A lemon law demand letter tells a manufacturer or dealer, in writing, that your vehicle has a defect they haven't fixed after a fair chance — and that you want a refund or a replacement.
It matters because most state lemon laws and the federal warranty law expect the maker to get one clear, documented opportunity to make things right before you escalate. The letter is that opportunity, on the record.
The vehicle. Year, make, model, VIN, purchase or lease date, and mileage then and now.
The defect. What is wrong, in plain terms, and why it matters — a safety problem, something that keeps the car from being used, a fault that keeps returning.
The repair history. Every visit for this problem: the date, the shop, what the repair order said, how long they kept it, and that the issue came back. Repair orders are the spine of this letter.
What you want. A refund of what you have paid, or a comparable replacement vehicle, stated clearly, with a date by which you want a response.
Copies of every repair order, the purchase or lease agreement, the warranty booklet, and any prior correspondence. Send it to the manufacturer's address for warranty disputes, not just the dealership — and keep proof of delivery.
It doesn't decide whether your car qualifies. Every state draws the line differently — how many repair attempts, how many days out of service, whether the problem has to be safety-related, how long you have to act. There is no universal threshold, and this letter shouldn't claim one. It presents your history and lets the manufacturer respond.
You may not have much yet if: the problem has only been in once, or the shop fixed it and it hasn't recurred, or the issue is wear, cosmetic, or something you modified. A strong letter rests on a documented pattern.
Wherewithal organizes the repair history and drafts the letter. It is not a law firm and not legal advice — a state lemon law claim often has real deadlines, and those are worth confirming.
Wherewithal is an organizational tool only. Not legal advice. Consider consulting a licensed attorney.