Replacement Vehicle Under the Rhode Island Lemon Law

A Rhode Island claim can resolve with a comparable replacement vehicle instead of a refund. Under § 31-5.2-3(1), the consumer or lessee elects — and the manufacturer must deliver the replacement within 30 calendar days.

What “comparable” means

A replacement vehicle should be:

• The same make and model (or substantially similar).
• Comparably equipped — trim, options, features.
• New and equivalent in value.

The consumer’s election and the fresh term

Rhode Island gives the consumer the choice — refund or replacement — more consumer-favorable than the manufacturer-option structure of New Mexico or Oklahoma. And for a replacement, the term of protection restarts on delivery of the new vehicle (§ 31-5.2-1(10)) — so the one-year/15,000-mile clock begins again.

When replacement makes sense

• You like the model and want a non-defective one.
• A replacement avoids re-shopping and re-financing.
• The defect is a one-off build issue.

When to take the refund instead

• You’ve lost confidence in the model line.
• You want to exit the brand.
• The refund (full price minus the small 100,000-mile offset) is worth more to you.

Tax and registration

A proper replacement should not cost you a second round of sales tax or registration — these collateral charges are part of what the manufacturer makes you whole on.

Bottom line

Replacement is one of two statutory outcomes under § 31-5.2-3, with the consumer electing and a fresh term of protection on the new vehicle. Either way, the $25/day, doubled-award, and mandatory-fee protections apply. Get a free case review.

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