State lemon law · checked October 23, 2026

Maine lemon law

Verified against the statute / official state publication10 M.R.S. §§1161–1169

The short version

15 business days in the shop is enough — about three calendar weeks.
The state arbitrator is free and decides within 45 days.
Three clocks must all be open at once: warranty term, 3 years, 18,000 miles.

The presumption — Maine's numbers

Presumption window	The defect must be reported during the warranty term, within 3 years of delivery to the original purchaser, AND within the first 18,000 miles — all three.
Same defect	3+ repair attempts
Safety defect	1+ attempt(s) — A serious failure of the braking or steering system: 1 attempt.
Days out of service	15+ business days — Only 15 BUSINESS days out of service — the lowest days threshold in the country alongside Massachusetts.

The presumption is the set of numbers that shifts the burden to the manufacturer. A claim can exist outside the presumption — it is a shortcut, not the whole road. Read why.

The buyback — Maine's formula

Maine's refund is the full purchase price plus collateral charges, less a reasonable allowance for use with no published formula. This checker refuses to invent the number.

Notice and procedure

Written notice to the manufacturer or dealer of your desire for a refund or replacement starts the manufacturer's final opportunity: 7 business days to repair.

Dispute route: Maine's Attorney General runs the state Lemon Law Arbitration Program — free, with a decision within 45 days of acceptance. Apply within 3 years of delivery and within the warranty term.

Attorney's fees: Maine provides attorney's fees to a prevailing consumer.

Your deadline

You must apply for state arbitration within 3 years after delivery to the original consumer AND within the term of the manufacturer's warranty — both conditions, not either.

Who and what is covered

New vehicles	Covered
Leased vehicles	Covered
Used vehicles	Covered in defined situations — see notes
Motorcycles	Covered
RV / motor home	Covered — whole vehicle

Maine covers used vehicles still under the manufacturer's warranty, motorcycles, and motor homes (the whole vehicle — Maine is one of the few whole-coach states).

Included in the $39 Lemon Verdict Pack

Your repair-log tracker, the Maine notice letter, the buyback worksheet on Maine's formula, and your deadline calendar.

See the Lemon Verdict Pack

Sources

10 M.R.S. §1163 (presumption + final opportunity)
26-239 C.M.R. ch. 106, §15 (AG consumer notice)
Maine Attorney General, Lemon Law Arbitration Program

Checked October 23, 2026. Laws change; if your claim is close to a line, verify the current statute or ask a lawyer in Maine. This page is information, not legal advice.