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Rep. Alex Wood, serving the 3rd District Serving the heart of Spokane, extending to the North Side and South Hill. |
Revisions to the Lemon Law effective this Sunday
July 24, 2009
OLYMPIA – One of the last things you want to worry about when you get behind the wheel is whether or not your new prized possession will go kaput before you even make it home.
The Motor Vehicle Warranty Act, also known as the state's "Lemon Law," establishes the rights and responsibilities of consumers, dealers, and manufacturers when new or nearly new vehicles are defective. Unfortunately, this act hasn’t been substantially changed in about two decades. That’s why Rep. Alex Wood (D-Spokane), prime sponsored House Bill 1215, which clarifies and updates the act by providing additional options to consumers who have purchased faulty products.
An important feature of the new law is that a basis for claims is added for two or more serious safety defects, or life threatening malfunctions, that occur within a 12-month period.
Here’s what the Motor Vehicle Warranty Act currently establishes as a basis for claims:
- a
vehicle with a serious safety defect that the manufacturer has
unsuccessfully
attempted to repair at least
two times;
- a
vehicle with some other substantial defect that the manufacturer has
unsuccessfully
attempted to diagnose or repair
at least four times; or
- a
vehicle that has been out of service for 30 cumulative calendar days
with at least 15
of those days occurring
during the warranty period.
This new law goes into effect this Sunday, July 26.
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Contact: Rep. Alex Wood (509) 568-3065;
wood.alex@leg.wa.gov
Downloadable photo:
http://leg.wa.gov/documents/House/Members/Photos/Wood.jpg
Staff Contact: Jamie Badilla (360) 786-7255;
Badilla.jamie@leg.wa.gov
Radio and TV News Directors: To obtain broadcast-quality audio on these issues, or to arrange for TV or radio interviews, please contact House Democratic Caucus Broadcast Coordinator Dan Frizzell at frizzell.dan@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7208.