Source: http://www.lemonlaw.com/state-lemon-laws/NJ
Timestamp: 2014-04-21 08:14:14
Document Index: 512108796

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 56', '§ 56', '§ 56', '§ 56', '§ 56', '§ 56', '§ 56', '§ 56', '§ 2310', '§ 56', '§ 56']

NJ Lemon Law | Free Help and Information for New Jersey Lemon Law
The New Jersey Lemon Law applies to cars, personal trucks and motorcycles, both purchased and leased, which suffer a nonconformity; a defect or condition, which substantially impairs the use, value or safety; that cannot be repaired after three attempts by an authorized manufacturer's dealership. This nonconformity must first occur within the first 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first. The NJ Lemon Law also applies to vehicles that are in the shop for repair twenty (20) or more calendar days during the first 24 months or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first), and those which have a serious defect which could cause bodily harm or death that is not fixed after one repair attempt.
Under the New Jersey Lemon Law, legal help is 100% cost-free. If you prevail, the manufacturer must pay all attorney fees and legal costs on top of what you receive. If you do not prevail, you pay nothing, so there is no cost and no risk to filing a Lemon Law claim. Potential remedies could include a full repurchase, a brand new vehicle, or significant monetary compensation plus continued ownership of the vehicle. If you don't qualify under the NJ Lemon Law, you could still receive monetary remedy under the Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act if your car has been in the shop three or more times for the same problem under an original or extended manufacturers warranty. What to do if you have a Lemon Law Claim
If you are driving a defective vehicle and you want to find out if you are entitled to cost-free legal help from a New Jersey Lemon Law attorney, feel free to ask us lemon law question online or fill out our Get Rid Of Your Lemon worksheet for a free case evaluation. You can also call us at 1-800-LEMON-LAW (1-800-536-6652) to speak with a qualified representative.
Why 1-800-LEMON-LAW
New Jersey Lemon Law Fast Facts:
Covers new cars and motorcycles, purchased or leased, purchased or registered in New Jersey.
Problem must first occur in the first 24 months or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Problem must occur three or more times under the manufacturers warranty.
The NJ Lemon Law could also apply if your vehicle is in the shop 20 days in the first 24 months or 24,000 miles and those days do not have to be consecutive, or if the car is not fixed after one repair attempt for a problem that could cause death or serious bodily harm.
The New Jersey Lemon law provides completely free legal help, win or lose. If you prevail, the manufacturer must pay all attorney fees on top of what you receive.
Remedies could include a complete repurchase, a brand new car or significant monetary compensation plus continued ownership of your car.	Since 1991, Kimmel & Silverman, has successfully represented more than 75,000 consumers, recovering more new cars and buybacks than any other New Jersey Lemon Law Firm.
Kimmel & Silverman has more experienced NJ Lemon Law Lawyers than any other Firm in the State and has represented consumers in every County throughout the State.
We are the only consumer law firm ever asked by the State to teach arbitrators and mediators the fundamentals of Lemon Law and how to hear Lemon Law cases.
Founding Partner Robert Silverman is the only lemon law attorney in the state to be named a New Jersey Super Lawyer, representing the top 5% of all attorneys statewide. In addition, several of our associates have been honored as New Jersey Rising Stars.
The Firm is proud to be named "a pioneer in New Jersey Lemon Law" by the Star Ledger, and featured in the Courier Post, Home News Tribune, South Jersey Magazine, SJ Magazine, and the Press of Atlantic City. In addition, our attorneys have also appeared on numerous television programs throughout the state on NJN, News 12 New Jersey, WMGM TV in Atlantic City, WPIX TV and WNBC TV. New Jersey Lemon Law Statute
New Jersey Lemon Law Expands Protection - Click Here
Title 56:12-29 - 56:12-49
§ 56:12-29. Findings, intentions
The Legislature finds that the purchase of a new motor vehicle is a major, high cost consumer transaction and the in-ability to correct defects in these vehicles creates a major hardship and an unacceptable economic burden on the consumer.
It is the intent of this act to require the manufacturer of a new motor vehicle, or, in the case of a new motor vehicle that is an authorized emergency vehicle, the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, to correct defects originally covered under warranty which are identified and reported within a specified period.
