Montana Lemon Law Guide
Buyer rights, coverage thresholds, and how to file a claim in Montana.
2 yr
Coverage Period
18,000
Miles
4
Repair Attempts
30
Days Out of Service
What Montana Lemon Law Covers
New motor vehicles only — self-propelled vehicles designed to transport persons or property on public highways, sold or registered in Montana, and not previously titled. Trucks rated 15,000 lbs. GVW or more and the residential components of motor homes are excluded.. The law protects buyers when a vehicle has a substantial defect that the manufacturer cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Used Car Coverage in Montana
Not covered. Montana's lemon law applies only to new motor vehicles not previously titled.
Qualifying Criteria
To qualify under Montana lemon law, a vehicle must meet at least one of the following thresholds within the coverage window:
| Criterion | Montana Threshold |
|---|---|
| Same defect repair attempts | 4 attempts |
| Out-of-service days (cumulative) | 30 days |
| Coverage window — time | 2 years from original delivery |
| Coverage window — mileage | 18,000 miles |
Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
Montana requires you to go through an arbitration or dispute resolution program before filing a lawsuit.
Conditional: if the manufacturer has established an informal dispute settlement procedure certified by the Montana DOJ to substantially comply with 16 C.F.R. Part 703, the consumer must exhaust that procedure before the refund/replacement remedy becomes available. If no such certified program exists, arbitration is not required.
How to File a Lemon Law Claim in Montana
- 1
Document every repair attempt
Keep all repair orders with dates, mileage, and defect descriptions. You need written proof the same issue was reported and repaired multiple times.
- 2
Track out-of-service days
Record every day the vehicle was at the dealer for repairs. A cumulative total of 30 or more days can independently qualify the vehicle.
- 3
Send written notice to the manufacturer
Mail a certified letter to the manufacturer (not the dealer) describing the unresolved defect and requesting a final repair opportunity.
- 4
Use the dispute resolution program
Conditional: if the manufacturer has established an informal dispute settlement procedure certified by the Montana DOJ to substantially comply with 16 C.F.R. Part 703, the consumer must exhaust that procedure before the refund/replacement remedy becomes available. If no such certified program exists, arbitration is not required.
- 5
File with the state agency or court
Contact the Montana Department of Justice, Office of Consumer Protection or file in Montana civil court. Bring all repair orders, purchase documents, and correspondence.
- 6
Collect your remedy
A successful claim results in a full refund or replacement vehicle. The manufacturer pays attorney fees in most states.
Lemon Law and Bill of Sale
If your vehicle was repurchased under lemon law, the title will carry a "Lemon Law Buyback" brand in most states. When selling this vehicle, you must disclose the lemon history on the bill of sale and title. Hiding this information is fraud.
Buyers seeing a "Lemon Law Buyback" brand on a title should expect a significant price reduction and obtain a full mechanical inspection before purchasing.
Montana Lemon Law — FAQ
- Does Montana lemon law cover used cars?
- Not covered. Montana's lemon law applies only to new motor vehicles not previously titled.
- How many repair attempts qualify in Montana?
- 4 repair attempts for the same defect, or the vehicle being out of service for 30+ cumulative days within the coverage period.
- Does private party sale trigger lemon law?
- No. Lemon laws in virtually all states apply only to purchases from dealers or manufacturers. Private party sales are buyer beware.
- What remedy can I get?
- A full refund (purchase price minus mileage offset) or a replacement vehicle. The manufacturer must also cover incidental costs and attorney fees in most states.