Illinois Lemon Law Attorneys

At DearLegal, we connect you with experienced Illinois lemon law attorneys who can force manufacturers to refund or replace your defective vehicle. Illinois’s New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act (815 ILCS 380) covers new vehicles for 12 months or 12,000 miles, and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act provides much broader nationwide backup. We’ll match you with the right attorney at no cost to get started.

Under 815 ILCS 380/3, a vehicle is presumed a lemon if, within 12 months or 12,000 miles, the manufacturer cannot repair a nonconformity after 4 attempts, or the vehicle has been out of service for 30 cumulative business days.

Illinois’s Lemon Law applies only to new vehicles. The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the Illinois UCC implied warranty of merchantability protect used buyers with a written warranty.

Yes. 815 ILCS 380/2 defines consumer to include lessees obligated to make payments.

Illinois requires the consumer to provide written notice and a final opportunity to repair before suing. 815 ILCS 380/3.

In Illinois, the manufacturer chooses between refund and replacement under 815 ILCS 380/3 — a less consumer-friendly approach than most states. An attorney can leverage Magnuson-Moss to obtain the consumer’s preferred remedy.

15 U.S.C. § 2310(d)(2) (Magnuson-Moss) and the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act (815 ILCS 505/10a) both shift attorney fees to the manufacturer. Illinois attorneys typically plead all three statutes.

Illinois’s Lemon Law generally applies to vehicles registered in Illinois. Magnuson-Moss applies nationwide.

Why Do You Need a Lemon Law Attorney in Illinois?

Illinois’s New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act (815 ILCS 380/1 et seq.) covers new motor vehicles for the shorter of 12 months or 12,000 miles — one of the shorter coverage windows in the country — and provides for refund or replacement when the manufacturer cannot repair a substantial defect after 4 attempts or the vehicle has been out of service for 30 cumulative business days. Because the state statute is narrow, most Illinois lemon law attorneys rely heavily on the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. § 2301) and the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act (815 ILCS 505) to pursue broader claims. An experienced attorney maximizes leverage across these statutes to shift attorney fees to the manufacturer.

When Do You Need a Lemon Law Attorney in Illinois?

Our network includes Illinois lemon law attorneys who handle every kind of case, including:

Types of Lemon Law Cases in Illinois

From the moment you connect with a Illinois lemon law attorney, they go to work protecting your claim. The most common case types we handle:

Not documenting every repair attempt with a dated dealer repair order

Letting a non-dealer shop perform warranty repairs

Skipping the pre-suit written notice required by 815 ILCS 380/3

Letting the short 12-month/12,000-mile coverage period expire — Illinois is one of the shortest in the country

Accepting the manufacturer’s first buy-back offer without considering Magnuson-Moss leverage

Missing the 18-month SOL under 815 ILCS 380/3

Not documenting every repair attempt with a dated dealer repair order

Letting a non-dealer shop perform warranty repairs

Skipping the pre-suit written notice required by 815 ILCS 380/3

Letting the short 12-month/12,000-mile coverage period expire — Illinois is one of the shortest in the country

Accepting the manufacturer’s first buy-back offer without considering Magnuson-Moss leverage

Missing the 18-month SOL under 815 ILCS 380/3

Common Illinois Lemon Law Mistakes

Even a small misstep can hurt your case. Here’s what to avoid:

How Much Do Illinois Lemon Law Attorneys Cost?

Out of pocket — state law shifts your attorney fees to the wrongdoer. You keep your full recovery.

The federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. § 2310(d)(2)) and the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act (815 ILCS 505/10a) shift attorney fees to the manufacturer when the consumer prevails. Illinois attorneys typically plead the New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act, Magnuson-Moss, and Consumer Fraud Act together. Most Illinois lemon law attorneys take cases with no fee deducted from the consumer’s recovery.

What Can Your Illinois Lemon Law Compensation Include?

Full Refund

Full purchase price (taxes, registration, finance charges) less a reasonable use offset under 815 ILCS 380/3.

Comparable Replacement Vehicle

A new vehicle of comparable value with manufacturer paying taxes and registration. Note: in Illinois, manufacturer chooses.

Cash & Keep Settlement

A negotiated cash payment with the consumer keeping the vehicle.

Incidental & Consequential Damages

Towing, rental cars, finance charges, and registration costs.

Attorney Fees (Fee-Shifting)

15 U.S.C. § 2310(d)(2) (Magnuson-Moss) and 815 ILCS 505/10a (Consumer Fraud Act) shift attorney fees to the manufacturer.

Statutory Damages (Consumer Fraud Act)

In appropriate cases, the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act allows recovery of actual damages plus attorney fees, and punitive damages for willful violations.

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DearLegal is a legal referral service, not a law firm. We connect individuals with licensed attorneys who can evaluate their case. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice. Results vary based on individual circumstances.

Illinois Lemon Law Attorneys

Why Do You Need a Lemon Law Attorney in Illinois?

When Do You Need a Lemon Law Attorney in Illinois?

Types of Lemon Law Cases in Illinois

Common Illinois Lemon Law Mistakes

How Much Do Illinois Lemon Law Attorneys Cost?

What Can Your Illinois Lemon Law Compensation Include?

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