Mon appareil n'est plus couvert par la garantie du fabricant. Ai-je encore des droits ?

Oui. La garantie légale s'applique à tout ce que tu achètes ou loues d'un commerçant au Québec, en magasin comme en ligne, et elle ne s'achète pas : elle est automatique et gratuite. Elle exige qu'un bien serve à son usage normal pendant une durée raisonnable, compte tenu du prix payé et de l'usage qu'on en fait. Une garantie de fabricant expirée ne met pas fin à ce droit.

Quelles sont les durées de la nouvelle garantie de bon fonctionnement ?

Six ans pour une cuisinière, un réfrigérateur, un congélateur, un climatiseur ou une thermopompe. Cinq ans pour une laveuse, une sécheuse ou un lave-vaisselle. Quatre ans pour un téléviseur. Trois ans pour un ordinateur portable ou de bureau, une console de jeu vidéo, un téléphone cellulaire ou une tablette. Ces durées s'appliquent aux biens neufs vendus ou loués à long terme à compter du 5 octobre 2026.

Dois-je acheter la garantie prolongée qu'on me propose à la caisse ?

C'est ton choix, et la loi n'en fait pas une obligation. Une garantie prolongée s'ajoute aux garanties gratuites, elle ne les remplace pas. Avant même de te l'offrir, le commerçant doit t'informer de l'existence de la garantie légale, verbalement et par un avis écrit. Et si tu en as déjà signé une, tu peux l'annuler sans frais en envoyant un avis écrit dans les 10 jours suivant la signature du contrat.

Le commerçant refuse de réparer. Qu'est-ce que je peux faire ?

La première étape est de dénoncer le problème par écrit, le plus tôt possible : c'est une étape obligatoire avant tout recours. Si le refus persiste, une mise en demeure fixe un délai clair pour agir. On peut ensuite porter plainte à l'Office de la protection du consommateur, gratuitement, puis s'adresser à la Cour des petites créances pour une somme de 15 000 $ ou moins, sans avocat.

Est-ce que ça s'applique aux appareils usagés ?

La garantie de bon fonctionnement vise les biens neufs. Mais la garantie légale, elle, s'applique aussi à l'usagé acheté d'un commerçant, avec des attentes ajustées à l'âge et au prix du bien. La garantie de disponibilité des pièces et du service de réparation vise elle aussi les biens usagés.

Appliance broken too soon? The law is on your side

Your fridge gives out after four years. The retailer tells you the manufacturer's warranty ended two years ago, and there is nothing more to be done.

That is false. In Quebec, two free warranties are added to the manufacturer's. You did not buy them: they are already there.

The key point

The legal warranty has existed for a long time: goods must serve their normal use for a reasonable time. And from 5 October 2026, a good working order warranty sets precise durations for major appliances, 6 years for a fridge, 5 for a washing machine, 4 for a television, 3 for a mobile phone. During those years, repair is free.

What already existsThe legal warranty, the one nobody sells you

It applies to everything you buy or lease from a merchant in Quebec, in store as online. It is automatic and freethe merchant cannot take it away from you, even by writing the opposite on an invoice.

It covers five things:

Qualitythe goods serve the use for which they are normally intended.
Durabilitythey work for a reasonable time, taking account of the price paid, the contract and the conditions of use.
Conformitythey match the description, the advertising and what the seller told you.
Safety, they present no danger in normal use.
Latent defectsa significant defect not visible on inspection must be disclosed to you.

The weak point of this warranty is precisely durability: "reasonable" is not a number. A $2,000 oven must last longer than a $300 one, and that is argued case by case. It is exactly that vagueness the new warranty corrects.

The extended warranty offered at the till replaces nothing. It is added to the free warranties you already have. The law in fact requires the merchant to inform you of the legal warranty's existence before offering you one, verbally and in a written notice. In store, they must even read you a precise sentence: "The law grants a warranty on the goods you are buying or leasing: they must be able to serve their normal use for a reasonable time."

Already signed one and regret it? You can cancel it at no cost by sending written notice within 10 days of signing the contract.

What changes5 October 2026: durations written in black and white

In October 2023, the National Assembly unanimously passed a law against planned obsolescence, also covering durability, repairability and the maintenance of goods. It comes into force in stages. The last is the most concrete: the good working order warranty.

It applies to new goods sold or leased long-term from 5 October 2026, with these minimum durations:

6 yearscooker, fridge, freezer, air conditioner, heat pump
5 years, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher
4 years, television
3 yearslaptop or desktop computer, games console, mobile phone, tablet

During that period, if the appliance works badly, it must be repaired free of charge: parts, labour, and reasonable transport costs are covered. You choose who to approach, the merchant or the manufacturer: both must honour it. And nobody can make you waive this warranty.

