Rhode Island Lemon Law: Complete Guide for 2026

Last verified: February 2026

Key Points

• Primary Law: Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Warranty Act (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-5.2-1 to 31-5.2-14)
• Coverage: New and used automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and vans under 10,000 lbs. gross vehicle weight
• Presumption: 4 repair attempts for the same defect OR 30+ days out of service
• Term of Protection: 1 year or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first
• Remedies: Replacement vehicle or full refund at consumer’s choice
• Unique Feature: State-run Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board available

Quick Penalties Overview

Table of Contents

📑 Table of Contents (click to expand)

• The Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Warranty Act
• What Vehicles Are Covered
• Rhode Island’s Lemon Law Presumption
• Consumer Remedies: Refund vs. Replacement
• How to File a Lemon Law Claim
• Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board
• Manufacturer Defenses
• Leased Vehicle Protections
• Resale Disclosure Requirements
• Statute of Limitations
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Resources and Legal Help

The Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Warranty Act

Rhode Island’s lemon law, officially known as the Motor Vehicle Warranty Act (R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-5.2-1 to 31-5.2-14), provides comprehensive protections for consumers who purchase or lease defective motor vehicles in the Ocean State. First enacted in 1984 and strengthened over the years, Rhode Island’s law stands out for covering both new and used vehicles, as well as for establishing a state-run Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board to help resolve disputes.

The statute requires manufacturers to fulfill both express and implied warranties, including the implied warranty of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose under the Uniform Commercial Code. This broader warranty coverage gives Rhode Island consumers additional protection compared to many other states that only enforce express warranties.

Rhode Island’s lemon law also covers municipal fire department apparatus, making it one of the few states to extend protection to government-owned emergency vehicles that have not been substantially modified after purchase.

What Vehicles Are Covered

Rhode Island has one of the more inclusive lemon laws in the country, covering a wide range of vehicles including used cars still under warranty protection.

Covered Vehicle Types

• Automobiles: All passenger cars regardless of purpose
• Trucks: Having a registered gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds
• Vans: Including minivans and passenger vans under the weight limit
• Motorcycles: Street-legal motorcycles with manufacturer warranties
• Used vehicles: Vehicles transferred during the warranty period
• Leased vehicles: Vehicles leased for one year or more under written lease agreements
• Fire department apparatus: Municipality-owned vehicles not substantially altered

Vehicles NOT Covered

• Motorized campers as defined in Rhode Island law
• Vehicles with a registered gross vehicle weight of 10,000 pounds or more
• Vehicles significantly altered in a manner that breaches the manufacturer’s warranty

Used Vehicle Coverage

Unlike many states, Rhode Island’s lemon law covers used vehicles that are transferred during the duration of any express or implied warranty. This means if you buy a used car that still has remaining manufacturer warranty, you may be entitled to lemon law protection for defects that arise during that warranty period.

Rhode Island’s Lemon Law Presumption

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5.2-5, Rhode Island law creates a presumption that a reasonable number of repair attempts have been made if certain conditions occur within the “term of protection.”

The Lemon Law Presumption Applies When:

Important: Even after the term of protection expires, the manufacturer is entitled to one additional opportunity to cure, not to exceed seven calendar days. This opportunity begins when the manufacturer first knows or should have known that the repair attempt or out of service limits have been met.

Extensions to the Time Periods

The term of protection, the 30-day out of service period, and the additional opportunity to cure may be extended during:

• War or invasion
• Fire, flood, or other natural disaster
• Strike (manufacturer must provide free loaner vehicle during strikes)

The manufacturer bears the burden of proving that these events directly caused the failure to cure the nonconformity.

What Qualifies as a “Nonconformity”?

Rhode Island defines a nonconformity as any specific or generic defect or malfunction, or any concurrent combination of defects or malfunctions, that substantially impairs the:

• Use of the motor vehicle
• Market value of the motor vehicle
• Safety of the motor vehicle

Consumer Remedies: Refund vs. Replacement

When a vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Rhode Island law, the consumer has the right to choose between a full refund or a comparable replacement vehicle.

Option 1: Vehicle Buyback (Refund)

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5.2-3, the manufacturer must refund:

• Full contract price: The complete purchase price of the vehicle
• Credits and allowances: Including trade-in value
• Incidental costs: Sales tax, registration fees, and finance charges
• Dealer-installed options: Cost of nonremovable options added by an authorized dealer
• Towing and rental costs: If these services were not provided free during repairs

Usage Deduction: The manufacturer may deduct a reasonable allowance for use calculated as follows:

Usage Deduction = (Total Contract Price × Miles Before First Report + Miles When Not Out of Service) ÷ 100,000

The 100,000-mile denominator is more favorable to consumers than many other states that use 120,000 miles.

Option 2: Replacement Vehicle

The manufacturer must provide:

• A comparable new motor vehicle in good working order
• Delivery within 30 calendar days of the vehicle’s return
• Reimbursement for registration transfer fees and sales tax incurred due to replacement
• Refinancing terms no less favorable than the original agreement (if financed through manufacturer)

If no comparable vehicle is delivered within 30 days, the manufacturer must provide a full refund instead.

Consumer’s Right to Retain Vehicle

Rhode Island uniquely allows consumers to retain use of the returned vehicle until a full refund or acceptable replacement is tendered. Any additional miles driven during this period are included in the reasonable allowance for use calculation.

