The most common scenario
You bring the vehicle in for repair. You describe the symptom — the transmission slipping, the dashboard glitch, the weird noise, the warning light. The dealer takes the vehicle, holds it for a day or two, and gives it back with a repair order that reads "NPF" or "Cannot duplicate". Translation: "No problem found."
Then the symptom comes back the next week. Or the next month. Or the next time it rains. Or the next time it's cold. You go back. Same result. "No problem found."
This is one of the most common patterns in lemon-law cases — and it's also one of the most misunderstood. Consumers often think "no problem found" means they don't have a case. The opposite is usually true.
Why "no problem found" is evidence FOR your case
Under both state lemon laws and federal MMWA, the question isn't whether the dealer fixed the problem. The question is whether the manufacturer had a reasonable opportunity to fix the problem and failed. A dealer visit where the dealer couldn't even reproduce the defect — and therefore couldn't fix it — is a failed opportunity.
Each "no problem found" repair order is documentary evidence that:
- You reported the defect to the manufacturer's authorized agent.
- The manufacturer had access to the vehicle.
- The manufacturer did not fix the problem.
That's all you need to count it as a repair attempt for state-law presumption purposes. And under MMWA, it's strong evidence that the manufacturer hasn't met its warranty obligations.
What to save
Every "no problem found" repair order. Every one. The dealer is legally required to give you a written repair order for every warranty visit, even when they didn't do anything. Demand it if they don't offer it. Take a photo of it. Save the paper copy. Email yourself a backup.
The repair order must include:
- The date
- The vehicle (VIN, year/make/model, mileage at intake)
- What you reported (the symptom in writing)
- What the dealer did (or didn't do)
- The dealer's name and address
What to do BEFORE the next dealer visit
If you've already had one or more "no problem found" visits, three things to do before going back:
1. Document the defect on video
If the defect is intermittent, capture it on your phone. Video of the transmission slipping, the dashboard glitching, the warning light appearing, the weird noise. Date-stamp the video. Bring it to the dealer on your next visit and ask them to play it.
2. Bring a printed list of symptoms
Don't rely on the service writer to transcribe what you say. Bring a printed sheet with:
- Date and mileage of every prior visit for this defect
- What the symptom is and when it happens (specific conditions if you can identify them — temperature, time of day, fuel level, etc.)
- Specific request: "I am requesting that this vehicle be evaluated for [defect]. Please document that I have made repeated visits for this defect."
3. Escalate to the manufacturer customer service
The dealer and the manufacturer are different entities. After 2-3 "no problem found" visits, call the manufacturer's customer service line (number is in the warranty booklet). Open a case file with them. Get the case file number. That creates a paper trail with the actual warrantor — not just the dealer.
What NOT to do
Several common mistakes that hurt cases:
- Don't accept goodwill repairs without legal advice. Manufacturers sometimes offer "goodwill" extended warranties or partial cash payments in exchange for releasing the claim. Often these offers are significantly less than the case is worth. Take the case eligibility quiz before accepting any goodwill offer.
- Don't try to fix it yourself or use an independent shop. Independent repair attempts don't count toward the lemon-law presumption count. The defect must be addressed by manufacturer-authorized service.
- Don't throw away repair orders. Each one is evidence. Even the ones that look meaningless ("oil change, customer reports check engine light, no codes set, cleared codes, returned to customer").
- Don't trade the vehicle in if you're considering a claim. Trading in removes you as the owner of record — which usually removes you as the claimant. Talk to a lemon-law attorney BEFORE trading in.
What happens when we file the case
Once we file an MMWA demand, the manufacturer's response often changes. The same defect that the dealer couldn't reproduce suddenly becomes something they can identify and fix. That's not coincidence — it's pressure.
The "no problem found" pattern is also extremely useful in negotiation. We can point to multiple documented dealer visits where the manufacturer had the vehicle and didn't fix the defect. That's hard to defend on the manufacturer's side.
Take the case eligibility quiz
If you've had two or more "no problem found" repair orders for the same defect, you very likely have a real case. Take our case eligibility quiz at quiz.lemonaidfirm.com. Eight questions, no pressure. We'll tell you straight whether the facts support a state lemon-law or federal MMWA claim.