The Chrysler Group and Fiat have agreed to honor the “Lemon Law” rights of buyers when the new company takes control of the U.S. automaker, the state attorney general’s office reported Wednesday.

“The Lemon Law provides important protections for consumers whose new vehicles have recurring problems,” said Washington Attorney General Rob McKenna.

The new Chrysler Group will honor those rights for vehicles sold or leased prior to the closure of the ‘old’ Chrysler, McKenna said.

Washington’s Lemon Law allows consumers having trouble with their new cars to request an arbitration hearing through the AG’s office. If the car is a lemon, then they may either have it replaced or bought back by the manufacturer.

The law sets up conditions to determine which cars qualify.

“Not only does this agreement help consumers, but increased consumer confidence means more sales benefiting the company and its workers,” McKenna said.

Chrysler filed for bankruptcy earlier this year and is selling most of its assets to the Italian car maker Fiat.

Kelly Kearsley, The News Tribune