State lemon law · checked October 23, 2026

Rhode Island lemon law

Verified against the statute / official state publicationR.I. Gen. Laws §§31-5.2-1–31-5.2-14

The short version

The manufacturer's extra 7-day cure starts when it SHOULD have known the limits were met — not when it admits it.
Two filing clocks run at once (3 years / 15,000-miles + 2 years); the earlier one wins.
Four attempts or 30 calendar days inside 1 year / 15,000 miles.

The presumption — Rhode Island's numbers

Presumption window	The term of protection is the earlier of 1 year or 15,000 miles after delivery.
Same defect	4+ repair attempts
Days out of service	30+ calendar days

The presumption is the set of numbers that shifts the burden to the manufacturer. A claim can exist outside the presumption — it is a shortcut, not the whole road. Read why.

The buyback — Rhode Island's formula

Rhode Island allows a reasonable allowance for use with no published formula (refund = full contract price including trade-in credits). This checker refuses to invent the number.

Notice and procedure

When the presumption numbers are met, the manufacturer automatically gets one additional cure opportunity of at most 7 calendar days, starting the day it knows (or should have known) the limits were met (§31-5.2-5).

Dispute route: The state Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board is available but not mandatory; you may also go to court.

Attorney's fees: Rhode Island provides attorney's fees to a prevailing consumer.

Your deadline

File by the earlier of 3 years after original delivery or 2 years after the vehicle reaches 15,000 miles; time in an informal dispute procedure doesn't count, plus 30 days after its final decision.

Who and what is covered

New vehicles	Covered
Leased vehicles	Covered
Used vehicles	Covered
Motorcycles	Covered
RV / motor home	Not covered

Motorcycles are covered; motorized campers are excluded.
Used vehicles are covered under a companion rule (3 attempts for used).

Included in the $39 Lemon Verdict Pack

Your repair-log tracker, the Rhode Island notice letter, the buyback worksheet on Rhode Island's formula, and your deadline calendar.

See the Lemon Verdict Pack

Sources

R.I. Gen. Laws §31-5.2-5 (presumption + 7-day cure)
R.I. Gen. Laws §31-5.2-3 (remedies)

Checked October 23, 2026. Laws change; if your claim is close to a line, verify the current statute or ask a lawyer in Rhode Island. This page is information, not legal advice.