Mississippi’s Lemon Law may help if your new vehicle has a warranty-covered problem that seriously affects how it works, what it is worth, or how safe it is.
In most cases, you must report the problem within 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. You also need to give the manufacturer a reasonable chance to fix it. Keep copies of all repair orders and other records.
Before seeking a refund or replacement, you may need to send the manufacturer written notice by certified mail and allow one final repair attempt. If the problem is still not fixed, you may qualify for a refund or a similar replacement vehicle.
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Key Takeaways
- Mississippi Lemon Law may cover a new car, truck, or passenger vehicle bought or leased in Mississippi for personal or family use, as long as it came with a written manufacturer’s warranty.
- The problem must be serious enough to substantially affect the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. Routine maintenance issues and small cosmetic problems usually do not qualify.
- You must report the problem within 24 months after delivery or before the vehicle reaches 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Your vehicle may qualify if the manufacturer or dealer cannot fix the same problem after three repair attempts, cannot fix a serious safety problem after one attempt, or keeps the vehicle in the shop for a total of 30 business days.
- Notify the manufacturer in writing by certified mail and give it one final chance to repair the vehicle. Keep copies of repair orders, invoices, warranty documents, and all messages or letters.
What Mississippi Lemon Law Covers
Mississippi’s Lemon Law may protect you if you buy or lease a new vehicle in the state and it has a serious defect during the warranty period. The defect must substantially affect the vehicle’s use, value, or safety.
To qualify, the manufacturer must have a reasonable chance to fix the problem. Small issues, normal wear and tear, and routine maintenance usually don’t count.
Keep copies of repair orders, warranty documents, receipts, and emails or letters with the dealer or manufacturer. These records can help show what went wrong and how many times the vehicle was repaired.
Vehicles Covered by Mississippi Lemon Law
Mississippi’s lemon law may protect you if you buy or lease a new vehicle that qualifies under the law. Before you ask for a repair, replacement, or refund, make sure your vehicle is covered. Not every type of vehicle qualifies, so coverage depends on the vehicle you own.
Eligible New Motor Vehicles
Mississippi’s lemon law generally covers new vehicles bought or leased in Mississippi for personal, family, or household use. The vehicle must come with a manufacturer’s written warranty.
To qualify, the vehicle must have a defect that seriously affects its use, value, or safety. The manufacturer must be given a reasonable number of chances to repair the problem during the warranty period.
Keep copies of your purchase or lease paperwork, warranty, repair orders, receipts, and messages with the dealer or manufacturer. Document every problem, repair visit, and time the vehicle is out of service.
Excluded Vehicle Types
Not every vehicle is covered by Mississippi’s lemon law. The law generally applies to new vehicles bought or leased in Mississippi for personal, family, or household use.
| Vehicle type | Coverage status |
|---|---|
| New passenger vehicle | Usually covered |
| Used vehicle | Not covered |
| Motorcycle | Not covered |
| Motor home | Not covered |
| Commercial vehicle | Not covered |
If your vehicle is not covered, you may still have other options. Review your written warranty, purchase or lease contract, and any federal consumer protections. You may also have a claim for breach of warranty or deceptive business practices.
Mississippi Lemon Law Eligibility Requirements
To qualify under Mississippi’s Lemon Law, your vehicle must be covered by the law and have a problem that seriously affects its use, value, or safety. You must give the manufacturer or an authorized dealer a reasonable chance to fix the problem within the required time and mileage limits. Keep all repair orders, invoices, and service records, as they can help show whether enough repair attempts were made.
Covered Vehicle Requirements
Mississippi’s lemon law may protect you if you buy or lease a new vehicle in Mississippi that comes with a manufacturer’s written warranty.
To qualify, you must use the vehicle mainly for personal, family, or household purposes. The law generally does not cover used vehicles, motorcycles, motor homes, or vehicles above certain weight limits.
Your lemon law rights apply to problems with the vehicle itself. They do not depend only on your financing or loan terms.
| Requirement | What It Means | Possible Result |
|---|---|---|
| New vehicle purchase or lease | You bought or leased the vehicle in Mississippi | You may qualify for coverage |
| Manufacturer’s warranty | The vehicle came with a written manufacturer warranty | The vehicle may be protected |
Keep copies of your purchase or lease agreement, warranty, title, and repair records. These documents can help show that your vehicle qualifies and support a claim involving a safety-related defect.
