Oregon Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Oregon Lemon Law (Motor Vehicle Warranties) is ORS 646A.400 to 646A.418.
| Rule | What Oregon law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | ORS 646A.400 to 646A.418 | ORS 646A.400 |
| Vehicles covered | New passenger motor vehicles bought in Oregon, or bought elsewhere and registered in Oregon, for personal, family or household use; Motorcycles and motor homes (excluding living facility components) | |
| Not covered | Living facility components of motor homes, such as appliances, plumbing fixtures and furniture | |
| Protection window | 2 years from original delivery or 24,000 miles, whichever ends first | ORS 646A.402, 646A.406(1) |
| Serious Safety Defect Test | A defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury was repaired at least once, then a final repair attempt, and continues | ORS 646A.406(1)(c) |
| Three Repairs Test | The same defect was repaired 3 or more times and the manufacturer had an opportunity to cure, but it continues | ORS 646A.406(1)(a) |
| 30 Days Out of Service Test | Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days (60 for a motor home) | ORS 646A.406(1)(b) |
| Written notice | The manufacturer must receive direct written notification from you or on your behalf and have an opportunity to correct the defect. A request for the manufacturer’s informal dispute procedure counts as notification. | ORS 646A.402(3), 646A.406(4) |
| Dispute program first? | If the manufacturer has an informal dispute procedure complying with FTC Rule 703 and tells you about it, you must use it first. Its arbitration decision binds the manufacturer but not you (ORS 646A.408). | |
| Deadline | Start an action within 1 year after the 2-year or 24,000-mile period ends, whichever ends earlier | ORS 646A.416 |
| Usage deduction | mileage when the manufacturer replaces or repurchases × (cash or lease price + collateral charges) ÷ 120,000 (motorcycles ÷ 25,000; motor homes ÷ 90,000) | ORS 646A.404(3) |
Three repairs, one safety repair or 30 days in Oregon
Oregon presumes a reasonable number of attempts when, within 2 years or 24,000 miles of delivery (whichever ends first), after direct written notice to the manufacturer:
Serious Safety Defect Test
A defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury was repaired at least once, then a final repair attempt, and continues.
ORS 646A.406(1)(c)Three Repairs Test
The same defect was repaired 3 or more times and the manufacturer had an opportunity to cure, but it continues.
ORS 646A.406(1)(a)30 Days Out of Service Test
Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days (60 for a motor home).
ORS 646A.406(1)(b)The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, market value or safety. A repair needed after the 2-year or 24,000-mile period still counts toward the tests (ORS 646A.406(2)).
Notice to the manufacturer in Oregon
The manufacturer must receive direct written notification from you or on your behalf and have an opportunity to correct the defect. A request for the manufacturer’s informal dispute procedure counts as notification.
In Oregon the remedy and the presumptions need direct written notice to the manufacturer and a chance to cure.
Dispute program first. If the manufacturer has an informal dispute procedure complying with FTC Rule 703 and tells you about it, you must use it first. Its arbitration decision binds the manufacturer but not you (ORS 646A.408).
Asking for the manufacturer’s informal dispute procedure counts as notification (ORS 646A.402(3)).
Oregon’s 1-year deadline after the window
Start an action within 1 year after the 2-year or 24,000-mile period ends, whichever ends earlier (ORS 646A.416).
| 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 | March 15, 2028 | Start an action within 1 year after the 2-year or 24,000-mile period ends, whichever ends earlier |
How to file an Oregon lemon law claim
- Report each defect within 2 years or 24,000 milesTo the manufacturer, its agent or its dealer, for repair.
- Send direct written noticeThe manufacturer must have it and an opportunity to correct the defect.
- Use the manufacturer’s dispute procedure if offeredIts decision binds the manufacturer but not you.
- Choose your next stepIf the defect continues, the manufacturer must replace the vehicle or refund it.
- Sue within 1 year after the period endsA consumer who wins may recover attorney and expert fees, and up to three times damages for bad faith.
Refund, replacement and the Oregon deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Replacement | A new motor vehicle. |
| Refund | The full purchase or lease price and collateral charges paid (taxes, title and registration fees, finance charges, prepayment penalties, options and aftermarket items bought within 20 days), less a reasonable allowance for use. |
How the Oregon deduction for use is calculated
mileage when the manufacturer replaces or repurchases × (cash or lease price + collateral charges) ÷ 120,000 (motorcycles ÷ 25,000; motor homes ÷ 90,000) (ORS 646A.404(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 |
Oregon’s refund formula for cars, motorcycles and motor homes
Oregon multiplies the mileage when the manufacturer replaces or repurchases the vehicle by the cash or lease price plus collateral charges, then divides by a figure that depends on the vehicle (ORS 646A.404(3)).
| Vehicle | Divisor | Deduction |
|---|---|---|
| Car or truck | 120,000 | $5,000.00 |
| Motor home | 90,000 | $6,666.67 |
| Motorcycle | 25,000 | $24,000.00 |
Collateral charges include sales, property or use tax, license, registration and title fees, finance charges, prepayment penalties, undercoating and dealer options, and aftermarket items bought within 20 days of delivery.
Treble damages and buyback disclosure
- If a court grants a refund or replacement and finds the manufacturer did not act in good faith, you can also receive up to three times damages, capped at $50,000 above the refund or replacement (ORS 646A.412).
- A manufacturer that replaces or repurchases a vehicle must have it titled in its own name with the notation “Lemon Law Buyback”, and a later seller must give the buyer a signed notice saying so (ORS 646A.405).
If you choose to pursue another remedy in court, the lemon law recovery is limited unless you prove fault and greater damages (ORS 646A.418).
Later owners in Oregon
A person to whom a new vehicle is transferred for personal use during the express warranty is a consumer. Oregon’s Lemon Law covers new motor vehicles under the express warranty.
A person to whom a new vehicle is transferred for personal use during the express warranty is a consumer. Motorcycles are covered and use a 25,000-mile divisor; motor homes are covered except their living facility components.
To test your own dates and repair visits, test your Oregon repair visits with our checker.
Oregon Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Oregon?
A new vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs its use, market value or safety, after 3 repairs, 1 repair plus a final attempt for a serious safety defect, or 30 days out of service, within 2 years or 24,000 miles, after written notice.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in Oregon?
Within 1 year after the 2-year or 24,000-mile period ends, whichever ends earlier (ORS 646A.416).
How is the Oregon lemon law refund calculated?
The price and collateral charges paid, minus mileage × (price + collateral charges) ÷ 120,000; motorcycles use 25,000 and motor homes 90,000.
Does the Oregon lemon law cover motor homes?
Yes, except their living facility components. The days test is 60 days for a motor home.
Can I get extra damages under the Oregon lemon law?
Yes. If the manufacturer did not act in good faith, a court can award up to three times damages, up to $50,000 above the refund or replacement.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Oregon rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.