Maine Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Maine Lemon Law (Manufacturer Warranties on Motor Vehicles) is 10 M.R.S. §§ 1161–1169.
| Rule | What Maine law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | 10 M.R.S. §§ 1161–1169 | 10 M.R.S. § 1161 |
| Vehicles covered | Motor vehicles designed to carry passengers or property on public highways, sold or leased in Maine; Leased vehicles | |
| Not covered | Vehicles used mainly for commercial purposes with a GVW of 8,500 lbs or more; Government entities and businesses that register 3 or more vehicles | |
| Protection window | The warranty term, 3 years from delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever occurs earliest | 10 M.R.S. § 1163(1), (3) |
| Brake or Steering Failure Test | A serious failure of the braking or steering system was repaired at least once, then a final 7-business-day repair after written notice | § 1163(3)(A-2), (3-A) |
| Three Repairs Test | The same defect was repaired 3 or more times and continues, then a final 7-business-day repair after written notice | § 1163(3)(A), (3-A) |
| 15 Business Days Test | Out of service for repair of any defects a cumulative total of 15 or more business days, then a final repair after written notice (business days) | § 1163(3)(B), (3-A) |
| Written notice | Notify the manufacturer or the authorized dealer in writing that you want a refund or replacement. The manufacturer then has 7 business days for a final repair at a reasonably accessible facility. Notice is required only if the warranty or owner’s manual disclosed it, with an address; notifying the dealer in writing also satisfies it. | 10 M.R.S. § 1163(3-A), (6), (6-A) |
| Dispute program first? | Manufacturers must take part in state-certified arbitration run by the Attorney General when you request it within 3 years of delivery or the warranty term, whichever comes first. A written finding is due within 45 days; the manufacturer then has 21 days to pay or appeal. | |
| Deadline | Request state-certified arbitration within 3 years of original delivery or within the term of the express warranties, whichever comes first | 10 M.R.S. § 1169(1) |
| Usage deduction | Maine caps the allowance for use at the lesser of one-third of the IRS business mileage rate applied to the mileage on your arbitration application plus miles beyond 20,000, or 10% of the purchase price (10 M.R.S. § 1161(4)). |
Three repairs, 15 business days or one brake repair in Maine
Maine presumes a reasonable number of attempts when, within the warranty, 3 years or 18,000 miles (whichever occurs earliest):
Brake or Steering Failure Test
A serious failure of the braking or steering system was repaired at least once, then a final 7-business-day repair after written notice.
§ 1163(3)(A-2), (3-A)Three Repairs Test
The same defect was repaired 3 or more times and continues, then a final 7-business-day repair after written notice.
§ 1163(3)(A), (3-A)15 Business Days Test
Out of service for repair of any defects a cumulative total of 15 or more business days, then a final repair after written notice.
§ 1163(3)(B), (3-A)The defect or combination of defects must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, safety or value. The 15 business days can come from repairs for any defects together.
Notice to the manufacturer in Maine
Notify the manufacturer or the authorized dealer in writing that you want a refund or replacement. The manufacturer then has 7 business days for a final repair at a reasonably accessible facility. Notice is required only if the warranty or owner’s manual disclosed it, with an address; notifying the dealer in writing also satisfies it.
In Maine you must give written notice of your request for a refund or replacement, and the manufacturer gets a final 7-business-day repair.
Dispute program first. Manufacturers must take part in state-certified arbitration run by the Attorney General when you request it within 3 years of delivery or the warranty term, whichever comes first. A written finding is due within 45 days; the manufacturer then has 21 days to pay or appeal.
If the vehicle is returned, any later buyer must be told in writing that it was returned under the Lemon Law and how it failed, and its title is branded.
Maine’s deadline to request arbitration
Request state-certified arbitration within 3 years of original delivery or within the term of the express warranties, whichever comes first (10 M.R.S. § 1169(1)).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2028 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Request arbitration by | March 15, 2028 | Request state-certified arbitration within 3 years of original delivery or within the term of the express warranties, whichever comes first |
How to file a Maine lemon law claim
- Report each defect in timeWithin the warranty, 3 years or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first.
- Ask in writing for a refund or replacementTo the manufacturer or the dealer. For a brake or steering failure, after one repair.
- Allow the 7-business-day final repairAt a repair facility reasonably accessible to you.
- Request state-certified arbitrationWithin 3 years of delivery or the warranty term, whichever comes first.
- Collect within 21 days or defend the appealThe manufacturer must deliver or appeal within 21 days of the finding.
Refund, replacement and the Maine deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Refund | The full purchase price or lease payments to date with paid finance charges, collateral charges such as sales tax and registration, and towing, storage and alternative transportation costs, less the allowance for use. You can reject a replacement and take a refund. |
| Replacement | A comparable motor vehicle. |
Maine caps the allowance for use at the lesser of one-third of the IRS business mileage rate applied to the mileage on your arbitration application plus miles beyond 20,000, or 10% of the purchase price (10 M.R.S. § 1161(4)).
Maine’s state-certified arbitration
| Rule | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Who runs it | Neutral arbitrators chosen by the Attorney General; each side can reject one |
| Written findings | Within 45 days of a complete request (5 more if an independent inspection is ordered) |
| Manufacturer’s deadline | Deliver the refund or replacement, or appeal, within 21 days |
| Appeals | A new trial in Superior Court, filed within 21 days |
| If the manufacturer loses an appeal | Attorney fees and costs, up to $25 a day for lost use, and a doubled award if the appeal was frivolous |
| If it ignores the decision | At least twice the award in a later action |
Maine’s cap on the deduction for use
The allowance for use cannot exceed the lesser of two amounts (10 M.R.S. § 1161(4)):
- one-third of the IRS business mileage rate applied to the mileage on your arbitration application plus any miles beyond 20,000, or
- 10% of the purchase price.
Either way, the deduction can never be more than 10% of the price: $4,000.00 on a $40,000 car.
Second owners in Maine
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during the express warranty is a consumer. The Lemon Law needs the manufacturer’s express warranty.
A person who gets the vehicle during the express warranty is a consumer. Government entities, businesses that register 3 or more vehicles, and commercial vehicles of 8,500 lbs or more are not covered.
To test your own dates and repair visits, run your Maine repair history through the checker.
Maine Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Maine?
A vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs its use, safety or value after 3 repairs, 1 repair of a brake or steering failure, or 15 business days out of service, within the warranty, 3 years or 18,000 miles, and a failed 7-day final repair.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in Maine?
Request state-certified arbitration within 3 years of original delivery or within the warranty term, whichever comes first.
How much can be deducted from a Maine lemon law refund?
No more than the lesser of one-third of the IRS mileage rate formula or 10% of the purchase price.
Do I have to send a letter in Maine?
Yes. You must notify the manufacturer or dealer in writing that you want a refund or replacement, which starts the 7-business-day final repair.
Can I refuse a replacement in Maine?
Yes. You can reject an offered replacement and receive a refund instead.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Maine rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.