Maryland Lemon Law

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• Manufacturer’s Obligation to Repair
• Replacement or Refund
• Presumption of Reasonable Repair Attempts
• Disclosure Requirements
• Consumer Rights
• Time Limit for Legal Action
• Attorney’s Fees
• Leased Vehicles
• Summary
• Request Free Case Evaluation

Manufacturer’s Obligation to Repair

• Under MD Code, Commercial Law, § 14-1502(b)(3):

  • If a new motor vehicle does not conform to the manufacturer’s express warranties during the warranty period, the manufacturer or its authorized dealer must correct the defect at no charge to the consumer.

  • This obligation applies even if the repairs occur after the warranty period expires, provided the consumer reported the defect within the warranty period.

Replacement or Refund

Under MD Code, Commercial Law, § 14-1502(c)(1), if the manufacturer or dealer cannot repair a defect that substantially impairs the use or market value of the vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts, the manufacturer must provide one of the following:

Replacement

A comparable vehicle acceptable to the consumer.

Refund

A refund of the full purchase price, including all fees, minus a reasonable allowance for use.

Presumption of Reasonable Repair Attempts

Under MD Code, Commercial Law, § 14-1502(d), a reasonable number of repair attempts is presumed if:

1. The same defect has been repaired four or more times and still exists, or

2. The vehicle has been out of service for repairs for a cumulative total of 30 or more days during the warranty period.

Disclosure Requirements

Under MD Code, Commercial Law, § 14-1502(g):

• If a vehicle is returned to the manufacturer due to defects, the manufacturer must disclose:

• That the vehicle was returned,

• The nature of the defect, and

• The condition of the vehicle

to any subsequent purchaser or lessee.

Consumer Rights

Under MD Code, Commercial Law, § 14-1502(h):

• Consumers retain all other rights and remedies available under law, including those arising from implied warranties.

Under § 14-1502(j):

• Any agreement that attempts to waive these rights is void.

Time Limit for Legal Action

Under MD Code, Commercial Law, § 14-1502(k):

• Actions under the Maryland Automotive Warranty Enforcement Act must be filed within three years of the vehicle’s original delivery date.

Attorney’s Fees

Under MD Code, Commercial Law, § 14-1502(l):

• Courts may award reasonable attorney’s fees to a prevailing plaintiff.

• Courts may also award fees against a party who brings a frivolous claim under this section.

Leased Vehicles

Under MD Code, Commercial Law, § 14-2004:

• The same warranty enforcement rules apply to motor vehicle leases, providing leased vehicles with protections similar to those offered for purchased vehicles.

Summary

Maryland’s lemon law framework includes:

• Mandatory repair obligations

• Replacement or refund remedies

• Presumptions for repair attempts

• Strict disclosure requirements

• Consumer rights that cannot be waived

• A three-year filing deadline

• Attorney fee provisions

• Equivalent protections for leased vehicles

If you believe your vehicle may qualify as a lemon under Maryland law, contact Auto Lemon Lawyer today for guidance.