Idaho Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Idaho New Motor Vehicle Warranties (Lemon Law) is Idaho Code §§ 48-901 to 48-913.
| Rule | What Idaho law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Idaho Code §§ 48-901 to 48-913 | Idaho Code § 48-901 |
| Vehicles covered | New motor vehicles sold or licensed in Idaho for personal, family, household or personal business use; Leases of more than four months | |
| Not covered | Motorcycles and farm tractors; Trailers; Vehicles with a gross laden weight over 12,000 lbs | |
| Protection window | The warranty term, 2 years from delivery or 24,000 miles, whichever is earliest | Idaho Code §§ 48-902(1), 48-903(2) |
| Brake or Steering Failure Test | A complete failure of the braking or steering system, likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, was repaired at least once and continues | § 48-903(3) |
| Four Repairs Test | The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and continues, after written notice at least once and a chance to cure | § 48-903(2)(a), (5) |
| 30 Business Days Test | Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 30 or more business days, after written notice (business days) | § 48-903(2)(b), (5) |
| Written notice | Give the manufacturer, its agent or dealer written notification at least once and an opportunity to cure. A dealer that receives it must forward it to the manufacturer by certified mail, return receipt requested. | § 48-903(5) |
| Dispute program first? | Every manufacturer must run or join an arbitration program located in Idaho that complies with FTC Rule 703; you must use it before suing for a refund or replacement unless the manufacturer allows otherwise. The fee cannot exceed the county conciliation court filing fee (§ 48-906). | |
| Deadline | Start a civil action within 3 years of original delivery. If you applied to the manufacturer’s program within 3 years, an appeal of its decision must be filed within 3 months of the final decision | § 48-910 |
| Usage deduction | no more than miles driven up to the arbitration hearing × purchase price ÷ 120,000 | Idaho Code § 48-903(1) |
Four repairs, 30 business days or one brake repair in Idaho
Idaho presumes a reasonable number of attempts when, within the warranty, 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever is earliest):
Brake or Steering Failure Test
A complete failure of the braking or steering system, likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, was repaired at least once and continues.
§ 48-903(3)Four Repairs Test
The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and continues, after written notice at least once and a chance to cure.
§ 48-903(2)(a), (5)30 Business Days Test
Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 30 or more business days, after written notice.
§ 48-903(2)(b), (5)The defect must impair the vehicle’s use or market value. The manufacturer must have at least one chance to repair before any presumption applies.
Notice to the manufacturer in Idaho
Give the manufacturer, its agent or dealer written notification at least once and an opportunity to cure. A dealer that receives it must forward it to the manufacturer by certified mail, return receipt requested.
In Idaho the 4-repair and 30-day presumptions need written notice at least once and a chance to cure.
Dispute program first. Every manufacturer must run or join an arbitration program located in Idaho that complies with FTC Rule 703; you must use it before suing for a refund or replacement unless the manufacturer allows otherwise. The fee cannot exceed the county conciliation court filing fee (§ 48-906).
Manufacturers must keep enough service facilities reasonably close to where their vehicles are sold, or authorize independent shops to do warranty work (§ 48-902(2)).
Idaho’s 3-year deadline
Start a civil action within 3 years of original delivery. If you applied to the manufacturer’s program within 3 years, an appeal of its decision must be filed within 3 months of the final decision (§ 48-910).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2027 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Sue by | March 15, 2028 | Start a civil action within 3 years of original delivery. If you applied to the manufacturer’s program within 3 years, an appeal of its decision must be filed within 3 months of the final decision |
How to file an Idaho lemon law claim
- Report each defect in timeWithin the warranty, 2 years or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Send written notice at least onceA dealer that receives it must forward it to the manufacturer by certified mail.
- Use the manufacturer’s Idaho arbitration programRequired before suing; the fee cannot exceed the conciliation court filing fee.
- Choose a refund or replacementYou can reject a replacement and require a refund.
- Sue within 3 yearsOr within 3 months of the program’s decision if you applied within 3 years.
Refund, replacement and the Idaho deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Refund | What you paid, including trade-in value, capped at 105% of the MSRP (including options), plus sales or excise tax, license and registration fees, and towing and rental costs, less an allowance for use. |
| Replacement | A comparable vehicle; you can reject it and require a refund instead. |
How the Idaho deduction for use is calculated
no more than miles driven up to the arbitration hearing × purchase price ÷ 120,000 (Idaho Code § 48-903(1)).
| Step | Math | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | — | $36,000.00 |
| Deduction for use | 15,000 miles × $36,000 ÷ 120,000 | −$4,500.00 |
| Refund before taxes, fees and other charges | Those are added under the rules above | $31,500.00 |
Idaho’s 105% refund cap
An Idaho refund returns what you paid, including your trade-in, but the vehicle portion cannot exceed 105% of the MSRP, including factory options and dealer options added within 30 days (§ 48-903(1)). Taxes, license and registration fees, and towing and rental costs are refunded on top.
| What you paid for the vehicle | Refund before taxes and fees |
|---|---|
| $39,000 | $39,000.00 |
| $42,000 (105% of MSRP) | $42,000.00 |
| $44,000 | $42,000.00 (capped) |
The allowance for use can be no more than the miles driven up to the arbitration hearing × the price ÷ 120,000. For a lease, the allowance is the lease payments made until the award.
Idaho’s required arbitration program
- Every manufacturer must run or join a program located in Idaho that complies with FTC Rule 703.
- You can appear in person in Idaho; the manufacturer may join by phone.
- You can have your own technical expert appraise the manufacturer’s claims before the hearing.
- The fee cannot exceed the conciliation court filing fee in the county.
- A bad-faith appeal of the program’s decision can bring treble damages (§ 48-908).
Second owners in Idaho
A person to whom the new vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer. Idaho’s Lemon Law covers new motor vehicles under the express warranty.
A person to whom the new vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer. Idaho excludes motorcycles, farm tractors, trailers and vehicles over 12,000 lbs.
To test your own dates and repair visits, test your Idaho repair visits in the checker.
Idaho Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Idaho?
A new vehicle with a defect that impairs its use or market value, after 4 repairs or 30 business days out of service (with written notice) or 1 repair of a brake or steering failure, within the warranty, 2 years or 24,000 miles.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in Idaho?
Within 3 years of original delivery, or within 3 months of an arbitration decision if you applied to the program within those 3 years (§ 48-910).
Is there a cap on Idaho lemon law refunds?
Yes. The vehicle refund cannot exceed 105% of the MSRP, though taxes, fees, towing and rental costs are added.
Does the Idaho lemon law cover motorcycles?
No. Motorcycles and farm tractors are excluded.
Do I have to use arbitration in Idaho?
Yes, before suing for a refund or replacement, unless the manufacturer allows otherwise.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Idaho rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.