Maryland · Lemon law · Updated Oct 2026
Maryland Automotive Warranty Enforcement Act (Maryland Lemon Law) (Md. Code, Com. Law §§ 14-1501 to 14-1504) protects buyers of new vehicles that can't be fixed. Here is what counts as a lemon in Maryland, the notice you must send and what you can get back.
Within 24 months or 18,000 miles, your vehicle is presumed a lemon if the same defect has been repaired 4 or more times and still exists; if the vehicle has been out of service for repairs of one or more defects for a total of 30 or more days; or if a brake or steering failure was repaired once, the manufacturer was notified and given a chance to fix it, and the vehicle still fails Maryland's safety inspection standards. The defect must substantially impair the vehicle's use and market value. After you notify the manufacturer, it has 30 days to fix the problem.
Period: The first 24 months after original delivery to the consumer or the first 18,000 miles, whichever comes first.
During the 24-month/18,000-mile period, you must report the defect to the manufacturer or factory branch in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, and give it a chance to fix it. The manufacturer then has 30 days from receiving your letter to complete repairs. The Attorney General recommends writing as soon as you suspect a lemon and sending a copy with a complaint form to the Consumer Protection Division.
Maryland has no state-run lemon arbitration. If the manufacturer offers a federally compliant dispute program, using it is optional; its decision binds only the manufacturer, and you can still sue.
At your choice, the manufacturer must replace the vehicle with a comparable one acceptable to you, or take it back and refund the full purchase price including license fees, registration fees and similar government charges. It may deduct a reasonable use allowance of no more than 15% of the purchase price, plus an allowance for damage beyond normal wear (not damage caused by the defect). The excise (titling) tax you paid is refunded to you by the Motor Vehicle Administration (based on the purchase price refunded), or credited toward a replacement vehicle (Com. Law § 14-1503).
Attorney fees: Yes. A court may award reasonable attorney fees to a consumer who wins (Com. Law § 14-1502(l)).
Deadline: You must file a lawsuit within 3 years of the original delivery of the vehicle to the consumer (Com. Law § 14-1502(k)).
Maryland's lemon law covers only new vehicles, but a later owner gets the same rights while the vehicle is within 24 months and 18,000 miles of original delivery. A lemon buyback resold through a Maryland dealer must come with a written disclosure that it was returned and why.
Most states require you to tell the manufacturer in writing and give it a last chance to fix the car. During the 24-month/18,000-mile period, you must report the defect to the manufacturer or factory branch in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, and give it a chance to fix it. The manufacturer then has 30 days from receiving your letter to complete repairs. The Attorney General recommends writing as soon as you suspect a lemon and sending a copy with a complaint form to the Consumer Protection Division. Fill this in, copy the letter, sign it and send it by certified mail with return receipt. Keep a copy. Nothing you type here is sent to us; the letter is made in your browser.
Official page · Official lemon law guide
Within 24 months or 18,000 miles, your vehicle is presumed a lemon if the same defect has been repaired 4 or more times and still exists; if the vehicle has been out of service for repairs of one or more defects for a total of 30 or more days; or if a brake or steering failure was repaired once, the manufacturer was notified and given a chance to fix it, and the vehicle still fails Maryland's safety inspection standards. The defect must substantially impair the vehicle's use and market value. After you notify the manufacturer, it has 30 days to fix the problem.
The first 24 months after original delivery to the consumer or the first 18,000 miles, whichever comes first.
During the 24-month/18,000-mile period, you must report the defect to the manufacturer or factory branch in writing by certified mail, return receipt requested, and give it a chance to fix it. The manufacturer then has 30 days from receiving your letter to complete repairs. The Attorney General recommends writing as soon as you suspect a lemon and sending a copy with a complaint form to the Consumer Protection Division.
Maryland has no state-run lemon arbitration. If the manufacturer offers a federally compliant dispute program, using it is optional; its decision binds only the manufacturer, and you can still sue.
At your choice, the manufacturer must replace the vehicle with a comparable one acceptable to you, or take it back and refund the full purchase price including license fees, registration fees and similar government charges. It may deduct a reasonable use allowance of no more than 15% of the purchase price, plus an allowance for damage beyond normal wear (not damage caused by the defect). The excise (titling) tax you paid is refunded to you by the Motor Vehicle Administration (based on the purchase price refunded), or credited toward a replacement vehicle (Com. Law § 14-1503).
You must file a lawsuit within 3 years of the original delivery of the vehicle to the consumer (Com. Law § 14-1502(k)).
Maryland's lemon law covers only new vehicles, but a later owner gets the same rights while the vehicle is within 24 months and 18,000 miles of original delivery. A lemon buyback resold through a Maryland dealer must come with a written disclosure that it was returned and why.
Car not covered, or the period has passed? Federal warranty law may still help, and small claims court can handle smaller repair bills.
Federal warranty lawLast checked: Oct 2026.