61-4-519. Action by arbitrator -- decision. (1) The arbitrator shall, as expeditiously as possible but not later than 60 days after the department has accepted a complaint, render a fair decision based on the information gathered and disclose the arbitrator's findings and reasoning to the parties.
(2) The decision must provide appropriate remedies, including but not limited to:
(a) repair of the motor vehicle;
(b) replacement of the motor vehicle with an identical motor vehicle or a comparable motor vehicle acceptable to the consumer;
(c) refund as provided in 61-4-503(2);
(d) any other remedies available under the applicable warranties or 15 U.S.C. 2301 through 2312, as in effect on October 1, 1983; or
(e) reimbursement of expenses and costs to the prevailing party.
(3) The decision must specify a date for performance and completion of all awarded remedies. The department shall contact the prevailing party within 10 working days after the date for performance to determine whether performance has occurred. The parties shall act in good faith in abiding by any decision. In addition, if the decision is not accepted, the parties shall follow the provisions of Title 27, chapter 5. If the court determines that the appellant has acted without good cause in bringing an appeal of an award, the court, in its discretion, may grant to the respondent costs and reasonable attorney fees.
History: En. Sec. 14, Ch. 744, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 23, Ch. 744, L. 1985; amd. Sec. 202, Ch. 483, L. 2001; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 360, L. 2003; amd. Sec. 23, Ch. 280, L. 2005; amd. Sec. 186, Ch. 542, L. 2005.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Chapter 4. Sales and Distribution of Motor Vehicles
Part 5. New Motor Vehicle Warranties -- Remedies
61-4-502. Notice -- warranty enforceable after warranty period -- when
61-4-503. Replacement for nonconformity to warranty
61-4-504. Reasonable number of attempts -- presumption
61-4-505. Dealer exemption -- liability to manufacturer
61-4-506. Provisions nonexclusive -- applicability of U.C.C. -- defenses
61-4-507. Exhaustion of remedies under federal law
61-4-508. through 61-4-510 reserved
61-4-511. Manufacturer's dispute settlement procedure -- certification -- prohibited contents
61-4-512. Annual audit -- revocation or suspension of certification
61-4-513. and 61-4-514 reserved
61-4-515. Arbitration procedure
61-4-516. Selection of arbitrator
61-4-517. Implementation of arbitration
61-4-518. Arbitration -- role of department of justice -- expert
61-4-519. Action by arbitrator -- decision
61-4-520. Nonconforming procedure -- arbitration de novo
61-4-521. through 61-4-524 reserved
61-4-525. Notice on resale of replaced motor vehicle