Rhode Island Lemon Law rules at a glance
The Rhode Island Consumer Enforcement of Motor Vehicle Warranties (Lemon Law) is R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-5.2-1 to 31-5.2-14.
| Rule | What Rhode Island law says | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Statute | R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-5.2-1 to 31-5.2-14 | R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5.2-1 |
| Vehicles covered | Automobiles, trucks, motorcycles and vans under 10,000 lbs registered gross weight, sold, leased or replaced by a dealer or manufacturer; Municipal fire apparatus | |
| Not covered | Motorized campers | |
| Protection window | The term of protection: 1 year or 15,000 miles from original delivery, whichever comes first | R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5.2-1(10) |
| Four Repairs Test | The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and continues or recurs within the term of protection, plus one more chance to cure of up to 7 days | § 31-5.2-5(a)(1) |
| 30 Days Out of Service Test | Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days, plus one more chance to cure of up to 7 days | § 31-5.2-5(a)(2) |
| Written notice | Report the defect to the manufacturer, its agent, dealer or lessor during the term of protection. Once a test is met, the manufacturer gets one additional chance to cure, of no more than 7 calendar days. | R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-5.2-2, 31-5.2-5 |
| Dispute program first? | If the manufacturer has a dispute procedure complying with FTC Rule 703, or approved by the FTC or the Attorney General, and told you about it in writing at delivery, you must use it or the Attorney General’s Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board first. A decision binds the manufacturer if you accept it. | |
| Deadline | Start an action within 3 years of original delivery or 2 years after the vehicle reached 15,000 miles, whichever is earlier; time in a dispute procedure is not counted | § 31-5.2-12, 31-5.2-7 |
| Usage deduction | total contract price × (miles before the first report + later miles while not out of service for repair) ÷ 100,000 | § 31-5.2-3(a)(5) |
Four repairs or 30 days in Rhode Island
Rhode Island presumes a reasonable number of attempts when, within the term of protection (1 year or 15,000 miles):
Four Repairs Test
The same defect was repaired 4 or more times and continues or recurs within the term of protection, plus one more chance to cure of up to 7 days.
§ 31-5.2-5(a)(1)30 Days Out of Service Test
Out of service for repair a cumulative total of 30 or more calendar days, plus one more chance to cure of up to 7 days.
§ 31-5.2-5(a)(2)The defect must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, market value or safety. The manufacturer then gets one additional chance to cure, of no more than 7 calendar days, even if it starts after the term ends.
Notice to the manufacturer in Rhode Island
Report the defect to the manufacturer, its agent, dealer or lessor during the term of protection. Once a test is met, the manufacturer gets one additional chance to cure, of no more than 7 calendar days.
Dispute program first. If the manufacturer has a dispute procedure complying with FTC Rule 703, or approved by the FTC or the Attorney General, and told you about it in writing at delivery, you must use it or the Attorney General’s Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board first. A decision binds the manufacturer if you accept it.
Rhode Island covers trucks, vans and motorcycles under 10,000 lbs, and municipal fire apparatus.
Rhode Island’s deadline: the earlier of two dates
Start an action within 3 years of original delivery or 2 years after the vehicle reached 15,000 miles, whichever is earlier; time in a dispute procedure is not counted (§ 31-5.2-12, 31-5.2-7).
| Event | Date | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle delivered | Mar 15, 2025 | The protection window starts |
| Protection window ends | March 15, 2026 | Repairs after this date do not count toward the tests |
| Sue by | March 15, 2028 | Start an action within 3 years of original delivery or 2 years after the vehicle reached 15,000 miles, whichever is earlier; time in a dispute procedure is not counted |
How to file a Rhode Island lemon law claim
- Report the defect during the term of protectionTo the manufacturer, its agent, dealer or lessor, within 1 year or 15,000 miles.
- Allow the one extra chance to cureUp to 7 calendar days after the manufacturer knew a test was met.
- Use the dispute procedure or the state boardThe Attorney General’s Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board costs $20.
- Accept or reject the board’s decision within 5 daysThe manufacturer then has 30 days to comply.
- Sue if neededWithin 3 years of delivery or 2 years after 15,000 miles, whichever is earlier.
Refund, replacement and the Rhode Island deduction for use
| Remedy | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Refund | The full contract or lease price with trade-in credits, plus sales tax, registration, finance charges and dealer-added options, and towing and rental costs, less the allowance for use. The choice is yours. |
| Replacement | A comparable new vehicle within 30 days, or a refund if none is delivered; the manufacturer pays registration transfer fees and sales tax. |
How the Rhode Island deduction for use is calculated
total contract price × (miles before the first report + later miles while not out of service for repair) ÷ 100,000 (§ 31-5.2-3(a)(5)).
| Step | Math | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase price | — | $36,000.00 |
| Deduction for use | 15,000 miles × $36,000 ÷ 100,000 | −$5,400.00 |
| Refund before taxes, fees and other charges | Those are added under the rules above | $30,600.00 |
The Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board
| Rule | What the law says |
|---|---|
| Fees | $20 for you (nonrefundable), $50 for the manufacturer |
| Decision | Within 90 days of the dispute being found eligible |
| Your choice | Accept or reject the decision within 5 days |
| If you accept | The manufacturer must comply within 30 days |
| Time limits | The lawsuit deadline pauses during a dispute procedure and for 30 days after its decision |
Keeping the car and implied warranties
- You can keep using the vehicle until a full refund or acceptable replacement is tendered; that use is counted in the allowance (§ 31-5.2-3(a)(6)).
- If the manufacturer does not deliver a comparable replacement within 30 days, it must refund instead.
- The law covers the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, not only the written warranty (§ 31-5.2-2).
- Towing and reasonable rental costs are reimbursed if they were not provided free.
Second owners in Rhode Island
A person to whom the vehicle is transferred during any express or implied warranty is a consumer, and the rights pass to later transferees. The chapter protects consumers within the term of protection from original delivery.
Anyone to whom the vehicle is transferred during an express or implied warranty is a consumer, and the rights pass to later owners (§ 31-5.2-8). The repairs must still fall in the first year or 15,000 miles.
To test your own dates and repair visits, test your Rhode Island repair visits with our checker.
Rhode Island Lemon Law FAQs
What qualifies as a lemon in Rhode Island?
A vehicle with a defect that substantially impairs its use, market value or safety, not fixed after 4 repairs or 30 days out of service within 1 year or 15,000 miles, and one more chance to cure of up to 7 days.
How long do I have to file a lemon law claim in Rhode Island?
Within 3 years of original delivery or 2 years after the vehicle reached 15,000 miles, whichever is earlier (§ 31-5.2-12).
How much does the Rhode Island lemon law board cost?
The consumer fee is $20, nonrefundable; the manufacturer pays $50.
Does the Rhode Island lemon law cover motorcycles?
Yes. Automobiles, trucks, motorcycles and vans under 10,000 lbs registered gross weight are covered.
Do I get attorney fees under the Rhode Island lemon law?
Yes. The court must award reasonable attorney fees to a consumer who wins.
Sources
Checked on October 13, 2026. We re-verify Rhode Island rules when the legislature, the courts or the agency change them. Read how we check every rule in our editorial policy.