GMC trucks and SUVs are some of the most common vehicles on Florida roads, and some of the most common vehicles we see in lemon law cases. When a new Sierra, Yukon, or Hummer EV keeps going back to the dealer for the same problem, or sits at the dealership for weeks, Florida's Lemon Law may require General Motors to buy it back or replace it.

GMC Models We Handle

  • GMC Sierra 1500 (and Sierra HD, subject to the 10,000-lb GVWR rule), including Denali and AT4 trims
  • GMC Yukon and Yukon XL
  • GMC Hummer EV pickup and SUV, and the Sierra EV
  • GMC Canyon, Acadia, and Terrain

Common GMC Problems in Lemon Law Claims

  • 6.2L V8 (L87) engine failures: GM recall 25V-274 covers certain 2021–2024 trucks and SUVs with this engine. See our recall guide.
  • 5.3L and 6.2L lifter, AFM/DFM, and misfire problems: see our lifter guide.
  • A/C blowing warm, especially on one side: see our A/C guide.
  • Transmission harsh shifts, shudder, and slipping (8-speed and 10-speed automatics)
  • Electrical and infotainment faults: screens, cameras, warning lights, and no-start conditions
  • EV battery, charging, and drive unit problems on the Hummer EV and Sierra EV

Engine Replacements and Long Dealer Stays

Engine replacements can take weeks when parts are back-ordered. Every calendar day the vehicle is at the dealer for repairs counts toward Florida's 30-day out-of-service presumption, and the days add up across visits. Read what to do when your truck has been at the dealer 70+ days.

How Florida's Lemon Law Applies

Florida's Motor Vehicle Warranty Enforcement Act (Fla. Stat. ch. 681) covers new vehicles bought or leased in Florida and used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. The key rules:

  • 24-month Lemon Law Rights Period, measured from the date the vehicle was first delivered to the consumer.
  • A presumption that the vehicle is a lemon if, during that period, the same defect has been through 3 or more repair attempts and still exists (after the manufacturer's final repair attempt), or the vehicle has been out of service for repair of one or more defects for a cumulative 30 or more days.
  • Written notice to the manufacturer, sent by registered or express mail, is required before the presumption can be used. The manufacturer then gets a final repair attempt.
  • Remedy: a repurchase (refund) or a comparable replacement vehicle, less a reasonable offset for use. The consumer may choose the refund.
  • Exclusions: trucks over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, off-road vehicles, and motorcycles are not covered.

See our Florida Lemon Law overview and how many repair attempts for more detail.

Heavy-Duty Trucks: The 10,000-Pound GVWR Rule

Florida's Lemon Law excludes "trucks over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight." Light-duty 1500 pickups are well under that line. Many 2500HD and 3500HD configurations are over it, and some are close to it, so coverage depends on the specific truck.

Check the GVWR printed on the certification label in the driver's door jamb. If it is 10,000 pounds or less, the truck may be covered. If it is higher, Chapter 681 likely does not apply, though other warranty remedies (such as the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) may still be available. Send us a photo of the label and we'll tell you where you stand.

Work Trucks and Business Use

The law protects vehicles used primarily for personal, family, or household purposes. A truck you also use for some work can still qualify, but a vehicle bought and used mainly for a business may not. Tell us how you use the truck during the case review.

Documents to Gather

  • Every repair order (RO), with dates in and out, mileage, your complaint, and what the dealer did
  • Your purchase or lease contract and window sticker
  • Any written notice you sent to the manufacturer, and proof of registered or express mail delivery
  • Loaner or rental agreements (they help prove days out of service)
  • Recall and bulletin notices, texts, and emails from the dealer or manufacturer

Statewide Florida Representation

We represent owners in all 67 Florida counties, from Miami and Tampa to Jacksonville and the Panhandle. Case review is by phone and email, with no office visit needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does GM have to buy back my GMC if the engine was replaced?

Not automatically. But if the engine (or another defect) required 3+ repair attempts, or the vehicle was out of service 30+ cumulative days during the first 24 months, the law presumes it is a lemon, and GM may have to repurchase or replace it.

Is a recall repair a repair attempt?

A recall repair performed for a defect you are experiencing can count toward the repair history. Each case depends on the repair orders, so keep every RO.

Can I bring a claim if I live outside Miami?

Yes. We represent GMC owners anywhere in Florida, by phone and email.

Related Pages

This page is general information, not legal advice. Recall and bulletin details come from manufacturer filings with NHTSA and may change; whether a particular vehicle is covered depends on its VIN and facts.

GMC that keeps going back to the dealer? Let us review it.

Free case review. No recovery, no fee. Anywhere in Florida.

Start My Case Review