Mandatory Manufacturer Arbitration (BBB Auto Line) in Wisconsin

Wisconsin is one of several states where consumers may be required to participate in a manufacturer’s informal dispute settlement procedure (typically BBB Auto Line) before filing court action. The requirement comes from Wis. Stat. § 218.0171(2)(c).

When BBB Auto Line is mandatory

If the manufacturer has established an informal dispute settlement procedure that:

• Meets the federal requirements of 16 C.F.R. Part 703; AND
• Is certified under Wis. Stat. § 218.0171(2)(c);

then the consumer must complete that procedure before pursuing Lemon Law remedies in court.

How to verify a certified program exists

• Owner’s manual.
• Warranty book.
• Manufacturer’s customer-relations line.
• BBB Auto Line’s participating-manufacturer list (bbb.org/auto-line).

How BBB Auto Line works in Wisconsin

1. Consumer files online or by mail (free).
2. BBB collects records.
3. Scheduling typically within 40 days.
4. Hearing telephone or in-person, 1-3 hours.
5. Written decision typically within 40 days of the hearing.

Total timeline: typically 60-100 days.

Decisions can include

• Refund under § 218.0171(2)(b).
• Replacement vehicle.
• Additional repair attempts.
• Denial.

Decision is binding on the manufacturer if the consumer accepts. Not binding on the consumer.

What BBB Auto Line does NOT provide

• Attorney fees — § 218.0171(7) fees not awarded in arbitration.
• AUTOMATIC § 218.0171(7) doubling — only available in civil court following 30-day non-compliance.
• Magnuson-Moss claims.

For these remedies, court action is required.

The strategic complication — BBB Auto Line vs. 30-day clock

A unique Wisconsin issue: if BBB Auto Line is mandatory, what about the 30-day clock?

• If BBB Auto Line ORDERS a refund/replacement and the consumer ACCEPTS, the manufacturer’s 30-day clock starts from BBB acceptance.
• If the consumer REJECTS BBB Auto Line’s decision, the consumer can file court action — but the written election that started the original 30-day clock may need to be renewed.

Most experienced Wisconsin Lemon Law attorneys serve the written election BEFORE filing BBB Auto Line — preserving the original 30-day clock as a parallel pressure mechanism.

When BBB Auto Line is the right resolution

• Clean refund or replacement case.
• Manufacturer is willing to settle in arbitration.
• Self-representing.
• Want fast, free resolution.

When to reject BBB Auto Line and go to court

• The manufacturer offered inadequate remedies in arbitration.
• The 30-day clock has already triggered automatic doubling.
• Magnuson-Moss federal-court access strategically valuable.

Bottom line

BBB Auto Line is a mandatory procedural step in many Wisconsin cases — but it doesn’t trigger the automatic § 218.0171(7) doubling that makes Wisconsin’s Lemon Law uniquely strong. Many Wisconsin attorneys treat BBB Auto Line as a procedural box to check while preserving the 30-day clock for court action.

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