What is Covered Under the Illinois Lemon Law?

Buying a new car is an exciting experience. You’ve saved up, optioned out leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and all the other bells and whistles you wanted. But now, instead of enjoying your new car worry-free as you expected, you’ve made countless trips to the repair shop. What gives?

If this situation sounds familiar, you may have bought a lemon. People throw around the term “lemon” to describe any car with problems, but there is a legal definition. States, including Illinois, have lemon laws in place to protect those who buy problem cars. In this article, we are going to discuss what qualifies as a lemon car in the state of Illinois, and what our laws surrounding lemons do to protect you.

Before we continue, you should know that this article is not legal advice, simply information. If you suspect you have purchased a lemon, you should contact the designated manufacturer representative for your vehicle, which can usually be found in your owner’s manual.

What Constitutes a Lemon Vehicle in Illinois?

For a vehicle to be classified as a lemon, it needs to be:

– A new car, van, or light truck under 8,000 pounds.

– A new recreational vehicle.

– Vehicles purchased in Illinois.

– Vehicles in their first 12 months or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first.

The actual conditions that would cause a vehicle to be protected by lemon laws are as follows:

– A vehicle with an issue from the factory that impacts its useability, value, or safety.

– At least four attempts to have been made by the dealer or manufacturer rectify the problem.

– The vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more business days

What Is Not Covered by the Illinois Lemon Law?

The Lemon Law in Illinois does not cover all vehicles. In addition to any vehicle that falls outside the above criteria, any used, or a modified vehicle is not covered. Additionally, motorcycles and boats are not covered either.

What Should I Do If My Vehicle is a Lemon?

If you are unfortunate and purchase a problem car or truck and think you may be able to get it covered under the Illinois Lemon Law, make sure you begin the process quickly before the 12 months from the purchase is up. You will need to reach out to your manufacturer’s Third-Party Resolution Program. The Illinois Attorney General covers the details of what you need will need to do to submit and preserve your claim.

Other Tips

If you think you will be claiming the Illinois Lemon Law, make sure to keep good records of all the services you have performed on the vehicle at the dealership. Any receipts, repair records, and other documents can be useful.

Becker Service Center is your Destination for Auto Repair in Naperville

We hope you never have to deal with a lemon vehicle. If you are having issues with your car that are not covered by the Illinois Lemon Law, we are here to help! Our shop is conveniently located in the heart of Naperville, and our ASE-Certified technicians have the skills and experience to work on your car, whether you need service or in-depth repairs. Give us a call or schedule an appointment online today!