Missouri Lemon Law (2026): How to Qualify & Get a Refund

Missouri's lemon law, Mo. Rev. Stat. sections 407.560 to 407.579, protects new-vehicle buyers: when the manufacturer cannot fix a covered defect after a reasonable number of attempts, it must replace or refund your vehicle. Four failed repair attempts for the same defect, or 30 or more working days out of service within the warranty period or one year of delivery, creates a legal presumption that the number of attempts was reasonable.

Missouri's lemon law protects buyers of new motor vehicles that turn out to have serious, unfixable defects. Found in RSMo Sections 407.560 through 407.579, the law requires manufacturers to either replace or refund a defective vehicle after a reasonable number of failed repair attempts.

This guide covers every part of Missouri's lemon law, including which vehicles qualify, the repair attempt thresholds, how to file a claim, manufacturer defenses, and your options if you bought a used vehicle.

What Vehicles Does Missouri's Lemon Law Cover?

Under RSMo 407.560, the law defines a "new motor vehicle" as any vehicle propelled by power other than muscular power that meets specific criteria.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for protection, a vehicle must meet all of the following conditions:

• The vehicle must be new and transferred for the first time from a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer
• It cannot have been previously registered or titled in Missouri or any other state
• A franchised dealer authorized to sell that particular make must have sold the vehicle
• The vehicle must be used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes
• A manufacturer's express warranty must cover the vehicle

Vehicles That Qualify

• New passenger vehicles: Cars, trucks, SUVs, and vans
• Demonstrator vehicles: Demo units with a manufacturer warranty
• Lease-purchase vehicles: Vehicles acquired through lease-purchase agreements where the manufacturer's warranty was issued as a condition of sale
• Recreational vehicle chassis: Only the chassis, engine, and powertrain components (not the living quarters)

Vehicles Excluded From Coverage

Missouri's lemon law specifically excludes several vehicle types:

• Commercial motor vehicles
• Off-road vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Mopeds
• Electric bicycles (as defined in RSMo 300.010)
• Recreational motor vehicles (living portions only; chassis components remain covered)
• Used vehicles (regardless of remaining warranty)
• Standard leased vehicles (only lease-purchase agreements qualify)

What Counts as a "Nonconformity"?

A nonconformity is any defect or condition that does not conform to the manufacturer's express warranty and that impairs the use, market value, or safety of the vehicle. The problem must be something the manufacturer is obligated to fix under its own warranty.

Common examples of qualifying nonconformities include:

• Engine or transmission failures that persist after repair
• Brake system malfunctions
• Steering defects
• Electrical system problems
• Persistent stalling, misfiring, or failure to start
• Heating or air conditioning failures
• Significant fluid leaks
• Safety system defects (airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes)

Minor cosmetic issues or problems caused by the consumer's own abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications generally do not qualify.

Missouri's Lemon Law Presumption

Under RSMo 407.571, Missouri law creates a legal presumption that a reasonable number of repair attempts have been made when certain conditions are met. This presumption shifts the burden to the manufacturer to prove otherwise.

When the Presumption Applies

The 30-day out-of-service period may be extended if repair services are unavailable due to conditions beyond the manufacturer's control, such as parts shortages caused by supply chain issues or natural disasters.

Important Timing Details

The warranty period or one-year window may also be extended if the consumer reported a nonconformity before the expiration date but the manufacturer had not yet completed the repair. This extension provision under RSMo 407.573 prevents manufacturers from running out the clock on warranty claims.

Consumer Remedies: Refund vs. Replacement

Under RSMo 407.567, once a manufacturer cannot conform the vehicle to the express warranty after a reasonable number of attempts, it must provide one of two remedies.

Option 1: Replace the Vehicle

The manufacturer may provide a comparable new motor vehicle that is acceptable to the consumer. The replacement must be of similar value and features. If the consumer does not find the offered replacement acceptable, the manufacturer must work toward an alternative resolution.

Option 2: Refund the Purchase Price

The manufacturer takes title to the defective vehicle and refunds the consumer. The refund includes:

• Full purchase price: The total amount the consumer paid
• Collateral charges: Sales tax, license fees, registration fees, title fees, and motor vehicle inspection fees
• Less usage allowance: A reasonable deduction for the consumer's use of the vehicle before the first repair attempt

Missouri's statute does not prescribe a specific formula for calculating the usage allowance. The deduction must be "reasonable," which courts and arbitrators typically base on the mileage driven before the first report of the defect relative to the vehicle's expected useful life.

Note: Under Missouri law, the manufacturer chooses between replacement and refund. This differs from some states that give the consumer the choice.

How Refunds Are Distributed

Refunds go to the consumer and any lienholder of record, split according to their respective interests. If you financed the vehicle, the lender receives its portion first, and you receive the remainder.

