Illinois Lemon Law
Dealing with a Defective Vehicle in Illinois?
If your new vehicle keeps returning to the dealer for the same defect, Illinois’s lemon law may entitle you to a refund or a replacement vehicle — but manufacturers rarely volunteer either. An experienced Illinois lemon law attorney turns your repair history into a documented claim the manufacturer has to answer, on the statute’s timeline instead of the dealership’s.
Our firm was founded by former car-manufacturer defense counsel. We know how automakers evaluate and resist these claims, we handle the notice and filing requirements, and our fees are typically recovered from the manufacturer — not from you.
At a glance
Illinois Lemon Law: Key Facts
Illinois’ New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act, 815 ILCS 380, covering nonconformities that substantially impair the use, market value, or safety of a new vehicle.
New cars, light trucks, and vans under 8,000 lbs, and recreational vehicles, purchased or leased in Illinois primarily for personal, family, or household use — for defects arising within 12 months or 12,000 miles.
Four repair attempts for the same nonconformity, or a cumulative total of 30 or more business days out of service.
A comparable replacement vehicle, or a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for your use of the vehicle.
How it works
How an Illinois Lemon Law Claim Works
- Warranty repairs begin
You report the defect and the dealer attempts repairs — the defect must arise within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles.
- The presumption attaches
Four failed attempts for the same nonconformity — or 30+ business days out of service — establishes the statutory presumption.
- Manufacturer program
Illinois requires using the manufacturer’s informal dispute program, if one exists, before filing suit — we prepare the record so it works for you, not against you.
- Replacement or refund
A successful claim delivers a comparable replacement or a refund (less a use allowance) — and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act adds fee-shifting leverage in warranty actions.
Illinois presumes a reasonable number of attempts after four repairs for the same nonconformity, or 30+ business days out of service, for defects occurring within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles — whichever comes first.
Working with counsel
Why Work With an Illinois Lemon Law Attorney
You can file on your own, but manufacturers defend these claims with experienced counsel. Here is what representation adds.
Our founder defended automakers before representing consumers — we know how manufacturers evaluate, delay, and contest Illinois claims.
We build the repair-order timeline that triggers Illinois’s statutory presumption and time the demand around it.
Fee-shifting under state law and the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act lets prevailing consumers recover attorney’s fees from the manufacturer. No attorney’s fees unless we recover§; clients may be responsible for certain costs.
From the first demand letter through arbitration or court, your case is managed by our team — you keep driving your life while we handle the claim.
Our story
Founded by Former Car Manufacturer Defense Counsel
Before representing consumers, our founder sat on the manufacturer’s side of these cases — evaluating claims, directing defense strategy, and deciding when automakers would pay. That experience now works for Illinois drivers: we know which repair records matter, how manufacturers value buybacks, and where their defenses break down.
Manufacturers often stall, hoping owners give up. We keep the statutory clock and the paperwork moving toward a resolution. A well-documented repair history and demand are what move a claim toward a repurchase, replacement, or cash settlement.
Why our firm
Why Lemon Law Group Partners in Illinois
A firm founded by attorneys who once sat on the manufacturer’s side of these cases — now representing Illinois consumers.
¶ Figure reflects Illinois lemon law and vehicle warranty claims resolved by Lemon Law Group Partners from August 21, 2012 through June 30, 2026. Source: firm case-management records. “Resolved” means a claim concluded by manufacturer repurchase, replacement, cash settlement, or other negotiated resolution.
Outcomes
What an Illinois Lemon Law Claim Can Achieve
A refund of the price you paid plus qualifying charges, less a reasonable allowance for your use of the vehicle.
A comparable replacement vehicle — generally the same year and model with approximately the same mileage — if you prefer to stay in the same model — your election under most state programs.
Prevailing consumers can recover reasonable attorney’s fees from the manufacturer under state fee-shifting and Magnuson-Moss.
Many claims resolve with the driver keeping the vehicle plus a cash payment reflecting its diminished value.
Recent cases
Recent Illinois Lemon Law Cases
A sample of Illinois claims retained by the firm, drawn from case records. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Your Illinois team
Illinois-Licensed Attorneys
Melinda Madison, Esq.
Director of Litigation — Licensed in Illinois
Melinda Madison represents Illinois consumers under the New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act and leads the firm’s litigation strategy, drawing on more than two decades of legal experience.
Choosing counsel
How to Choose an Illinois Lemon Law Attorney
When you compare lemon law attorneys in Illinois, these are the factors that matter — and how our firm measures up on each.
Look for — what matters
- Illinois licensure and statute knowledge — licensed in Illinois, working regularly under 815 ILCS 380.
- Understanding of the manufacturer’s side — automakers defend these claims with experienced counsel.
- Fee structure — contingency; no attorney’s fees unless we recover, often paid by the manufacturer; clients may be responsible for certain costs.
- Documented process — how the firm handles notice, arbitration, and negotiation.
- Communication — a named point of contact and clear updates.
We meet it — our firm
- Attorneys licensed in Illinois handle claims under 815 ILCS 380.
- Founded by an attorney who previously defended a Big Three automaker.
- Contingency with no upfront attorney’s fees; fees typically recovered from the manufacturer.
- We manage the full process; many claims resolve without a hearing.
- Each client works with an assigned case manager.
Illinois Lemon Law FAQ
Does Illinois have a lemon law?
Yes — the New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act, 815 ILCS 380, requires a manufacturer to replace or repurchase a new vehicle with a nonconformity that substantially impairs its use, market value, or safety when it cannot be repaired within a reasonable number of attempts.
Do I qualify under the Illinois lemon law?
You may qualify if you purchased or leased a new car, light truck or van under 8,000 lbs, or RV in Illinois primarily for personal, family, or household use, and the defect arose within the first 12 months or 12,000 miles.
How many repair attempts do I need in Illinois?
Four repair attempts for the same nonconformity, or a cumulative total of 30 or more business days out of service, establishes the presumption.
Do I have to use arbitration in Illinois?
If the manufacturer maintains a qualifying informal dispute settlement program, Illinois requires you to use it before filing a Lemon Law action — but you are not bound to accept its result.
What can I recover under the Illinois lemon law?
A comparable replacement vehicle, or a refund of the purchase price less a reasonable allowance for your use. In warranty actions, the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act also lets prevailing consumers recover reasonable attorney’s fees.
What is the deadline for an Illinois lemon law claim?
The defect must arise within the 12-month/12,000-mile protection period, and Lemon Law actions must generally be brought within 18 months after delivery — Illinois deadlines are short, so act promptly.
What does an Illinois lemon law case cost?
No attorney’s fees unless we recover; clients may be responsible for certain costs. While 815 ILCS 380 itself does not award attorney’s fees, the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act allows fees to be recovered from the manufacturer in successful warranty claims — which is how most Illinois cases are handled on contingency.
Does the Illinois lemon law cover used cars?
The Act covers new vehicles. Used vehicles — including those still under the manufacturer’s warranty — are usually pursued under the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and Illinois consumer-fraud protections instead.
Official sources: 815 ILCS 380 — New Vehicle Buyer Protection Act · Illinois Attorney General — Consumer Protection
Illinois Cities We Serve
Our Illinois lemon law team helps drivers across the state. If you are in the Chicago area, visit our local office page:
