Illinois Lemon Law Guide: Your Rights Under Illinois New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act

What Is the Illinois Lemon Law? The Illinois lemon law, formally known as the New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act 815 Ill. Comp. Stat. 380/1 et seq., is a state statute that gives buyers and lessees of new motor vehicles specific remedies when a vehicle has a substantial defect that the manufacturer cannot repair. The law is designed to protect consumers who bought or leased a new vehicle that turns out to be defective in ways that substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. The statute sets out time and mileage limits for coverage, repair-attempt thresholds that trigger presumptions of nonconformity, requirements for manufacturer arbitration programs, and the range of remedies available to affected consumers. Under Illinois law the manufacturer's obligations and the consumer's remedies are tied to the statutory coverage window: 12 months or 12,000 miles from delivery, whichever comes first 815 Ill. Comp. Stat. 380/1 et seq.. The law applies only to new vehicles used vehicles are excluded, and it requires vehicle manufacturers to operate an arbitration program for resolving many lemon law disputes. For official consumer resources and general guidance, the Illinois Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division maintains a consumer pages at the Illinois Attorney General website https://illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/. For an overview of lemon law standards and terminology you can also read our general guide on what a lemon law is: What is the Lemon Law?/resources/what-is-the-lemon-law/. Which Vehicles Qualify Under Illinois New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act? The New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act applies to new motor vehicles sold or leased that are primarily used for personal, family or household purposes. Key eligibility points are: - Coverage is limited to new vehicles. Illinois' lemon law does not cover previously owned used vehicles. If you bought a used vehicle you should consult other legal avenues, such as implied warranty or fraud claims, or federal protections under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. See our guide on the Magnuson-Moss Act: /resources/magnuson-moss-warranty-act/. - The statutory coverage period runs for 12 months or 12,000 miles from the date the vehicle was delivered to the buyer or lessee, whichever occurs first 815 Ill. Comp. Stat. 380/1 et seq.. Problems that arise after this period generally fall outside the lemon law, although other state or federal laws may apply. - Leased new vehicles are typically included if the lease is for personal, family or household use and falls within the time/mileage limits. - Commercial vehicles or vehicles used primarily for business may be excluded depending on the circumstances; the specific statutory definitions should be consulted and an attorney can advise on borderline cases. If you are unsure whether your vehicle qualifies, contact the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division or consult an experienced lemon law attorney through the Illino