Repair Attempt Standards
You may qualify for Mississippi lemon law relief if the manufacturer or an authorized dealer has had a reasonable number of chances to fix a warranty-covered problem.
In general, this means:
- The dealer tried to fix the same problem three or more times but didn’t fix it; or
- The dealer made one unsuccessful repair attempt for a problem that could cause death or serious injury; or
- Your vehicle was in the shop for warranty repairs for a total of 30 or more business days.
Keep copies of every repair order, invoice, and written complaint. These records can show how many times the vehicle was repaired and how long it was out of service.
The 24-Month or 24,000-Mile Deadline
Mississippi’s lemon law generally applies only if you report a covered vehicle problem within 24 months of delivery or before the vehicle reaches 24,000 miles—whichever happens first.
A longer manufacturer’s warranty doesn’t necessarily extend this lemon-law deadline. To protect your rights, keep records showing when the problem started and when you reported it. Helpful documents include:
- Delivery and purchase paperwork
- Mileage records
- Repair orders and service invoices
- Emails, letters, and other messages to the dealer or manufacturer
These records can help show that you reported the defect on time. This deadline applies to vehicle lemon-law claims, not unrelated consumer issues. If you’re close to the deadline, report the problem promptly and keep copies of everything you send or receive.
Repair Attempts Required for a Claim
Reporting the problem on time is only one part of a Mississippi lemon-law claim. The manufacturer or an authorized dealer must also have a fair chance to fix it.
Schedule repair visits as soon as possible. Explain the problem the same way each time, and keep copies of dated repair orders, invoices, emails, texts, and other communications. Mississippi law considers how many repair attempts were made and how long the vehicle was out of service, so good records are important.
Verbal complaints alone may not protect your rights. Take the vehicle to an authorized repair facility and give the manufacturer or dealer the required opportunity to make repairs. If the problem continues after repair attempts, your records may help support a claim for relief.
Substantial Defects That May Qualify
A defect may qualify under Mississippi’s lemon law if it seriously affects how your vehicle works, its value, or its safety—and the manufacturer can’t fix it after a reasonable number of repair attempts.
Examples may include major problems with the engine, transmission, brakes, steering, electrical system, fuel system, airbags, or repeated stalling. A defect may qualify if it makes the vehicle unreliable for everyday driving, lowers its resale value, or creates a serious safety risk.
Small cosmetic issues, normal maintenance, and problems caused by misuse or unauthorized modifications usually don’t qualify.
Repair Records and Defect Documentation
Keep copies of every repair order, invoice, diagnostic report, and warranty claim. These records can help support your Mississippi Lemon Law claim.
Write down each problem with your vehicle, including when it happened and when you took the vehicle to an authorized dealer for repairs. If the same issue keeps coming back, your records can show that the manufacturer had several chances to fix it.
Essential Repair Documentation
Good repair records can help protect your rights under Mississippi’s lemon law. They show what was wrong with your vehicle, when you asked for repairs, and how many chances the manufacturer or dealer had to fix the problem.
At every repair visit, ask for complete, dated paperwork. Don’t rely on verbal promises. Make sure the dealer writes down your exact complaint and the work they performed. Keep copies of everything. These records may help if you need to give formal notice, use arbitration, or seek a refund or replacement vehicle.
Keep copies of:
- Repair orders that clearly describe your complaint
- Invoices showing the date, mileage, and repairs completed
- Emails, letters, texts, or other written messages from the dealer or manufacturer
- Your warranty documents and service appointment confirmations
Keep your records focused on the vehicle problems and repair attempts. Clear documentation can help show that you requested warranty repairs and took steps to protect your legal rights.
Tracking Recurring Defects
Keep track of every time the same problem happens. This helps show that the issue continued even after repair attempts. In Mississippi, repair records can help prove that the manufacturer knew about the problem, had chances to fix it, and did not fully resolve it.
For each repair visit, write down the date, mileage, symptoms, what the dealer found, and whether the problem was fixed.
| What to track | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Same problem happening again | Shows the defect keeps coming back |
| Repair dates | Shows how many chances the dealer had to fix it |
| Mileage at each visit | Helps document when the problem occurred |
| Dealer’s notes and repairs | Shows what the dealer tried to do |
| Problems that remain | Shows the repair may not have worked |
Before signing a repair order, make sure the dealer accurately describes your complaint. Keep copies of repair invoices, emails, text messages, photos, and videos. Stay focused on the vehicle problem and avoid letting unrelated issues distract from it.
