Lemon Law Attorneys in Illinois

As leading lemon law attorneys in Illinois, the Timothy Abeel & Associates team is here to help those who find themselves stuck with a lemon. We protect consumers’ rights when they purchase cars with persistent issues, and the manufacturer isn’t honoring the warranty. Here’s everything you need to know about lemon law Illinois claims. 

Illinois Lemon Law Explained

According to the Illinois Lemon law, your car could be covered if it has a “nonconformity” that impairs use, value, or safety. However, the dealer or manufacturer has at least four attempts to complete the specific repair. Alternatively, your vehicle counts as a lemon if it’s been out of service for 30 cumulative business days or more.

For your repair issues to be covered by the lemon law in Illinois, your vehicle must be new or in its first 12 months/12000 miles of service. The IL lemon law also applies to light vans and trucks as long as they weigh under 8,000 lbs. 

However, Illinois lemon laws don’t include used vehicles, motorcycles, boats, or cars that have been significantly altered or modified. Since Illinois provides more limited protections than some other states, you must report any concerns to lemon law attorneys in Illinois right away. 

Is There a Lemon Law for Used Cars in Illinois?

Yes and no. The Illinois lemon law only applies to new vehicles. However, if you purchase a used vehicle still under warranty and discover a defect, you’ll be covered under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. An experienced Illinois lemon law lawyer familiar with state and federal regulations will help you decide which law to file a claim under so you can seek justice. 

However, time is of the essence. You must report the defect while your vehicle is still under warranty. Also, the manufacturer is allowed an opportunity to make repairs and honor the warranty. If they contest the claim or fail to adequately repair your vehicle, let an Illinois lemon law attorney fight for your rights. 

What Is the Lemon Law in Illinois?

The Illinois lemon law is quite limited compared to federal protections. Generally, the law covers you for the first 12 months or 12,000 miles after you purchase a new car. For instance, if you put 12,000 miles in your vehicle in just six months and defects don’t emerge until after you reach that mileage limit, the Illinois lemon law won’t offer protection.

Fortunately, the best lemon law lawyers in Illinois may be able to enforce your rights under federal laws. Federal law extends protection for the duration of your vehicle’s warranty, even if you purchased it used. Conversely, Illinois’ laws only apply to new cars. Used vehicles aren’t covered, even if they are less than 12 months old and have less than 12,000 miles at the time of purchase. 

Due to these variations, it’s critical that you promptly report any issues with your vehicle to the dealer. Document the time and date that you made the report. Ideally, you should send correspondence through multiple channels, including email and SMS. These channels create time stamps, which a lemon law Illinois lawyer could use to enforce your rights. 

What Does Illinois Lemon Law Cover?

The Illinois lemon law only applies to new vehicles leased or purchased for household purposes. It doesn’t cover vehicles for business use. The law applies to cars, SUVs, light trucks, and vans. Here are the basic requirements to file a claim under the Illinois lemon law:

• The vehicle must weigh under 8,000 lbs
• It has to have a substantial defect that impacts safety, value, or use
• An existing warranty must cover the defect

The manufacturer or dealer will also have a chance to fix the issues. Generally, they will get four tries to resolve the same defect. If new problems emerge, they don’t count toward the four attempts. 

Manufacturers are also under a time crunch. They have 30 cumulative business days to fix your vehicle’s defect, regardless of the number of attempts. 

For instance, if they take 10 business days to fix your car on the first attempt, 15 on the second attempt, and 10 on the third attempt, then they’ve exceeded the business day limit. Even though they haven’t used all four attempts, you can file a claim under the Illinois lemon law. 

Not sure if your vehicle’s defects are covered? Don’t waste time searching phrases like “lemon law attorney Illinois.” Connect with Timothy Abeel & Associates, a leading team of lemon law attorneys in Illinois. We understand state and federal regulations, enabling us to evaluate your claim and fight for justice on your behalf.

Does Illinois Lemon Law Cover Leased Cars?

Yes, it applies to lease vehicles that were new at the time the lease began. If you lease a used vehicle, the lemon law won’t apply. Fortunately, most dealerships don’t lease used cars, so your leased vehicle is likely covered under state law.

However, mileage and age limits still apply to leased cars. As a result, any vehicle defects must be reported during the first 12,000 miles or 12 months after the lease start date. If you are under a multi-year lease and your vehicle starts having issues after the first year, you must rely on federal acts to provide lemon law protection. 

The good news is that the federal lemon law also applies to leased vehicles. As long as your vehicle is under warranty, you’ll have options to recoup your money. Still, it’s important to consult with lemon law attorneys in Illinois to determine the best course of action based on the unique circumstances of your case.

Summary

Presumption: during term of protection (earlier of warranty term or one year following delivery), either (1) 3 or more repair attempts or (2) out of service for 30 or more calendar days.