Consumer Rights in Pennsylvania
Key Pennsylvania Law
73 P.S. Section 1951-1963 (Pennsylvania Automobile Lemon Law) & 73 P.S. Section 201-1 et seq. (Consumer Protection Law)
Pennsylvania's Automobile Lemon Law covers new motor vehicles and requires manufacturers to replace or refund defective vehicles when covered defects cannot be repaired within a reasonable number of attempts. Pennsylvania's Consumer Protection Law (CPL) is one of the older but still effective state consumer fraud statutes.
View official statuteProcedural Details in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Agencies & Resources
Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — Bureau of Consumer Protection
Enforces Pennsylvania's Consumer Protection Law and investigates deceptive business practices statewide.
Pennsylvania Insurance Department
Regulates insurers and processes consumer complaints about bad faith claim handling in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Bar Association — Lawyer Referral
Connects Pennsylvania consumers with attorneys for lemon law, CPL, and bad faith insurance cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers Pennsylvania's Automobile Lemon Law?
Pennsylvania's lemon law may apply after three repair attempts for the same defect or 30 cumulative days out of service — within one year or 12,000 miles. If the manufacturer has a certified arbitration program, you must go through it before filing a lawsuit. Documenting all repair visits in writing is essential.
What does Pennsylvania's bad faith statute (42 Pa. C.S. Section 8371) provide?
Pennsylvania's statutory bad faith law allows courts to award interest at the prime rate plus three percent on the claim amount, court costs, attorney fees, and punitive damages when an insurer acts in bad faith. This comprehensive statutory framework is stronger than many states that rely solely on common law.
How long do I have to file a consumer protection claim in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's Consumer Protection Law has a six-year statute of limitations — one of the longest in the country. This gives Pennsylvania consumers substantial time to identify and pursue consumer fraud claims, though acting sooner preserves evidence and witness memories.
Does Pennsylvania's lemon law cover motorcycles?
Pennsylvania's Automobile Lemon Law covers motor vehicles, which has been interpreted to include motorcycles under certain circumstances. The key is that the vehicle must have been sold with a warranty and be primarily used for personal, family, or household purposes. Consulting a Pennsylvania lemon law attorney helps determine your specific vehicle's coverage.
Related Consumer Rights Scenarios
Can I sue over a broken warranty?
Legal options when a manufacturer or seller refuses to honor an express or implied warranty on a consumer product.
Can I sue for auto repair fraud?
Legal options when an auto repair shop performs unauthorized work, overcharges, misrepresents needed repairs, or uses deceptive practices.
Can I sue over student loan servicing issues?
Legal options when student loan servicers make errors, misapply payments, provide incorrect information, or mishandle income-driven repayment plans.
Can I sue under lemon laws for defective vehicles?
Legal options when new or used vehicles have persistent defects that manufacturers can't fix.
Have a Specific Situation in Pennsylvania?
Every situation is unique. Try our educational assessment tool for guidance based on your specific circumstances.