Conn. Gen. Stat. § 42-179
Lemon Law Claims
Defective vehicle claims.
Statute of Limitation in Connecticut
The statute of limitations for filing a Lemon Law claim is typically two years from the date of the original delivery of the vehicle or the first 24,000 miles, whichever comes first
Deadline Calculator
Exceptions & Conditions
An exception occurs if the manufacturer fails to conform the vehicle to express warranties after a reasonable number of attempts; in such cases, the manufacturer must replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price. Additionally, the time limitation can be tolled if repair services are unavailable due to natural disasters or other extraordinary circumstances. Contact an attorney.
Example Scenario
If a consumer receives a vehicle on January 1, 2023, and reports a warranty issue on March 1, 2023.
Understanding Statutes of Limitations in Connecticut
The statute of limitations for lemon law claims in Connecticut acts as a critical deadline for filing a civil lawsuit. This legal time limit is established by Connecticut state law to ensure disputes are resolved promptly while evidence is fresh and witnesses are available.
What happens if you miss the deadline?
If you attempt to file a lawsuit for lemon law claims after the 2-years period has expired, the defendant will likely file a motion to dismiss the case. In Connecticut, courts generally enforce these time limits strictly. Once the statute of limitations has passed, you typically lose your legal right to pursue compensation or remedy for the specific incident, regardless of the merits of your case.
When does the "clock" start ticking?
Generally, the clock begins on the date the cause of action accrues—often the date of the incident (e.g., the date of the accident or breach of contract). However, Connecticut law may include a "discovery rule," which delays the start of the timer until the injured party discovers, or reasonably should have discovered, the injury or damage.
Why do these laws exist?
Statutes of limitations in Connecticut serve to protect defendants from unfair prosecution for stale claims where evidence may have been lost over time. They also provide certainty for businesses and individuals, knowing that after a set number of years (2 years in this instance), potential liability is extinguished.
Can this be resolved in Connecticut Small Claims court?