Automobiles are one of the biggest purchases people make, and they also require a certain amount of regular maintenance. But a newly purchased vehicle with major problems -- to the extent that the manufacturer and dealer are unable to fix it -- is referred to as a "lemon." State lemon laws are intended provide consumers with assurances when they buy a car, requiring manufacturers to provide a refund or replacement vehicle if a lemon cannot be fixed to warranty standards within a statutory period of time (usually one year).
Rhode Island Lemon Law at a Glance
According to Rhode Island statute, the state's lemon law protects car buyers for up to one year from delivery or 15,000 miles, whichever comes first. Eligible consumers invoking the lemon law may choose either a comparable replacement vehicle or a full refund (minus a "reasonable allowance" for use).
Additional details of Rhode Island lemon law are listed below. See FindLaw's Lemon Law section for additional articles.
| Code Section | 31-5.2-1, et seq. |
| Title of Act | Not specified |
| Definition of Defects | Nonconformity to applicable express warranties or implied warranties that substantially impairs use, value, or safety |
| Time Limit for Manufacturer Repair | Term of protection equals 1 year or 15,000 miles from date of original delivery, whichever comes first |
| Time Allowed for Correction of Nonconformity | A reasonable number of attempts shall be presumed to have been undertaken to conform a motor vehicle to any applicable express or implied warranties if:
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| Remedies | Consumer's option: replace with comparable new vehicle in good working condition or accept return and refund full contract price of vehicle including all credits and allowances for any trade-in vehicle, less a reasonable allowance for use |
Note: State laws may change at any time through a number of means, including the enactment of newly signed legislation and decisions from higher courts. You should contact a Rhode Island lemon law attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
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Rhode Island Lemon Laws: Related Resources