It is the further intent of this act to provide procedures to expeditiously resolve disputes between a consumer and a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier when defects in a new motor vehicle are not corrected within a reasonable time, and to provide to award specific remedies where the uncorrected defect substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the new motor vehicle.
§ 56:12-30. Definitions
"Co-manufacturer" means, solely with respect to an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in R.S.39:1-1, any person that fabricates the authorized emergency vehicle utilizing a component or components of a new motor vehicle made by a manufacturer, other than modifying an existing standard model of a vehicle manufactured by a manufacturer, which component or components are obtained by the co-manufacturer from the manufacturer to fabricate the vehicle for use as an authorized emergency vehicle prior to an initial retail sale or lease of the emergency vehicle.
"Consumer" means a buyer or lessee, other than for purposes of resale or sublease, of a motor vehicle; a person to whom a motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of a warranty applicable to the motor vehicle; or any other per-son entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty.
means a person who is actively engaged in the business of buying, selling or
exchanging motor vehicles at retail and who has an established place of
means the Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law
and Public Safety, or his designee.
means the Division of Consumer Affairs in the Department of Law and Public
"Informal dispute settlement procedure" means an arbitration process or procedure by which the manufacturer, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, attempts to resolve disputes with consumers regarding motor vehicle nonconformities and repairs that arise during the vehicle's warranty period.
means a contract or other written agreement in the form of a lease for the use of a motor vehicle by a person for a period of time exceeding 60 days, whether or not the lessee has the option to purchase or otherwise become the owner of the motor vehicle at the expiration of the lease.
means a person who leases a motor vehicle pursuant to a lease agreement.
means a person who holds title to a motor vehicle leased to a lessee under a lease agreement or who holds the lessor's rights under such an agreement.
means a security interest in a motor vehicle.
"Lienholder"
means a person with a security interest in a motor vehicle pursuant to a lien.
means a person engaged in the business of manufacturing, assembling or distributing motor vehicles, who will, under normal business conditions during the year, manufacture, assemble or distribute to dealers at least 10 new motor vehicles.
means a passenger automobile, authorized emergency vehicle, or motorcycle as defined in R.S.39:1-1 which is purchased or leased in the State of New Jersey or which is registered by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, except the living facilities of motor homes.
"Nonconformity"
means a defect or condition which substantially impairs the use, value or
"Post-manufacturing modifier" means, solely with respect to an authorized emergency vehicle as defined in R.S.39:1-1, any person who modifies the configuration of an existing standard model of a motor vehicle purchased from a manufacturer to adapt the vehicle for use as an authorized emergency vehicle prior to an initial retail sale or lease of the vehicle.
"Reasonable allowance for vehicle use"
means the mileage at the time the consumer first presents the motor vehicle to the dealer, distributor, manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier for correction of a nonconformity times the purchase price, or the lease price if applicable, of the vehicle, divided by one hundred thousand miles.
"Warranty" means any warranty, whether express or implied of the manufacturer of a new motor vehicle, or, in the case of a new motor vehicle that is an authorized emergency vehicle, of the manufacturer, co-manufacturer or post-manufacturing modifier, of the vehicle's condition and fitness for use, including any terms or conditions precedent to the enforcement of obligations under the warranty.
§ 56:12-31. Report of nonconformity; repairs
If a consumer reports a nonconformity in a motor vehicle to the manufacturer, or, in the case of a motor vehicle that is an authorized emergency vehicle, the manufacturer, co-manufacturer or post-manufacturing modifier, or its dealer or distributor, during the first 24,000 miles of operation or during the period of two years following the date of original delivery to the consumer, whichever is earlier, the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall make, or arrange with its dealer or distributor to make, within a reasonable time, all repairs necessary to correct the non-conformity. Such repairs if made after the first 12,000 miles of operation or after the period of one year following the date of original delivery to the consumer, whichever is earlier, shall be paid for by the consumer, unless otherwise cov-ered by a warranty of the manufacturer, co-manufacturer or post-manufacturing modifier, and shall be recoverable as a cost under section 14 [C.56:12-42] of this act.
§ 56:12-32. Refunds
If, during the period specified in section 3 [C.56:12-31] of this act, the manufacturer, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, of that part of the motor vehicle containing the nonconformity, or its dealer or distributor, is unable to repair or correct the nonconformity within a reasonable time, the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall accept return of the motor vehicle from the consumer.
