Indiana Lemon Law, explained for vehicle owners.
The Indiana Lemon Law — formally the Motor Vehicle Protection Act, codified at Ind. Code § 24-5-13 — gives Indiana vehicle owners the right to a refund or replacement when a manufacturer cannot fix a substantially impairing defect within four repair attempts for the same defect or 30 cumulative business days out of service during the first 18 months or 18,000 miles. The Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division administers consumer complaints. There is no state-run arbitration board; consumers can use manufacturer arbitration or proceed directly to court.
Indiana's Motor Vehicle Protection Act is a relatively traditional state Lemon Law without the elaborate state-administered arbitration programs found in California, Florida, or New York. The framework is built around the basic Lemon Law presumption — four repair attempts or 30 days out of service — and routes enforcement primarily through the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division for complaints, with court actions for substantive claims. This makes Indiana procedurally simpler than coastal states but with similar core protections.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. Consult a licensed Indiana attorney for advice on your specific situation.
Indiana Lemon Law structure
The Indiana Lemon Law is codified at Ind. Code § 24-5-13, formally the Motor Vehicle Protection Act. Key features:
- No state arbitration program: Indiana does not operate a state-run arbitration board for Lemon Law cases
- Manufacturer arbitration option: Consumers may use manufacturer-sponsored programs (like BBB Auto Line) where available
- Court alternative: Consumers can file directly in Indiana state court
- Consumer Protection Division complaints: Indiana AG handles consumer complaints against dealers and manufacturers
- Coverage period: 18 months or 18,000 miles, whichever first occurs
What vehicles are covered
Indiana Lemon Law applies to:
- New motor vehicles purchased or leased in Indiana for personal use
- Vehicles primarily used for personal, family, or household purposes
- Demonstrator vehicles sold to consumers
Generally excluded: used vehicles, motor homes (chassis is covered, living quarters are not), commercial vehicles over the consumer-use threshold, off-road vehicles. For used vehicles, federal Magnuson-Moss may still apply.
Repair-attempt thresholds
The Indiana presumption applies if any of the above thresholds are met within the 18-month / 18,000-mile coverage period. Note the "business days" specification — weekends and holidays do not count, which makes the cumulative threshold marginally longer in calendar terms than states using standard days.
Indiana AG Consumer Protection Division
A division of the Indiana Attorney General's office handling consumer complaints, including those involving auto dealers, manufacturers, and warranty disputes. The division does not adjudicate Lemon Law claims directly but can investigate and may take administrative or civil action against bad actors.
The Indiana AG Consumer Protection Division:
- Accepts written consumer complaints (online or paper)
- Investigates patterns of dealer or manufacturer conduct
- May initiate civil enforcement under Indiana's Deceptive Consumer Sales Act (Ind. Code § 24-5-0.5)
- Cannot order Lemon Law remedies directly — that requires manufacturer agreement or court order
Filing an AG complaint creates a public record and signals to the manufacturer that the consumer is documenting issues formally. It is not a substitute for civil action when the manufacturer refuses warranty obligations.
Remedies under Indiana law
- Refund: Purchase price + collateral charges − usage offset
- Replacement: Comparable new vehicle with usage offset
- Attorney fees: Recoverable in court actions under § 24-5-13-20
For full calculation methodology of refund and offset, see our buyback and replacement guide.
Filing deadlines
- Indiana Lemon Law coverage window: 18 months or 18,000 miles from delivery
- Court statute of limitations: 4 years (Ind. Code § 26-1-2-725) for warranty claims
- Manufacturer arbitration deadlines: Vary by program (typically 6-12 months from defect)
For comprehensive deadline analysis, see our statute of limitations guide.
Step-by-step Indiana claim process
- Defect manifests during 18-month / 18,000-mile period
- Document repair attempts (each repair order, dates, mileage)
- Reach repair-attempt threshold (4 same-defect, 1 safety, or 30 business days)
- Send written notice to manufacturer demanding cure
- Optional: file complaint with Indiana AG Consumer Protection Division (creates record)
- Optional: try manufacturer arbitration if program is available
- If unresolved, file civil action in Indiana state court
- Discovery, mediation, settlement or trial
Major Indiana metros
Top Indiana vehicle markets:
- Indianapolis (~2.1M metro population, largest market)
- Fort Wayne (~430K metro population)
- Evansville (~315K metro population)
- South Bend / Elkhart corridor
Frequently asked questions
Does Indiana have a state-run Lemon Law arbitration program?
No. Unlike California, New York, Florida, or Texas, Indiana does not operate a state arbitration board for Lemon Law cases. Consumers can use manufacturer-sponsored arbitration (like BBB Auto Line) or proceed directly to court. The Indiana AG handles consumer complaints administratively but does not adjudicate individual claims.
Does the Indiana Lemon Law cover used cars?
Generally no — Indiana's Lemon Law applies to new vehicles only. CPO vehicles sold with manufacturer warranty may qualify in limited circumstances. For used vehicles, federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act remains the primary path. See our used-car coverage guide.
Do I need an attorney to file an Indiana Lemon Law case?
Not strictly required, but recommended. Indiana allows attorney-fee recovery for prevailing consumers under § 24-5-13-20, which makes representation effectively free for valid claims. Manufacturers are typically represented by experienced counsel.
What is the difference between "business days" and "calendar days" for Indiana days-out-of-service threshold?
Indiana counts business days, meaning weekends and holidays are excluded. A vehicle in the shop from Friday morning through Tuesday morning would count as one business day (Friday) plus zero business days for the weekend, plus zero for Monday if it was a holiday. This makes the 30-day threshold longer in calendar terms than states using standard days.
Can I sue an out-of-state manufacturer in Indiana?
Yes. Indiana courts have personal jurisdiction over manufacturers that distribute vehicles in Indiana — which includes essentially every major auto manufacturer. Manufacturers maintain registered agents for service of process in Indiana.
Next steps
- Read the general Lemon Law overview for federal context
- Check whether your repair history meets the repair-attempt threshold
- Document repair history meticulously starting now
- If approaching the 18-month / 18,000-mile window, consult an Indiana consumer-warranty attorney
- If you find an error in this guide or want us to add a citation, tell us
This guide is reviewed quarterly against current Indiana statutes. Last full review: May 2, 2026.