LEMON LAW DEMAND LETTER

STATE OF IDAHO

SENT VIA CERTIFIED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
OVERNIGHT DELIVERY - SIGNATURE REQUIRED
AND FIRST-CLASS MAIL

[DATE]

[MANUFACTURER NAME]
ATTN: Customer Relations / Legal Department
[MANUFACTURER ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]

[DEALER NAME]
ATTN: General Manager / Service Manager
[DEALER ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]

Re: IDAHO LEMON LAW DEMAND - STATUTORY NOTICE
Consumer/Owner: [CONSUMER FULL NAME]
Vehicle: [YEAR] [MAKE] [MODEL] [TRIM LEVEL]
VIN: [VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER]
Purchase/Lease Date: [DATE]
Current Mileage: [MILEAGE]

Dear Sir or Madam:

This law firm represents [CONSUMER FULL NAME] ("Consumer" or "Client") in connection with the purchase/lease of the above-referenced vehicle, which qualifies as a "lemon" under the Idaho Lemon Law, Idaho Code Section 48-901 et seq., and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2301 et seq. This letter constitutes formal notice of our Client's claim and demand for repurchase or replacement of the defective vehicle.

I. IDAHO LEMON LAW FRAMEWORK

A. Statutory Authority

This demand is made pursuant to the Idaho Lemon Law, Idaho Code Section 48-901 et seq., which provides protection to consumers who purchase or lease new motor vehicles that fail to conform to express warranties.

B. Covered Vehicles

Under Idaho Code Section 48-901(3), a "motor vehicle" means:
- A new self-propelled vehicle primarily designed for transportation on public highways
- Purchased or leased in Idaho
- Excludes: Motorcycles, motor homes (portion designed for human habitation), and vehicles over 12,000 pounds GVWR

The vehicle that is the subject of this demand is a [YEAR] [MAKE] [MODEL] that was purchased/leased new and is covered under Idaho's Lemon Law.

C. Coverage Period

Idaho's Lemon Law applies during:
- The express warranty term OR two (2) years or 24,000 miles following original delivery, whichever comes first. Idaho Code Section 48-902(1).

D. Presumption of Nonconformity

Under Idaho Code Section 48-902(4), there is a rebuttable presumption that a reasonable number of attempts have been made if:

1. Same Nonconformity: The same nonconformity has been subject to repair four (4) or more times without success; OR

2. Days Out of Service: The vehicle has been out of service by reason of repair for 30 or more business days (need not be consecutive).

E. Manufacturer Notice Requirement

Under Idaho Code Section 48-902(3), the consumer must provide written notification to the manufacturer of the need for repair. The manufacturer has one additional opportunity (not to exceed 7 days) to cure the nonconformity after receiving such notice.

THIS LETTER CONSTITUTES THE REQUIRED WRITTEN NOTIFICATION.

II. VEHICLE INFORMATION

III. WARRANTY INFORMATION

A. Manufacturer's Warranty

The defects complained of arose during the applicable warranty period and remain unresolved.

IV. DEFECT DESCRIPTION

A. Nature of Defect(s)

The vehicle suffers from one or more nonconformities that substantially impair its use, value, or safety as required under Idaho Code Section 48-901(4):

PRIMARY DEFECT:
- Description: [DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DEFECT]
- First Occurrence: [DATE AND MILEAGE]
- Symptoms: [HOW DEFECT MANIFESTS]
- Safety Impact: [ ] Yes [ ] No - [IF YES, DESCRIBE]
- Use Impairment: [HOW DEFECT AFFECTS VEHICLE USE]
- Value Impairment: [HOW DEFECT AFFECTS VEHICLE VALUE]

ADDITIONAL DEFECT(S):
[REPEAT FORMAT FOR EACH ADDITIONAL DEFECT]

V. REPAIR HISTORY

Repair Attempt #1

Repair Attempt #2

Repair Attempt #3

Repair Attempt #4

[ADD ADDITIONAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS AS NEEDED]

Summary of Repair Attempts

VI. LEMON LAW QUALIFICATION

A. Idaho Lemon Law Presumption Met

Our Client's vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Idaho law because:

[ ] Repair Attempt Threshold Met:
The same nonconformity has been subject to repair [NUMBER] times, meeting or exceeding the 4-repair threshold under Idaho Code Section 48-902(4)(a).

[ ] Days Out of Service Threshold Met:
The vehicle has been out of service for repair for [NUMBER] business days, exceeding the 30-business-day threshold under Idaho Code Section 48-902(4)(b).

B. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

In addition to state law claims, our Client has claims under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. Section 2301 et seq., which provides for attorney's fees to prevailing consumers.