In the case of a motor vehicle, other than an authorized emergency vehicle as set forth in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the manufacturer shall provide the consumer with a full refund of the purchase price of the original motor vehicle including any stated credit or allowance for the consumer's used motor vehicle, the cost of any options or other modifications arranged, installed, or made by the manufacturer or its dealer within 30 days after the date of original delivery, and any other charges or fees including, but not limited to, sales tax, license and registration fees, finance charges, reimbursement for towing and reimbursement for actual expenses incurred by the consumer for the rental of a motor vehicle equivalent to the consumer's motor vehicle and limited to the period during which the consumer's motor vehicle was out of service due to the nonconformity, less a reasonable allowance for vehicle use.
In the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall provide the consumer with a full refund of the purchase price of the original emergency vehicle, depending on the source of the nonconformity, including any stated credit or allowance for the consumer's used emergency vehicle, as well as any other charges or fees, including, but not limited to, sales tax, license and registration fees, reimbursement for towing and reimbursement for actual expenses incurred by the consumer for the rental of a substitute emergency vehicle, if applicable, for the period during which the consumer's emergency vehicle was out of service due to the nonconformity.
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to preclude a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier from making an offer to replace the vehicle in lieu of a refund; except that the consumer may, in any case, reject an offer of replacement and demand a refund. Refunds shall be made to the consumer and lienholder, if any, as their interests appear on the records of ownership maintained by the Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. In the event that the consumer accepts an offer to replace the motor vehicle in lieu of a refund, it shall be the manufacturer's, co-manufacturer's, or post-manufacturing modifier's responsibility to insure that any lien on the returned motor vehicle is transferred to the replacement vehicle.
A consumer who leases a new motor vehicle shall have the same remedies against a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier under this section as a consumer who purchases a new motor vehicle. If it is determined that the lessee is entitled to a refund pursuant to subsection a. of this section, the consumer shall return the leased vehicle to the lessor or manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, and the consumer's lease agreement with the motor vehicle lessor shall be terminated and no penalty for early termination shall be assessed. The manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall provide the consumer with a full refund of the amount actually paid by the consumer under the lease agreement, including any additional charges as set forth in sub-section a. of this section if actually paid by the consumer, less a reasonable allowance for vehicle use. The manufac-turer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall provide the motor vehicle lessor with a full refund of the vehicle's original purchase price plus any unrecovered interest expense, less the amount actually paid by the consumer under the agreement. Refunds shall be made to the lessor and lienholder, if any, as their interests appear on the records of ownership maintained by the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission.
§ 56:12-33. Presumption of inability to correct noncomformity; written notification
It is presumed that a manufacturer, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, or its dealer or distributor, is unable to repair or correct a nonconformity within a reasonable time if, within the first 24,000 miles of operation or during the period of two years following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer, whichever is the earlier date:
Substantially the same nonconformity has been subject to repair three or more times by the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, or its dealer or distributor, other than a nonconformity subject to exami-nation or repair pursuant to paragraph (3) of this subsection because it is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven, and the nonconformity continues to exist;
The motor vehicle is out of service by reason of repair for one or more nonconformities for a cumulative total of 20 or more calendar days, or in the case of a motorhome, 45 or more calendar days, since the original delivery of the motor vehicle and a nonconformity continues to exist; or
A nonconformity which is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven has been subject to examination or repair at least once by the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, or its dealer or distributor, and the nonconformity continues to exist.
The presumption contained in subsection a. of this section shall apply against a manufacturer only if the manufacturer has received written notification, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, the manufacturer, and co-manufacturer or post-manufacturing modifier, if known, or the dealer or distributor, has received written notification, by or on behalf of the consumer, by certified mail return receipt requested, of a potential claim pursuant to the provisions of this act and has had one opportunity to repair or correct the defect or condition within 10 calendar days following receipt of the notification. Notification by the consumer shall take place any time after the motor vehicle has had sub-stantially the same nonconformity subject to repair two or more times, or has been out of service by reason of repair for a cumulative total of 20 or more calendar days, or in the case of a motorhome, 45 or more calendar days, or with respect to a nonconformity which is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven, the nonconformity has been subject to examination or repair at least once by the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modi-fier, or its dealer or distributor, and the nonconformity continues to exist.
