How Long Do I Have to File a Maryland Lemon Law Claim?

Maryland’s timing rules provide solid runway across three statutory bases.

The four deadlines

Statute	Deadline	Triggered by
Lemon Law Rights Period	24 months OR 18,000 miles OR end of warranty	Original delivery date
CPA	3 years from accrual	Date violation occurred
Magnuson-Moss / UCC	4 years from delivery	Original delivery date

This is the eligibility window for the Maryland Lemon Law — the defect must arise AND repair attempts must occur within 24 months / 18,000 miles.

CPA actions are subject to Maryland’s 3-year general SOL under Md. Code Cts. & Jud. Proc. § 5-101.

Magnuson-Moss borrows Md. Code Comm. Law § 2-725 UCC SOL of 4 years from delivery.

Time since delivery	Best avenues
0 – 18 months	All open; document defects + repair attempts.
18 – 24 months / 0–18K mi	Lemon Law window closing; pursue BBB Auto Line.
24+ months / 18K+ mi	Lemon Law Rights Period closed; CPA + Magnuson-Moss still available.
2 – 3 years	CPA still open; Magnuson-Moss available.
3 – 4 years	CPA closed; Magnuson-Moss + UCC still available.
4+ years	All claims generally closed.

Maryland provides solid timing protection: 24 months / 18K Lemon Law, 3 years CPA, 4 years Magnuson-Moss / UCC.

BBB Auto Line is consumer-friendly without counsel; court action with CPA requires representation. Mandatory fees make either path no-cost.

Maryland Lemon Law costs — $0 BBB Auto Line; court action with mandatory triple fee shifting typically zero out-of-pocket.

What to do when the manufacturer denies your claim — proceed to BBB Auto Line or court action with CPA + Magnuson-Moss.

No — Maryland's § 14-1501 Lemon Law does not cover used vehicles. Magnuson-Moss, CPA, and UCC remain available.

Maryland's § 14-1502(c) thresholds — 4 attempts or 30 days OOS within the 24-month / 18,000-mile Rights Period.

Yes — Maryland Lemon Law requires repairs at a manufacturer-authorized service facility.