Iowa lemon law and warranty dispute resources
Status: Official page read; key points summarized. Last checked 2026-10-18.
What the official page says
Source: Vehicles & Travel, Iowa Lemon Law section (Iowa Attorney General) (read 2026-10-18). This is a summary of that page, not the statute. Exact tests, exclusions and deadlines are on the official page and in the statute, and may have changed.
- The page says the Iowa Lemon Law may help owners of certain newer vehicles with serious defects that continue after repair attempts; basic eligibility is listed as under two years old or less than 24,000 miles, under 15,000 pounds, and a defect that makes the vehicle unfit, unreliable, unsafe, or significantly reduces value. It says motorcycles, mopeds, motor tricycles and RVs do not qualify.
- The page lists repair-attempt standards: three or more shop visits for the same problem that still exists; one visit for a defect likely to cause serious injury or death that still exists; or out of service for 20 or more days with a problem still existing.
- The page says that to start a claim you notify both the manufacturer and the corresponding dispute resolution program through the available portal, email, or certified mail, and keep copies of everything.
- The page lists documents that may support a claim: repair orders for each visit, the purchase or lease agreement, a timeline of days out of service, towing receipts, and pictures, correspondence and statements. It links the full text of the law, a Motor Vehicle Defect Notification Form and certified dispute program contacts.
Numbers the page states
| Item | As stated on the official page |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Under two years old or less than 24,000 miles (as worded on the page) |
| Weight | Under 15,000 pounds |
| Repair attempts | Three or more visits for the same problem; one for a serious injury/death defect |
| Days out of service | 20 or more days |
Counting rules differ (calendar days vs. business days, what counts as a repair attempt). Use the repair log tool to organize dates, then confirm how your state counts.
Not covered or not confirmed in this summary
- The page's wording "under two years old or less than 24,000 miles" is quoted as written. Check Iowa Code chapter 322G for the exact test.
- The page does not say whether the 20 days out of service are business days or calendar days.
Other official pages used
Industry arbitration program summary (not a government source)
BBB National Programs, which runs the BBB AUTO LINE dispute program, publishes a state summary: BBB AUTO LINE: Iowa lemon law summary (link checked 2026-10-18). It is published by an industry-linked program, so treat it as a starting point and confirm against the state's own page or statute.
What to do first
- Keep every repair order and receipt. See the records checklist.
- Write down dates and mileage for each repair visit with the repair log tool (nothing is saved or sent).
- Read the federal warranty basics and arbitration pages.
- Consider speaking with a licensed attorney in your state about deadlines. Many have free consultations, but we do not recommend any specific one.