Michigan Lemon Law Summary
STANDARDS OF THE MICHIGAN LEMON LAW
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the Michigan lemon
law. The complete text of the lemon law can be found at M.C.L. § 257.1401 et seq.
VEHICLES COVERED
The Michigan lemon law covers any motor vehicle designed as a passenger vehicle,
sports utility vehicle, pickup truck, or van. The lemon law does not cover buses, trucks,
and motor homes.
A “new motor vehicle” is a motor vehicle that is purchased or leased in Michigan or
purchased or leased by a resident of Michigan, and that is covered by a manufacturer’s
express warranty at the time of purchase or lease. The lemon law covers used motor
vehicles transferred during the manufacturer’s express warranty.
CONSUMERS COVERED
The lemon law covers a person who:
1. Purchases or leases a new motor vehicle for personal, family, or household use
and not for the purpose of selling or leasing the new motor vehicle to another
person;
2. Purchases or leases less than 10 new motor vehicles a year;
3. Purchases or leases 10 or more new motor vehicles a year only if the vehicles are
purchased or leased for personal, family, or household use; or
4. Is entitled to enforce the provisions of an express warranty pursuant to the terms
of that warranty.
A “person” under the lemon law is a natural person, a sole proprietorship, partnership,
corporation, association, unit or agency of government, trust, estate, or other legal
entity.
VEHICLE CONVERTERS
The lemon law applies to vehicle converters.
PROBLEMS COVERED
The lemon law covers any defect or condition that impairs the use or value of the new
motor vehicle to the consumer or prevents the new motor vehicle from conforming to
the manufacturer’s express warranty.
The lemon law does not cover any defect or condition that is the result of a modification
not installed or made by or for the manufacturer, or abuse or neglect of the new motor
vehicle or damage due to an accident occurring after the new motor vehicle’s purchase
or lease.
Maryland Lemon Law Summary
STANDARDS OF THE MARYLAND LEMON LAW
The following is a brief explanation of most relevant provisions of the Maryland lemon
law. The complete text of the lemon law can be found at Maryland Com. Law Code Ann.
Sections 14-1501 et seq. and 14-2001 et seq.
VEHICLES COVERED
The Maryland lemon law covers vehicles registered in Maryland as a Class A passenger
vehicle; Class D motorcycle; Class E truck with a 3/4 ton or less manufacturer’s rated
capacity; or Class M multipurpose vehicle.
The lemon law covers used vehicles, but does not cover motor homes or motor vehicles
that are part of a fleet purchase or fleet lease of five or more motor vehicles.
CONSUMERS COVERED
The lemon law covers consumers who fall into any one of the following categories:
1. The purchaser, other than for purposes of resale, or the lessee of a new motor
vehicle;
2. Any person to whom a new motor vehicle is transferred during the duration of the
vehicle’s warranty; or
3. Any other person who is entitled to enforce the warranty.
The rights available to a consumer under the lemon law inure to a subsequent transferee
of a new motor vehicle for the duration of the applicable warranties. If a lessor permits
the lessee to assign any interest in the lease or the motor vehicle, upon such assignment
the rights available to a lessee under the lemon law inure to an assignee of the lessee’s
rights under the lease or a subsequent transferee of the motor vehicle.
LEMON LAW COVERAGE PERIOD
The “manufacturer’s warranty period” and “warranty period” are defined to mean the
earlier of the period of the motor vehicle’s first 18,000 miles of operation, or 24 months
following the date of the motor vehicle’s original delivery to the consumer.
The lemon law’s enforcement provisions apply only during this “warranty period.”1
PROBLEMS COVERED
The lemon law covers any defect or condition that is covered by the warranty2, presently
exists3, and substantially impairs the use and market value of the motor vehicle to the
consumer. This is referred to as a nonconformity.
More at: bbb.org/us/auto-line/state-lemon-laws/
