Role of the BBB in PA Lemon Law Cases

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) actually plays a pivotal role in Pennsylvania Lemon Law Claims. The BBB is often part of the first step in pursuing a PA Lemon Law claim. The PA Lemon Law requires participation in an informal dispute settlement program (often called Arbitration) if the manufacturer has established one, before a Lemon Law lawsuit can be filed.

The BBB handles the informal dispute programs in Pennsylvania for many of the major manufacturers. Acura, Audi, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Isuzu, Kia, Lincoln, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan, Saab, Saturn and Volkswagen all use the BBB as their informal dispute settlement program in Pennsylvania.

If you have a Chrysler product, they do not, at this time, participate in the BBB program.  Instead, their claims are sent to a pre-litigation law firm who attempts to settle your claim amicably.

The BBB program is a cost fee way of having your Lemon Law case reviewed by an impartial third party. You can proceed with this program in one of two ways: (1) You can submit your case and have a small hearing, or (2) You can submit all of your documents and allow the Arbitrator to make a ruling based solely on the documents presented. This process is designed to have a resolution within forty (40) days from the date that the claim was initiated. If the process takes longer than that, you can proceed directly to the filing of a lawsuit. The informal dispute settlement decision is not binding on the purchaser, but is binding upon the manufacturer.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions that you may have about the Pennsylvania Lemon Law, Breach of Warranty, or any other defective automobile related issue at 1-888-LEMON-44 or via email to Attorney Greg Artim