Identification

• Chapter 31 of the General Laws of Rhode Island is entitled "Motor and Other Vehicles." The 14 subdivisions of Chapter 31, Section 5.2 contain the provisions for the enforcement of warranties. This section also created the Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board, which enforces claims under Rhode Island's lemon laws. Section 5.4 requires used-car dealers to offer a limited warranty on certain parts for 30 to 60 days, depending on the condition of the vehicle at the time of purchase.
  
  

Significance

• Rhode Island lemon law also creates a protection period for new vehicles. It lasts one year or 15,000 miles from the date of original delivery. During this period, the manufacturer is obligated to repair any defects that significantly impair the performance, safety or value of a vehicle, or which violate any applicable express or implied warranty.
  
  

Types

• The Rhode Island lemon law applies to any automobile, truck, motorcycle or van registered in the state with a gross vehicle weight of less than 10,000 lbs. The law excludes motorized campers. If a relatively new used car is purchased while it is still in the protection period for a new vehicle, it is also protected by the lemon law. Other used vehicles are required to carry a warranty that covers repairs to the engine, transmission, drive axle, brakes, steering mechanism and ignition system.
  
  

Function

• A new car in Rhode Island must undergo repair for the same defect four or more times or be out of service for a cumulative total of 30 days to qualify as a lemon. These repair attempts must occur during the protection period. A used car must be subject to at least three repair attempts or be out of service for a cumulative 15 days during its mandated warranty period to be deemed a lemon. If a vehicle meets these qualifications, the owner must give the manufacturer written notice, and allow a final seven-day period for the manufacturer to cure the defect.
  
  

Benefits

• If the manufacturer is still unable to conform the vehicle to the applicable express or implied warranty, the owner is entitled to either replacement or refund within 30 days of the expiration of the final repair period. However, if the manufacturer has an authorized alternative resolution process in place, this requirement might not apply. The owner is obligated to participate in the alternative resolution process. If the resolution is not amenable to the consumer, a claim can be brought within three years of the original purchase date or two years of the end of the protection period, whichever is sooner.