Sales Tax Recovery

Missouri provides a specific mechanism for recovering sales tax. The manufacturer may apply to the Missouri Department of Revenue for reimbursement of sales tax and fees that were refunded to the consumer. Alternatively, the manufacturer may direct the consumer to apply directly to the Department of Revenue for the refund.

How to File a Lemon Law Claim in Missouri

Filing a lemon law claim in Missouri requires following specific steps in the correct order.

Step 1: Document Every Repair Visit

Thorough documentation is essential for a successful claim. Keep records of:

• All repair orders and invoices (with dates and descriptions of work performed)
• The number of days your vehicle spent at the repair facility
• Written descriptions of symptoms you experienced
• All correspondence with the dealer and manufacturer
• Receipts for towing, rental cars, and other related expenses
• Photographs or videos of defects when possible

Step 2: Report the Problem During the Coverage Period

Under RSMo 407.565, you must report any nonconformity to the manufacturer, its agent, or an authorized dealer during the warranty term or within one year of delivery (whichever expires first). The manufacturer is then obligated to make repairs necessary to conform the vehicle to the express warranty.

Step 3: Allow Reasonable Repair Attempts

Give the manufacturer or its authorized dealer a reasonable number of opportunities to repair the same defect, and track each attempt carefully, noting dates, duration, and whether the problem was resolved. Four attempts at the same nonconformity, or 30 working days out of service, is the safest position because RSMo 407.571 then presumes the number of attempts was reasonable and the manufacturer has to rebut that presumption. Four attempts is not a statutory minimum, though: RSMo 407.567 sets the duty at "a reasonable number of attempts," so a consumer with a serious safety defect that survives two or three repair visits can still have a claim. Without the presumption, you carry the burden of showing that the attempts made were reasonable, which is worth discussing with an attorney before you stop returning to the dealer.

Step 4: Send Written Notification to the Manufacturer

This step is critical. Under RSMo 407.573, before pursuing lemon law remedies, you (or your representative) must send written notification directly to the manufacturer describing the nonconformity and requesting repair.

After receiving your written notice, the manufacturer must immediately inform you of a reasonably accessible repair facility. Once you deliver the vehicle to that facility, the manufacturer has 10 calendar days to conform the vehicle to the express warranty.

Send your written notice via certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof of delivery.

Step 5: Use Informal Dispute Settlement (If Required)

Under RSMo 407.575, if the manufacturer has established an approved informal dispute settlement procedure that complies with federal regulations (16 C.F.R. Part 703), you must participate in it before filing a lawsuit. The manufacturer must provide information about this procedure in the warranty or owner's manual.

Many major manufacturers participate in the BBB AUTO LINE program, administered by BBB National Programs, which handles Missouri lemon law disputes at no cost to consumers. If the manufacturer failed to inform you about an available dispute settlement procedure, this requirement may not apply.

Step 6: File a Lawsuit if Necessary

If informal resolution fails or no dispute settlement procedure exists, you may file a lawsuit. Under RSMo 407.577, if you prevail and have complied with the statute's notice and repair requirements, the court shall award you costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney fees. This is a mandatory award, not a discretionary one.

Statute of Limitations

Missouri imposes strict deadlines for filing a lemon law claim. Under RSMo 407.573, the general rule is that you must commence your action within whichever of these two dates arrives first:

• 6 months after the terms, conditions, or limitations of the express warranty expire
• 18 months after the date of original delivery of the vehicle

Arbitration adds a separate alternative deadline rather than a third cap. The statute says an action may be brought within those two windows, "or, in the event that a consumer resorts to an informal dispute settlement procedure as provided in sections 407.560 to 407.579, within ninety days following the final action of any panel established pursuant to such procedure." So if you went through an approved program such as BBB AUTO LINE, you have 90 days from the panel's final action to file, and that window can fall after the six-month and eighteen-month dates have already passed.

Missing the deadline that applies to you means losing your right to pursue a lemon law claim, so act promptly once you believe your vehicle qualifies.

Manufacturer Defenses

Under RSMo 407.569, manufacturers may raise affirmative defenses to avoid liability.

Recognized Defenses

The manufacturer carries the burden of proving these defenses. Keeping thorough maintenance records and repair documentation makes it much harder for a manufacturer to succeed with these arguments.

Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act Overlay

In addition to Missouri's state law, the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. Ch. 50) provides a parallel remedy for any consumer covered by a written manufacturer warranty. Under the federal law, a manufacturer's failure to honor warranty obligations can give rise to a breach-of-warranty claim in federal or state court, with attorney fee shifting available to prevailing consumers. Missouri's lemon law and the Magnuson-Moss Act work together: state law creates the repair-attempt presumption; the federal act provides an independent cause of action and a longer potential limitations window (up to four years under the UCC-based implied warranty theory in some cases). Consumers frequently pursue both simultaneously.

