Can you return a new car to the dealer if it's been in the shop twice in two weeks for the same problem without penalty?

Answer 1

In the next section of this answer are a lot of responses about returning cars because you don't like the car, don't like the deal, whatever. The QUESTION, however, was about returning a lemon. Every state has a Lemon Law, which requires the dealer to take the car back if it can't be fixed in a "reasonable" number of attempts. Check http://www.lemonlawamerica.com for your state's lemon law. In North Carolina, for instance, the car officially becomes a lemon if it can't be fixed in four attempts, or if it's been in the shop for more than 20 days.

So the answer is, no after two attempts, yes after three (many states say three) or four attempts to fix it.

Returning a Car to a DealerHere are opinions and answers from FAQ Farmers:

• NO! Most large loans/purchases have a "3-day right of recission". During this time you may opt to not continue the sale and change your mind. The car sale is exempt. You may only return a car if there is Fraud in the Sale, Example: The Car is really a 1998 not a 2000 or it was not disclosed to you as a "Rental" car. You cannot merely change your mind or decide that the price is too much. On a new car, as soon as you take possession, the car becomes used and must be sold to the next buyer as such.

• If you live in California and you sign any contract, you will be unable to return the vehicle. In a rare case, I practically begged the manager of a used car lot to unwind the deal. I told him that my wife purchased a car for me prior to my purchase of their car, but I was completely unaware of it. They finally let me out, but withheld a $40.00 documentation fee and a 2.9% credit card surcharge. $178.00 is better than a $6000 used car that I decided that I didn't want. Also, when I purchased the car, I left it at the car lot and told them that I'll pick it up in a matter of days. I guess the unwinding of the deal helped for the simple fact that the car never left the lot and I came back the next morning. It only took me one night to think about the deal and realize that I wanted out. The most important thing is to not let the sales person pressure you into signing anything. Don't listen to 'this car may be gone tomorrow,' 'this is as low as I can go,' 'you will not find a deal better,' etc. It's all bull. It will get you in trouble if you sign the contracts, but you later want out. THERE IS NO WAY OUT AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT. Everything is monitored and recorded from the minute you step on the car lot until you go to the back office to sign the 'nail in the coffin' contracts. Before you sign anything, go home and think about it. It will save you a lot of headaches. DON'T SIGN ANY CONTRACTS UNTIL YOU ARE COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH THE CAR! If you already have and you want out, the best advice that I can give is make up any good believable heartbreaking lie such as: Someone passed in my family and I need the money to help fund the burial expenses, etc. Go in the office crying if you have to. It may work, but it may not. YOU WILL BE CRYING FOR REAL IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNWIND THE DEAL. The best time to put on an act is when a sales person is with a potential car buyer. The car lot or dealership people most likely won't show their true colors in front of potential car buyers. They'll put on an act and most likely, unwind the deal. But again, this is rare, like in my case. DON'T SIGN ANY CONTRACTS UNTIL YOU ARE COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH THE CAR!

• The laws of Texas and Virginia...two states in which I have been in the car business...say that once the 'tailpipe leaves the curb' of the dealer's lot, the sale is complete. I think that is the case most anywhere, now. Some dealerships have thirty day money back guarantees. If you are buying a used car, get that deal!

• I sold cars for years. You can only return a new car (within 72 hours) if they came out to your house and solicited your business and had you sign the contract there. If you sign the contract at the dealership, and drive off the lot, you're stuck, unless you somehow convince the lender to back out of the deal. That's how it is in Texas.