State lemon laws help consumers who buy or lease new motor vehicles and have repeated problems getting their vehicles properly repaired under the manufacturer’s original warranty.

Lemon laws can help a consumer get the vehicle repurchased, replaced, or repaired through a process that is less complicated and expensive than filing a lawsuit and going to court.

A car is a “lemon” when it is determined that the vehicle is defective beyond repair. Most states have some form of a lemon law to protect car buyers. These laws generally only apply to new cars purchased or leased by consumers and small businesses.

But a used car may also be covered if it is still covered by the manufacturer’s original warranty (not an extended service contract), or if the defect started and was reported to the dealer while under the manufacturer’s original warranty, and the defect continues to exist.

Lemon laws often do not cover repossessed vehicles, non-travel trailers, boats, or farm equipment.

Lemon laws only cover defects that substantially impair the use or market value of the vehicle—which does not include issues like minor rattles, noises, and car audio imperfections.

Each state has its own requirements, but common factors to qualify as a lemon include:

• The vehicle has a substantial manufacturing defect

• The defect is covered by a manufacturer’s written warranty

• The owner reports the defect to the dealer or manufacturer within the warranty term

• The owner gives the dealer a reasonable number of attempts to repair the defect or condition

• The owner gives the manufacturer written notice (preferably by certified mail) of the defect and at least one opportunity to fix the defect

• The defect persists and substantially impairs the vehicle’s use or market value or creates a serious safety hazard

Lemon laws are usually located in a state’s statutes and are often administered by the state’s department of motor vehicles or a specified consumer protection agency.

In Rhode Island, the state lemon law protects consumers who purchase or lease new vehicles that turn out to be defective and cannot be repaired satisfactorily under the manufacturer's original warranty. The Rhode Island lemon law applies to new cars, motorcycles, and trucks that are registered in the state for personal, family, or household purposes. To qualify as a lemon under Rhode Island law, the vehicle must have a substantial defect covered by the warranty that occurred within a certain period or mileage limit, the consumer must report the defect within the warranty term, and the consumer must allow the manufacturer a reasonable number of attempts to repair the defect. If the defect persists and substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety, the consumer may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or a refund. The law does not cover minor issues that do not affect the vehicle's performance or safety, such as minor rattles or audio system imperfections. Used cars may also be covered if they are still under the manufacturer's original warranty and the defect was reported during this period. The Rhode Island lemon law does not cover repossessed vehicles, non-travel trailers, boats, or farm equipment. The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles or a consumer protection agency typically administers the lemon law process in the state.