IN THE [COUNTY] SUPERIOR COURT
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Docket No. ____
[PLAINTIFF NAME],
ââPlaintiff,
v.
[DEFENDANT MANUFACTURER NAME],
ââDefendant.
COMPLAINT
(Statutory âLemon Lawâ â N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 357-D:1 et seq.)
Jury Trial Demanded
[// GUIDANCE: Delete bracketed comments before filing. Fill every [PLACEHOLDER] and confirm factual allegations with client documentation.]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Parties, Jurisdiction, and Venue
- Definitions
- General Allegations
- Count I â Violation of New Hampshire Lemon Law (RSA 357-D)
- Count II â Breach of Express Warranty (MagnusonâMoss, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2301 et seq.) [optional]
- Count III â Violation of New Hampshire Consumer Protection Act (RSA 358-A) [optional]
- Prayer for Relief
- Jury Demand
- Reservation of Rights
- Verification
- Certificate of Service
1. PARTIES, JURISDICTION, AND VENUE
1.1âPlaintiff. [PLAINTIFF NAME] (âPlaintiffâ) is an individual of legal age, residing at [PLAINTIFF ADDRESS], who purchased the Vehicle described herein primarily for personal, family, or household use.
1.2âDefendant. [DEFENDANT MANUFACTURER NAME] (âDefendantâ) is a [corporation/LLC] organized under the laws of [STATE OF INCORP.] with its principal place of business at [ADDRESS], authorized to do business in New Hampshire and regularly transacting business within this State.
1.3âSubject-Matter Jurisdiction. This Court has subject-matter jurisdiction under RSA 491:7 and RSA 357-D because the amount in controversy exceeds $[AMOUNT] and the action arises under New Hampshireâs New Motor Vehicle Arbitration (âLemon Lawâ) statute.
1.4âPersonal Jurisdiction. Defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction pursuant to RSA 510:4 for transacting business and marketing motor vehicles within New Hampshire.
1.5âVenue. Venue is proper in this Court under RSA 507:9 because a substantial portion of the events giving rise to Plaintiffâs claims occurred in this county.
1.6âExhaustion of Statutory Remedies. Plaintiff participated in the mandatory informal dispute-resolution procedure established under RSA 357-D by submitting the dispute to the New Motor Vehicle Arbitration (âBoardâ) on [DATE]. The Boardâs decision, issued on [DATE], [DESCRIPTIONâe.g., âawarded Plaintiff a refund, which Defendant has failed to honorâ/âwas adverse, thereby permitting judicial relief pursuant to RSA 357-Dâ].
[// GUIDANCE: If no arbitration required (e.g., manufacturer lacks certified program) explain statutory exemption.]
2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this Complaint, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth below. Terms in the singular include the plural and vice-versa.
2.1ââConsumerâ means the purchaser, lessee, or registered owner of a new motor vehicle, or any person to whom the motor vehicle is transferred during the warranty period. RSA 357-D:1, I.
2.2ââVehicleâ means the [YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, VIN] motor vehicle purchased by Plaintiff on [PURCHASE DATE] from [DEALERSHIP] for a total cash price of $[PRICE].
2.3ââNonconformityâ means a defect or condition that substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of the Vehicle and that is covered by the Defendantâs express warranty. RSA 357-D:1, VII.
2.4ââRepair Attemptâ means each opportunity given to Defendant or its authorized agents to remedy a Nonconformity.
2.5ââReasonable Number of Attemptsâ means (a) four or more Repair Attempts for the same Nonconformity, or (b) the Vehicle is out of service by reason of repair for a cumulative total of thirty or more business days during the warranty period. RSA 357-D:3.
3. GENERAL ALLEGATIONS
3.1âOn [PURCHASE DATE], Plaintiff purchased the Vehicle from [DEALER NAME] for personal use, receiving Defendantâs written new-vehicle limited warranty.
3.2âBeginning on or about [FIRST DEFECT DATE], the Vehicle exhibited the following Nonconformities:
âa. [DESCRIPTION OF DEFECT #1]
âb. [DESCRIPTION OF DEFECT #2]
âc. [Etc.]
3.3âPlaintiff presented the Vehicle to Defendantâs authorized repair facilities on at least [NUMBER] separate occasions, totaling [NUMBER] days out of service, as documented in the Repair Orders attached hereto as Exhibit A.
3.4âDespite a Reasonable Number of Attempts, the Nonconformities persist and substantially impair the Vehicleâs use, value, and safety.
3.5âPlaintiff provided written notice of the Nonconformities to Defendant pursuant to RSA 357-D:3 on [NOTICE DATE].
3.6âDefendant has refused or failed to replace the Vehicle or refund the purchase price as required by RSA 357-D:4.
3.7âAll conditions precedent to filing this action have been performed, excused, or waived.
