Montana Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Montana New Motor Vehicle Warranties (Lemon Law) is Mont. Code Ann. §§ 61-4-501 to 61-4-533.
| Rule | What Montana law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Mont. Code Ann. §§ 61-4-501 to 61-4-533 | MCA 61-4-501 |
| Vehicles covered | Passenger motor vehicles for personal, family or household use, sold or registered in Montana; The non-residential portion of motor homes | |
| Not covered | Trucks of 15,000 lbs GVWR or more; Residential components of motor homes | |
| Protection window | 2 years from original delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever is earlier | MCA 61-4-501(7) |
| Four Repairs Test | The same defect was repaired 4 or more times during the warranty period and continues; the manufacturer must have prior written notice | MCA 61-4-504(1), 61-4-502(2) |
| 30 Business Days Test | Out of service a cumulative total of 30 or more business days during the warranty period, after notification (business days) | MCA 61-4-504(2) |
| Written notice | Notify the manufacturer or its agent in writing during the warranty period. The presumption does not apply until the manufacturer has prior written notice and a chance to cure. The warranty or owner’s manual must tell you this and give the address. | MCA 61-4-502 |
| Dispute program first? | If the manufacturer has a dispute procedure certified by the Department of Justice, you must use it first. If it does not, the Department provides its own arbitration in Montana ($100 fee) with a decision within 60 days. | |
| Deadline | Montana’s lemon law part does not set its own filing deadline. Other time limits still apply, so act promptly and ask a Montana attorney | MCA 61-4-501 to 61-4-533 |
| Usage deduction | total contract price × miles traveled before the manufacturer accepts the return ÷ 100,000 | MCA 61-4-501(6) |
Four repairs or 30 business days in Montana
Montana presumes a reasonable number of attempts, after written notice to the manufacturer, when during the warranty period (2 years or 18,000 miles):
Four Repairs Test
The same defect was repaired 4 or more times during the warranty period and continues; the manufacturer must have prior written notice.
MCA 61-4-504(1), 61-4-502(2)30 Business Days Test
Out of service a cumulative total of 30 or more business days during the warranty period, after notification.
MCA 61-4-504(2)The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use and market value, or safety. Repairs needed after you notify the manufacturer during the warranty period must still be made after it ends.
Notice to the manufacturer in Montana
Notify the manufacturer or its agent in writing during the warranty period. The presumption does not apply until the manufacturer has prior written notice and a chance to cure. The warranty or owner’s manual must tell you this and give the address.
In Montana the presumption applies only after written notice to the manufacturer and a chance to cure.
Dispute program first. If the manufacturer has a dispute procedure certified by the Department of Justice, you must use it first. If it does not, the Department provides its own arbitration in Montana ($100 fee) with a decision within 60 days.
The manufacturer’s obligations cannot be delegated or assigned to anyone else (MCA 61-4-531).
Is there a Montana lemon law deadline?
Montana’s lemon law part does not set its own filing deadline. Other time limits still apply, so act promptly and ask a Montana attorney (MCA 61-4-501 to 61-4-533).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2027 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Filing deadline | Not set in the part | Montana’s lemon law part does not set its own filing deadline. Other time limits still apply, so act promptly and ask a Montana attorney |
How to file a Montana lemon law claim
- Notify the manufacturer in writingDuring the warranty period, to the address in your warranty or owner’s manual.
- Keep every repair orderThey prove the 4 repairs or the 30 business days.
- Use a certified program, if the manufacturer has oneCertified by the Department of Justice; hearings in Montana within 60 days.
- Otherwise, use the state programFile the Department’s form with a $100 fee within 5 days of receiving it.
- Accept the decision or appealIf the decision is not accepted, Montana’s arbitration law governs the next steps.
Refund, replacement and the Montana deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Replacement | A new vehicle of the same model and style and equal value, or of comparable market value if that is not available. |
| Refund | As an alternative the manufacturer may choose: the full purchase price, collateral charges (taxes, license and registration fees) and incidental damages, less the allowance for use. |
How the Montana deduction for use is calculated
total contract price × miles traveled before the manufacturer accepts the return ÷ 100,000 (MCA 61-4-501(6)).
| Step | Math | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | — | $36,000.00 |
| Deduction for use | 15,000 miles × $36,000 ÷ 100,000 | −$5,400.00 |
| Refund before taxes, fees and other charges | Those are added under the rules above | $30,600.00 |
Montana’s two arbitration routes
| Rule | Certified manufacturer program | Department of Justice program |
|---|---|---|
| When it applies | If the manufacturer has one, you must use it first | Only if the manufacturer has no certified program, or on appeal from a non-complying one |
| Where | In Montana, at a place convenient to you | In Montana, at a place convenient to you |
| Decision | Within 60 days | Within 60 days of acceptance |
| Fees | Set by the program | $100 for you, $750 for the manufacturer |
| Remedies | Must consider all Lemon Law remedies | Repair, replacement, refund, other warranty remedies and costs |
Montana’s refund formula, worked through
Montana counts the miles traveled before the manufacturer accepts the return (MCA 61-4-501(6)).
| Step | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total contract price | $36,000.00 |
| Allowance: $36,000 × 12,000 ÷ 100,000 | −$4,320.00 |
| Before collateral charges and damages | $31,680.00 |
The manufacturer chooses between a replacement and a refund. Collateral charges such as sales and property tax, license and registration fees, and incidental damages are added to a refund.
Second owners in Montana
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer. The part covers new motor vehicles within the warranty period.
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer. Trucks of 15,000 lbs GVWR or more and the residential parts of motor homes are excluded.
To test your own dates and repair visits, test your Montana repair visits in the free checker.
Montana Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Montana?
A new passenger vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs its use and market value or safety, after 4 repairs or 30 business days out of service within 2 years or 18,000 miles, with written notice to the manufacturer.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in Montana?
The lemon law part does not set its own deadline, but other time limits apply. Act promptly and ask a Montana attorney.
How much does Montana lemon law arbitration cost?
The Department of Justice program costs $100, refunded if the complaint is not accepted; the manufacturer pays $750.
How is the Montana lemon law refund calculated?
The full purchase price with collateral charges and incidental damages, minus total contract price × miles before the manufacturer accepts the return ÷ 100,000.
Who chooses refund or replacement in Montana?
The manufacturer. Replacement is the default; it may instead accept the return and refund the price.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Montana rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.