Louisiana Lemon Law Buyback Calculator

In Louisiana, a lemon law buyback (repurchase) refunds what you paid for the vehicle minus an allowance for the use you got from it. Louisiana Revised Statutes 51:1944(C) defines that allowance as the amount directly attributable to use before the first notice of the nonconformity to the manufacturer, agent or dealer, and during any later period when the vehicle is not out of service for repair. The statute sets no mileage divisor, so our calculator's allowance is only an estimate: it divides the mileage you enter for when the defect first appeared by 120,000, the figure California's and Florida's lemon statutes use, and multiplies by the price. A licensed attorney can confirm how the allowance applies to your purchase or lease.

Louisiana recognizes a "lemon presumption" that shifts the burden to the manufacturer once your repair history crosses set thresholds. If the dealer cannot fix the same substantial, warranty-covered defect after 4 repair attempts, or if the vehicle is out of service for a cumulative 45 days, the vehicle is presumed to be a lemon. This presumption generally applies within the first 12 months of ownership.

Louisiana's state lemon law generally covers new vehicles purchased with a manufacturer's warranty. If your vehicle is used or falls outside the state statute, you may still have a claim under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which applies to written warranties nationwide.

Louisiana Revised Statutes 51:1944(E) gives a consumer no more than 3 years from the date of purchase, or until 1 year from the end of the warranty period, whichever is longer, to file suit against the manufacturer to force a refund or replacement. With a warranty longer than 2 years the deadline falls later than 3 years after purchase. A licensed attorney can confirm which deadline applies to your vehicle. When a vehicle qualifies, Louisiana requires the manufacturer to repurchase or replace it rather than keep attempting repairs. Louisiana's lemon law provides for an award of attorney fees to a consumer who wins (Louisiana Revised Statutes 51:1947).