Maryland Lemon Law Guide: Your Rights Under Maryland Lemon Law

What Is the Maryland Lemon Law? The Maryland Lemon Law Md. Code Ann., Com. Law § 14-1501 et seq. is a consumer protection statute that provides remedies to purchasers and lessees of new motor vehicles when those vehicles present substantial defects that the manufacturer cannot repair. The law recognizes that buyers who purchase defective new vehicles should have access to meaningful remedies — typically a refund or replacement — when a manufacturer fails to correct nonconformities covered by the vehicle's express warranty. The statute applies to consumer transactions and is focused on new vehicles still within the statutory coverage period. Maryland also requires manufacturers to maintain an informal dispute resolution program manufacturer arbitration and grants remedies to consumers who qualify after satisfying statutory notice and repair requirements. For authoritative guidance and current consumer advisories, the Maryland Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division publishes resources and enforcement information at the Office of the Attorney General's Consumer Protection page https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/Pages/CPD/default.aspx. If you are unsure whether your situation qualifies as a lemon, consult this guide and consider contacting a Maryland lemon law attorney or using the state's resources to preserve your claim. You can also read a general primer on lemon law basics at What Is the Lemon Law/resources/what-is-the-lemon-law/. Which Vehicles Qualify Under Maryland Lemon Law? Maryland's lemon law is limited in scope. It covers new motor vehicles that are purchased or leased primarily for personal, family, or household use and that are still within the statutory coverage period. The key qualifying rules are: - Coverage applies only to new vehicles. Maryland's statute does not extend to used vehicles sold to consumers used-vehicle sales are generally governed by other consumer protections and specific dealer warranties if any. - The defect must substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle and be covered by the manufacturer's express warranty. - The defect must arise and be reported within the coverage period: the earlier of 15 months after the date of delivery to the first purchaser or lessee, or 15,000 miles on the odometer. Because the statute is narrowly tailored to new vehicles and to warranty-covered defects, consumers should confirm warranty status and coverage period. Keep copies of the purchase/lease agreement, warranty booklet, and all repair orders. You can find detailed legal text at Md. Code Ann., Com. Law § 14-1501 et seq. see the References section below. How Many Repair Attempts Are Required in Maryland? Maryland sets specific thresholds that, once met, create a presumption that a manufacturer has been unable to repair a defect. The two main tests are a repair-attempt threshold for the same defect and a days-out-of-service threshold for any defects. If either threshold is satisfied within