Rhode Island Lemon Law

The Rhode Island Consumer Enforcement of Motor Vehicle Warranties Act, also known as the Rhode Island Lemon Law, applies to new or used vehicles that are either purchased or leased. The Lemon Law provides that vehicle manufacturers do not have an unlimited time to repair vehicles. Rather, if there is a defect or malfunction in your vehicle, repairs must be performed within a reasonable number of attempts. Should the manufacturer fail to do so during the applicable term of protection for the vehicle as discussed below, the consumer may be entitled to a refund or replacement vehicle at the consumer’s option. Additionally, the consumer is entitled to the recovery of attorneys’ fees and costs. To find out if you qualify for relief under the Rhode Island Lemon Law or any other consumer protection laws, whether state or federal, contact the attorneys at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® for a free case review.

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Available Remedies

The Rhode Island Lemon Law provides that a consumer may recover, at the consumer’s option, a refund for their purchase of the defective vehicle or a comparable replacement vehicle. Under the law, a refund means that the consumer is entitled to the return of the purchase price of the vehicle plus all incidental costs including sales tax, registration fees, finance interest charges, and the cost of any non-removable options added by an authorized dealer. From this total, the manufacturer is entitled to subtract a reasonable mileage offset for your use of the vehicle. Additionally, the Rhode Island Lemon Law provides that the manufacturer shall pay for the consumer’s attorneys’ fees if they prevail in a Lemon Law action. Further, if you retain the attorneys at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® and you do not prevail on your claims, the firm will not charge you for their services. Accordingly, the attorneys at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® only get paid if they settle or win your case!

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Read All FAQs for Rhode Island here.
Lemon Law in Rhode Island FAQ

Covered Vehicles

The Rhode Island Lemon Law covers all “new” or “used” automobiles, trucks, SUV’s, motorcycles and vans that have a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 pounds. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, or federal Lemon Law as it is better known, expands the protection afforded by the Rhode Island Lemon Law and covers any consumer product. So, whether you have a car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, or you have a microwave, boat, personal watercraft, recreational vehicle or other consumer product, federal and state lemon laws provide you protection under the law. Additionally, whether your vehicle is purchased or leased make no difference. You are covered either way!

Term of Protection

Although the term of protection to determine if you qualify for relief under the Rhode Island Lemon Law is the vehicle’s first one (1) year or 15,000 miles since its original delivery, federal law provides more expansive protection. Under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, whether the defects and nonconformities in your vehicle manifest before or after the vehicle’s first year makes no difference. Rather, the federal Lemon Law protects consumers for the entire duration of their warranty on the vehicle. Accordingly, if your new or used car, truck, SUV, van, motorcycle, or other consumer product is subject to repeat repairs during its warranty period and the manufacturer, by and through its authorized dealers, cannot repair the vehicle within a reasonable time, contact the attorneys at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® who will review your case at no charge and will advise you as to what laws and relief you qualify.

How many times to repair is too many

Both Federal and Rhode Island State Lemon Laws provide that an automobile manufacturer only has a reasonable number of attempts to repair your vehicle. Under the Rhode Island Lemon Law that means if the vehicle has been subject to repair four (4) or more times or has been out of service for thirty (30) or more cumulative days during the term of protection and the problems continue to exist, you may qualify for relief. Under federal law, what constitutes a reasonable number of attempts depends on the circumstances of each case and may be as little as two (2) to three (3) times depending on the nature of the defect and repair attempt. Whether you are pursuing a claim under federal or state law or both, you do not have to wait forever for the manufacturer to fix your vehicle. Give the automobile manufacturer a “reasonable” number of attempts and if not repaired contact the attorneys at Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® for a free consultation to determine if you qualify for relief.

Why Choose Krohn & Moss as Your Rhode Island Lemon Law Firm?

  • 25+ Years of Experience Turning “Lemons” into “Lemon-Aid”
  • Over 50,000 Success Stories Nationwide
  • Accomplished, Trustworthy Attorneys
  • Responds to All Inquiries within 24 Hours
  • No Fees Unless We Win Your Case
  • We Always Seek Maximum Compensation for Clients