Arizona Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Arizona Motor Vehicle Warranties (Lemon Law) is Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 44-1261 to 44-1265.
| Rule | What Arizona law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 44-1261 to 44-1265 | § 44-1261 |
| Vehicles covered | Self-propelled vehicles for transporting persons or property on public highways; Leased vehicles; Vehicles transferred during the express warranty; The self-propelled vehicle and chassis of motor homes | |
| Not covered | Vehicles with a declared gross weight over 10,000 lbs; Vehicles sold at public auction or for resale; Motor home living, office or commercial areas | |
| Protection window | The shorter of the express warranty or 2 years / 24,000 miles from original delivery | § 44-1264(A) |
| Four Repairs Test | The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and continues; the manufacturer must have had direct written notice and a chance to cure | § 44-1264(A)(1), (C) |
| 30 Days Out of Service Test | Out of service for repair 30 or more calendar days; written notice and a chance to cure are required | § 44-1264(A)(2), (C) |
| Written notice | Direct written notice to the manufacturer of the defect, followed by an opportunity to cure. | § 44-1264(C) |
| Dispute program first? | If the manufacturer has an informal dispute program that fully complies with FTC Rule 703, you must use it before the refund or replacement remedy applies (§ 44-1265(A)). | |
| Deadline | 6 months after the earlier of the warranty’s end or 2 years / 24,000 miles from delivery | § 44-1265(B) |
| Usage deduction | Arizona’s allowance for use covers use before your first written report and later periods when the vehicle was not out of service for repair. The statute sets no fixed formula (§ 44-1263(A)). |
Arizona’s tests start with written notice to the manufacturer
Arizona law presumes the manufacturer had a reasonable number of chances when any one of these tests is met inside the protection window (the shorter of the express warranty or 2 years / 24,000 miles from original delivery):
Four Repairs Test
The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and continues; the manufacturer must have had direct written notice and a chance to cure.
§ 44-1264(A)(1), (C)30 Days Out of Service Test
Out of service for repair 30 or more calendar days; written notice and a chance to cure are required.
§ 44-1264(A)(2), (C)Arizona’s window ends at the earliest of the warranty’s end, 2 years or 24,000 miles, and the presumption needs written notice to the manufacturer first.
Notice to the manufacturer in Arizona
Direct written notice to the manufacturer of the defect, followed by an opportunity to cure.
In Arizona the presumption applies only after the manufacturer receives direct written notice from you and has had a chance to cure the defect (§ 44-1264(C)).
Dispute program first. If the manufacturer has an informal dispute program that fully complies with FTC Rule 703, you must use it before the refund or replacement remedy applies (§ 44-1265(A)).
Arizona’s 6-month filing deadline
6 months after the earlier of the warranty’s end or 2 years / 24,000 miles from delivery (§ 44-1265(B)).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2027 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Sue by | September 15, 2027 | 6 months after the earlier of the warranty’s end or 2 years / 24,000 miles from delivery |
Because the window can close at 24,000 miles, high-mileage drivers should check the mileage date, not just the calendar.
How to file an Arizona lemon law claim
- Keep every repair orderEach one proves a repair attempt or a day out of service.
- Send direct written notice to the manufacturerThen give it a chance to cure the defect.
- Use the manufacturer’s program if it complies with Rule 703Arizona requires that step before the refund or replacement remedy applies.
- Sue in timeWithin 6 months after the earlier of the warranty’s end or 2 years / 24,000 miles. The court must award costs and attorney fees to a consumer who wins.
Refund, replacement and the Arizona deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Replacement | A new motor vehicle. |
| Refund | The full purchase price, including all collateral charges, minus a reasonable allowance for use. Sales tax is refunded under the tax rules in § 44-1263(C). |
| Attorney fees | The court must award reasonable costs and attorney fees to a consumer who wins (§ 44-1265(B)). |
Arizona’s allowance for use covers use before your first written report and later periods when the vehicle was not out of service for repair. The statute sets no fixed formula (§ 44-1263(A)).
Which limit ends Arizona’s window first?
| Driving and warranty | Window ends | Sue by |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 miles a year, 3-year warranty | Mar 15, 2027 (2 years) | Sep 15, 2027 |
| 24,000 miles a year, 3-year warranty | About Mar 15, 2026 (24,000 miles) | About Sep 15, 2026 |
| 1-year warranty | Mar 15, 2026 (warranty ends) | Sep 15, 2026 |
Sales tax in an Arizona refund or replacement
When the manufacturer accepts the vehicle back without replacing it, it refunds the tax paid on the sale. If it replaces the vehicle with one of lesser value, it refunds the difference in tax; the manufacturer can then apply to the Department of Revenue for that amount (§ 44-1263(C), (D)).
Arizona’s warranty-transfer rule for used cars
Arizona covers a person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty, but repairs still count only inside the shorter of the warranty or 2 years / 24,000 miles from original delivery. Arizona’s Lemon Law depends on the manufacturer’s express warranty.
Arizona also has a separate used motor vehicle law with its own definitions, including a used motor vehicle dealer as someone who sells 4 or more used vehicles in 12 months.
To test your own dates and repair visits, check your Arizona dates and repairs.
Arizona Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Arizona?
A vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs use and value, repaired 4 or more times or out of service 30 or more days within the shorter of the warranty or 2 years / 24,000 miles, after the manufacturer received direct written notice and a chance to cure.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in Arizona?
Within 6 months after the earlier of the warranty’s expiration or 2 years / 24,000 miles from original delivery (A.R.S. § 44-1265(B)).
Are RVs covered by the Arizona lemon law?
Only the self-propelled vehicle and chassis of a motor home. Vehicles over 10,000 lbs declared gross weight are excluded.
Does the Arizona lemon law cover used cars?
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer, but repairs must fall inside the original window.
Who pays attorney fees in an Arizona lemon law case?
If the consumer wins, the court shall award reasonable costs and attorney fees.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Arizona rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.