(a) Every new vehicle manufacturer shall specify the delivery and preparation obligations of its vehicle dealers prior to delivery of new vehicles to retail buyers. A copy of the delivery and preparation obligations of its dealers shall be filed with the Secretary of State by every vehicle manufacturer and shall constitute the vehicle dealer's only responsibility for product liability as between the dealer and the manufacturer. A manufacturer's product or warranty liability to the dealer shall extend to any mechanical, body or parts defect constituting a breach of any express or implied warranty of the manufacturer. The manufacturer shall reasonably compensate any authorized dealer who rectifies a defect which constitutes a breach of any express or implied warranty of the manufacturer and for preparation and delivery obligations. Every dealer shall perform the preparation and get ready services specified by the manufacturer to be performed prior to the delivery of the new vehicle to the buyer.(b) The owner of the vehicle may cause the vehicle to be inspected according to this Section and have the original manufacturer's warranty reinstated if the vehicle is a theft recovery that has been salvaged and is recovered without structural damage or missing essential parts, excluding wheels, damage to the steering column, and radios provided the owner: (1) Submits the vehicle to a franchised dealer for a complete inspection, including fluids, frame, essential parts, and other items deemed by the manufacturer as essential for verification of the condition of the vehicle at the time of recovery.(2) Submits a copy of the police recovery report to the inspecting dealer.(3) Paid the inspection fee charged by the franchised dealer. The manufacturer shall reinstate the original manufacturer's warranty if a vehicle is certified by a franchised dealer as having complied with the provisions of this Section. The manufacturer shall, in addition to reinstating the warranty, provide the owner with a written statement indicating that the original manufacturer's warranty has been reinstated.
(c) Nothing in this Section shall affect a cause of action a buyer may have against a dealer or manufacturer under present applicable statutory or case law.P.A. 89-189, eff. 1/1/1996; 92-458, eff. 8/22/2001.