Alaska Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Alaska Motor Vehicle Warranties (Lemon Law) is Alaska Stat. §§ 45.45.300–45.45.360.
| Rule | What Alaska law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Alaska Stat. §§ 45.45.300–45.45.360 | AS 45.45.300 |
| Vehicles covered | Self-propelled land vehicles with 4 or more wheels, normally used for personal, family or household purposes and required to be registered in Alaska | |
| Not covered | Tractors and farm vehicles; Vehicles designed mainly for off-road use; Vehicles with fewer than 4 wheels | |
| Protection window | The express warranty term or 1 year from delivery to the original owner, whichever ends first | AS 45.45.305, 45.45.320 |
| Three Repairs Test | The same defect was repaired 3 or more times and continues; a certified-mail demand is needed to claim the refund or replacement | AS 45.45.320(1), 45.45.310 |
| 30 Business Days Test | Out of service for repair a total of 30 or more business days, not counting delays beyond the manufacturer’s control (business days) | AS 45.45.320(2), 45.45.310 |
| Written notice | To claim a refund or replacement, send written notice by certified mail to the manufacturer and its dealer or repairing agent, no later than 60 days after the warranty or the first year ends (whichever ends first). It must describe the defect, state that a reasonable number of repairs have been tried, and demand a refund or replacement delivered on the 60th day after mailing. The manufacturer may make a final repair attempt within 30 days of receiving it. | AS 45.45.310 |
| Dispute program first? | If the manufacturer has a dispute procedure complying with FTC Rule 703, or offers in writing after your notice to arbitrate or mediate in a process binding on it but not on you, and the process is approved by the Attorney General, you must use it first (AS 45.45.355). | |
| Deadline | Send the certified-mail demand no later than 60 days after the warranty or the first year ends, whichever ends first | AS 45.45.310 |
| Usage deduction | Alaska caps the allowance for use at the vehicle’s straight-line depreciation over seven years for the time it was available to you, plus depreciation from neglect, abuse or body damage not caused by the defect (AS 45.45.360(9)). |
Three repairs or 30 business days in Alaska
Alaska presumes a reasonable number of attempts when, within the express warranty or the first year after delivery (whichever ends first):
Three Repairs Test
The same defect was repaired 3 or more times and continues; a certified-mail demand is needed to claim the refund or replacement.
AS 45.45.320(1), 45.45.31030 Business Days Test
Out of service for repair a total of 30 or more business days, not counting delays beyond the manufacturer’s control.
AS 45.45.320(2), 45.45.310The defect must substantially impair the use or market value: prevent the vehicle from being operated, make it unsafe, or substantially lower its dollar value compared with a similar vehicle.
Notice to the manufacturer in Alaska
To claim a refund or replacement, send written notice by certified mail to the manufacturer and its dealer or repairing agent, no later than 60 days after the warranty or the first year ends (whichever ends first). It must describe the defect, state that a reasonable number of repairs have been tried, and demand a refund or replacement delivered on the 60th day after mailing. The manufacturer may make a final repair attempt within 30 days of receiving it.
In Alaska you must send a certified-mail demand to the manufacturer and its dealer within 60 days after the warranty or the first year ends.
Dispute program first. If the manufacturer has a dispute procedure complying with FTC Rule 703, or offers in writing after your notice to arbitrate or mediate in a process binding on it but not on you, and the process is approved by the Attorney General, you must use it first (AS 45.45.355).
Manufacturers must supply dealers with any part needed for a warranty repair as soon as possible, with no extra freight or handling charge (AS 45.45.325).
Alaska’s 60-day demand deadline
Send the certified-mail demand no later than 60 days after the warranty or the first year ends, whichever ends first (AS 45.45.310).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2026 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Send your demand by | May 14, 2026 | Send the certified-mail demand no later than 60 days after the warranty or the first year ends, whichever ends first |
The 60 days run from the end of the warranty or the first year, whichever comes first, so mark that date the day you buy the car.
How to file an Alaska lemon law claim
- Report each defect during the warrantyTo the manufacturer or its dealer.
- Send the certified-mail demandTo the manufacturer and its dealer or repairing agent, within 60 days after the warranty or first year ends.
- Include the four required statementsThe vehicle has a defect, a description of it, that reasonable repairs were tried, and your demand for a refund or replacement on the 60th day.
- Allow the final repair attemptThe manufacturer may try within 30 days of receiving your demand.
- Use an approved dispute procedure if offeredRequired first if the Attorney General has approved it.
Refund, replacement and the Alaska deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Refund | The full purchase price paid by the original owner, including registration, transportation, dealer preparation and dealer-installed options, less a reasonable allowance for use. The choice is yours. |
| Replacement | A new, comparable vehicle. The manufacturer also reimburses reasonable shipping costs to the nearest authorized repair facility. |
Alaska caps the allowance for use at the vehicle’s straight-line depreciation over seven years for the time it was available to you, plus depreciation from neglect, abuse or body damage not caused by the defect (AS 45.45.360(9)).
What Alaska’s demand letter must say
| Item | What to write |
|---|---|
| 1 | That the vehicle has a nonconformity |
| 2 | A reasonable description of the nonconformity |
| 3 | That a reasonable number of attempts to conform the vehicle have been made |
| 4 | That you demand a refund or replacement vehicle delivered on the 60th day after mailing |
Send it by certified mail to both the manufacturer and its dealer or repairing agent, and keep the receipts.
How Alaska limits the deduction for use
Alaska caps the allowance for use at the vehicle’s straight-line depreciation over seven years for the time it was available to you, plus depreciation from neglect, abuse or body damage not caused by the defect (AS 45.45.360(9)).
| Time available to you | Straight-line share | Maximum allowance |
|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 6 ÷ 84 months | $3,000.00 |
| 12 months | 12 ÷ 84 months | $6,000.00 |
Second owners in Alaska
A person to whom ownership of the new vehicle is transferred is an owner. The Lemon Law covers new motor vehicles under the express warranty.
An owner includes anyone to whom ownership of the new vehicle is transferred. Vehicles with fewer than 4 wheels, tractors, farm vehicles and off-road vehicles are excluded.
To test your own dates and repair visits, check your Alaska repair dates in our checker.
Alaska Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Alaska?
A new vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs its use or market value, not fixed after 3 repairs or 30 business days out of service within the warranty or the first year.
When do I have to send the Alaska lemon law letter?
By certified mail, no later than 60 days after the warranty or the first year ends, whichever ends first, to the manufacturer and its dealer or repairing agent.
How is the Alaska lemon law refund calculated?
The full price paid by the original owner, including registration, transportation, dealer preparation and options, less an allowance capped at 7-year straight-line depreciation.
Does the Alaska lemon law cover motorcycles?
No. It covers vehicles with four or more wheels; off-road vehicles, tractors and farm vehicles are excluded.
Who chooses refund or replacement in Alaska?
You do. The manufacturer must accept the vehicle and, at your option, replace it or refund the price.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Alaska rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.