What the Maryland Lemon Law covers
The Maryland Automotive Warranty Enforcement Act, Md. Code, Com. Law § 14-1501 et seq., covers qualifying new vehicles with defects that substantially impair use, market value, or safety and that aren't fixed after a reasonable number of repair attempts during the coverage period.
- Coverage generally runs 15 months or 15,000 miles from delivery, whichever comes first.
- The defect must substantially impair the vehicle's use, market value, or safety.
- The manufacturer must be given a reasonable chance to repair it.
When you have a lemon law claim
A reasonable number of repair attempts is generally presumed when:
- The same defect has been subject to 4 or more repair attempts and is still diagnosed;
- The vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more business days; or
- A brake or steering defect likely to cause death or serious injury has been subject to 1 unsuccessful repair attempt.
What you can ask for
Depending on the facts and the timing of your claim, Maryland law may entitle you to a refund, a replacement vehicle, or damages. Keep every repair order — the count of attempts and the days out of service are what carry a lemon law claim.
What to do now
- Report the defect in writing to the dealer and the manufacturer, and keep copies
- Ask for a loaner or rental and keep records of what you paid
- Log every repair order, drop-off date, and pick-up date
- Check whether your manufacturer's warranty program has an arbitration step
- Don't wait: coverage is measured in months and miles from delivery
Frequently asked questions
- Does the Maryland Lemon Law cover used cars?
- Maryland's Lemon Law primarily covers new vehicles within the statutory period. Used-car problems may still be actionable under warranty law, the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, or the Consumer Protection Act.
- How many repair attempts before I have a claim?
- A reasonable number of attempts is generally presumed after 4 attempts for the same defect, 30 or more days out of service, or 1 unsuccessful attempt for a brake or steering defect likely to cause death or serious injury.
- What should I keep?
- Your buyer's order, retail installment contract, window sticker, every repair order, and every communication with the dealer or manufacturer — including the dates you left the car in and got it back.