The two-year term and the 20-day period, or 45-day period for motorhomes, specified in this section shall be extended by any period of time during which repair services are not available to the consumer because of a war, invasion or strike, or a fire, flood, or other natural disaster.
In the case of a motorhome where two or more manufacturers contributed to the construction of the motorhome, or in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, it shall not be considered as any examination or repair attempt if the repair facility at which the consumer presented the vehicle is not authorized by the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier to provide service on that vehicle.
It shall be considered as one examination or repair attempt for a motorhome if the same nonconformity is addressed more than once due to the consumer's decision to continue traveling and to seek the repair of that same nonconformity at another authorized repair facility, rather than wait for the repair to be completed at the initial authorized repair facility.
§ 56:12-34. Statements to consumers
At the time of purchase in the State of New Jersey, the manufacturer, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, through its dealer or distributor, or at the time of lease in the State of New Jersey, the lessor, shall provide directly to the consumer a written statement prescribed by the director, presented in a conspicuous and understandable manner on a separate piece of paper and printed in both the English and Spanish languages, which provides information concerning a consumer's rights and remedies under P.L.1988, c.123 (C.56:12-29 et seq.), and shall include, but not be limited to, a summary of the provisions of:
section 3 of P.L.1988, c.123 (C.56:12-31), concerning the miles of operation of a motor vehicle and time period within which the consumer may report a nonconformity and seek remedies;
sections 4 and 5 of P.L.1988, c.123 (C.56:12-32 and 56:12-33), concerning a manufacturer's, co-manufacturer's, or post-manufacturing modifier's obligations to a consumer based upon the manufacturer's, co-manufacturer's, or post-manufacturing modifier's, or its dealer's or distributor's, inability to repair or correct a nonconformity; and
any other provisions of P.L.1988, c.123 (C.56:12-29 et seq.) the director deems appropriate.
Each time a consumer's motor vehicle is returned from being examined or repaired during the period specified in section 3 of P.L.1988, c.123 (C.56:12-31), the manufacturer, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, through its dealer or distributor, shall provide to the consumer an itemized, legible statement of repair which indicates any diagnosis made and all work performed on the vehicle and provides information including, but not limited to, the following: a general description of the problem re-ported by the consumer or an identification of the problem reported by the consumer or an identification of the defect or condition and the source of the defect; the amount charged for parts and the amount charged for labor, if paid for by the consumer; the date and the odometer reading when the vehicle was submitted for repair; and the date and odometer reading when the vehicle was made available to the consumer.
§ 56:12-35. Sale, leasing of returned motor vehicle
If a motor vehicle is returned to the manufacturer, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, to the manu-facturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, under the provisions of this act or a similar statute of another state or as the result of a legal action or an informal dispute settlement procedure, it shall not be resold or re-leased in New Jersey unless:
The manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier provides to the dealer, distributor, or lessor, and the dealer, distributor or lessor provides to the consumer, the following written statement on a separate piece of paper, in 10-point bold-face type: "IMPORTANT: THIS VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER OR OTHER RESPONSIBLE PARTY BECAUSE IT DID NOT CONFORM TO THE MANUFACTURER'S OR OTHER PARTY'S WARRANTY FOR THE VEHICLE AND THE NONCONFORMITY WAS NOT CORRECTED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME AS PROVIDED BY LAW;"
The dealer, distributor, or lessor obtains from the consumer a signed receipt certifying, in a conspicuous and understandable manner, that the written statement required under this subsection has been provided. The director shall prescribe the form of the receipt. The dealer, distributor, or lessor may fulfill his obligation to obtain a signed receipt under this paragraph by making such a notation, in a conspicuous and understandable manner, on the vehicle buyer or-der form accompanying the sale or lease of that vehicle; and
The dealer, distributor, or lessor, in accordance with the provisions of section 1 of P.L.1993, c.21 (C.39:10-9.3), notifies the Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission of the sale or transfer of ownership of the motor vehicle.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as imposing an obligation on a dealer, distributor, or lessor to determine whether a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier is in compliance with the terms of this section, nor shall it be construed as imposing liability on a dealer, distributor, or lessor for the failure of a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier to comply with the terms of this section.
