North Dakota Lemon Law rules at a glance
The North Dakota Lemon Law (Passenger Motor Vehicle Warranties) is N.D. Cent. Code §§ 51-07-16 to 51-07-22.
| Rule | What North Dakota law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | N.D. Cent. Code §§ 51-07-16 to 51-07-22 | N.D.C.C. § 51-07-16 |
| Vehicles covered | Passenger motor vehicles and trucks of 10,000 lbs registered gross weight or less, sold or leased in North Dakota; Leased vehicles | |
| Not covered | House cars (motor homes) | |
| Protection window | The express warranty term or 1 year from original delivery, whichever is earlier | N.D.C.C. §§ 51-07-17, 51-07-19 |
| More Than Three Repairs Test | The same defect continued after being repaired more than 3 times; the manufacturer must have prior direct notification and a chance to cure | § 51-07-19(1)(a), (3) |
| 30 Business Days Test | Out of service for repair a cumulative total of at least 30 business days (business days) | § 51-07-19(1)(b), (3) |
| Written notice | The presumption applies only after the manufacturer receives prior direct notification from you or on your behalf and an opportunity to cure the defect. | N.D.C.C. § 51-07-19(3) |
| Dispute program first? | If the manufacturer has a dispute procedure complying with FTC Rule 703, or takes part in a binding appeals board, you must use it first. The Attorney General decides on request whether a program qualifies (§ 51-07-18(3)). | |
| Deadline | Start an action within 6 months after the earlier of the warranty’s expiration or 18 months after original delivery | N.D.C.C. § 51-07-21 |
| Usage deduction | North Dakota caps the allowance for use at 10 cents a mile driven or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is less, counting use before your first report and while the vehicle was not in the shop (§ 51-07-18(1)). |
More than three repairs or 30 business days in North Dakota
North Dakota presumes a reasonable number of attempts, after direct notice to the manufacturer and a chance to cure, when within the warranty term or the first year (whichever is earlier):
More Than Three Repairs Test
The same defect continued after being repaired more than 3 times; the manufacturer must have prior direct notification and a chance to cure.
§ 51-07-19(1)(a), (3)30 Business Days Test
Out of service for repair a cumulative total of at least 30 business days.
§ 51-07-19(1)(b), (3)The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use and market value. “More than three times” means the defect has to survive a fourth repair.
Notice to the manufacturer in North Dakota
The presumption applies only after the manufacturer receives prior direct notification from you or on your behalf and an opportunity to cure the defect.
In North Dakota the presumption applies only after direct notice to the manufacturer and a chance to cure.
Dispute program first. If the manufacturer has a dispute procedure complying with FTC Rule 703, or takes part in a binding appeals board, you must use it first. The Attorney General decides on request whether a program qualifies (§ 51-07-18(3)).
The Attorney General decides, on application, whether a manufacturer’s dispute program qualifies.
North Dakota’s deadline: 6 months after the earlier date
Start an action within 6 months after the earlier of the warranty’s expiration or 18 months after original delivery (N.D.C.C. § 51-07-21).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2026 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Sue by | March 15, 2027 | Start an action within 6 months after the earlier of the warranty’s expiration or 18 months after original delivery |
How to file a North Dakota lemon law claim
- Report each defect within the warranty or the first yearTo the manufacturer, its agent or dealer.
- Notify the manufacturer directlyIt must have a chance to cure before the presumption applies.
- Use a qualifying dispute programIf you ask for an oral hearing, it must be in your home state.
- Choose a refund or replacement carefullyElecting the Lemon Law remedy rules out other remedies for the same facts.
- Sue in timeWithin 6 months after the warranty ends or 18 months after delivery, whichever is earlier.
Refund, replacement and the North Dakota deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Replacement | A comparable passenger motor vehicle. |
| Refund | The full purchase price including all collateral charges, less an allowance for use of no more than 10 cents a mile or 10% of the price, whichever is less. |
North Dakota caps the allowance for use at 10 cents a mile driven or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is less, counting use before your first report and while the vehicle was not in the shop (§ 51-07-18(1)).
Working out your North Dakota deadline
| Warranty | Earlier date | Sue by |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | Warranty ends March 15, 2026 | September 15, 2026 |
| 3 years | 18 months: September 15, 2026 | March 15, 2027 |
North Dakota’s cap on the deduction for use
The allowance for use can be no more than 10 cents a mile driven or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is less (§ 51-07-18(1)).
| Miles counted | 10¢ a mile | 10% of price | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8,000 | $800.00 | $4,000.00 | $800.00 |
| 30,000 | $3,000.00 | $4,000.00 | $3,000.00 |
| 50,000 | $5,000.00 | $4,000.00 | $4,000.00 |
Leases: you get back all lease payments, deposits and trade-in allowance, less the allowance for use, and the lease ends with no early-termination penalty.
Second owners in North Dakota
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer. The Lemon Law covers new passenger vehicles under the express warranty.
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer. North Dakota covers trucks of 10,000 lbs registered gross weight or less, but not house cars.
To test your own dates and repair visits, test your North Dakota repair visits with our checker.
North Dakota Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in North Dakota?
A passenger vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs its use and market value, continuing after more than 3 repairs or 30 business days out of service within the warranty or the first year, after direct notice to the manufacturer.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in North Dakota?
Within 6 months after the earlier of the warranty’s expiration or 18 months after original delivery (§ 51-07-21).
How much is deducted from a North Dakota lemon law refund?
No more than 10 cents a mile or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is less.
Can I bring other claims if I use the North Dakota lemon law?
No. A consumer who elects the Lemon Law remedy is foreclosed from other remedies arising from the same facts.
Does the North Dakota lemon law cover leases?
Yes. Lessees get back their payments, deposits and trade-in allowance, less the allowance for use.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify North Dakota rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.