Protections for Used Vehicle Buyers

Missouri's lemon law applies only to new motor vehicles. However, used vehicle buyers are not without legal options.

Warranty Transfer Situations

If you purchase a used vehicle that is still within the original manufacturer's warranty period, and the warranty terms allow transfer to subsequent owners, you may have rights under the warranty itself. Some manufacturer warranties transfer automatically; others require registration.

Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. Ch. 50) applies to both new and used vehicles covered by a written warranty. Key advantages of the federal law include:

• Covers used vehicles still under the original manufacturer's warranty
• Provides a longer filing window in some cases
• Allows recovery of attorney fees if you prevail
• Applies alongside state law protections

Other Legal Remedies for Used Vehicles

• Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (RSMo 407.020): Makes deception, fraud, false promises, misrepresentation, unfair practices, and the concealment of material facts unlawful in connection with the sale of merchandise, including vehicles
• UCC warranty claims: Implied warranties of merchantability under the Uniform Commercial Code
• Common law fraud claims: When a seller knowingly misrepresents a vehicle's condition

Under RSMo 407.579, Missouri's lemon law does not limit any other rights or remedies a consumer may have under any other state or federal law.

Filing a Complaint With the Missouri Attorney General

In addition to pursuing lemon law remedies, you can file a consumer complaint with the Missouri Attorney General's Office. The AG's office enforces the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act and mediates disputes between consumers and businesses.

To file a complaint:

• Online: Submit a complaint at ago.mo.gov
• Phone: Call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 800-392-8222
• Mail: Download and mail the complaint form from the AG's website

The AG's consumer mediation process has resulted in millions of dollars in restitution for Missouri consumers. While filing a complaint with the AG does not replace pursuing your lemon law rights, it creates an official record and may help resolve your dispute.

Tips for Strengthening Your Lemon Law Claim

Following these practices from the moment you notice a problem will improve your chances of a successful outcome:

• Report problems immediately. Do not wait for a defect to worsen before taking the vehicle in for repair.
• Use authorized dealers. Always take the vehicle to a manufacturer-authorized repair facility. Repairs performed at independent shops may not count toward the repair attempt threshold.
• Get everything in writing. Request written repair orders for every visit, even if the dealer says no problem was found.
• Keep a log. Record dates, mileage, symptoms, and the names of service advisors you speak with.
• Do not accept verbal promises. If a dealer or manufacturer representative promises a resolution, get it in writing.
• Consult an attorney early. Many lemon law attorneys offer free consultations, and attorney fees may be recoverable if you win.

More Missouri Laws

• Missouri Car Accident Laws

Frequently Asked Questions

How many repair attempts trigger Missouri's lemon law?

Missouri's lemon law presumption applies after four or more repair attempts for the same nonconformity, or after the vehicle is out of service for 30 or more working days. These conditions must occur within the warranty period or one year from delivery, whichever is earlier. Four attempts is not a hard minimum: RSMo 407.567 sets the duty to replace or refund at a 'reasonable number of attempts,' and RSMo 407.571 simply presumes that four attempts is reasonable, so a serious defect that survives fewer visits can still support a claim without the benefit of the presumption. You must also send written notification to the manufacturer and allow a final 10-day repair opportunity before pursuing remedies.

Can I choose between a refund and a replacement vehicle?

No. Under Missouri law, the manufacturer chooses whether to provide a replacement vehicle or a refund. However, any replacement vehicle must be acceptable to the consumer, which gives you some negotiating power. If you reject the replacement as unacceptable, the manufacturer may need to offer an alternative.

Do I have to use the manufacturer's arbitration program?

If the manufacturer has an approved informal dispute settlement procedure that complies with federal regulations and has informed you about it in the warranty or owner's manual, you must participate before filing a lawsuit. Many manufacturers use the BBB AUTO LINE program. If the manufacturer did not properly notify you of the procedure, this requirement may not apply. Arbitration decisions are not binding on the consumer; you can still file a lawsuit afterward.

Does Missouri's lemon law cover used vehicles?

No. Missouri's lemon law applies only to new motor vehicles. However, used vehicle buyers may have protections under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (if the vehicle is still under a manufacturer's written warranty), the Missouri Merchandising Practices Act (RSMo 407.020), UCC implied warranty claims, or common law fraud claims.

How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in Missouri?

You must file within 18 months of the original delivery date or within 6 months after the warranty expires, whichever comes first. If you participated in an informal dispute settlement procedure, you have 90 days after the final decision to file suit.

Can I recover attorney fees in a Missouri lemon law case?

Yes. Under RSMo 407.577, if you prevail in a lemon law action and have complied with the statute's requirements, the court must award you costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney fees. This is a mandatory award, not discretionary. Many Missouri lemon law attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency or fee-shifting basis.