Introduction to Ohio Lemon Law

The Ohio Supreme Court has described the car buying process in Ohio in the following less than glowing terms:

The car-buying experience may be the most complicated mating dance in all of the animal world. It seems a given that both parties must engage in half-truths ("I don't know if I can afford this"), double meanings ("Let's see if we can make the numbers work"), semantic gymnastics ("Priced below invoice"), expressions of powerlessness ("Let me talk to my manager"/"Let me talk to my spouse") and white lies ("I'm talking to someone at another dealership"), before the relationship finally culminates in a deal. Once the deal for a new automobile is complete, however, the clear language of the General Assembly takes over, without any hidden meanings or purposely confusing wordplay.

The Ohio Supreme Court went on to show how that the process was somewhat clearer once the purchase had been made. Ohio's Lemon Law, Ohio Revised Code Section 1345.71 through 1345.77, is designed to protect consumers from chronically defective new vehicles. The Ohio Lemon Law requires new vehicles to live up to warranties given by manufacturers. The Ohio Lemon Law attaches a clear duty to sellers, and provides a clear remedy to buyers should the seller breach its duty.

Some vehicle manufacturers simply make a better product than others. I know Harley Davidson fans will hate me for this, but I think that in their heart of hearts, they know the Honda has traditionally made a more reliable motorcycle than Harley. But even a manufacturing company with a reputation for quality can make mistakes. It is obviously inevitable that every new vehicle produced for the market place in Ohio might not live up to its manufacturer's promises.

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