Illinois Lemon Law (IL)

Qualifying Criteria in Illinois

Under Illinois's lemon law, your vehicle may qualify as a lemon if it meets the following criteria:

• Vehicle type: New motor vehicles purchased or leased in Illinois
• Defect type: A nonconformity that substantially impairs the use, market value, or safety of the vehicle and is covered under the manufacturer's warranty
• Coverage period: The defect must occur within 1 year of delivery or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first
• Repair attempts: The manufacturer or authorized dealer must have attempted to repair the same defect at least 4 times, or the vehicle must have been out of service for a cumulative total of 30 or more days

Manufacturer Obligations

Must repair nonconformities. If unable after a reasonable number of attempts, must replace or accept return and refund the purchase price minus a reasonable use allowance.

Available Remedies

If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Illinois law, you are entitled to:

• Replacement vehicle
• Full refund minus reasonable use allowance

The "reasonable use allowance" deduction is typically calculated based on the mileage you accumulated before the first repair attempt, proportional to the vehicle's expected lifetime mileage. This ensures the manufacturer is not paying for use you already received from the vehicle.

Step-by-Step Filing Process in Illinois

Follow these steps if you believe your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under Illinois law:

1. 1 Report the defect to the authorized dealer or manufacturer
2. 2 Allow at least 4 repair attempts or 30+ business days out of service
3. 3 Notify the manufacturer in writing via certified mail
4. 4 Use the manufacturer's certified dispute resolution program
5. 5 File suit if arbitration does not resolve the issue

Arbitration in Illinois

Consumer must use the manufacturer's informal dispute resolution procedure (if state-certified) before suing. Illinois also accepts the BBB AUTO LINE program.

Important: In Illinois, arbitration is a required step before you can file a lawsuit. This means you must exhaust the arbitration process first. The arbitration decision may or may not be binding depending on the specific program. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, you typically have the right to appeal or file a civil action in court.

Filing Deadline

Within 12 months of delivery or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Missing the filing deadline can forfeit your rights under the lemon law. Keep detailed records of every repair visit, including dates, mileage, descriptions of the problem, and copies of all repair orders and receipts. This documentation will be critical for your claim.

Additional Notes

Illinois has a relatively short coverage period (12 months/12,000 miles). Covers new vehicles purchased in Illinois. Does not cover recreational vehicles, motor homes, or vehicles over 8,000 lbs GVWR.