VII. ARBITRATION NOTICE

Under Idaho Code Section 48-903, if [MANUFACTURER] sponsors an informal dispute settlement procedure that complies with 16 C.F.R. Part 703, the consumer must first submit the dispute to that procedure before bringing a civil action.

[ ] [MANUFACTURER] has a compliant arbitration program. Our Client will comply with the arbitration requirement but reserves all rights if arbitration does not provide an acceptable resolution.

[ ] [MANUFACTURER] does not have a compliant arbitration program in Idaho, and therefore arbitration is not required before bringing suit.

VIII. DEMAND FOR RELIEF

Pursuant to Idaho Code Section 48-902(1), we hereby demand:

A. Primary Relief (Choose One)

[ ] REPURCHASE/REFUND

Under Idaho Code Section 48-902(1)(a), the manufacturer must refund:

The reasonable allowance for use under Idaho law is calculated based on the mileage at the time of first repair or 1,000 miles, whichever is greater. Idaho Code Section 48-902(1)(a).

[ ] REPLACEMENT

Under Idaho Code Section 48-902(1)(b), the manufacturer must provide a comparable new motor vehicle.

B. Additional Relief

1. Attorney's Fees and Costs: Under Idaho Code Section 48-904, a prevailing consumer may recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs.

2. Loan/Lease Payoff: The manufacturer must pay off any outstanding balance to the lienholder.

3. Incidental Damages: All incidental damages including rental car expenses, towing charges, and other costs incurred as a result of the nonconformity.

IX. FINAL REPAIR OPPORTUNITY

This letter provides [MANUFACTURER] with the final repair opportunity required under Idaho Code Section 48-902(3). The manufacturer has seven (7) days from receipt of this notice to cure the nonconformity.

Please contact the undersigned within five (5) business days to schedule the final repair attempt. If the defect is not cured within the 7-day period, our Client will proceed with arbitration (if required) and/or litigation.

X. DOCUMENT PRESERVATION

You are hereby directed to preserve all documents and records relating to this vehicle, including:

• All repair orders and warranty claims
• All technical service bulletins related to the defect
• All customer complaints regarding similar defects
• All communications between dealer and manufacturer
• All engineering documents and analyses
• The vehicle itself (do not destroy, sell, or alter)

XI. RESPONSE DEADLINE

Please respond to this demand in writing within fourteen (14) days of the date of this letter with:

1. Your position on whether the vehicle qualifies as a lemon
2. Your offer for repurchase or replacement
3. Scheduling of the final repair opportunity, if desired

If we do not receive a satisfactory response, our Client will:

[ ] Submit this matter to the manufacturer's compliant arbitration program
[ ] File suit in the appropriate Idaho court
[ ] Report this matter to the Idaho Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division

XII. CONCLUSION

Our Client has provided [MANUFACTURER] with ample opportunity to repair this vehicle. The vehicle continues to suffer from substantial defects that impair its use, value, and safety. Our Client is entitled to a refund or replacement under Idaho law.

We urge you to resolve this matter promptly and avoid unnecessary litigation.

Respectfully submitted,

[LAW FIRM NAME]

By: _________________________________
[ATTORNEY NAME]
[BAR NUMBER]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE ZIP]
[TELEPHONE]
[EMAIL]

Attorneys for [CONSUMER FULL NAME]

ENCLOSURES:
[ ] Copies of all repair orders
[ ] Copy of purchase/lease agreement
[ ] Copy of warranty booklet
[ ] Vehicle registration
[ ] Photographs/videos of defect
[ ] Prior correspondence with manufacturer

cc: [CONSUMER NAME]
[LIENHOLDER, if applicable]
Idaho Attorney General - Consumer Protection Division

IDAHO LEMON LAW QUICK REFERENCE

PRACTICE NOTES FOR IDAHO LEMON LAW CLAIMS

Pre-Filing Considerations

1. Four Repair Attempts: Idaho requires four repair attempts, which is higher than many states. Ensure documentation of all four attempts.

2. Business Days: Idaho counts business days for the 30-day out-of-service threshold.

3. Written Notice: Ensure written notice is properly sent to the manufacturer.

Procedural Requirements

1. Arbitration First: If the manufacturer has an FTC-compliant arbitration program, the consumer must use it before filing suit.

2. 7-Day Cure Period: The manufacturer has only 7 days to cure after receiving notice.

3. Attorney General: Consider filing a complaint with the Idaho Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.

Damages Calculation

1. Use Allowance: Based on mileage at first repair or 1,000 miles, whichever is greater.

2. Collateral Charges: Include all taxes, fees, and finance charges in the refund demand.

3. Attorney's Fees: Available under Idaho Code Section 48-904 to prevailing consumers.

This template is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Idaho attorney before use.