How Much Does a North Dakota Lemon Law Claim Cost?
What a North Dakota lemon-law claim costs — a free manufacturer IDS, plus attorney fees recovered through Magnuson-Moss and the Consumer Fraud statute, so usually nothing out of pocket.
A North Dakota lemon-law claim is low-cost to pursue: any manufacturer IDS is free, and attorney fees are recoverable in court — so most consumers pay nothing out of pocket.
The manufacturer IDS — free
If the manufacturer has a qualifying informal dispute settlement program, it is free to the consumer and a prerequisite to the statutory remedy (§ 51-07-18). North Dakota has no state board.
Court — fees are recoverable
- Magnuson-Moss § 2310(d)(2) — a reliable fee basis for a prevailing consumer. See Magnuson-Moss.
- Consumer Fraud statute § 51-15-09 — mandatory costs and reasonable attorney fees on a knowing violation.
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 + collateral, minus a use offset capped at 10% of price) or replacement — your choice.
- Treble damages under the Consumer Fraud statute on a knowing violation.
- Attorney fees (Magnuson-Moss; mandatory Consumer Fraud fees on a knowing violation).
The real “cost” is time
The bigger risk isn’t money — it’s the six-month deadline. Waiting can cost you the claim entirely, so the practical “cost” of delay is everything.
Bottom line
Out-of-pocket cost is usually zero on contingency, with fees recovered from the manufacturer — but move fast, because the six-month deadline is the real price of delay. Get a free case review.
Related
Do I Need a Lawyer for a North Dakota Lemon Law Claim?
When you can handle a North Dakota lemon-law claim yourself and when to hire counsel — and why fee-shifting plus the six-month deadline usually argue for a lawyer.
Read → ArticleHow Long Do I Have to File a North Dakota Lemon Law Claim?
North Dakota's six-month deadline to sue — the shortest lemon-law limitations period in the country — and the longer Consumer Fraud and Magnuson-Moss clocks that can save a claim.
Read → ArticleWhat If the Manufacturer Denied My North Dakota Lemon Law Claim?
What to do when a manufacturer denies a North Dakota lemon-law claim — common defenses, the IDS, and the fee-shifting and treble leverage that bring them back to the table.
Read → ArticleAre Used Vehicles Covered Under the North Dakota Lemon Law?
How used vehicles are covered in North Dakota — the original warranty-or-one-year window, plus the Consumer Fraud statute and Magnuson-Moss for misrepresentation and warranty breach.
Read → ArticleWhen Is a Car a Lemon in North Dakota?
What makes a vehicle a lemon under North Dakota law — the substantial-impairment standard, the more-than-3-attempts or 30-business-day presumption, and the coverage window.
Read → ArticleWhich Repair Shop Should I Use for a North Dakota Lemon Law Claim?
Why you must use an authorized dealer for repairs to count toward North Dakota's lemon-law presumption — plus the rural-distance reality and direct-service brands.
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.