AUSTIN - Consumers purchasing or leasing new vehicles proven defective have received more than $78 million in relief the last decade under the Texas Lemon Law.

Of the 10,376 complaints closed in the last decade, approximately 6,744 or 64 percent of the complainants received relief. Repurchase, replacement and repair, or some other form of relief was received through a settlement or decision of an administrative law judge.

The Texas Lemon Law covers new or leased vehicles, including cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, motor homes, towable recreational vehicles and neighborhood electric vehicles. TxDOTs rules require that a manufacturer re-title a vehicle reacquired under the Texas Lemon Law. The re-titling requirement will facilitate enforcement of disclosure requirements and hinder what is known as "lemon laundering" or "title washing."

State law also requires manufacturers to issue a disclosure statement and hang a disclosure label from the rear view mirror on vehicles ordered repurchased, replaced or reacquired to settle a Lemon Law complaint. The disclosure requirements are also mandatory for vehicles reacquired under another state's Lemon Law and transferred to Texas for resale. Disclosure statements were required for 336 vehicles in 2005.

TxDOT has started a media campaign to make sure every consumer in Texas who buys a defective vehicle knows where to get the information necessary to have their lemon fixed, repurchased, or replaced. TxDOT has produced 30 second TV and radio public service announcements to launch the campaign. These may be viewed or downloaded from the website (www.texaslemonlaw.us or www.dot.state.tx.us/mvd/lemon/lemonlaw.htm) directly into recording devices.

To obtain a copy of the PSAs, reports or a consumer handbook on the Texas Lemon Law view our website or contact TxDOT's Motor Vehicle Division at (512) 416-4800 or 1-800-622-8682.