Vehicle Types Under the New Hampshire Lemon Law
How New Hampshire's lemon law applies across vehicle types — used, leased, EV, motorcycles, OHRVs, snowmobiles, RVs, and commercial — under the 11,000-lb threshold.
The New Hampshire Lemon Law (RSA 357-D:2) is unusually broad on vehicle type: it covers four-wheel motor vehicles of 11,000 lbs or less (excluding tractors and mopeds), plus motorcycles, off-highway recreational vehicles (OHRVs), and snowmobiles — fitting New Hampshire’s powersports and trail culture.
Topics in this section
- Used vehicles — Coverage during the original warranty period, plus CPA and Magnuson-Moss.
- Leased vehicles — Covered, with the 5% lessor administrative fee.
- Electric vehicles — EV coverage and cold/charging factors.
- Motorcycles — Expressly covered, with OHRVs and snowmobiles.
- RVs — The chassis vs. the coach, and the weight threshold.
- Commercial vehicles — The 11,000-lb threshold and fleet considerations.
What’s covered and what isn’t
| Vehicle type | New Hampshire Lemon Law coverage |
|---|---|
| New car / pickup / van (≤11,000 lbs) | Covered |
| Leased vehicle | Covered |
| Used vehicle | Covered during the original warranty period; else CPA / Magnuson-Moss |
| Electric vehicle | Covered |
| Motorcycle | Covered |
| OHRV / snowmobile | Covered |
| Moped / tractor | Excluded |
| Vehicle over 11,000 lbs GVWR | Excluded |
Distinctive coverage notes
- Recreational vehicles are in — motorcycles, OHRVs, and snowmobiles are expressly covered (a notable contrast with most states, including Maine, where motorcycle coverage is uncertain). Mopeds and tractors are excluded.
- The cutoff is weight (11,000 lbs) for four-wheel vehicles, not a flat consumer-only rule.
- Leases are covered, with the lessor paid a capped 5% administrative fee on a buyback.
When the lemon law doesn’t reach
For vehicles over 11,000 lbs, tractors, and used vehicles outside the warranty period, the CPA (actual damages or $1,000, treble, mandatory fees) and Magnuson-Moss (4-year SOL, federal fees) remain available.
Related
New Hampshire Lemon Law FAQ
Common questions about New Hampshire lemon-law claims — qualifying, the Arbitration Board, hiring a lawyer, cost, used vehicles, denied claims, repair shops, and deadlines.
Read → TopicNew Hampshire Lemon Law Cases by Manufacturer
How the New Hampshire Lemon Law and the Consumer Protection Act apply to specific manufacturers across the Manchester, Nashua, Concord, and seacoast markets.
Read → TopicThe Process: Filing a New Hampshire Lemon Law Claim
Step by step through a New Hampshire lemon-law claim — documented repair attempts, the final repair opportunity, the New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board, and court action.
Read → TopicQualifying Defects Under the New Hampshire Lemon Law
Which defects qualify under New Hampshire's lemon law — transmission, engine, brakes, electrical, steering, infotainment, EV — under the 3-attempt / 30-business-day presumption, with road-salt and cold-weather factors.
Read → TopicRemedies Under the New Hampshire Lemon Law
What you can recover in a New Hampshire lemon-law claim — consumer-elected refund or replacement, the 100,000-mile use offset, CPA treble damages, and mandatory attorney fees.
Read → TopicThe Law: New Hampshire Lemon Law and the Consumer Protection Act
The statutes behind a New Hampshire lemon-law claim — the Lemon Law (RSA 357-D), the New Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board, the Consumer Protection Act (RSA 358-A), and Magnuson-Moss.
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.