Remedies Under the Rhode Island Lemon Law

A successful Rhode Island claim produces a refund or replacement — at the consumer’s election — under the Lemon Law, with a consumer-favorable 100,000-mile use offset, $25/day continuing damages, a doubled award for a frivolous manufacturer appeal, and mandatory attorney fees. The DTPA adds a $500 floor and discretionary treble.

The remedy menu

1. Refund — full contract price plus collateral charges (sales tax, registration, finance charges) and towing/rental, minus a use offset on a 100,000-mile basis.
2. Replacement — comparable new vehicle (delivered within 30 days). The consumer elects refund vs. replacement.
3. $25/day continuing damages and a doubled award if the manufacturer’s appeal is frivolous.
4. DTPA damages — actual damages or $500, discretionary treble (subject to the regulated-activities exemption).
5. Attorney fees — mandatory under the Lemon Law (§ 31-5.2-11); plus Magnuson-Moss § 2310(d)(2).

Topics in this section

• Refund (buyback) — The refund and the 100,000-mile offset.
• Replacement — Comparable-vehicle replacement (consumer’s election).
• Cash-and-keep — Negotiated cash settlements where you keep the vehicle.
• DTPA damages — Actual damages or $500 and discretionary treble.
• Attorney fees — Mandatory under § 31-5.2-11.

What makes Rhode Island’s remedies distinctive

• Consumer elects refund or replacement.
• 100,000-mile offset — a small use deduction (refund stays near full price).
• $25/day continuing damages and a doubled award for a frivolous manufacturer appeal — strong deterrents.
• Mandatory lemon-law fees (§ 31-5.2-11) — stronger than the discretionary standalone fees of Maine or New Hampshire.

The recovery picture

Between the AG’s fast Arbitration Board, mandatory fees, the $25/day continuing damages, and the doubled award for a frivolous appeal, Rhode Island consumers have a low-cost path with real teeth. See attorney fees.

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Rhode Island Lemon Law Cases by Manufacturer

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The Process: Filing a Rhode Island Lemon Law Claim

Step by step through a Rhode Island lemon-law claim — documented repair attempts, the 7-day final cure, the AG's Motor Vehicle Arbitration Board, and court action.

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Qualifying Defects Under the Rhode Island Lemon Law

Which defects qualify under Rhode Island's lemon law — transmission, engine, brakes, electrical, steering, infotainment, EV — under the 4-attempt / 30-calendar-day presumption, with coastal salt-air and road-salt factors.

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The Law: Rhode Island Lemon Law and the Deceptive Trade Practices Act

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Vehicle Types Under the Rhode Island Lemon Law

How Rhode Island's lemon law applies across vehicle types — used, leased, EV, motorcycles, RVs, and commercial — under the 10,000-lb threshold and the motorized-camper exclusion.

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