§ 56:12-36. Informal dispute settlement procedure
If a manufacturer, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, has established, or participates in, an informal dispute settlement procedure pursuant to section 110 of Pub.L.93-637 (15 U.S.C. § 2310) and the rules promulgated thereunder, or the requirements of this section, a consumer may submit a dispute regarding motor vehicle nonconformities, including a dispute between a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier regarding the source of nonconformities and resulting liability to the consumer, to the dispute settlement body provided by that procedure, but a consumer shall not be required to first par-ticipate in the informal dispute settlement procedure before participating in the division's summary hearing procedure under this act.
If a consumer chooses to use a manufacturer's, co-manufacturer's, or post-manufacturing modifier's informal dispute settlement procedure established pursuant to this section, the findings and decisions of the dispute settlement body shall state in writing whether the consumer is entitled to a refund under the presumptions and criteria set out in this act and the findings and decisions shall be admissible against the consumer and the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier in any legal action.
If the dispute settlement body determines that a consumer is entitled to relief under this act, the consumer shall be entitled to a refund as authorized by section 4 [C.56:12-32] of this act.
A consumer shall be given an adequate opportunity to contest a manufacturer's, co-manufacturer's, or post-manufacturing modifier's assertion that a nonconformity falls within intended specifications for the vehicle by having the basis of this claim appraised by a technical expert selected and paid for by the consumer prior to the informal dis-pute settlement procedure. If the dispute settlement body rules in favor of the consumer, his costs and reasonable attor-ney's fees shall also be awarded.
A dispute shall not be heard if there has been a recent attempt by the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier to repair a consumer's vehicle, but no response has yet been received by the dispute settlement body from the consumer as to whether the repairs were successfully completed. This provision shall not prejudice a consumer's right under this section.
The manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall provide, and the dispute settlement body shall consider, any relevant technical service bulletins which have been issued by the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier regarding motor vehicles of the same make and model as the vehicle that is the subject of the dispute.
Any manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier who establishes, or participates in, an informal dispute settlement procedure, whether it meets the requirements of this section or not, shall maintain, and forward to the director at six-month intervals, the following records:
The average number of days from the date of a consumer's initial request to use the manufacturer's, co-manufacturer's, or post-manufacturing modifier's informal dispute settlement procedure until the date of the decision and the average number of days from the date of the decision to the date on which performance of the award was satisfied.
§ 56:12-37. Dispute resolution
A consumer shall have the option of submitting any dispute arising under section 4 [C.56:12-32] of this act to the division for resolution, including, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, a dispute between a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier regarding the source of nonconformities and resulting liability to the con-sumer. The director may establish a filing fee, to be paid by the consumer, fixed at a level not to exceed the cost for the proper administration and enforcement of this act. This fee shall be recoverable as a cost under section 14 [C.56:12-42] of this act. Upon application by the consumer and payment of any filing fee, the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall submit to the State hearing procedure. The filing of the notice in subsection b. of sec-tion 5 of P.L.1988, c.123 (C.56:12-33) shall be a prerequisite to the filing of an application under this section.
The director shall review a consumer's application for dispute resolution and accept eligible disputes for referral to the Office of Administrative Law for a summary hearing to be conducted in accordance with special rules adopted pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), by the Office of Administrative Law in consultation with the director. Immediately upon acceptance of a consumer's application for dispute resolution, the director shall contact the parties and arrange for a hearing date with the Clerk of the Office of Administrative Law. The hearing date shall, to the greatest extent possible, be convenient to all parties, but shall be no later than 20 days from the date the consumer's application is accepted, unless a later date is agreed upon by the consumer. The Office of Administrative Law shall render a decision, in writing, to the director within 20 days of the conclusion of the summary hearing. The decision shall provide a brief summary of the findings of fact, appropriate remedies pursuant to this act, and a specific date for completion of all awarded remedies. The director, upon a review of the proposed decision sub-mitted by the administrative law judge, shall adopt, reject, or modify the decision no later than 15 days after receipt of the decision. Unless the director modifies or rejects the decision within the 15-day period, the decision of the adminis-trative law judge shall be deemed adopted as the final decision of the director. If the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier unreasonably fails to comply with the decision within the specified time period, that party shall be liable for penalties in the amount of $ 5,000.00 for each day it unreasonably fails to comply, commencing on the day after the specified date for completion of all awarded remedies.
A manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, or a consumer may appeal a final decision to the Appellate Division of the Superior Court. An appeal by a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall not be heard unless the petition for the appeal is accompanied by a bond in a principal sum equal to the money award made by the administrative law judge plus $ 2,500.00 for anticipated attorney's fees and other costs, se-cured by cash or its equivalent, payable to the consumer. The liability of the surety of any bond filed pursuant to this section shall be limited to the indemnification of the consumer in the action. The bond shall not limit or impair any right of recovery otherwise available pursuant to law, nor shall the amount of the bond be relevant in determining the amount of recovery to which the consumer shall be entitled. If a final decision resulting in a refund to the consumer is upheld by the court, recovery by the consumer shall include reimbursement for actual expenses incurred by the consumer for the rental of a motor vehicle equivalent to the consumer's motor vehicle and limited to the period of time after which the consumer's motor vehicle was offered to the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier for return under this act, except in those cases in which that party made a comparable vehicle available to the consumer free of charge during that period. If the court finds that the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier had no reasonable basis for its appeal or that the appeal was frivolous, the court shall award treble damages to the consumer. Failure of the Office of Administrative Law to render a written decision within 20 days of the conclusion of the sum-mary hearing as required by subsection b. of this section shall not be a basis for appeal.
§ 56:12-38. Statistics
The Division of Consumer Affairs shall maintain an index of all motor vehicle disputes by make and model. The division shall, at six-month intervals, compile and maintain statistics indicating the record of manufacturer compliance, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier compliance, with any settlement procedure decisions. The statistics shall be public record.
A manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall provide to the division all information on private arbitration or private buy-back programs maintained or instituted by the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier. The information shall include the type and number of vehicles to which these programs apply and the reasons for establishing and maintaining the programs. The manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall provide the division with updated information at six-month intervals.
A consumer shall not be required to participate in a manufacturer's, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, a manufacturer's, co-manufacturer's, or post-manufacturing modifier's, informal dispute settlement procedure or the division's summary hearing procedure before filing an action in the Superior Court. However, a decision rendered in a proceeding brought pursuant to the division's summary hearing procedure shall be binding on the consumer and the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, subject to the right of appeal as set forth in subsection d. of section 9 [C.56:12-37] of this act, and shall preclude the institution of any other action in the Superior Court under this act.
It shall be an affirmative defense to a claim under this act that the alleged nonconformity does not substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the new motor vehicle or that the nonconformity is the result of abuse, neglect, or unauthor-ized modifications or alterations of the motor vehicle by anyone other than the manufacturer, or, in the case of an au-thorized emergency vehicle, the manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, or its dealer or dis-tributor.
Any party to an action in the Superior Court of this State asserting a claim, counterclaim or defense based upon viola-tions of this act shall mail a copy of the initial or responsive pleading containing the claim, counterclaim or defense to the Attorney General within 10 days after filing the pleading with the court. Upon application to the court in which the matter is pending, the Attorney General may intervene or appear in any status appropriate to this matter.
In any action by a consumer against a manufacturer, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, brought in Superior Court or in the division pursuant to the provisions of this act, a prevailing consumer shall be awarded reasonable attorney's fees, fees for expert witnesses and costs.
A manufacturer, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, shall certify to the division, within one year of discovery, the existence of any inherent design defect common to all motor vehicles of a particular model or make. Failure to comply with this constitutes an unlawful practice pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1960, c.39 (C.56:8-2).
The director may institute proceedings against any manufacturer, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, any manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, who fails to comply with any of the provisions of this act [C.56:12-29 et seq.].
Nothing in this act shall be construed as imposing any liability on a dealer or distributor, or creating a cause of action by a manufacturer, or, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle, a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier, against a dealer or distributor, and nothing shall be construed as imposing any liability on a dealer or distributor, or creating a cause of action by a consumer against a dealer or distributor under section 4 [C.56:12-32] of this act.
Nothing in this act, in the case of an authorized emergency vehicle and notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, shall be construed as creating, establishing or otherwise imposing joint and several liability for any action under P.L.1988, c.123 (C.56:12-29 et seq.), and a manufacturer, co-manufacturer, or post-manufacturing modifier shall only be liable for that percentage of negligence or fault in that action directly attributable to its respective degree of liability.
