If the brakes don't work, the car won't go into reverse gear, the darn thing won't start on cold mornings or hot afternoons, the rear door opens all by itself, the driver's seat wobbles, or the car chugs along at 30 mph when it should be going 50 mph, then yes, you may have a Lemon. Provided, of course, you've given the manufacturer an opportunity to repair the defect.
In most states, 10 different defects during the warranty period does not brand the car as a lemon. In some states, a single defect that might cause serious injury makes your car a lemon if the manufacturer cannot fix the problem within 1 attempt.
You may have a lemon, but if you do nothing to protect your consumer rights, such as documenting your repairs and allowing the manufacturer a chance to fix the problem(s), you lose all rights under the various State Warranty Acts.
Is a Used or Leased Car protected?
It depends upon which state the car was purchased or leased in. Some states include used and leased cars in their lemon law statutes. Some states have separate laws for used vehicles. Some states provide protection only for new cars. In some states, even the Attorney General is unable to tell you if a leased vehicle is covered due to the way the law is phrased and you will be referred to an attorney for clarification of the law. See the lemon law summary and the state statutes for your particular state to determine what is covered.
Do I need a Lawyer?
The answer depends upon which state you purchased or registered your car in. In some states and with proper documentation, you simply file a complaint. In other states, you will need to hire an attorney.
Who pays the Lawyer?
Only about half of the states allow you to recover attorney fees. If your attorney sues under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, you will be awarded attorney fees if you win. Note that an attorney's fee is based upon actual time expended rather than being tied to any percentage of the recovery. In some states, you must pay the manufacturer's attorney fees if you lose