Indiana Lemon Law (IN)
Indiana's lemon law is governed by the Indiana Motor Vehicle Protection Act (Ind. Code § 24-5-13). It provides protection for consumers who purchase or lease new vehicles that turn out to be defective. Indiana requires the manufacturer to attempt repairs at least 4 times for the same defect (or the vehicle must be out of service for 30+ days) before the vehicle qualifies as a lemon. The coverage period is 18 months from delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. Indiana's lemon law covers new vehicles only.
Qualifying Criteria in Indiana
Under Indiana's lemon law, your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if it meets the following criteria:
- Vehicle type: New motor vehicles purchased or leased in Indiana
- Defect type: A nonconformity that substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of the vehicle and is covered under the manufacturer's warranty
- Coverage period: The defect must occur within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first
- Repair attempts: The manufacturer or authorized dealer must have attempted to repair the same defect at least 4 times, or the vehicle must have been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more days
Manufacturer Obligations
Must repair nonconformities that substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle. If unable, must offer replacement or refund.
Available Remedies
If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Indiana law, you are entitled to:
- Replacement vehicle
- Full refund minus reasonable use allowance
The "reasonable use allowance" deduction is typically calculated based on the mileage you accumulated before the first repair attempt, proportional to the vehicle's expected lifetime mileage. This ensures the manufacturer is not paying for use you already received from the vehicle.
Step-by-Step Filing Process in Indiana
Follow these steps if you believe your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Indiana law:
- 1 Report the defect to the dealer or manufacturer
- 2 Allow at least 4 repair attempts or 30+ business days out of service
- 3 Send written notice to the manufacturer
- 4 Submit to the state-approved arbitration program
- 5 File a civil action if arbitration fails
Arbitration in Indiana
Consumer must use a state-approved dispute resolution program before filing a lawsuit.
Important: In Indiana, arbitration is a required step before you can file a lawsuit. This means you must exhaust the arbitration process first. The arbitration decision may or may not be binding depending on the specific program. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you typically have the right to appeal or file a civil action in court.
Filing Deadline
Within 18 months from delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever is earlier.
Missing the filing deadline can forfeit your rights under the lemon law. Keep detailed records of every repair visit, including dates, mileage, descriptions of the problem, and copies of all repair orders and receipts. This documentation will be critical for your claim.
Additional Notes
Covers new motor vehicles purchased in Indiana. The Indiana Attorney General's office administers the dispute resolution program.
How Indiana Compares to Other States
Below is a comparison of Indiana with five states that have similar lemon law coverage. Understanding how your state compares can help you assess the strength of your protections.
| State | Coverage | Mileage | Attempts | Used Cars | Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana (IN) | 18 months | 18,000 miles | 4 | No | Limited Protection |
| California (CA) | 18 months | 18,000 miles | 2 | Yes | Strong Protection |
| Virginia (VA) | 18 months | 18,000 miles | 3 | No | Moderate Protection |
| District of Columbia (DC) | 2 years | 18,000 miles | 4 | No | Moderate Protection |
| New York (NY) | 2 years | 18,000 miles | 4 | Yes | Strong Protection |
| Ohio (OH) | 1 year | 18,000 miles | 3 | No | Moderate Protection |
Need More Information?
Use our lemon law lookup tool to compare protections across all states, or browse all 50 states and DC to find the specific rules that apply to your situation. Remember: this information is for general educational purposes only. Lemon laws are complex, and the details matter. If you believe you have a lemon, consult with a licensed attorney in Indiana who specializes in lemon law or consumer protection.