Maryland Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Maryland Automotive Warranty Enforcement Act (Lemon Law) is Md. Code, Com. Law § 14-1501 et seq..
| Rule | What Maryland law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | Md. Code, Com. Law § 14-1501 et seq. | Com. Law § 14-1501 |
| Vehicles covered | Vehicles registered in Maryland as passenger (Class A), motorcycle (Class D), multipurpose (Class M) or trucks rated 3/4 ton or less (Class E) | |
| Not covered | Motor homes; Fleet purchases of 5 or more vehicles | |
| Protection window | The first 18,000 miles or 24 months from original delivery, whichever is earlier | Com. Law § 14-1501(e) |
| Brake or Steering Failure Test | A defect causing failure of the braking or steering system was repaired at least once, the manufacturer was notified and given a chance to cure, and the vehicle still fails state safety inspection rules | Com. Law § 14-1502(d)(3) |
| Four Repairs Test | The same defect was subject to repair 4 or more times within the warranty period and continues | Com. Law § 14-1502(d)(1) |
| 30 Days Out of Service Test | Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 30 or more days during the warranty period | Com. Law § 14-1502(d)(2) |
| Written notice | During the warranty period, report the defect to the manufacturer or factory branch in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, and give it a chance to cure. Repairs must be completed within 30 days of the manufacturer receiving your notice. | Com. Law § 14-1502(b) |
| Dispute program first? | If the manufacturer has an informal dispute program complying with FTC Rule 703, you may use it before the refund or replacement remedy applies; using it does not stop you from going to court (§ 14-1502(i)). | |
| Deadline | Start an action within 3 years of the date of original delivery | Com. Law § 14-1502(k) |
| Usage deduction | Maryland deducts a reasonable allowance for use, capped at 15% of the purchase price, plus damage not due to normal wear. The statute sets no mileage formula. |
Four repairs, 30 days or one brake repair in Maryland
Maryland presumes a reasonable number of attempts when, during the warranty period (the first 18,000 miles or 24 months):
Brake or Steering Failure Test
A defect causing failure of the braking or steering system was repaired at least once, the manufacturer was notified and given a chance to cure, and the vehicle still fails state safety inspection rules.
Com. Law § 14-1502(d)(3)Four Repairs Test
The same defect was subject to repair 4 or more times within the warranty period and continues.
Com. Law § 14-1502(d)(1)30 Days Out of Service Test
Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 30 or more days during the warranty period.
Com. Law § 14-1502(d)(2)The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use and market value. The brake or steering test also needs notice to the manufacturer and a repair that still fails Maryland’s safety inspection standards.
Notice to the manufacturer in Maryland
During the warranty period, report the defect to the manufacturer or factory branch in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, and give it a chance to cure. Repairs must be completed within 30 days of the manufacturer receiving your notice.
In Maryland you must report the defect to the manufacturer by certified mail, return receipt requested, during the warranty period.
Dispute program first. If the manufacturer has an informal dispute program complying with FTC Rule 703, you may use it before the refund or replacement remedy applies; using it does not stop you from going to court (§ 14-1502(i)).
Notice of this procedure must be disclosed to you in writing when you buy or take delivery of the vehicle.
Maryland’s 3-year deadline
Start an action within 3 years of the date of original delivery (Com. Law § 14-1502(k)).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2027 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Sue by | March 15, 2028 | Start an action within 3 years of the date of original delivery |
Three years from delivery is longer than the 24-month warranty period, but the repairs themselves must fall inside that period.
How to file a Maryland lemon law claim
- Report the defect by certified mailReturn receipt requested, to the manufacturer or factory branch, during the warranty period.
- Let the manufacturer cure itRepairs must be completed within 30 days of the manufacturer receiving your notice, at no charge.
- Keep every repair orderThey prove the 4 repairs, the 30 days or the brake or steering repair.
- Consider the manufacturer’s programYou may use an FTC Rule 703 program first; it does not stop you going to court.
- Sue within 3 yearsFrom original delivery. A court may award attorney fees to a consumer who wins.
Refund, replacement and the Maryland deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Replacement | A comparable motor vehicle acceptable to you, at your option. |
| Refund | The full purchase price including license, registration and similar government fees, less a use allowance of no more than 15% of the price and an allowance for damage beyond normal wear. |
Maryland deducts a reasonable allowance for use, capped at 15% of the purchase price, plus damage not due to normal wear. The statute sets no mileage formula.
Maryland’s 15% cap on the use allowance
Instead of a mileage formula, Maryland lets the manufacturer deduct a reasonable allowance for use of no more than 15% of the purchase price, plus an allowance for damage beyond normal wear (but not damage caused by the defect).
| Purchase price | Maximum use allowance (15%) |
|---|---|
| $25,000 | $3,750.00 |
| $40,000 | $6,000.00 |
| $60,000 | $9,000.00 |
The refund includes the full purchase price and license, registration and similar government fees, and is paid to you and any lienholder as their interests appear on Motor Vehicle Administration records.
The Maryland dealer’s duty to warn the manufacturer
| Who | When | What |
|---|---|---|
| Dealer | Within 7 days of the 4th repair visit for the same defect, or 20 days out of service | Notify the manufacturer by certified mail, with a copy to the Motor Vehicle Administration |
| Manufacturer | Within 15 days of a vehicle being returned | Tell the Motor Vehicle Administration in writing |
| Seller of a returned vehicle | Before resale | Give the buyer the manufacturer’s written disclosure of the return and the defect |
A dealer’s failure to send its notice does not affect your rights. Your own certified letter is the step the law requires of you.
Later owners of a Maryland vehicle
A person to whom a new vehicle is transferred during the warranty is a consumer, and the rights pass to a later transferee for the duration of the warranties. The Act needs a new motor vehicle and its warranty period.
The rights pass to a later transferee for the duration of the warranties, and anyone who receives a new vehicle during the warranty is a consumer. Fleet purchases of 5 or more vehicles and motor homes are excluded.
To test your own dates and repair visits, see if your Maryland car qualifies with the checker.
Maryland Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Maryland?
A new vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs its use and market value, not fixed after 4 repairs, 30 days out of service, or 1 repair of a brake or steering failure, within 18,000 miles or 24 months.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in Maryland?
Any action must be started within 3 years of the date of original delivery (Com. Law § 14-1502(k)).
How is the Maryland lemon law refund calculated?
The full purchase price, including license and registration fees, minus a use allowance of no more than 15% of the price and an allowance for damage beyond normal wear.
Do I have to send a certified letter in Maryland?
Yes. You must report the defect to the manufacturer or factory branch by certified mail, return receipt requested, during the warranty period.
Does the Maryland lemon law cover motorcycles?
Yes. It covers vehicles registered as passenger, motorcycle and multipurpose vehicles and trucks rated 3/4 ton or less. Motor homes are excluded.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Maryland rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.