RVs and Motor Homes Under the Vermont Lemon Law

RVs are partly outside Vermont’s lemon law. The statute excludes the living portion of recreation vehicles (§ 4171) — carving out the coach — but other paths remain for RV owners.

What’s excluded — and what may not be

• The living portion of an RV — excluded by § 4171. The built living quarters don’t qualify under the lemon law.
• The chassis/automotive portion — the self-propelled chassis (if a covered vehicle type and within weight limits) may still be addressed for drivetrain/braking/steering defects.
• Towable trailers — not self-propelled motor vehicles, so outside the lemon law entirely.

Why the living portion is carved out

A motor home combines an automotive chassis with a built living structure from a separate manufacturer — warranty responsibility is split, which is why Vermont (like many states) excludes the living portion from the lemon law. That doesn’t leave RV owners without recourse.

The routes that remain for RVs

1. Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act — covers the RV and its components under their written warranties, with fee-shifting. The primary route for house-system defects.
2. Component warranties — the chassis/engine maker (Ford, Freightliner, etc.) and appliance makers each warrant their parts; pursue the responsible one.
3. Consumer Protection Act — for misrepresentation or concealment at sale (exemplary damages + mandatory fees).

Common RV defects

• Chassis/engine — drivetrain, braking, steering.
• House systems — slide-outs, leveling, plumbing, electrical, water intrusion/leaks (a real problem in Vermont’s wet, freezing climate).
• Appliances — furnace (critical in Vermont), AC, generator, refrigerator.

Bottom line

Vermont excludes the RV’s living portion from the lemon law, but the chassis may be covered, and Magnuson-Moss plus the Consumer Protection Act cover house systems and misrepresentation. Get a free case review.

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