new york lemon law: arbitration you can’t lose New York lemon law
the state runs free arbitration, and it binds the manufacturer — but not you. lose and you can still sue. that makes trying it close to risk-free. 🗽 The state runs free arbitration that is binding on the manufacturer but not on the consumer. If it goes against you, your court rights survive — which makes trying it close to risk-free.
when does a car qualify in New York? 💀 When does a vehicle qualify in New York?
new cars registered in New York are warranted against material defects for two years or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. either test below is enough. New cars purchased and registered in New York are warranted against material defects for two years or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. Either test below is enough.
the same nonconformity, four or more times. The same nonconformity subject to repair four or more times.
cumulative, for one or more faults. Cumulative, for one or more nonconformities.
whichever comes earlier. Whichever comes earlier.
the arbitration only binds one side 🚨 The arbitration binds the manufacturer, not you
the state programme is free, run by the Attorney General — and here is the asymmetry: the decision binds the manufacturer, but it does not bind you. The state programme is free and administered by the Attorney General, and there is a real asymmetry in it: the decision binds the manufacturer but does not bind the consumer.
so if the arbitrator rules for you, they have to comply. if it goes against you, you keep your right to sue. that means trying arbitration costs you almost nothing but time — which is not true in most states. ⚖️ If the arbitrator rules in your favour, the manufacturer must comply. If it goes against you, your right to bring a court claim survives. Trying arbitration therefore costs little but time, which is not the case in most states.
that makes it a free swing Which makes the state programme a free attempt
in most states, agreeing to arbitration means accepting the outcome. that is a real decision with a real downside, and it is why people hesitate. In most states, agreeing to arbitration means accepting the outcome. That is a genuine decision with a genuine downside, which is why people hesitate.
New York removed the downside. the programme costs nothing, the state runs it rather than the manufacturer, and an adverse result does not close the courthouse door behind you. New York removed the downside. The programme is free, the state administers it rather than the manufacturer, and an adverse result does not close off a court claim.
the practical reading: if you meet the thresholds, there is very little reason not to file. compare Illinois, where you are required to go through the manufacturer’s own programme first, or Pennsylvania, which has no state board at all. The practical reading is that if you meet the thresholds there is little reason not to file. Compare Illinois, where the manufacturer’s own programme is a precondition, or Pennsylvania, which has no state board at all.
bought used from a dealer? separate law 🚕 Used cars from a dealer have their own law
New York is one of the few states with a second statute for used cars. a dealer has to give you a written warranty, and how long it runs depends on the mileage when you bought it. New York is one of few states with a second statute for used vehicles. A dealer must give a written warranty, and its length depends on the mileage at the time of purchase.
| Miles at purchase | Warranty you must be given |
|---|---|
| 18,001 – 36,000 | 90 days or 4,000 miles, whichever comes first |
| 36,001 – 79,999 | 60 days or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first |
| 80,000 – 100,000 | 30 days or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first |
and it’s not a token warranty — the covered list runs to the engine, transmission, drive axle, brakes and steering, down to the water pump and the universal joints. Massachusetts has a similar law → It is not a token warranty either: the covered parts run from the engine, transmission, drive axle, brakes and steering down to the water pump and universal joints. Massachusetts has a comparable law.
how a New York claim actually runs 🏛️ How a New York claim runs
-
paper every visit, with datesDocument every visit, with dates
four attempts or 30 calendar days — both need the paperwork. Four attempts or 30 calendar days — both routes need the paperwork. -
check which clock ends firstCheck which clock ends first
2 years or 18,000 miles, whichever is earlier. Two years or 18,000 miles, whichever is earlier. -
file with the AG’s programmeFile with the Attorney General’s programme
free, and the result binds them but not you. It is free, and the result binds the manufacturer but not you. -
refund or replacementRefund or replacement
a comparable replacement, or your money back less an allowance for use. A comparable replacement vehicle, or a refund less a reasonable allowance for use.