Clear records can strengthen your request for relief under the law, such as a vehicle repurchase or replacement if available.
Mississippi Lemon Law Notice Requirements
Before you can seek relief under Mississippi’s lemon law, you must notify the manufacturer in writing about the vehicle defect and give it one final chance to fix the problem.
Send the notice by certified mail to the manufacturer’s designated address. Keep the mailing receipt and proof of delivery for your records.
Your letter should include:
- The vehicle’s year, make, model, and VIN
- A clear description of the defect or problem
- The dates and results of prior repair attempts
- The name of the dealer or repair shop that worked on the vehicle
- A request for the manufacturer’s final repair opportunity under Mississippi law
Include copies of repair orders, invoices, and any prior letters or emails about the problem. Keep copies of everything you send. Clear records can help show that you followed the required steps before filing a lemon law claim.
Lemon Law Refunds and Replacements
If the manufacturer can’t fix a qualifying defect after you send written notice and give it one final chance to repair the vehicle, Mississippi’s lemon law may require the manufacturer to give you a refund or a replacement vehicle.
You may be able to choose between a refund and a replacement, depending on the law’s requirements.
A refund usually includes the purchase price and certain related charges. The manufacturer may subtract a reasonable amount for the miles you drove before the first repair attempt.
A replacement vehicle should be a comparable new vehicle. The manufacturer should also pay any required transfer costs.
Keep copies of your repair orders, written notice, proof that the notice was received, and purchase documents. These records can help support your claim.
When to Call a Lemon Law Attorney
When to Call a Mississippi Lemon Law Attorney
Consider calling a Mississippi lemon law attorney if the manufacturer denies your claim, delays your refund or replacement, or won’t make a final repair after you send written notice. A lawyer can help you understand the deadlines, gather the right records, and protect your claim.
You may want legal help if:
- The problem makes the vehicle unsafe, hard to use, or worth less.
- You have records of repair visits, invoices, and messages with the dealer or manufacturer.
- The manufacturer says it isn’t responsible or gives you incorrect information about your rights.
- You’re asked to sign arbitration or settlement papers that may limit or waive your claim.
Keep your records focused on the vehicle problem, repairs, and communications with the manufacturer. A lemon law attorney can review your situation, determine whether your vehicle may qualify under Mississippi law, and help you seek a refund or replacement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Mississippi Lemon Law Apply to Leased Vehicles?
Yes. Mississippi’s lemon law can apply to leased vehicles if the defects occur during the manufacturer’s warranty period.
Keep copies of your lease, warranty, repair orders, and communications with the dealer or manufacturer. The vehicle generally must meet the law’s requirements, such as having a serious defect that has not been fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts. If it qualifies, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a refund under the law.
Are Used Cars Covered Under Mississippi Lemon Law?
Usually, used cars are not covered by Mississippi’s Lemon Law. However, you may qualify if the vehicle is still under the manufacturer’s original warranty and meets the law’s requirements for serious defects, repair attempts, and timing.
Can I File a Claim Without the Original Warranty?
You can file a claim without the original warranty document if you can show that the warranty applies. Helpful records include your purchase contract, repair orders, emails or letters from the manufacturer, and a copy of the warranty from the dealer.
Does the Law Cover Motorcycles, RVS, or Boats?
This law usually does not cover motorcycles, RVs, or boats. It mainly applies to new passenger vehicles. Check your warranty, the type of vehicle you have, and your contract to see if you may have other options.
Is There a Filing Fee for a Lemon Law Claim?
You usually don’t have to pay a filing fee to file a lemon law claim through your state’s arbitration program. If you decide to sue instead, court fees and rules may apply. Check your state’s lemon law for the options available to you.
Conclusion
Mississippi’s Lemon Law may help if your new vehicle has a serious problem that the manufacturer cannot fix.
In general, you must act within 24 months of receiving the vehicle or before it reaches 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. Keep copies of every repair order, invoice, and communication with the dealer or manufacturer.
For the same defect, the manufacturer may have up to four chances to repair the vehicle before you may qualify for stronger remedies, such as a replacement vehicle or refund. You may also need to give the manufacturer proper written notice.
If the manufacturer delays, denies your claim, or says the problem is not serious, a lemon law attorney can help you understand and enforce your rights.
