Connecticut Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Connecticut New Automobile Warranties Law (Lemon Law) is Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-179 to 42-190.
| Rule | What Connecticut law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-179 to 42-190 | C.G.S. § 42-179 |
| Vehicles covered | Passenger cars, passenger and commercial (combination) vehicles and motorcycles sold or leased in Connecticut; Leased vehicles | |
| Not covered | Defects caused by abuse, neglect or unauthorized changes; Defects not covered by the manufacturer’s express warranty | |
| Protection window | 2 years from original delivery or the first 24,000 miles, whichever ends first | C.G.S. § 42-179(b), (e) |
| Serious Safety Defect Test | A defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury was repaired at least twice within the warranty term or the first year, whichever ends first, and continues | C.G.S. § 42-179(f) |
| Four Repairs Test | The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and continues | C.G.S. § 42-179(e)(1)(A) |
| 30 Days Out of Service Test | Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days | C.G.S. § 42-179(e)(1)(B) |
| Written notice | You do not have to notify the manufacturer unless it clearly disclosed in the warranty or owner’s manual that written notice is required, with the name and address to send it to. At least one repair attempt (or a refusal to repair) is needed before any claim. | C.G.S. § 42-179(c), (e)(3) |
| Dispute program first? | The Department of Consumer Protection runs the state Lemon Law arbitration program. If the manufacturer has a dispute program certified by the Attorney General, you must use it first, and you can appeal a non-conforming decision to the state program (§§ 42-179(j), 42-181). | |
| Deadline | Connecticut’s lemon law chapter and the Department of Consumer Protection guide set no separate filing deadline; the repairs must happen within 2 years or 24,000 miles. Apply promptly | C.G.S. ch. 743b; DCP program guide |
| Usage deduction | total contract price × miles traveled before the manufacturer accepts the return ÷ 120,000 | C.G.S. § 42-179(d)(3) |
Four repairs, two for safety or 30 days in Connecticut
Connecticut presumes a reasonable number of attempts when, within 2 years or 24,000 miles of delivery (whichever ends first):
Serious Safety Defect Test
A defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury was repaired at least twice within the warranty term or the first year, whichever ends first, and continues.
C.G.S. § 42-179(f)Four Repairs Test
The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and continues.
C.G.S. § 42-179(e)(1)(A)30 Days Out of Service Test
Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days.
C.G.S. § 42-179(e)(1)(B)The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, safety or value. No claim can be made unless at least one repair was attempted or the dealer refused to try. The safety test counts repairs within the warranty term or the first year, whichever ends first.
Notice to the manufacturer in Connecticut
You do not have to notify the manufacturer unless it clearly disclosed in the warranty or owner’s manual that written notice is required, with the name and address to send it to. At least one repair attempt (or a refusal to repair) is needed before any claim.
Dispute program first. The Department of Consumer Protection runs the state Lemon Law arbitration program. If the manufacturer has a dispute program certified by the Attorney General, you must use it first, and you can appeal a non-conforming decision to the state program (§§ 42-179(j), 42-181).
Dealers must give you written information about the warranty and the state dispute program at the time of sale or lease, and must give you copies of repair paperwork on request.
Is there a Connecticut lemon law deadline?
Connecticut’s lemon law chapter and the Department of Consumer Protection guide set no separate filing deadline; the repairs must happen within 2 years or 24,000 miles. Apply promptly (C.G.S. ch. 743b; DCP program guide).
| 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 |
| Filing deadline | Not set in the chapter | Connecticut’s lemon law chapter and the Department of Consumer Protection guide set no separate filing deadline; the repairs must happen within 2 years or 24,000 miles. Apply promptly |
How to file a Connecticut lemon law claim
- Check eligibilityThe Department of Consumer Protection offers an online eligibility quiz and phone help.
- Gather your recordsAll repair records, recalls, photos or videos, and your purchase or lease paperwork.
- Apply onlineThrough eLicense.ct.gov, choosing your vehicle’s manufacturer. Review can take up to 2 weeks.
- Pay the $50 fee if eligibleThe manufacturer pays $250. The fee may be reimbursed if you win.
- Attend the arbitrationAn arbitrator decides, usually within 60 days of your request. The decision is binding.
Refund, replacement and the Connecticut deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Replacement | A new motor vehicle acceptable to you. |
| Refund | The full contract price (including undercoating, dealer preparation, transportation and installed options), collateral charges, finance charges after your first report and incidental damages, less a reasonable allowance for use. |
How the Connecticut deduction for use is calculated
total contract price × miles traveled before the manufacturer accepts the return ÷ 120,000 (C.G.S. § 42-179(d)(3)).
| Step | Math | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | — | $36,000.00 |
| Deduction for use | 15,000 miles × $36,000 ÷ 120,000 | −$4,500.00 |
| Refund before taxes, fees and other charges | Those are added under the rules above | $31,500.00 |
How Connecticut’s state arbitration works
| Feature | Rule |
|---|---|
| Who runs it | The Department of Consumer Protection; arbitrators have no ties to the motor vehicle business |
| Fees | $50 for you, $250 for the manufacturer |
| Technical expert | An independent certified expert reviews the evidence and advises the arbitrator |
| Timing | Usually decided within 60 days of your request |
| Binding? | Yes, on both sides, subject only to limited review in superior court |
| If the manufacturer does not comply | A fine of up to $1,000 a day |
If you sell the vehicle after applying, you must tell the buyer about the pending case before the sale and notify the Department within five days of the sale.
In 2025 the program received 165 applications, held 141 hearings and returned a record $8.1 million to Connecticut consumers, according to the Department’s annual report.
Connecticut’s “Manufacturer Buyback-Lemon” title
When a manufacturer takes back a vehicle after a complaint, by award or settlement, it must stamp “MANUFACTURER BUYBACK-LEMON” on the title in letters at least a quarter-inch high and send a copy to the Department of Motor Vehicles within 30 days. Missing that deadline can bring a fine of up to $10,000. Any returned vehicle resold or leased in Connecticut must carry a written disclosure on the vehicle and in the contract.
Second owners and used cars in Connecticut
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer, inside the first 2 years or 24,000 miles. Connecticut’s used car warranties are in a separate chapter (743f).
A person who gets the vehicle during the express warranty is a consumer, inside the 2-year or 24,000-mile period. Connecticut’s separate used car warranty rules are in Chapter 743f.
To test your own dates and repair visits, run your Connecticut repair history through the checker.
Connecticut Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Connecticut?
A new vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs its use, safety or value, not fixed after 4 repairs, 2 repairs of a serious safety defect or 30 days out of service, within 2 years or 24,000 miles.
How much does Connecticut lemon law arbitration cost?
The filing fee is $50, and the manufacturer pays $250. If you win, the fee may be reimbursed.
How is the Connecticut lemon law refund calculated?
The full contract price, collateral charges, later finance charges and incidental damages, minus the total contract price × miles before the manufacturer accepts the return ÷ 120,000.
Is Connecticut lemon law arbitration binding?
Yes. The arbitrator’s decision is final and binding on both sides, with only limited review in superior court.
Does the Connecticut lemon law cover motorcycles?
Yes. Motorcycles sold or leased in Connecticut are included in the definition of motor vehicle.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Connecticut rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.