New Hampshire Lemon Law rules at a glance
The New Hampshire New Motor Vehicle Arbitration (Lemon Law) is N.H. RSA 357-D:1 to 357-D:12.
| Rule | What New Hampshire law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | N.H. RSA 357-D:1 to 357-D:12 | RSA 357-D:1 |
| Vehicles covered | Private passenger vehicles and other 4-wheel vehicles up to 11,000 lbs gross weight, still under the manufacturer’s express warranty; Motorcycles, off-highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles; Leases of 2 years or more | |
| Not covered | Tractors and mopeds; Vehicles owned by government entities | |
| Protection window | The term of the manufacturer’s express warranty | RSA 357-D:3(III), (VII) |
| Three Repairs Test | The same defect, shown on written repair orders, was repaired at least 3 times within the express warranty and continues | RSA 357-D:3(VII)(a), (VIII) |
| 30 Business Days Test | Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 30 or more business days during the express warranty (business days) | RSA 357-D:3(VII)(b) |
| Written notice | After the third repair attempt or 30 business days out of service, notify the manufacturer and any lessor in writing, on the forms the manufacturer must give you at delivery, and elect either the state arbitration board or the manufacturer’s own dispute program. Your choice rules out the other. | RSA 357-D:4(I), 357-D:3(VIII) |
| Dispute program first? | You choose the state New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board or the manufacturer’s dispute program. A hearing must be held within 40 days, and the manufacturer gets one final repair chance in that time. | |
| Deadline | Start a proceeding within 1 year after the later of the express warranty’s expiration or the manufacturer’s final repair attempt | RSA 357-D:11(I) |
| Usage deduction | full purchase price × miles before the first repair attempt ÷ 100,000 (motorcycles, snowmobiles and OHRVs: ÷ 20,000 up to 250 cc, ÷ 40,000 above) | RSA 357-D:3(V) |
Three repairs or 30 business days in New Hampshire
New Hampshire presumes a reasonable number of attempts when, within the term of the express warranty:
Three Repairs Test
The same defect, shown on written repair orders, was repaired at least 3 times within the express warranty and continues.
RSA 357-D:3(VII)(a), (VIII)30 Business Days Test
Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 30 or more business days during the express warranty.
RSA 357-D:3(VII)(b)Repairs count only if a written examination or repair order shows them, and only 3 at the same dealer unless you have good cause to use another. A day the vehicle is available to you for most of the day does not count as out of service.
Notice to the manufacturer in New Hampshire
After the third repair attempt or 30 business days out of service, notify the manufacturer and any lessor in writing, on the forms the manufacturer must give you at delivery, and elect either the state arbitration board or the manufacturer’s own dispute program. Your choice rules out the other.
Dispute program first. You choose the state New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board or the manufacturer’s dispute program. A hearing must be held within 40 days, and the manufacturer gets one final repair chance in that time.
The manufacturer must give you the notice form and a clear statement of your rights when the vehicle is delivered; it cannot leave that to the dealer.
New Hampshire’s deadline: 1 year after the warranty or final repair
Start a proceeding within 1 year after the later of the express warranty’s expiration or the manufacturer’s final repair attempt (RSA 357-D:11(I)).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2028 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Start by | March 15, 2029 | Start a proceeding within 1 year after the later of the express warranty’s expiration or the manufacturer’s final repair attempt |
The deadline runs from the later of two dates, so a final repair attempt late in the warranty can give you more time.
How to file a New Hampshire lemon law claim
- Get a written repair order every visitA dealer may not refuse one, and it must itemize all work.
- After 3 repairs or 30 business days, send the notice formTo the manufacturer and any lessor, electing the state board or the manufacturer’s program.
- Pay the $50 board feeThe manufacturer pays $250.
- Allow the final repairThe manufacturer gets one last chance within the 40-day hearing period.
- Attend the hearingThe board decides within 30 days after the hearing; the manufacturer then has 30 days to refund or replace.
Refund, replacement and the New Hampshire deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Replacement | A new vehicle from the same manufacturer of comparable worth, with all options and accessories, at your option. |
| Refund | The full purchase price, all trade-in credits and down payment, license, finance, credit and registration fees and similar charges, and incidental and consequential damages, less a reasonable allowance for use. |
How the New Hampshire deduction for use is calculated
full purchase price × miles before the first repair attempt ÷ 100,000 (motorcycles, snowmobiles and OHRVs: ÷ 20,000 up to 250 cc, ÷ 40,000 above) (RSA 357-D:3(V)).
| Step | Math | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | — | $36,000.00 |
| Deduction for use | 6,000 miles before the first report × $36,000 ÷ 100,000 | −$2,160.00 |
| Refund before taxes, fees and other charges | Those are added under the rules above | $33,840.00 |
New Hampshire’s New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board
| Rule | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Members | 5 members appointed by the governor and council, including 3 consumer representatives |
| Your choice | Electing the board rules out the manufacturer’s program, and the reverse |
| Hearing | Within 40 days of the complaint, extendable by up to 30 days for good cause |
| Decision | Within 30 days after the hearing; final unless overturned for fraud, partiality or misconduct |
| If the manufacturer does not comply | An unfair or deceptive act under New Hampshire’s consumer protection law |
If the manufacturer’s own program is chosen and does not hold the hearing within 40 days without good cause, you are entitled to the relief you asked for.
Motorcycles, OHRVs and snowmobiles
New Hampshire covers motorcycles, off-highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles, with smaller divisors in the refund formula (RSA 357-D:3(V)):
| Vehicle | Divisor | Allowance |
|---|---|---|
| Car or truck | 100,000 | $300.00 |
| Motorcycle, snowmobile or OHRV, 250 cc or smaller | 20,000 | $1,500.00 |
| Motorcycle, snowmobile or OHRV, over 250 cc | 40,000 | $750.00 |
A vehicle the board finds had a serious safety defect cannot be resold in New Hampshire.
Second owners and leases in New Hampshire
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer. The chapter applies only while the manufacturer’s express warranty is in effect.
Anyone who gets the vehicle while the express warranty is in effect is a consumer. Leases must be for 2 years or more; a lessee who wins gets back the deposit and rental payments, less the allowance for use, and the lease ends with nothing more owed.
To test your own dates and repair visits, run your New Hampshire repair history through our checker.
New Hampshire Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in New Hampshire?
A vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs its use, market value or safety, not fixed after 3 repairs on written repair orders or 30 business days out of service during the express warranty.
How much does the New Hampshire lemon law board cost?
The consumer’s filing fee is $50; the manufacturer pays $250.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in New Hampshire?
Within 1 year after the later of the warranty’s expiration or the manufacturer’s final repair attempt (RSA 357-D:11).
Does the New Hampshire lemon law cover snowmobiles?
Yes. It covers motorcycles, off-highway recreational vehicles and snowmobiles as well as cars and light trucks.
How is the New Hampshire lemon law refund calculated?
The full price with trade-in credits, fees and damages, minus price × miles before the first repair attempt ÷ 100,000 (smaller divisors for motorcycles, OHRVs and snowmobiles).
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify New Hampshire rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.