Maryland's Repair-Attempt Presumption (4 Attempts / 30 Days OOS / 1 Safety)

Under Maryland Lemon Law (§ 14-1502(c)), the manufacturer has had a “reasonable number of attempts” to repair when statutory thresholds are met.

The three thresholds

Any one threshold satisfies the presumption:

1. Four or more repair attempts for the same nonconformity within the Rights Period; OR
2. 30 or more cumulative calendar days out of service for any nonconformity; OR
3. One attempt on a defect of the braking or steering system likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, where the manufacturer was notified and given the opportunity to cure but the repair did not bring the vehicle into compliance with Maryland’s motor vehicle safety inspection laws.

All apply within the 24-month / 18,000-mile Rights Period.

The 4-attempt rule

§ 14-1502(c) sets a 4-attempt presumption. Each “attempt” must be:

• At a manufacturer-authorized service facility.
• Documented in a repair order.
• For the same nonconformity (consistent complaint language).
• Within the 24-month / 18,000-mile Rights Period.

The 30-day OOS rule

§ 14-1502(c) provides for 30 or more cumulative calendar days out of service. Counts calendar days (not business days). Includes days at the dealer, days awaiting parts, days unsafe to drive.

The 1-attempt braking/steering safety rule

§ 14-1502(c) includes a single-attempt presumption for the most dangerous defects. A nonconformity that results in failure of the braking or steering system qualifies after just one repair attempt when:

• The same nonconformity has been subject to repair at least once within the Rights Period;
• The manufacturer has been notified and given the opportunity to cure the defect; and
• The repair does not bring the vehicle into compliance with Maryland’s motor vehicle safety inspection laws.

This puts Maryland alongside the states that recognize an accelerated single-attempt path for safety-critical defects.

Written notice requirement

§ 14-1502(d) requires the consumer to give the manufacturer written notice of the defect and at least one final opportunity to repair before the Lemon Law applies. Send via certified mail.

Maryland vs. peer-state thresholds

State	Attempts	OOS Days
Maryland	1 (braking/steering safety) / 4	30 calendar
Tennessee	3	30 calendar
Indiana	4	30 business
Massachusetts	3	15 business
Missouri	4	30 working
Georgia	1 (safety) / 3	30
Virginia	1 (safety) / 3	30
Minnesota	1 (safety) / 4	30 business
Connecticut	4	30 calendar
North Carolina	4	20 business
Colorado	4	30 business
Wisconsin	4	30
California	2 (safety) / 4	30
Washington	4 / 2 (safety)	30

Maryland sits in the middle on attempts (4) for general nonconformities and uses calendar-day OOS counting — but it does provide a single-attempt path for braking/steering safety defects, joining states like GA, VA, MN, CA, and WA that accelerate the presumption for the most dangerous defects.

Bottom line

Maryland’s presumption is met by 4 attempts, 30 calendar days OOS, or a single attempt on a braking/steering safety defect — all within the 24-month / 18,000-mile Rights Period, plus written notice of a final repair opportunity.

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