The Lemon Law
Com. Law § 14-1502 — 18,000 miles or 24 months, four repairs or 30 days out of service
18,000 miles or 24 months. The warranty period Maryland's lemon law uses is the earlier of the vehicle's first 18,000 miles or 24 months after original delivery to the consumer.
During that period the consumer reports a defect by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the manufacturer and gives it an opportunity to cure. Repairs are free even after the warranty period ends, and are to be completed within 30 days of the manufacturer receiving the notice.
Replacement or refund, at the consumer's option. If a defect that substantially impairs the vehicle's use and market value is not fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer replaces the vehicle with a comparable one acceptable to the consumer, or takes it back and refunds the full price with license, registration and similar fees, less up to 15 percent for use and any damage beyond normal wear.
- The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and remains.
- The vehicle was out of service for repairs a total of 30 or more days.
- A brake or steering failure was repaired once, the manufacturer was notified, and the vehicle still fails safety inspection.
Any one of those, within the warranty period, is presumed a reasonable number of attempts. An action has to start within 3 years of the original delivery.
Sources for this section (2)
- Md. Code, Com. Law § 14-1502 — Automotive warranty enforcement: repair, replacement, refund
- Md. Code, Com. Law § 14-1501 — Automotive warranty enforcement: definitions
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Maryland attorney.