Driving in Broward County with a Problem Vehicle
Broward County roads are busy. From I-95 through Fort Lauderdale to US-1 in Hollywood, drivers put real miles on their vehicles every day. When a brand-new car keeps breaking down, it is more than an inconvenience. It can affect your safety, your job, and your daily life.
The good news is that Florida law has specific protections for consumers in exactly this situation. Florida's Lemon Law, Chapter 681 of the Florida Statutes, sets clear rules for what happens when a new vehicle cannot be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts.
This guide explains how the law works and what Broward County consumers generally need to know.
Which Vehicles Does the Law Cover?
Florida's Lemon Law covers new motor vehicles and demonstrator vehicles that were sold or leased in Florida. If you drove a new car or a demo unit off a Broward County dealership lot, you are likely in the right category.
The law does not cover used vehicles in the same way. If you purchased a used car, the Lemon Law protections described here generally do not apply. You may have other options, but they fall under different laws.
Not sure whether a demonstrator qualifies? The short answer is yes, in most cases. You can read more in our post on demonstrator vehicle lemon law.
The Lemon Law Rights Period
Timing matters. The Lemon Law rights period is 24 months from the date of original delivery of the vehicle to the first consumer. Problems that appear and are reported within that window can qualify. Problems that first surface after the 24-month period has passed generally fall outside the law's reach.
This is why it is important not to wait. Many consumers assume they have more time than they do, or they keep hoping the dealership will eventually fix the issue on its own.
What Counts as a "Nonconformity"?
Not every rattle or minor annoyance rises to the level the law requires. To qualify under the statute, a defect must be a nonconformity. That means it must substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle.
Common nonconformities include:
- Repeated engine stalling or failure to start
- Transmission problems that affect driveability
- Brake defects that create a safety concern
- Air conditioning systems that fail completely in Florida's heat
- Electrical or software issues that disable critical functions
If you are dealing with an air conditioning problem specifically, our post on AC failure and Florida's Lemon Law goes into more detail.
The Repair Attempt Rule
The statute sets a specific threshold for repair attempts. After 3 repair attempts for the same nonconformity, the consumer is generally required to send written notice to the manufacturer. This notice is called a Motor Vehicle Defect Notification.
Once the manufacturer receives that written notice, they get one final opportunity to repair the defect. If the vehicle still is not fixed after that final attempt, the consumer may have the right to seek a remedy.
Keeping good records is critical. Save every repair order. Note the date you dropped off the vehicle, the date you picked it up, and exactly what the technicians said they did. That paperwork becomes your evidence.
The Days-Out-of-Service Rule
There is a second path to qualifying under the law. If your vehicle has been out of service for repair for 30 or more cumulative days within the Lemon Law rights period, that alone may support a claim. For recreational vehicles, the threshold is 60 days.
The days do not have to be consecutive. They add up across all visits related to warranty repairs.
Written notice to the manufacturer is also required under this route, and the manufacturer gets an opportunity to inspect or repair the vehicle before a claim moves forward.
For a deeper look at how these days are counted, see our post on days out of service and Florida's Lemon Law.