Car Warranty Not Honored
When a Manufacturer or Dealer Refuses to Honor a Warranty
If your vehicle is under warranty but the manufacturer or dealership refuses to cover a repair, you may have legal rights.
​
Consumers are often told that a repair is “not covered,” attributed to normal wear and tear, or denied for reasons that may not be justified. In other cases, coverage is delayed or avoided altogether.
​
When a warranty is not honored, the issue may extend beyond a simple dispute — it may involve violations of state or federal law.
Common Issues We See
-
A warranty claim is denied without a clear explanation
-
The dealer attributes the issue to “wear and tear” or misuse
-
Coverage is refused despite active warranty status
-
Repairs are delayed or avoided altogether
-
The manufacturer declines to authorize necessary repairs
-
If you have encountered these issues, your situation may warrant further review.
Federal Warranty Protections
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act is a federal law that governs consumer product warranties, including vehicles.
This law requires manufacturers to honor the terms of their warranties and provides a path for consumers when they fail to do so.
👉 Learn more about your rights under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
Illinois Lemon Law May Also Apply
-
In some cases, a warranty dispute overlaps with repeated repair issues or unresolved defects. If the problem persists and the vehicle cannot be properly repaired, you may also have rights under the Illinois Lemon Law.
When a Case May Qualify
-
A claim may exist where:
-
Warranty coverage is denied without proper basis
-
The defect affects the use, value, or safety of the vehicle
-
The manufacturer fails to honor written warranty obligations
-
Repairs are unreasonably delayed or refused
-
Each case depends on the specific warranty terms and repair history.
Related Issues
Warranty disputes often arise alongside other problems, including repeated repair attempts or dealerships failing to properly diagnose or fix the issue. You may also wish to review:
Next Steps
If your warranty claim has been denied or your vehicle has not been properly repaired, you may wish to have your situation reviewed. There is no cost to submit a Free Case Review, and submissions are reviewed by an attorney.
👉 Submit your Free Case Review to determine whether your matter qualifies.