How Long Does the Lemon Law Process Take in Texas?

The lemon law process usually takes around 3 to 12 months in Texas.

For simple cases with complete documentation, they can be resolved within 60 to 90 days. But for disputed claims, they may take a year or even longer if they require a hearing or arbitration.

We'll break down each stage of the Lemon Law process in Texas to help you understand the factors that can slow down your claim and what can help resolve it faster.

Texas Lemon Law Process Timeline (Step by Step)

If your car clearly qualifies as a lemon, waiting months for a resolution can be frustrating. But there's no quick solution — you'll have to go through the Lemon Law process.

Texas Lemon Law Timeline at a Glance:

Most cases take several months because manufacturers are given response windows and hearings are scheduled through the TxDMV.

Step	Estimated Time	What Happens
Vehicle repair attempts	Weeks to months	Document repair attempts Defect must meet any of these tests: Four-times test Serious safety-hazard 30-day test
File complaint at TxDMV	Up to 2 weeks	Gather paperwork and submit complaint to Texas DMV Lemon Law program
Manufacturer response period	30-60+ days	Manufacturer is notified and responds (may request more info, offer repairs, dispute eligibility, or settle)
Settlement negotiations / arbitration	2-4 months	Through negotiation, case may resolve to buyback offers, replacement, cash settlement, or denial
Hearing (TxDMV)	2-6 months	TxDMV schedules a hearing if there's no settlement
Decision (TxDMV)	30-60 days	After the hearing, TxDMV issues a written decision
Final resolution	Around 30 days	If the case resolves in your favor, the manufacturer completes the remedy (refund, replacement, or compensation)

1. Vehicle Repair Attempts (Weeks to Months)

After identifying a defect with your car, it must pass one of the following tests to qualify under the Texas Lemon Law:

Four-times test
Serious safety-hazard test
30-day test

This step in the Lemon Law process in Texas can take several weeks to months, depending on the duration and number of repairs. You won't be able to move to the next step without proper documentation of repair attempts and service records.

2. Filing a Lemon Law Complaint (1-2 Weeks)

Filing a complaint with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) is the next step in the Lemon Law process. Most people take anywhere from a few days to 2 weeks to prepare and submit their claim.

One of the reasons claims get delayed at this stage is when people submit incomplete or incorrect paperwork. So, if you want this step to take less time, have the following ready:

Repair invoices
Warranty documents
Lease or purchase agreement

3. Waiting for the Manufacturer's Response (30+ Days)

After filing your complaint, the car manufacturer is notified and given time to respond. In most cases, this step takes around 30 to 60 days.

Unfortunately, the law doesn't specify a maximum timeframe for a manufacturer to issue a response. So, there's no guarantee that they'll respond within this period.

Real-world timelines vary widely depending on the manufacturer and complexity of the claim, as illustrated by consumer reports.

In this Reddit post, user Maxtheblack4 shares, "They (Kia) generally respond in 30 days. If you choose vehicle buyback, it will take another 90 days for them to pay you and another 3 weeks to 'inspect' the vehicle."

But for Redditor jajajajim, the manufacturer took 100 days to respond. "From the time I sent my Lemon Law notice by certified mail to the time they sent me an offer letter, it was 100 days."

During this phase, the manufacturer may:

Request additional documentation
Offer another repair attempt
Agree to a settlement
Dispute eligibility

Many Lemon Law cases are resolved at this stage, provided they have a valid and strong claim.

4. Settlement Negotiations or Arbitration (2-4 Months)

In some instances, Lemon Law claims are resolved even before a formal hearing. Early settlement negotiations can wrap up a case in 2 to 4 months, but it will still depend on the claim.

For Redditor Next-Quality2895, the manufacturer (Kia) denied a buyback after about 3 months. "Now the attorney is working with BBB. Honestly, it all seems like stupid, backwards bureaucracy to me. They just need to buy the obviously very flawed vehicle that I purchased."

You may have a better chance if you have a good lawyer working on your case. There are no upfront fees (as you can read in our article, How Much Does a Lemon Lawyer Cost), so you won't have to worry about paying your lawyer before you win the case.

If the manufacturer agrees to settle, you can expect either of the following possible outcomes:

Vehicle buyback
Replacement vehicle
Cash compensation

But if the manufacturer refuses to settle, your case will proceed to a Lemon Law hearing.

5. Lemon Law Hearing (2-6 Months)

Since the TxDMV administers and decides on Texas Lemon Law claims, they will schedule an administrative hearing if your settlement negotiations fail. Depending on scheduling availability and case complexity, this step can add several months to the process.

After the hearing, you'll have to wait around 30 to 60 days for the TxDMV to issue a decision.

This step often takes the longest time in the Texas Lemon Law process, especially in contested cases.

6. Final Resolution (30 Days)

Once the TxDMV finalizes its decision, manufacturers are generally required to act within 30 days. They may issue a refund, replace the vehicle, or give cash as compensation.

What Makes the Texas Lemon Law Process Faster?

Some Lemon Law cases resolve much faster than average. The following can help make the process faster:

Clear eligibility under one of the three tests
Complete repair and warranty documentation
Early manufacturer settlement
Legal representation from the start

What Can Delay the Lemon Law Process?

Even strong Lemon Law cases can get delayed. Some of the issues that can cause delays include:

Incomplete repair records: You may be asked to provide additional documentation if you submit incomplete paperwork or service records with vague repair descriptions.
Unyielding manufacturer: Some manufacturers strongly challenge Lemon Law claims.
Ongoing repairs: If your vehicle is still being repaired in the service center, it may delay your case.
Arbitration vs. court disputes: If your case is not settled through arbitration and proceeds to a hearing, it may add months to the timeline.

FAQ About the Lemon Law Process Timeline

Q: Can I still drive my car while waiting for the resolution?

A: Yes. In most cases, you can continue driving your car unless it poses a serious safety risk.

Q: Is arbitration faster than a hearing?

A: Generally, yes. Arbitration is usually quicker and less expensive than litigation.

Q: What happens if I miss the deadline for filing a Lemon Law claim?

A: If you miss the filing deadline or warranty limit, your claim will not be valid (regardless of defect severity).

Hire a Lawyer to Help with your Lemon Law Claim

Some steps in the Texas Lemon Law process, such as manufacturer response times or hearing schedules, are beyond your control. But many of the situations that can delay a case can be avoided.

To ensure faster resolution of your Lemon Law claim, hire an experienced Lemon Law attorney who can help:

Confirm claim eligibility
File your claim correctly
Communicate with the manufacturer
Push for early settlement
Prepare for hearings

When a Lemon lawyer is involved, manufacturers usually take claims more seriously. And if you work with the right attorney, it can make a huge difference in your case.

Need Help With Your Lemon Law Case?

If you're dealing with a defective vehicle, our experienced attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.

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