Texas lemon law: How to return a defective new car in DFW

Bought a new car in DFW that's constantly in the shop? Texas has a lemon law and it works.

Texas Lemon Law (Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2301):

Covers new vehicles purchased or leased in Texas that develop defects within the warranty period.

Qualification criteria:

• The vehicle has a defect covered by the manufacturer's warranty
• You've given the dealer a reasonable number of repair attempts (generally 4+ for the same issue, or 2+ for a serious safety defect, or the vehicle has been out of service for 30+ cumulative days)
• The defect substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety

The process:

1. Document everything. Every repair visit: date, mileage, complaint, what was done, invoice.
2. File a complaint with TxDMV: txdmv.gov/motorists/consumer-protection/lemon-law. Filing is FREE.
3. TxDMV assigns a mediator. They attempt to resolve the dispute between you and the manufacturer.
4. If mediation fails, a hearing is scheduled. A TxDMV examiner hears both sides and issues a binding decision.
5. Remedies: Replacement vehicle, full refund (minus a reasonable allowance for use), or manufacturer-funded repair.

Key tips:

• Keep every single repair order and invoice
• Document the defect with photos and video if possible
• The law covers the warranty period (typically 3 years/36,000 miles or whatever the manufacturer warrants)
• You do NOT need an attorney (but one can help for complex cases)

Used car note: Texas lemon law does NOT cover used cars. For used cars, your remedies are: dealer warranty if applicable, DTPA (Deceptive Trade Practices Act) if the dealer misrepresented the vehicle, or Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (federal) if a written warranty was provided.

Sources:

• Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2301 (Lemon Law)
• TxDMV — Lemon Law complaint process (txdmv.gov)
• Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) — Business and Commerce Code Chapter 17

Document every repair visit. That paper trail IS your case.