Rhode Island Lemon Law (RI)
Rhode Island's lemon law is governed by the Rhode Island Lemon Law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5.2-1 et seq.). It provides protection for consumers who purchase or lease new vehicles that turn out to be defective. Rhode Island requires the manufacturer to attempt repairs at least 4 times for the same defect (or the vehicle must be out of service for 30+ days) before the vehicle qualifies as a lemon. The coverage period is 1 year from delivery or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first. Rhode Island's lemon law covers new vehicles only.
Qualifying Criteria in Rhode Island
Under Rhode Island's lemon law, your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if it meets the following criteria:
- Vehicle type: New motor vehicles purchased or leased in Rhode Island
- Defect type: A nonconformity that substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of the vehicle and is covered under the manufacturer's warranty
- Coverage period: The defect must occur within 1 year of delivery or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first
- Repair attempts: The manufacturer or authorized dealer must have attempted to repair the same defect at least 4 times, or the vehicle must have been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more days
Manufacturer Obligations
Must repair the nonconformity. If unable, must replace or refund minus a reasonable use allowance.
Available Remedies
If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Rhode Island law, you are entitled to:
- Replacement vehicle
- Full refund minus reasonable use allowance
The "reasonable use allowance" deduction is typically calculated based on the mileage you accumulated before the first repair attempt, proportional to the vehicle's expected lifetime mileage. This ensures the manufacturer is not paying for use you already received from the vehicle.
Step-by-Step Filing Process in Rhode Island
Follow these steps if you believe your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Rhode Island law:
- 1 Report the defect to the dealer or manufacturer
- 2 Allow at least 4 repair attempts or 30+ calendar days out of service
- 3 Notify the manufacturer in writing
- 4 Use the manufacturer's dispute resolution program
- 5 File suit if unresolved
Arbitration in Rhode Island
Consumer must use the manufacturer's informal dispute resolution procedure if available.
Important: In Rhode Island, arbitration is a required step before you can file a lawsuit. This means you must exhaust the arbitration process first. The arbitration decision may or may not be binding depending on the specific program. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you typically have the right to appeal or file a civil action in court.
Filing Deadline
Within 1 year of delivery or 15,000 miles.
Missing the filing deadline can forfeit your rights under the lemon law. Keep detailed records of every repair visit, including dates, mileage, descriptions of the problem, and copies of all repair orders and receipts. This documentation will be critical for your claim.
Additional Notes
Rhode Island covers new motor vehicles with a 1-year/15,000-mile coverage period. Excludes motor homes, motorcycles, and mopeds.
How Rhode Island Compares to Other States
Below is a comparison of Rhode Island with five states that have similar lemon law coverage. Understanding how your state compares can help you assess the strength of your protections.
| State | Coverage | Mileage | Attempts | Used Cars | Protection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island (RI) | 1 year | 15,000 miles | 4 | No | Limited Protection |
| Massachusetts (MA) | 1 year | 15,000 miles | 3 | Yes | Moderate Protection |
| Colorado (CO) | 1 year | 12,000 miles | 4 | No | Limited Protection |
| Delaware (DE) | 1 year | 12,000 miles | 4 | No | Limited Protection |
| Illinois (IL) | 1 year | 12,000 miles | 4 | No | Limited Protection |
| Kansas (KS) | 1 year | 12,000 miles | 4 | No | Limited Protection |
Need More Information?
Use our lemon law lookup tool to compare protections across all states, or browse all 50 states and DC to find the specific rules that apply to your situation. Remember: this information is for general educational purposes only. Lemon laws are complex, and the details matter. If you believe you have a lemon, consult with a licensed attorney in Rhode Island who specializes in lemon law or consumer protection.