you live in Texas and registered the vehicle here. Active duty service members stationed in Texas are covered too.
The repair attempts that count have to happen within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles, or before the warranty expires, whichever comes first.
When is my vehicle considered a lemon in Texas?
Texas presumes the manufacturer had a fair shot at fixing your vehicle in three situations.
1. The same problem is still there after four or more repair attempts.
2. A serious safety hazard is still there after two or more repair attempts. That means a life threatening defect that makes the vehicle hard to control or creates a real risk of fire or explosion.
3. A defect that substantially hurts the vehicle's use or value is still there, and the vehicle has spent 30 or more total days in the shop.
Those 30 days don't need to be in a row. Days you spent driving a comparable loaner from the manufacturer don't count toward the total.
Before the manufacturer has to buy back or replace your vehicle, it must get written notice of the defect and one final chance to fix it. Your attorney handles that notice for you.
What can I get from a Texas Lemon Law claim?
If your vehicle qualifies, the manufacturer has to do one of two things. It replaces your vehicle with a comparable one, or it takes the vehicle back and refunds the full purchase price.
The refund comes out a little lower to account for the miles you drove while the vehicle worked. The manufacturer also has to cover reasonable incidental costs you ran up because you couldn't use your vehicle.
On a lease, the lease can be terminated and the refund split between you and the leasing company.
What if my problems started after 24 months or 24,000 miles? Do I still have a claim?
You might. If your vehicle still has a manufacturer's warranty, the federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act protects you even when the Texas Lemon Law doesn't.
This law says the manufacturer has to fix warranty problems quickly and correctly. When it doesn't, you can recover money for the value your vehicle lost because of the defect. That holds true even if the dealer finally fixes the problem.
A Magnuson Moss settlement doesn't brand your title. You don't have to disclose the payment when you sell or trade in the vehicle. Your warranties stay in full effect. And just like a lemon law claim, you pay nothing for representation, win or lose.
What kinds of problems qualify?
Any defect covered by your manufacturer's warranty that hurts the vehicle's use, value, or safety can qualify.
That covers the big stuff, like engine and transmission failures, stalling, and hard cold starts. It also covers problems people often assume are too small to matter. Think check engine lights that keep coming back, infotainment screens that freeze, water leaks, doors, trunks, or windows that won't open right, steering vibration and "death wobble," and paint defects.
The manufacturer can push back if the problem came from abuse, neglect, or aftermarket changes. That's one more reason to keep your vehicle stock and serviced at an authorized dealer.
How much does a Texas lemon law attorney cost?
Nothing. Federal warranty law includes a fee shifting rule. When you win, the manufacturer pays your attorney fees and legal costs, either on top of your recovery or as part of the settlement.
When you open a claim with Kimmel & Silverman, you never pay a cent out of your own pocket. Win or lose.
Lawmakers built it this way on purpose. Manufacturers have deep pockets and full legal teams. Fee shifting gives regular drivers a fair fight.
What makes a strong Texas lemon law claim?
Paperwork. When you open a claim, we'll ask for your sales or lease contract, your registration, and every repair record you have.
Repair orders matter most. They show the mileage in and out, how many days the vehicle sat in the shop, what was wrong, and what the dealer did about it. More records mean a stronger claim. A stronger claim means a better outcome.
So every time you take the vehicle in, get an invoice. Read it before you leave and make sure it lists every problem you reported. Keep copies in one place.
Don't wait, either. A Texas Lemon Law claim has to start within six months after your warranty expires or 24 months or 24,000 miles pass, whichever comes first. Miss that window and you lose the lemon law remedy.
Are motorcycles covered by the Texas Lemon Law?
Yes. New motorcycles get the same protection as cars and trucks. The same repair counts, the same 30 day rule, and the same remedies apply.
Does the Texas Lemon Law cover leased vehicles?
Yes. Leased vehicles are covered the same way purchased ones are. A successful claim can end your lease early and return your money.
What about used vehicles?
A used vehicle still under the original or extended manufacturer's warranty can have a claim. Federal warranty law usually gives you the best path here.
Why choose Kimmel & Silverman for your Texas lemon law claim?
Kimmel & Silverman has handled lemon law cases since 1991 and has helped more than 185,000 drivers across the country. The firm represents drivers in sixteen states with a full team of attorneys, paralegals, support staff, and ASE certified experts.
The firm's work has earned awards across the legal community and coverage on hundreds of national and local newscasts and talk shows. In Texas, 1 800 LEMON LAW has appeared on KBTX in Bryan, KLTV in Tyler, KTRE in Lufkin, and KWTX in Waco.
The Texas office sits at 11325 Pegasus Street in Dallas, and the firm serves every county in the state.
Driving a lemon? Call 1 800 LEMON LAW (1 800 536 6652) for a free case review. You have nothing to lose but your lemon.