Consumer Rights in Michigan

Michigan lemon law applies after four repair attempts for the same defect, or 30 cumulative days out of service — within one year or 12,000 miles. If the manufacturer has an informal dispute settlement procedure, you must use it before filing a lawsuit. Documentation of each repair attempt with written repair orders is critical.

Under M.C.L. Section 500.2006, if an insurer unreasonably refuses to pay a valid claim, the court may award 12% interest per year on the overdue amount plus reasonable attorney fees. This statutory interest penalty compensates for delayed payment and discourages bad faith conduct by Michigan insurers.

Michigan's Consumer Protection Act has a six-year statute of limitations — one of the longest in the country. This extended period provides meaningful time to identify and pursue consumer fraud claims. However, evidence and witnesses are more available sooner, so consulting an attorney promptly is still advisable.

Michigan's CPA allows actual damages, attorney fees, and an additional civil damages award of up to $250 per violation. Injunctive relief is also available. For large-scale consumer fraud involving many victims, class actions under the CPA are possible.