Delaware Code Title 6 Sec. 5004 – Presumptions
(a) It shall be presumed that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a new automobile to the manufacturer‘s express warranty if, within the warranty term or during the period of 1 year following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to a consumer, whichever is the earlier date:
(1) Substantially the same nonconformity has been subject to repair or correction 4 or more times by the manufacturer, its agents or its dealers and the nonconformity continues to exist; or
(2) The automobile is out of service by reason of repair or correction of a nonconformity by the manufacturer, its agents or its dealers for a cumulative total of more than 30 calendar days since the original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer. This 30-day limit shall commence with the first day on which the consumer presents the automobile to the manufacturer, its agent or dealer for service of the nonconformity and a written document describing the nonconformity is prepared by the manufacturer, its agent or dealer. The 30-day limit shall be extended only if repairs cannot be performed due to conditions beyond the control of the manufacturer, its agents or its dealers, including war, invasion, strike, fire, flood or other natural disaster.
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 6 Sec. 5004
- Automobile: means any passenger motor vehicle which is leased or bought in Delaware or registered by the Division of Motor Vehicles in the Department of Transportation except the living facilities of motor homes. See Delaware Code Title 6 Sec. 5001
- Consumer: means the purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, of an automobile; a person to whom an automobile is transferred during the duration of an express warranty applicable to the automobile; or any other person entitled by the terms of the warranty to enforce the obligations of the warranty. See Delaware Code Title 6 Sec. 5001
- Dealer: means a person actively engaged in the business of buying, selling or exchanging automobiles at retail and who has an established place of business. See Delaware Code Title 6 Sec. 5001
- Document: means :
- Manufacturer: means a person engaged in the business of manufacturing, assembling or distributing automobiles, who will, under normal business conditions during the year, manufacture, assemble or distribute to dealers at least 10 new automobiles. See Delaware Code Title 6 Sec. 5001
- Nonconformity: means a defect or condition which substantially impairs the use, value or safety of an automobile. See Delaware Code Title 6 Sec. 5001
- warranty: means the written warranty of the manufacturer of a new automobile of its condition and fitness for use, including any terms or conditions precedent to the enforcement of obligations under that warranty. See Delaware Code Title 6 Sec. 5001
- Year: means a calendar year, and is equivalent to the words "year of our Lord. See Delaware Code Title 1 Sec. 302
(b) The presumption provided in this section shall not apply against a manufacturer unless the manufacturer has received prior direct written notification from or on behalf of the consumer and has had an opportunity to repair or correct the nonconformity; provided, however, that if the manufacturer does not directly attempt or arrange with its dealer or agent to repair or correct the nonconformity, the manufacturer may not defend a claim by a consumer under this chapter on the ground that the agent or dealer failed to properly repair or correct the nonconformity or that the repairs or corrections made by the agent or dealer caused or contributed to the nonconformity.