HARTFORD (AP) — Connecticut's Lemon Law Program is being credited with providing consumers more than $2.6 million in refunds or returns last year for purchases and leases of problematic new vehicles.

Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull says that's an increase of more than $300,000, compared with 2017. The agency processed 81 cases in 2018, compared with 64 in 2017.

Seagull says she's pleased more families are aware of the program, an informal process for resolving disputes between consumers and automobile manufacturers. She says it can be a financial burden when a new vehicle is defective.

All new Connecticut car dealers are required to post lemon law information in their service departments and provide purchasers with information about it at the time of sale of a new vehicle and lease, including motorcycles.