Last Updated on November 3, 2025 by Emily Johnson
The conference room at the Miramar City Hall annex felt particularly stuffy that Tuesday afternoon. I was sitting across from a young couple from the Silver Shores community, their brandnew SUV’s key fob sitting on the table between us like a piece of evidence. You could see the frustration in their eyes—that specific kind of fatigue that comes from months of backandforth with a dealership, of a vehicle that spent more time in the shop than on the Turnpike. “We just want to know if we have a case,” the husband said, and honestly, after nearly a decade of handling lemon law claims here in Miramar, I could tell they absolutely did.
That’s the reality of my practice. We’re not just dealing with legal statutes; we’re dealing with people’s daily lives. A defective car isn’t just an inconvenience in a city like ours, where a reliable vehicle is essential for the commute to Fort Lauderdale or Miami, for getting the kids to school in the eastern neighborhoods, or for navigating the sudden, torrential downpours that can flood roads near the Miramar Town Center in minutes. The heat and humidity here, to tell you the truth, can be brutal on a car’s electrical systems and air conditioning—two of the most common failure points I see in local lemon law cases.
What Actually Qualifies as a Lemon in Florida?
Most people think a “lemon” is just a car that has a few problems. But Florida’s lemon law has a very specific definition. It’s not about a single, minor issue. The law, formally known as the Florida Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act, protects you when a new or demonstrator vehicle has a substantial defect that the manufacturer or its authorized service agent (read: the dealership) has been given a reasonable number of attempts to fix.
So, what’s a “reasonable number”? Here’s the insider secret that most dealerships won’t volunteer: it’s typically three or four attempts for the same issue, or one attempt for a serious safety defect (like faulty brakes or steering), or if the car has been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 days or more. I’ve had clients from the Sunset Lakes area come to me after two repair attempts for a persistent check engine light, and I tell them to document one more visit. That third repair order is often the key that unlocks the claim.
And the defect has to be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty. This seems obvious, but you’d be surprised. Long story short, if you’re driving around Miramar with a new car that’s constantly in the shop, you’re probably not just unlucky. You might be driving a lemon.
The Unique Miramar Angle on Vehicle Defects
Look, every region has its quirks. Up north, it’s rust and heating systems. Here in South Florida, our challenges are different. The constant heat and brutal humidity are absolute murder on a car’s complex electronics and computer systems. I can’t tell you how many cases I’ve seen where a car’s infotainment screen goes blank, the advanced driverassistance systems fail, or the air conditioning just gives up the ghost—all problems exacerbated by our climate.
Then there’s the salt air. We’re not directly on the coast, but we’re close enough. That salty, humid breeze contributes to premature corrosion, even on brandnew vehicles. I had a client from the western enclaves near the Palm Cove area whose new truck’s battery terminals corroded so quickly it caused repeated electrical failures. The dealership tried to blame it on “environmental factors,” but the lemon law doesn’t care about the cause, only that the vehicle isn’t functioning as warranted.
You know what’s funny? The dealerships know this, too. They see these pattern failures all the time. But their first instinct is rarely to offer a repurchase or replacement. It’s to keep trying the same repairs, hoping you’ll get tired and go away. That’s where someone like me comes in.
What to Do When You Think You Have a Lemon
If you’re starting to suspect your new vehicle is a dud, don’t wait. The process is timesensitive. Here’s a practical, stepbystep approach based on what I’ve seen work for hundreds of Miramar residents.
- Document Everything Meticulously: I mean everything. Keep a dedicated folder—digital or physical. Save every repair order, every invoice, every line of communication with the service advisor. Note the dates the car was dropped off and picked up. Take pictures or videos of the problem occurring. This paper trail is your best friend.
- Be Specific with Your Complaints: When you take the car in, don’t just say “the car is making a noise.” Describe the noise, when it happens, and under what conditions. Is it when you accelerate from a stoplight on Miramar Parkway? When you turn the AC on full blast? The more precise you are, the harder it is for them to claim they “could not replicate the concern.”
- Understand the “Final Repair Attempt” Letter: This is a crucial step that many people miss. Before you can file a claim under the Florida lemon law, you usually have to send the manufacturer a written notice via certified mail, giving them one last chance to fix the problem. This is a formal, legal step. Wait—actually, let me rephrase that more clearly: messing this up can jeopardize your entire case, so this is where consulting with an attorney early on can make a huge difference.
I’ve made the mistake myself early in my career of not advising a client to send this letter correctly, and it delayed their resolution by months. That one still stings. So learn from my error.
The Realistic Timeline and Outcome
This isn’t an overnight process. From the moment you hire an attorney to a potential resolution—whether it’s a repurchase, replacement, or cash compensation—you’re typically looking at a few months. The manufacturer has a right to participate in a staterun mediation program through the Florida Attorney General’s office before a lawsuit is even filed, which can add time but sometimes leads to a settlement.
The goal, almost always, is to get you out of the defective vehicle and into a reliable one, or to get your money back. Under the law, you’re entitled to the full purchase price, plus all finance charges, registration fees, and even some incidental costs, minus a very small deduction for your use of the vehicle. Most homeowners I work with in Miramar are relieved to find they won’t be on the hook for thousands of dollars on a car that never worked right.
Some Established Local Legal Resources
Based on actual local presence, here are some established providers in Miramar and the broader South Florida area who focus on consumer law and lemon law claims:
Klein Law Group — Serves the broader South Florida region, including Miramar.
Lemon Law Lawyers of Florida — Statewide firm with extensive experience in the Miramar area.
Krohn & Moss, P.A. — A national firm with a strong practice handling Florida lemon law claims.
Florida Attorney General’s Lemon Law Program — The official state mediation program.
It’s always a good idea to verify a firm’s standing and read client reviews before proceeding.
Navigating the System and Your Rights
To be completely honest, the manufacturers and their legal teams are counting on you not knowing the intricacies of the law. They’ll use jargon and delay tactics. But the truth is, the Florida lemon law is a powerful consumer protection statute. It’s designed to level the playing field.
You should also know that if you win your case, the manufacturer is typically required to pay your attorney’s fees. This is a huge deal. It means that qualified attorneys, like myself, can take these cases on a contingency basis—you don’t pay us unless we win. This makes legal representation accessible to pretty much everyone in Miramar who has a legitimate claim.
Anyway, the point is, you don’t have to fight this battle alone. The law is on your side, and there are professionals here in our community who know how to use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the lemon law cover used cars?
Generally, Florida’s main lemon law applies only to new and demonstrator vehicles. However, some used cars might be covered under the federal MagnusonMoss Warranty Act if they’re still under an original manufacturer’s warranty. It’s always worth checking.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim?
You have a limited time, typically within the first 24 months after you take delivery of the vehicle. Don’t wait until the last minute—the process takes time, so act as soon as you suspect a recurring problem.
What if the dealership says the problem is “normal”?
That’s a common brushoff. A persistent, significant issue that impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle is not “normal.” If it feels wrong and keeps happening, it probably is, and you should seek a professional opinion.
Can I just sue the dealership myself?
You can, but it’s not advisable. The manufacturer, not the dealership, is the entity responsible under the lemon law. Suing the wrong party is a procedural misstep that can get your case dismissed. An attorney helps you target the right defendant.
So, if you’re in Miramar and that new car smell has been replaced by the scent of repair shop waiting rooms, start by gathering your documents and having a confidential chat with someone who knows the local landscape. It’s the first step toward getting your life, and your commute, back on track.