4. COUNT I â VIOLATION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE LEMON LAW
(N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 357-D:1 et seq.)
4.1âPlaintiff realleges and incorporates by reference paragraphs 1.1 through 3.7 above.
4.2âThe Vehicle contains one or more Nonconformities covered by Defendantâs express warranty that substantially impair its use, safety, and value.
4.3âDefendant was afforded a Reasonable Number of Attempts to cure each Nonconformity but failed to do so.
4.4âUnder RSA 357-D:4, Defendant is obligated, at Plaintiffâs option, to (a) replace the Vehicle with a comparable new motor vehicle acceptable to Plaintiff, or (b) refund the full contract price, including all collateral charges, less a reasonable allowance for use as defined by statute.
4.5âDefendantâs refusal to comply constitutes a violation of RSA 357-D, entitling Plaintiff to statutory remedies, incidental and consequential damages, attorneysâ fees, costs, and equitable relief.
5. COUNT II â BREACH OF EXPRESS WARRANTY
(MagnusonâMoss Warranty Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 2301 et seq.) [Optional]
5.1âPlaintiff realleges paragraphs 1.1 through 3.7.
5.2âDefendantâs written warranty constitutes a âwritten warrantyâ under 15 U.S.C. § 2301(6).
5.3âDefendant breached the warranty by failing to repair or replace the Vehicleâs Nonconformities within a reasonable time.
5.4âPlaintiff seeks all remedies available under 15 U.S.C. § 2310(d), including damages, costs, and attorneysâ fees.
6. COUNT III â VIOLATION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT
(RSA 358-A) [Optional]
6.1âPlaintiff realleges paragraphs 1.1 through 3.7.
6.2âDefendantâs deceptive and unfair practices, including misrepresentations regarding the Vehicleâs quality and warranty obligations, violate RSA 358-A:2.
6.3âPlaintiff is entitled to treble damages, costs, and attorneysâ fees pursuant to RSA 358-A:10.
7. PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that the Court enter judgment in Plaintiffâs favor and against Defendant as follows:
a. An Order requiring Defendant to, at Plaintiffâs election, (i) replace the Vehicle with a new, comparable vehicle acceptable to Plaintiff or (ii) refund the full purchase price, including collateral charges, finance charges, sales tax, registration fees, and all other amounts recoverable under RSA 357-D;
b. An award of incidental and consequential damages in an amount to be proven at trial, but in no event to exceed the Vehicleâs fair market value plus allowable collateral charges;
c. Reasonable attorneysâ fees and costs pursuant to RSA 357-D and 15 U.S.C. § 2310(d)(2);
d. Pre- and post-judgment interest as allowed by law;
e. Punitive or enhanced damages as permitted under RSA 358-A (if Count III is pursued);
f. Such other and further legal or equitable relief, including injunctive relief compelling compliance with statutory duties, as the Court deems just and proper.
8. JURY DEMAND
Pursuant to Part I, Article 20 of the New Hampshire Constitution and Rule 8 of the New Hampshire Rules of Civil Procedure, Plaintiff demands a trial by jury on all issues so triable.
9. RESERVATION OF RIGHTS
Plaintiff reserves the right to amend this Complaint to add additional claims, parties, or remedies as discovery may reveal.
10. VERIFICATION
I, [PLAINTIFF NAME], being duly sworn, state that I have read the foregoing Complaint and that the facts stated therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief.
Date: __ , 20
[PLAINTIFF NAME]
State of New Hampshire
County of ____
Subscribed and sworn before me on this _ day of _, 20.
Notary Public / Justice of the Peace
My Commission Expires: _______
11. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing Complaint was this day served upon counsel for Defendant, [DEFENSE COUNSEL NAME & ADDRESS], by [hand delivery / first-class mail / NH e-Court filing system] in accordance with Rule 5 of the New Hampshire Rules of Civil Procedure.
Date: __ , 20
[PLAINTIFFâS COUNSEL NAME] (NH Bar #____)
[LAW FIRM NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[PHONE] | [EMAIL]
Counsel for Plaintiff
[// GUIDANCE:
1. Confirm that the client completed any required state or manufacturer arbitration; adjust ¶1.6 and Exhibit references accordingly.
2. If arbitration was not mandatory (e.g., manufacturer lacked a certified program), replace ¶1.6 with statutory grounds for direct filing.
3. Attach supporting Exhibits (Purchase Agreement, Repair Orders, Arbitration Decision, etc.) at filing.
4. Re-calculate any âreasonable allowance for useâ per RSA 357-D:4 and insert concrete numbers if desired.
5. The âliability capâ metadata has been respected by limiting damages to Vehicle value plus collateral charges and statutory add-ons.
6. Delete optional counts if not pursued; they are included to preserve alternative theories and fee-shifting avenues.
7. Verify local rule requirements for font, margins, and electronic filing signatures before submission.]