Nothing in this act [C.56:12-29 et seq.] shall in any way limit the rights or remedies which are otherwise available to a consumer under any other law.
Any agreement entered into by a consumer for the purchase or lease of a new motor vehicle which waives, limits or disclaims the rights set forth in this act [C.56:12-29 et seq.] shall be void as contrary to public policy.
Within 120 days following enactment, the director shall, subject to approval by the Attorney General and pursuant to the provisions of the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L. 1968, c. 410 (C. 52:14B-1 et seq.), adopt rules and regula-tions necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
New Jersey Lemon Law Statutes Update
NEW JERSEY LEMON LAW BILL SIGNED; PROTECTION INCREASED
Coverage expands from 2 years or 18,000 miles to 2 years or 24,000 miles, with a provision for defects that could cause serious bodily injury or death.
Trenton, NJ (October 6, 2009)-- A Bill designed to provide additional consumer protection to Garden State drivers was signed late last week by Governor Jon Corzine. The New Jersey Lemon Law has expanded coverage to assist automobile and motorcycle drivers who suffer a defect within the first two years or 24,000 miles which cannot be fixed after three repair attempts, or whose vehicles are in the shop 20 or more days during the 2 year or 24,000 miles period.
Senate Bill 454, sponsored by New Jersey Senators Barbara Buono and Nicholas P. Scutari was written to update the Lemon Law based on the needs of current commuters. "Drivers commute to work much farther than when the laws were enacted 18 years ago," said Senator Buono in an interview with Politickernj.com. "Subsequently, consumers were finding that their Lemon Law rights were being limited to approximately a year of usage."
In addition, if a defect which could cause serious bodily injury or death occurs in the first 2 years or 24,000 miles, the manufacturer has only one repair attempt to fix the problem before a consumer can file a New Jersey Lemon Law claim. There are similar provisions in other state’s Lemon Laws, including Ohio.
"This is a giant step in consumer protection," says Cherry Hill-based Lemon Law attorney Robert M. Silverman, Founding Partner of Kimmel & Silverman (www.lemonlaw.com). "Once you combine the State’s top-notch judicial system with this powerful statute, car manufacturers better think twice before refusing to voluntarily comply with consumers' rights under the New Jersey Lemon Law."
In the past, the New Jersey Lemon Law received national accolades from the Center for Auto Safety which named the statute the second most effective Lemon Law in the Country. In a congratulatory letter sent to then New Jersey Attorney General David Sampson, the Center for Auto Safety lauded New Jersey for allowing consumers "to go to an attorney immediately to get rid of their lemon rather than waiting for the arbitration process." In addition, Clarence Ditlow, CAS Executive Director, commended the state for providing cost-free legal representation under the Law. If a consumer prevails, the manufacturer is responsible for paying all attorneys fees.
Also in that letter, Mr. Ditlow suggested requiring only one repair attempt if a defect threatens death or serious bodily injury as a way to make the Law even stronger.
The New Jersey Lemon Law protects purchasers and lessees of automobile and motorcycles who purchase, lease or register their vehicle in the State. Maximum remedy under the Law is a complete repurchase of the vehicle, including taxes, tags, finance charges, and down payment minus a mileage offset to reflect when the problem was first addressed by the manufacturer. Consumers who do not fall under the NJ Lemon Law parameters but experience repetitive problems under their manufacturers warranty may be entitled to recourse under the Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act.
For more information on NJ Lemon Law rights, visit www.lemonlaw.com/nj-lemon-law.html.or contact the offices of Kimmel & Silverman at 1-800 LEMON LAW (1-800-536-6652).
Kimmel and Silverman is the oldest and largest lemon law firm in the Northeast, providing cost-free legal representation to more than 50,000 consumers since its inception in 1991. The Firm has offices in Ambler, PA and Pittsburgh, PA; as well as Cherry Hill, NJ; Wilmington DE; and Dayville, CT. For more information regarding Kimmel and Silverman, please call 1-800-LEMON-LAW or visit www.lemonlaw.com.
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New Jersey ranks second in the nation for most effective Lemon Law.