Motorcycles and the North Dakota Lemon Law
Whether motorcycles are covered by North Dakota's lemon law — they're not expressly excluded, so a highway motorcycle may qualify — plus the Magnuson-Moss backup.
Motorcycles occupy a gray area under North Dakota’s lemon law. The statute covers a passenger motor vehicle and a personal-use truck ≤ 10,000 lbs (§ 51-07-16), and it does not expressly exclude motorcycles — so coverage turns on how a motorcycle fits the “motor vehicle” definition.
The coverage question
North Dakota’s statute, unlike Montana’s or Delaware’s, contains no express motorcycle exclusion. A two- or three-wheeled vehicle registered for the highway may fall within “motor vehicle,” but this isn’t free of doubt. Practically:
- A street motorcycle has a real argument for coverage — confirm it before relying on the lemon law.
- Off-highway machines (dirt bikes, ATVs, snowmobiles) are far less likely to qualify, since they aren’t highway vehicles for personal transportation.
Because the answer isn’t black-and-white, treat motorcycle coverage as case-specific and get it confirmed.
The reliable backup: Magnuson-Moss
Whether or not the state lemon law reaches your motorcycle, the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act covers it as a consumer product under a written warranty — with fee-shifting (§ 2310(d)(2)) and a longer runway than the lemon law’s six months. For many motorcycle owners, Magnuson-Moss is the surer path.
Common motorcycle defects
- Engine — stalling, oil consumption, hard starting.
- Electrical — charging-system and no-start faults (worse with cold and corrosion).
- Braking — ABS faults, premature wear.
- Drivetrain — transmission/clutch and final-drive problems.
Document each as you would any qualifying defect: repair orders, conditions, and a met presumption.
Bottom line
North Dakota doesn’t expressly exclude motorcycles, so a highway motorcycle may qualify — confirm it — and Magnuson-Moss is the reliable backstop with fee-shifting. Get a free case review.
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Read → ArticleRVs and Motor Homes Under the North Dakota Lemon Law
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Read → ArticleUsed Vehicles and the North Dakota Lemon Law
How used vehicles are covered in North Dakota — the warranty-or-one-year window from original delivery, plus the Consumer Fraud statute and Magnuson-Moss for misrepresentation.
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.