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Lemon Law · State Guide

Connecticut Lemon Law

Connecticut passed one of the first lemon laws in the country, and it still protects people who buy or lease a new vehicle when a covered defect cannot be fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts, as long as the problem shows up within the first 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. If the car qualifies, you can get a refund or a replacement vehicle. Here is how it works in Connecticut.

24k
Miles / 2 yrs
4
Repair tries
30
Days in shop

Is your car a lemon in Connecticut?

A new car is presumed a lemon when a covered defect meets this test:

Within the window
24,000
miles
or 2 years · whichever first
AND
The repairs fail
4×
same defect repaired, still broken
OR
30
days out of service, total
→

Your car is presumed a lemon. Connecticut lets you claim a refund or a comparable replacement vehicle, and you can use the state Department of Consumer Protection arbitration program to get there.

Connecticut Lemon Law Buyback Calculator

Use Allowance

In a Connecticut lemon law buyback, the manufacturer can subtract a reasonable allowance for use. The deduction is based on the miles on the car when the manufacturer takes it back, so enter your best estimate if that has not happened yet.

Your Vehicle
$

The total contract price of the vehicle. Leases are not covered by this calculator.

Miles

The odometer reading when the manufacturer accepts the car back, or your best estimate. No subtraction needed.

Try an example

Buyback Starting Point
$0

Your price minus the use deduction below. The refund also generally includes charges like dealer-installed options, collateral charges such as sales tax and registration fees, and incidental costs. If you have a loan, the lender is paid from the refund. This is the base, not the final amount.

Use deduction $0

The deduction is based on the miles on the car when the manufacturer accepts its return. That means it keeps rising the longer the car is driven while the claim is pending.

Price × miles at return ÷ 120,000

At this mileage, the deduction equals or exceeds the full price, so the starting point shows $0.

Replacement: Instead of a refund, you can receive a new replacement vehicle, which must be acceptable to you.

Educational estimate only This is not legal advice. It assumes your vehicle has already been found to be a lemon, and real results depend on the facts of your case. The formula comes from Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-179(d). Used cars fall under a separate Connecticut used car warranty law.

Connecticut Lemon Law Articles

Connecticut at a Glance
StatuteConn. Gen. Stat. § 42-179
Coverage24,000 mi or 2 yrs
Repair attempts4 or more
Days out of service30 or more
RemedyRefund or replacement

Other States

New York › New Jersey › Florida ›
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