How Much Does a Montana Lemon Law Claim Cost?
What a Montana lemon-law claim costs — low-cost arbitration, and fees recovered through the CPA (capped) and Magnuson-Moss since the lemon law has none.
A Montana lemon-law claim is relatively low-cost to pursue: arbitration (a certified IDS or the Department of Justice program) is an accessible forum, and attorney fees are recovered through the CPA and Magnuson-Moss — because the lemon law itself has no fee provision.
Arbitration — low-cost and in-state
- A certified IDS or the Department of Justice program, held in Montana.
- Pursues a refund or replacement (manufacturer’s election).
Fees — via the CPA and Magnuson-Moss
- The lemon law has no fee clause.
- The CPA allows discretionary fees (capped at $250/hour; none if recovery hits $100,000) plus a discretionary treble.
- Magnuson-Moss § 2310(d)(2) is the reliable fee basis — often pursued in federal D. Mont. for fee economics.
So attorneys take meritorious cases on contingency: no fee upfront, costs advanced, fees recovered from the manufacturer. See attorney fees.
What you recover
- Refund (full price minus a 100,000-mile use offset; no sales tax) or replacement (manufacturer elects).
- CPA actual damages, a discretionary treble (no dollar cap).
- Magnuson-Moss § 2310(d)(2) fees.
Bottom line
Arbitration is low-cost; representation is typically contingency-based because the CPA and Magnuson-Moss — not the lemon law — carry the fees. Get a free case review.
Related
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Montana Lemon Law Claim?
Whether you need an attorney for a Montana lemon-law claim — arbitration allows self-representation, but the CPA and Magnuson-Moss (which carry the fees) often warrant counsel.
Read → ArticleHow Long Do I Have to File a Montana Lemon Law Claim?
Montana's deadlines — the 2-year/18,000-mile warranty period (and the mileage trap), in-state arbitration, and the CPA and Magnuson-Moss clocks.
Read → ArticleWhat If the Manufacturer Denied My Montana Lemon Law Claim?
What to do when a manufacturer denies a Montana lemon-law claim — common defenses, in-state arbitration and de novo, and the CPA per se violation.
Read → ArticleAre Used Vehicles Covered Under the Montana Lemon Law?
How used vehicles are covered in Montana — the warranty-period route (watch the 18,000-mile cap), plus the CPA and Magnuson-Moss for misrepresentation and concealed corrosion.
Read → ArticleWhen Is a Car a Lemon in Montana?
Montana's thresholds — 4 same-defect repairs or 30 business days out of service, within the 2-year/18,000-mile warranty period, after written notice.
Read → ArticleWhich Repair Shop Should I Use for a Montana Lemon Law Claim?
Why you must use an authorized dealer for repairs to count toward Montana's lemon-law presumption — and how the 18,000-mile cap and long distances interact.
Read →Think you've got a lemon?
Compare your situation to your state's requirements — and connect with a vetted lemon-law attorney for a free case review.