Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

Arbitration Decision

The Board must issue the arbitration decision within 60 days from the date the Board received your Request For Arbitration. You will receive a copy of the decision and a form asking whether you accept or reject the decision. You have 60 days from the date you receive the decision to accept or reject it.

If the arbitration decision is in your favor and you accept it, then the manufacturer must:

  • Comply within 40 days of receiving notice of your acceptance; or
  • Appeal to superior court within 30 days of receiving your acceptance.

While appeals by manufacturers or consumers are very rare, if you disagree with the decision you can reject the decision and file an appeal.  You will need the assistance of a private attorney to pursue your claims against the manufacturer when filing an appeal in superior court.  You will be allowed a new hearing of the dispute at a trial. If you decide to appeal, the appeal must be filed in superior court within 120 days of rejecting the arbitration decision.

 

Compliance and Consumer Requirements When Returning a Vehicle

After a manufacturer receives notice from the Lemon Law Administration that you have accepted a decision awarding repurchase or replacement of the vehicle, the manufacturer has a maximum of 40 days to comply with the award.  The Attorney General’s Office will continue to provide information and assistance to you and the manufacturer during the compliance period.

Compliance with the award must occur at a time, place and in a manner that is mutually agreeable to you and the manufacturer. 

After a manufacturer receives notice from the Lemon Law Administration that you have accepted a decision awarding repurchase or replacement of the vehicle, the manufacturer has a maximum of 40 days to comply with the award.  The Attorney General’s Office will continue to provide information and assistance to you and the manufacturer during the compliance period.

Compliance with the award must occur at a time, place and in a manner that is mutually agreeable to you and the manufacturer. 

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