How to File a Lemon Law Claim in Rhode Island

Rhode Island provides two main paths for resolving lemon law disputes: manufacturer informal dispute settlement procedures and the state Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board.

Step 1: Document Everything

• Keep all repair orders and invoices
• Note the dates your vehicle was in the shop
• Document the symptoms you experienced
• Save all correspondence with the dealer and manufacturer
• Take photos or videos of defects when possible

Step 2: Report the Nonconformity

Report the problem to the manufacturer, its agent, or authorized dealer during the term of protection. This triggers the manufacturer’s obligation to repair.

Step 3: Allow Repair Attempts

Give the manufacturer or dealer opportunity to repair the nonconformity. Keep careful records of each repair attempt.

Step 4: Choose a Dispute Resolution Path

If repairs are unsuccessful, you may:

• Use manufacturer’s procedure: If one exists and complies with federal regulations or is approved by the Attorney General
• Use the Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board: State-run arbitration through the Attorney General’s office

Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board

Rhode Island operates a unique state-run Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board through the Department of Attorney General, providing consumers with an alternative to manufacturer-sponsored arbitration.

Board Composition

The five-member board includes:

• The Attorney General or designee (serves as director)
• A member of the general public appointed by the Attorney General
• The Director of the Department of Revenue or designee
• The President of the Rhode Island Automobile Dealers’ Association or designee
• The Administrator of the Division of Motor Vehicles or designee

Filing Process

• Consumer filing fee: $20 (non-refundable)
• Manufacturer filing fee: $50 (non-refundable)
• File complaint form prescribed by the Attorney General
• Decision rendered within 90 days of eligibility determination
• Consumer has 5 days to accept or reject the decision

Enforcement of Decisions

If the consumer accepts a favorable decision, the manufacturer must comply within 30 days or appeal to Superior Court. Appeals require:

• Petition filed within 30 days of the decision
• Bond equal to the money award plus $2,500 for anticipated attorney fees

Additional Recovery if Manufacturer Appeal Fails

If the arbitration decision is upheld by the court, consumers may recover:

• Continuing damages: $25 per day for each day the vehicle was out of use
• Attorney fees and costs: Reasonable fees for prevailing consumers
• Double damages: If the court finds the manufacturer had no reasonable basis for appeal or the appeal was frivolous

Manufacturer Defenses

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5.2-4, manufacturers have limited affirmative defenses:

Leased Vehicle Protections

Rhode Island provides specific protections for consumers who lease vehicles for one year or more.

Refund Calculation for Leased Vehicles

When a leased vehicle qualifies as a lemon, refunds are distributed as follows:

• Lessee receives: Lessee cost (aggregate deposit and rental payments previously paid)
• Lessor receives: Lease price minus the lessee cost

Lease Termination

Upon payment of the refund:

• The lease agreement is automatically terminated
• No penalty for early termination may be assessed against the consumer
• The consumer owes no additional payments under the lease

Resale Disclosure Requirements

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5.2-9, no motor vehicle returned under the lemon law may be resold or re-leased in Rhode Island without clear and conspicuous written disclosure to the prospective buyer or lessee prior to sale. The Attorney General prescribes the exact form and content of the required disclosure statement.

Statute of Limitations

Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5.2-12, any action brought under the lemon law must be commenced within four years following the date of original delivery of the motor vehicle to the consumer.

Tolling provisions: The statute of limitations is tolled (paused) during the period from initiation of a dispute settlement procedure until 30 days after a final decision is rendered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Rhode Island’s lemon law cover used vehicles?

Yes, Rhode Island is one of the few states whose lemon law covers used vehicles. If you purchase a used vehicle that is still within the manufacturer’s warranty period, or if the vehicle is transferred to you during the warranty, you may be entitled to lemon law protection for defects that arise during that period.

How many repair attempts are required before a vehicle is considered a lemon in Rhode Island?

Rhode Island law presumes a reasonable number of attempts have been made if the same nonconformity has been subject to repair four or more times and continues to exist, or if the vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative calendar days. These conditions must occur within 1 year or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first.

What is the Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board?

The Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board is a state-run dispute resolution body operated by the Attorney General’s office. It provides an alternative to manufacturer-sponsored arbitration programs. Consumers pay a $20 filing fee to use the service. Decisions are binding on manufacturers if accepted by the consumer but may be appealed to Superior Court.

Can I keep driving my vehicle while waiting for a refund or replacement?

Yes, Rhode Island law specifically allows consumers to retain use of the returned vehicle until a full refund or acceptable replacement is provided. Any additional miles driven during this period will be factored into the reasonable allowance for use deduction.

What happens if the manufacturer appeals an arbitration decision and loses?

If the manufacturer appeals an arbitration decision and the court upholds the award, the consumer may recover continuing damages of $25 per day for each day the vehicle was out of use, plus reasonable attorney fees and costs. If the court finds the appeal was frivolous or without reasonable basis, the court may double the total award.

Does Rhode Island’s lemon law cover motorcycles?

Yes, motorcycles are specifically included in Rhode Island’s definition of motor vehicle and are covered by the lemon law if they have a registered gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds and come with a manufacturer warranty.

Resources and Legal Help

Official Resources

• Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Warranty Act (Full Text)
• Rhode Island Attorney General: Consumer Protection
• BBB AUTO LINE: Rhode Island Lemon Law Information

Related State Laws

• United States Lemon Laws Overview
• Massachusetts Lemon Law
• Connecticut Lemon Law
• New York Lemon Law