South Carolina Lemon Law

The Lemon Law in South Carolina protects purchasers or lessors of defective cars, trucks, motorcycle, and motorized recreational vehicles (“RV’s”). Specifically, the South Carolina Lemon Law statute applies to any new or used motor vehicle that was purchased or leased in the state and meets the following criteria:

• It is normally used for personal, family or household purposes. The law does not apply to commercial vehicles nor those used mostly for business purposes.
• It is designed for transporting ten or fewer people.
• It weighs 9,000 pounds or less when empty, and no more than 11,000 pounds when full.
• It has at least one defect or nonconformity that constitutes a substantial impairment of the use, value or safety of the vehicle.

Manufacturers of cars, trucks, motorcycles and RV’s are required to repair the nonconformities in a consumer’s motor vehicle within a reasonable number of attempts. Under South Carolina’s Lemon Law, a “reasonable number of attempts” means one (or both) of the following:

• The vehicle is taken to an authorized dealer three times for the same nonconformity that first presented itself within the first year or 12,000 miles after the vehicle was purchased, and the nonconformity was not repaired; OR
• The vehicle is out of service as a result of its repairs for thirty days within the first year or 12,000 miles after purchase.

Our attorneys have handled numerous cases for consumers all across South Carolina who have purchased or leased lemon vehicles. If you are unsure about whether your vehicle is a lemon vehicle, our South Carolina Lemon Law attorneys can help you and answer any questions that you have.

If you have a lemon vehicle that was bought or leased in South Carolina, you are entitled to have the manufacturer repurchase your vehicle or replace it with a new one. Or, as an alternative, you may be able to receive a “cash-and-keep” settlement, wherein you would receive monetary compensation based on the diminished value of your vehicle as a result of its nonconformities and repairs.

Kim is a South Carolina consumer who came to us because she was having problems with the engine electrical system and transmission in her brand new Jeep Wrangler. Kim took her Jeep to an authorized Chrysler dealer on multiple occasions, and the Jeep was out of service for more than 100 days due to its defects and warranty repairs. Kim was in need of a South Carolina attorney that focuses on Lemon Law cases, and ultimately decided to have our law firm represent her. Throughout the process, we tried to settle Kim’s case directly with Chrysler and its lawyers, but initially they were unwilling to amicably resolve her case. Being left with no other option, Kim instructed us to file suit against Chrysler. Shortly thereafter, our firm was able to negotiate a reasonable settlement on Kim’s behalf, and Chrysler paid our attorneys’ fees.

Even if your vehicle doesn’t technically fall under the Lemon Law, you may still be entitled to receive compensation under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, the federal lemon law that applies to any defective product that comes with a manufacturer’s warranty. The law also requires the manufacturer to pay our attorneys’ fees, so we do not have to charge our clients for our services.

Kim is just one of the thousands of consumers that we have helped all across the country. Our experienced South Carolina Lemon Law attorneys will guide you every step of the way, and work with you directly to get the best possible result and resolution to your case. Connect here for a free, no-obligation South Carolina Lemon Law case review.