How to File a Maine Lemon Law Claim

Filing a Maine claim under Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 10 § 1161 follows a defined sequence, anchored by written notice, the 7-business-day final repair, and the fast AG arbitration program.

Step 1 — Document repair attempts

Within the Rights Period (3 yr / 18,000 mi):

• 3 or more attempts for the same nonconformity; OR
• 1 or more for a serious braking or steering failure; OR
• 15 or more cumulative business days out of service.

Keep every repair order and a running log of in/out dates. See documenting evidence.

Step 2 — Give written notice and allow the final repair

Send written notice of your desire for a refund or replacement — to the manufacturer, or to the dealer as its agent (§ 1163(6-A)). The manufacturer then has a final 7-business-day opportunity to repair (§ 1163(3-A)). Keep proof of notice.

Step 3 — Request AG arbitration

Demand state-certified arbitration through the Attorney General program:

• Manufacturers must submit (§ 1169).
• Decision within 45 days.
• Essentially free to the consumer (funded by a $1-per-new-car fee).
• Possible $25/day continuing damages if no comparable loaner was provided.

Step 4 — Appeal or go to court

Either side may appeal to Superior Court for a trial de novo within 21 days. A consumer can also bring a court action pleading:

• Lemon Law (§ 1161) — refund or replacement.
• UTPA (§ 213) — actual damages, restitution, mandatory fees (after a 30-day pre-suit demand; a lemon-law violation is a UTPA violation under § 1166).
• Magnuson-Moss (§ 2310(d)(2)) — federal fee hook.

If a manufacturer’s appeal lacked a reasonable basis or was frivolous, damages are doubled.

Step 5 — Mind the deadline

Request arbitration within 3 years of original delivery or 18,000 miles (whichever first) under § 1169(1). The UTPA (6 years) and Magnuson-Moss (4 years) run longer.

Common filing mistakes

• Skipping written notice or the 7-business-day final repair.
• Missing the 3-year / 18,000-mile arbitration window.
• Forgetting the UTPA’s 30-day pre-suit demand before a court action.

Bottom line

Document attempts (15 business days OOS is the trigger), give written notice and allow the 7-business-day repair, request fast AG arbitration within 3 years / 18,000 miles, and pair with the UTPA for mandatory fees. Get a free case review.

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