Manufacturer's Response After Your Maryland Lemon Law Notice

After you send § 14-1502(d) written notice, the manufacturer’s customer-relations team typically responds within 30 days. Three common scenarios.

Scenario 1 — Refund or replacement offer

Manufacturer agrees you have a Lemon Law-qualifying case and offers refund or replacement.

What to evaluate:

Refund math: confirm purchase price + sales tax + registration + finance charges are included, and the reasonable-use offset is correctly calculated under § 14-1502(e).
Replacement vehicle: confirm “comparable” — same trim, options, mileage credit.
Release language: typically a broad release of all claims including CPA — attorney review essential.
Incidental damages: rental, towing, diagnostic — confirm included.
Attorney fees: CPA § 13-408(b) mandatory fees and discretionary § 14-1502 Lemon Law fees still apply.

Consult an attorney before signing anything.

Scenario 2 — Final repair opportunity

Manufacturer requests a final repair opportunity under § 14-1502(d).

Best practices:

Schedule the final repair at the authorized dealer.
Insist on RO documentation showing the work performed.
If the defect recurs after final repair → Lemon Law threshold conclusively met.

Scenario 3 — Denial

Manufacturer denies the claim. Common denial reasons:

“Not a covered defect.”
“Defect cannot be reproduced.”
“Outside warranty / Rights Period.”
“Owner caused / modified.”
“Not enough repair attempts.”

Response paths:

BBB Auto Line / certified IDS under § 14-1502(d) — required if certified.
Court action — Maryland Circuit Court or D. Md. federal court with parallel CPA + Magnuson-Moss claims.

How long manufacturer has to respond

§ 14-1502 does not specify a strict deadline, but Maryland courts treat a reasonable response window as 30 days. After 30 days of silence, treat as denial.

What’s negotiable

Refund vs. replacement (consumer chooses).
Cash-and-keep amount.
Reasonable-use offset calculation.
Incidental damages scope.
Attorney fees.
Confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses.

What’s NOT negotiable

The vehicle’s defect history.
Your statutory rights under § 14-1501 + CPA + Magnuson-Moss.

Bottom line

The manufacturer’s response sets the next step. Refund/replacement offer → evaluate carefully. Final repair → comply, then re-evaluate. Denial → BBB Auto Line then court action.

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