Maine Lemon Law
The lemon law in Maine protects consumers who purchase or lease a defective vehicle, also known as a “lemon.” This also includes a used car lemon law that protects buyers of used cars that were defective at the time of sale.
To learn more about the defective car lemon law in ME and how to file a claim and if you need to hire an attorney to handle your case, continue reading through the sections below.
What is the Lemon Law in Maine?
Consumers covered under the lemon law definition in Maine have rights that protect their investments in certain defective vehicles. These rights even entitle consumers to lemon law buyback options, in many cases. Consumers covered under the ME lemon law include:
- Purchasers and lessees of motor vehicles for use other than reselling.
- Any individual who is the recipient of a motor vehicle transfer; the transfer must occur during the express warranty period of the vehicle, if applicable.
- Any other individual who is entitled to enforce warranty obligations under the warranty terms.
The Maine car lemon law also has limitations on which vehicles it covers. Vehicles covered under the Maine’s lemon car definition encompass:
- Any motor vehicle that is purchased or leased in Maine and designed for passenger or property conveyance on public highways.
- Used vehicles not used for commercial use, weighing more than 8,500 pounds.
Does the Maine Lemon Law apply to used cars?
There is not a federal lemon law in Maine that requires dealers to allow a 30 day lemon law used cars return.
However, Maine is one of the few states that has different used car laws in that the state requires a certain version of the FTC’s Used Car Buyer’s Guide, and thus, making the state exempt from the FTC’s Used Car Rule.
Furthermore, Maine does not allow the sale of vehicles with an “as-is” warranty.
While the new car lemon law in Maine offers coverage of defective vehicles purchased by consumers, the law for used lemon covers the consumer – no matter what the terms of the lemon law warranty, or situation of the buyer.
How does the Lemon Law work in Maine?
A lemon law buyback in Maine is granted to qualified buyers of vehicles that meet the criteria under this law. By the definition of the law, this protection covers any condition or defect, or combination of the two, which significantly impairs the safety, use or value of a vehicle.
According to the ME state lemon law, this is also known as “nonconformity.”
For vehicles that do not conform to express warranties and standard expectations, anytime within the vehicle’s first 18,000 miles or three years form the date of purchase, whichever comes first, the manufacturer or dealer must attempt to repair the vehicle to the standards set forth in the express warranty.
Repair attempts must be made, even if the express warranty term has expired, but the consumer must notify the manufacturer prior to the end of this protection period.
Under defective car lemon law in Maine, if after a reasonable number of repair attempts, the motor vehicle still does not meet expectations, the manufacturer is required to repurchase the vehicle (via a buyback) or refund the cost of the original purchase price.
Maine Lemon Law Lawyers
A practicing Maine lemon law attorney can be hired to represent clients, should their cases be taken to arbitration. A State Lemon Law Arbitration Hearing will be held, and a decision is made within 45 days. This takes place if the manufacturer refuses you your right to a replacement or refund.
A lemon law lawyer in ME can be very beneficial in getting retribution for your new car that you bought and cannot use. Owners who are not the original owners may still be eligible for law for lemon car arbitration.
How to Tell if Your New Car is a Lemon in Maine
Your car is covered under the Maine lemon law if you have made more than three attempts to repair it, but to no avail. Alternatively, it may be covered under the car lemon law if a there is a serious problem with the steering or braking system after only one repair attempt.
Also, vehicles covered under the ME lemon law definition are those vehicles that have underwent any number of repair attempts for a single defect – or multiple defects – that remain unrepaired, and result in the vehicle being undrivable for at least 15 days.
Under Maine lemon law protection, before a manufacturer is required by law to repair or replace your vehicle, there is a final opportunity to repair the car that gives the manufacturer one final chance to make it right.
This window of opportunity takes place just before the buyback takes place, and allows the manufacturer seven days; however, the consumer must notify the manufacturer in writing, stating the request, and reason for the request, of a replacement or refund.
Some recent and common vehicle models that are often returned or replaced under lemon buyback protection due to complaints include the following:
- Chevrolet Cruze
- GMC Acadia
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Dodge Challenger
- Ford Focus
- Ford Escape
- Jeep Wrangler
- Jeep Cherokee