NCDS is contracted by the manufacturers it represents to provide an IDSP in accordance with the Magnuson-Moss Federal Warranty Act (“Mag-Moss”). NCDS is fully compliant with Mag-Moss. To be fully compliant with Mag-Moss, the “mechanism” or NCDS must meet the following requirements:

• Be adequately funded and staffed to resolve all disputes quickly;
• Be available free of charge to consumers;
• Be able to settle disputes independently, without influence from the parties involved;
• Follow written procedures;
• Inform both parties when it receives notice of a dispute;
• Gather, investigate, and organize all information necessary to decide each dispute fairly and quickly;
• Provide each party an opportunity to present its side, to submit supporting materials, and to rebut points made by the other party; (the mechanism may allow oral presentations, but only if both parties agree);
• Inform both parties of the decision and the reasons supporting it within 40 days of receiving notice of a dispute;
• Issue decisions that are not binding; either party must be free to take the dispute to court if dissatisfied with the decision (however, companies may, and often do, agree to be bound by the decision);
• Keep complete records on all disputes; and
• Be audited annually for compliance with the Rule.

The Magnuson Moss Federal Warranty Act (Mag Moss) requires manufacturers to pay for the IDSP and NCDS administers a fully compliant Mag Moss Program.

If a mediated settlement can’t be reached between you and your vehicle manufacturer and your case proceeds to an arbitration hearing, a trained panel of independent arbitrator(s) will hear your case and render a decision on average in 35 days as 99% of our cases are resolved in 40 days or less.

The arbitrators(s) decision is only binding on the vehicle manufacturer. That means if you accept the arbitrator(s) award for a repurchase, replacement, reimbursement, or repair, the vehicle manufacturer must accept the decision. If you do not accept the award or you do not prevail (win) in arbitration, the decision is not binding on either you or the vehicle manufacturer which means you will not forfeit any of your rights to pursue the outcome you seek through another means.

While most State Lemon Laws limit or restrict Consumers rights to a repurchase or replacement of their vehicle within twelve (12) to twenty four (24) months of the vehicle's in service date, NCDS operates a Mag Moss compliant program which allows its’ arbitrators to award a repurchase or replacement of the vehicle during the entire New Vehicle Limited Warranty(ies) period.

In fact, the drafters of Mag Moss wanted the IDSP to be expeditious, free of charge for consumers, and informal so consumers wouldn't have to go through the lengthy and costly court process to achieve a resolution to their complaint.

If you've experienced your complaint getting passed around from one contact center agent to another, just know the vehicle manufacturer employees or agents who are responsible for responding to your claim are at the highest level in the Consumer Affairs or Legal organizations so that will not happen with your claim.