Code of Alabama
Ala. Code § 8-20-12 (2026)
Time Limitation on Bringing of Civil Actions; Time of Accrual of Cause of Action.
✓ official Alabama Legislature (ALISON) text, current July 2026
Except as otherwise provided in paragraph l. of subdivision (3) of Section 8-20-4, any civil action commenced under the provisions of this chapter must be brought within four years after the cause of action has accrued. The cause of action shall not accrue until the discovery by the aggrieved party of the fact or facts constituting a violation of the provisions of this chapter.
(Acts 1981, No. 81-390, p. 596, §12.)
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 2
cases, 1989–2002 · leading case: Serra Chevrolet, Inc. v. Edwards Chevrolet, 850 So. 2d 259 (Ala. 2002).
Serra Chevrolet, Inc. v. Edwards Chevrolet, 850 So. 2d 259 (Ala. 2002). “Serra's distribution claims are thus clearly barred by the four year statute of limitations contained in the Motor Vehicle Franchise Act (Ala. Code (1975) § 8-20-12) since this complaint was not filed against GM until December 10, 1998.”
Tittle v. Steel City Oldsmobile GMC Truck, Inc., 544 So. 2d 883 (Ala. 1989). “?; second, does Ala.Code (1975), § 8-20-12, toll the statute of limitations for breach of warranty in consumer cases until the breach is discovered?; third, does the warranty issued by General Motors explicitly extend to the future performance of the vehicle?; fourth, is a…”
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