Maryland Lemon Law | Vehicles, Cars, Boats, RVs, Defective Consumer Products in Baltimore, Annapolis, Rockville, Washington D.C. suburbs, Eastern Shore | Manufacturer Lemons | Dealer Lemons

Lemon Law - Davis Consumer Law Firm




State Lemon Laws

Maryland Lemon Law

Qualifications

Vehicle coverage period is within 24 months from the original delivery date, within 18,000 miles of use (whichever occurs first). Maryland Lemon Law also covers leased vehicles, protected during the first 12 months or 12,000 miles of protection (whichever occurs first).


Requirements of the law:

  • Consumer must send a notice, preferably by certified mail*, to the manufacturer allowing the manufacturer at least one repair attempt for problems with the braking or steering system. The manufacturer or dealer must be given at least four repair attempts (or the vehicle must be in for repair for a total of 30 cumulative days) for other problems substantially impairing the use and market value of the vehicle

    • * If the dealer has already unsuccessfully attempted to repair the problem after the first one or two tries and you believe the problem substantially impairs the use and market value of the vehicle -- you should write to the manufacturer immediately. Your vehicle may be a lemon. YOU DO NOT NEED TO WAIT until the dealer has made the four repair attempts, or until the car has been out of service for 30 days.

    Give our firm a call at (855) 432-8475 for free legal representation from an experienced Lemon Law attorney.

  • Maryland Lemon Law provides that the dealer or manufacturer is required to correct the defect (at no cost to the consumer) within 30 days after notification to the manufacturer by the consumer. If the manufacturer or dealer is unsuccessful at the repair, the consumer may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or refund of the full purchase price (minus an allowance for use, not to exceed 15% of the purchase price).


    • Vehicles Covered (must be registered in Maryland):
  • New cars
  • Light trucks (less than 1 ton rated capacity)
  • Leased cars
  • Motorcycles


    • Regardless of the age of the vehicle, if the problems occurred while the vehicle was under warranty and the manufacturer failed the repair the defects in a reasonable amount of time, and the vehicle is not covered under the Maryland Lemon Law (or if you missed the filing cut off time period), you may still have a case under the federal consumer protection laws or other statutes:

    Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

    An Act that was designed to ensure that manufacturers of consumer products who offer a written warranty on that product comply and honor the terms of the warranty. The Act provides for a refund or free replacement of the defective product, including attorney fees and all associated costs.

    Uniform Commercial Code

    The UCC has been enacted in all 50 states and some of the territories of the United States. It is the primary source of law in all contracts dealing with the sale of consumer products. The UCC does not specifically define a "lemon" and so the outcome of your case may vary depending upon the court decision, as well as your protection under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.