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North Carolina lemon law

In North Carolina, a new car can qualify as a lemon after 4 failed repairs of the same problem, or 20 business days out of service, within 2 years or 24,000 miles (or the warranty); the 20 days count within any 12-month period.

At a glance

Coverage period
2 years or 24,000 miles (or the warranty); the 20 days count within any 12-month period
Failed repairs of the same problem
4
Failed repairs of a serious safety defect
No separate rule
Days out of service
20 business
Notice and final repair
Give written notice to the manufacturer. It gets a final repair within 15 days only if the warranty or owner's manual says so.

Source: autosafety.org

What to do if you think your car is a lemon

  1. Keep every repair order. Each one should show the date, the mileage, the problem you reported and what the dealer did.
  2. Count the repair attempts for the same problem and the total days the car was in the shop.
  3. Send the written notice your state asks for, by the method it asks for (often certified mail), and keep a copy.
  4. Give the manufacturer its final repair attempt if the law requires one.
  5. If the problem is still there, ask the manufacturer for a refund or a replacement, use the state or manufacturer arbitration program, or talk to a lemon law attorney. In most states the manufacturer pays the attorney fees if you win.

Cars North Carolina owners complain about most

Safety complaints filed by owners in this state over the last 24 months, all model years.

Questions about the North Carolina lemon law

How many repair attempts make a car a lemon in North Carolina?

In North Carolina, a new car can qualify as a lemon after 4 failed repairs of the same problem, or 20 business days out of service, within 2 years or 24,000 miles (or the warranty); the 20 days count within any 12-month period.

How long does the North Carolina lemon law cover a new car?

The North Carolina lemon law covers 2 years or 24,000 miles (or the warranty); the 20 days count within any 12-month period.

Does the North Carolina lemon law cover used cars?

State lemon laws are written mainly for new vehicles. A used car can sometimes be covered if it is still inside the original warranty and the coverage period, and some states have separate used car rules. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act also covers any written warranty, new or used.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change and courts interpret them, so confirm the details with the official source or a lemon law attorney before you act. Last checked November 8, 2026.

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