Careful what the date covers. It is the contract date that counts, not the date of the breakdown. An appliance bought on 4 October 2026 is not covered by that warranty; the same appliance bought on the 6th is. The legal warranty, however, applies in both cases.

The manufacturer will also have to display the warranty duration online, in an evident and intelligible way. In other words: when you are shopping, the information must be findable before the purchase, not hunted for after the breakdown.

The same law also prohibits trade in goods whose obsolescence is planned, goods designed with techniques that shorten their normal lifespan.

Since October 2025The right to repair

A repairable appliance is one you keep. Since 5 October 2025, merchants and manufacturers must make three things available:

spare parts;
a repair service;
the information needed for maintenance and repair, instructions, software, in French.

This covers anything that may need maintenance, new or used: toaster, electric toothbrush, phone, dishwasher, heat pump, lawnmower, bicycle, car.

A merchant may choose not to guarantee one of those three elements, but must then tell you in writing, before the purchase. It is information to look for while shopping, not afterwards.

Three useful rules to know

When you request a repair, the merchant or manufacturer has 10 days to reply in writing and tell you the proposed timeframe. The price of parts and service must be reasonable. And parts must be installable with commonly available tools, without irreversibly damaging the appliance.

Take actionWhat to do when your appliance breaks

Keep everything

Invoice, proof of payment, serial number, photos of the problem, and the packaging if you still have it. Without proof of purchase, the process becomes much harder. Photographing the invoice on the day of purchase takes ten seconds and avoids many dead ends.

Report the problem in writing

This is a mandatory step before any recourse, and it must be done as early as possible. A dated email is enough: what is not working, the date of purchase, and what you are asking for, repair, replacement or refund. Writing often changes the outcome: many merchants repair when they receive something in writing, having refused on the phone.

Send a formal notice if they refuse

It is a letter setting out the problem, what you are asking for, and the deadline you are giving them to act. It does not require a lawyer. Quebec's consumer protection office and Éducaloi publish free templates.

File a complaint with the consumer protection office

It is free, but know what it does and what it does not. The office says so itself: its staff cannot intervene with the merchant on your behalf. The steps remain yours. On the other hand, it analyses complaints to spot merchants who do not comply with the law and to act on them, notices, penalties, prosecutions, and it makes several of those interventions public in its "Find out about a merchant" section. It is also the place to check a merchant before buying.

Small Claims Court, as a last resort

It hears claims of $15,000 or less, without a lawyer, you represent yourself, with your evidence. For a consumer contract, the deadline is generally 3 years from when the problem appeared. In several judicial districts, free mediation is mandatory for claims of $5,000 and under.

What it is worth, concretely

A dishwasher that breaks in its fourth year is several hundred dollars to find at once, often at the worst moment. The process above is free, it happens in writing, and it often stops at step 2.

Frequently askedYour questions

My appliance is no longer covered by the manufacturer's warranty. Do I still have rights?

Yes. The legal warranty applies to everything you buy or lease from a merchant in Quebec, in store as online, and it is not bought: it is automatic and free. It requires goods to serve their normal use for a reasonable time, taking account of the price paid and the use made of them. An expired manufacturer's warranty does not end that right.

What are the durations of the new good working order warranty?

Six years for a cooker, fridge, freezer, air conditioner or heat pump. Five years for a washing machine, dryer or dishwasher. Four years for a television. Three years for a laptop or desktop computer, games console, mobile phone or tablet. These durations apply to new goods sold or leased long-term from 5 October 2026.

Should I buy the extended warranty offered at the till?

That is your choice, and the law does not require it. An extended warranty is added to the free warranties, it does not replace them. Even before offering it, the merchant must inform you of the legal warranty's existence, verbally and in a written notice. And if you have already signed one, you can cancel it at no cost by sending written notice within 10 days of signing the contract.

The merchant refuses to repair. What can I do?

The first step is to report the problem in writing, as early as possible: it is a mandatory step before any recourse. If the refusal persists, a formal notice sets a clear deadline to act. You can then file a complaint with the consumer protection office, free of charge, and go to Small Claims Court for an amount of $15,000 or less, without a lawyer.

Does this apply to used appliances?

The good working order warranty covers new goods. But the legal warranty also applies to used goods bought from a merchant, with expectations adjusted to the age and price of the item. The warranty of availability of parts and repair service also covers used goods.

Does your appliance break too soon? The law is on your side

What already existsThe legal warranty, the one nobody sells you

What changes5 October 2026: durations written in black and white

Since October 2025The right to repair

Take actionWhat to do when your appliance breaks

Frequently askedYour questions

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Official sources