PA Lemon Law Takes Effect
Law Expands To Protect An Estimated 25% of PA Consumers Who Lease Cars & Trucks
PENNSYLVANIA (February 11, 2002) – Effective today, the Pennsylvania Lemon Law has been expanded to include legal protection and cost-free legal representation for Pennsylvania consumers who lease their vehicles. The change marks the first major amendment to the Pennsylvania Lemon Law since it was enacted in 1984.
According to R.H. Polk, leasing makes up 20% of all PA new car sales and 26% of all PA light utility truck sales each year. This is a sharp increase from 1984, when 6% of PA consumers were leasing.
Under the new Law, Pennsylvania consumers who purchase or lease their car may be entitled to a new car or the refund of their purchase price, if their car has a substantial defect that first occurs in the first 12 months or 12,000 miles and can not be fixed within three repair attempts; or if the car is out of service for 30 or more calendar days. Under this Law, consumers are also entitled to cost-free legal representation, with the manufacturer paying all court costs and legal fees if the consumer prevails.
As a legal consultant to the House Consumer Affairs Committee, Attorney Craig Thor Kimmel has been working on expanding the Law for more than 4 years. "The revised Pennsylvania Lemon Law clearly defines the responsibility manufacturers have when it comes to Pennsylvania consumers who decide to lease," says Kimmel, whose Ambler-based consumer advocacy firm, Kimmel and Silverman, has provided cost-free legal representation to more than 18,000 consumers under State and Federal statutes.
Governor Mark S. Schweiker signed the Bill to expand the Law in December. The Prime Sponsor of SB286 is Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf (R-District 12, Montgomery County). SB 286 was moved at the same time as HB 767. The Prime Sponsor of HB 767 is Representative John R. Evans (R-District 5, Erie and Crawford Counties).
For more information on consumers' rights under the Pennsylvania Lemon Law and to view the Bills that expand the statute, consumers can call 1-800-LEMON-LAW (1-800-536-6652).