New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Panel — Georgia State Arbitration

Georgia is one of the few states with a state-administered lemon-law arbitration program: the New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Panel, run by the Consumer Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Law (Attorney General’s office). It is established by O.C.G.A. § 10-1-786.

How state arbitration works in Georgia

1. Consumer files a request with the Consumer Protection Division (Form CPD-1) after the manufacturer’s 28-day final repair window has expired.
2. CPD reviews the request for completeness and timeliness.
3. Panel assignment — three neutral arbitrators trained by the Consumer Protection Division.
4. Hearing scheduled — typically within 40 days of acceptance.
5. Hearing — telephone or in-person, typically 2-3 hours.
6. Written decision within 10 days of the hearing.

Total timeline: typically 45-90 days from filing.

Filing window

The consumer must file the arbitration request within one year after the expiration of the 24-month / 24,000-mile Lemon Law Rights Period under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-787(b). Functionally a 3-year filing window.

What it costs

Free. No filing fee. The arbitration panel is funded by the State of Georgia.

Decisions can include

• Refund under O.C.G.A. § 10-1-784(b).
• Replacement vehicle.
• Additional repair attempts.
• Denial.

The decision is binding on the manufacturer if the consumer accepts within 30 days. Not binding on the consumer — if the consumer rejects the decision, they can still pursue court action.

What the panel does NOT provide

• Attorney fees — no fee shifting through state arbitration.
• FBPA exemplary/treble damages — only available in civil court.
• Punitive damages.
• Magnuson-Moss claims.

For these remedies, court action is required.

When state arbitration is the right choice

• Clean refund or replacement case.
• No significant misrepresentation facts (no FBPA willfulness).
• Self-representing.
• Want fast, free resolution.
• Lower-value vehicle.

When state arbitration is the wrong choice

• The case has FBPA willfulness exposure.
• You want statutory attorney-fee recovery.
• High-value vehicle (FBPA damages can equal or exceed refund).
• Manufacturer’s records suggest intentional violations.
• Past the manufacturer’s 28-day final repair window but want to pursue exemplary damages.

Procedurally — what to expect at the hearing

• Brief opening statements by both sides.
• Consumer presents the case — repair orders, certified-mail notice, photos/videos.
• Manufacturer responds — often with a technical witness from the regional service office.
• Panel questions both sides.
• Closing arguments.

There is no formal evidence code. The panel weighs documentation pragmatically.

After arbitration — what if you reject the decision

If you reject the arbitration decision:

• You can still pursue court action.
• The arbitration decision is not binding on the court (de novo review).
• However, prior arbitration positions can become discoverable.

Manufacturer’s BBB Auto Line alternative

Some manufacturers offer BBB Auto Line as a manufacturer-funded alternative to state arbitration. Consumers can decline and proceed directly to the state arbitration panel. BBB Auto Line decisions are not binding on the consumer either.

Bottom line

The New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Panel is a free, fast, consumer-friendly path to refund or replacement — among the strongest state arbitration programs in the country. But its narrow remedies make it the wrong choice for cases with FBPA exposure. For those cases, court action with parallel FBPA claims produces materially better outcomes.

Get a free case review before deciding.

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