Maryland Lemon Law (MD)

Qualifying Criteria in Maryland

Under Maryland's lemon law, your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if it meets the following criteria:

• Vehicle type: New motor vehicles purchased or leased in Maryland
• Defect type: A nonconformity that substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of the vehicle and is covered under the manufacturer's warranty
• Coverage period: The defect must occur within 2 years of delivery or 24,000 miles, whichever comes first
• Repair attempts: The manufacturer or authorized dealer must have attempted to repair the same defect at least 4 times, or the vehicle must have been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more days

Manufacturer Obligations

Must repair the nonconformity. If unable, must replace or refund. Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) administers the arbitration process.

Available Remedies

If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Maryland law, you are entitled to:

• Replacement vehicle
• Full refund minus reasonable use allowance

The "reasonable use allowance" deduction is typically calculated based on the mileage you accumulated before the first repair attempt, proportional to the vehicle's expected lifetime mileage. This ensures the manufacturer is not paying for use you already received from the vehicle.

Step-by-Step Filing Process in Maryland

Follow these steps if you believe your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Maryland law:

1. 1 Report the defect to the authorized dealer or manufacturer
2. 2 Allow at least 4 repair attempts or 30+ calendar days out of service, or 1 repair attempt for a braking or steering defect
3. 3 Send written notice to the manufacturer by certified mail
4. 4 File a complaint with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration Lemon Law Unit
5. 5 Attend the state-administered arbitration hearing
6. 6 Appeal to circuit court within 30 days if dissatisfied

Arbitration in Maryland

Consumer must file with Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration Lemon Law Unit. The state runs its own arbitration program at no cost to the consumer.

Important: In Maryland, arbitration is a required step before you can file a lawsuit. This means you must exhaust the arbitration process first. The arbitration decision may or may not be binding depending on the specific program. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you typically have the right to appeal or file a civil action in court.

Filing Deadline

Within 24 months of delivery or the warranty period.

Missing the filing deadline can forfeit your rights under the lemon law. Keep detailed records of every repair visit, including dates, mileage, descriptions of the problem, and copies of all repair orders and receipts. This documentation will be critical for your claim.

Additional Notes

Maryland runs a state-administered arbitration program at no cost. The program is well-regarded and relatively fast. Only 1 repair attempt is needed for braking or steering defects. Covers new vehicles purchased or leased in Maryland.