| the statutesStatutes | New vehicles — GBL § 198-a. Used vehicles — GBL § 198-b. New vehicles — General Business Law § 198-a. Used vehicles — § 198-b. |
|---|---|
| the windowCoverage window | 2 years or 18,000 miles, whichever is earlier. Two years or 18,000 miles, whichever is earlier. |
| ⚖️ arbitrationArbitration | free, run by the Attorney General. binds the manufacturer, not you. Free, administered by the Attorney General. Binding on the manufacturer but not on the consumer. |
| bought used?Used vehicles | separate law: dealers must warrant, 90/60/30 days by mileage at purchase. A separate statute: dealers must warrant the vehicle for 90, 60 or 30 days depending on mileage at purchase. |
| what you get backIs there a formula? | New York publishes no divisor like California’s 120,000, so there’s no calculator here. how buybacks work → New York publishes no divisor comparable to California’s 120,000, so there is no calculator on this page. See how buybacks work. |
new york questions 🧠New York lemon law FAQ
how many repairs before it’s a lemon in New York?How many repair attempts before a car is a lemon in New York?
four at the same fault, or 30 cumulative calendar days out of service, within two years or 18,000 miles — whichever comes earlier. Four at the same nonconformity, or 30 cumulative calendar days out of service, within two years or 18,000 miles, whichever comes earlier.
is the arbitration binding on me?Is New York lemon law arbitration binding?
on the manufacturer, yes. on you, no. if the decision goes against you, you keep your right to sue — which is why filing costs you very little. On the manufacturer, yes. On the consumer, no. If the decision goes against you, your right to bring a court claim survives, which is why filing costs very little.
does it cost anything?Does New York lemon law arbitration cost anything?
the state programme run by the Attorney General is free to use. The state programme administered by the Attorney General is free to use.
i bought used from a dealerDoes New York cover used cars?
yes, under a separate law. a dealer must give a written warranty: 90 days/4,000 miles at 18,001–36,000 miles, 60 days/3,000 at 36,001–79,999, 30 days/1,000 at 80,000–100,000. Yes, under a separate statute. A dealer must give a written warranty: 90 days or 4,000 miles between 18,001 and 36,000 miles, 60 days or 3,000 miles to 79,999, and 30 days or 1,000 miles to 100,000.
other states: Other states: California · Texas · Florida · Illinois · Ohio · Michigan · Georgia · Massachusetts · Arizona · Virginia · Pennsylvania · Washington · New Jersey · North Carolina
keep reading: Related: is my car cooked?Lemon checker · the process & timelineThe process and timeline · what a buyback paysWhat a buyback pays
new york case? 🗽 Think you may have a New York claim?
free vibe-check, 2 minutes. and in New York, if you qualify, filing the state arbitration is close to a free swing — it binds them, not you. Get a free case review in about two minutes. In New York, if you qualify, the state arbitration is close to risk-free — it binds the manufacturer, not you.
Sources
- N.Y. General Business Law § 198-a — the new vehicle lemon law: the presumption, the window and the remedies
- N.Y. General Business Law § 198-b — the used vehicle law: the dealer warranty and its mileage tiers
- New York Attorney General — used car lemon law — official guidance on the used vehicle warranty and covered parts
- BBB National Programs — New York lemon law (PDF) — independent summary of thresholds and arbitration
- Center for Auto Safety — New York — non-commercial comparison of the state laws
- GBL § 198-a — annotated text — section reference with notes
Advertising disclosure. Lemon Law Explained is an independent information website. We are not a law firm and we do not provide legal services. We may be compensated when you request a case review or are connected with a participating attorney; that compensation never affects what this page says about the law.
This page describes New York law in general terms and is not legal advice. It does not create an attorney–client relationship and predicts no outcome. Thresholds and deadlines turn on dates and mileage specific to your vehicle. Confirm your own position with a licensed attorney in your state. Last reviewed August 2026.