California Lemon Law protects consumers from defective vehicles, ensuring they can get compensation for unrepairable problems. Lemon cars are usually new vehicles that are still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty, but some used cars qualify as well. You must know what cars are typically included on the lemon vehicles list so you can avoid buying them and understand your legal rights as a consumer. Among the most known Lemon Law cases over the past few years, we’ve seen a lot from vehicle manufacturers such as Ford, Dodge, Subaru, Volkswagen, and General Motors.
The Lemon Pros have navigated cases with all of the major car brands. With our practice area focused solely on Lemon Law cases, we have earned millions of dollars in compensation for our clients. Contact us for a free case evaluation.
In this comprehensive guide, we cover the car companies that are most known for producing lemon vehicles and show you how to file a claim against them. We also discuss how a lemon car qualifies for reimbursement and give you tips on avoiding lemon vehicles in the first place.
In California, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act ensures that drivers aren’t stuck with a new car with auto defects. What is a lemon car? It’s the one with significant defects that impair its use, value, or safety. For new cars, the defect must be first noticed within 18,000 miles or 18 months, whichever comes first, and the problem must be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
Defects may include any major mechanical issues, such as engine stalling, transmission issues, or complete engine failure. However, there doesn’t need to be something as significant as an engine issue to be included. For example, any unrepairable safety concern is going to warrant a Lemon Law claim, such as defective brakes or malfunctioning airbags. There may also be recurring defects in the electrical systems that require action against the car manufacturer.
The primary concern with lemon laws is that the car brand and dealership are unable to repair the issue. To start a Lemon Law case, you must allow the dealership four repair attempts for most problems. With safety concerns, there only needs to be two trips to the repair shop before consumers can hold manufacturers accountable.
As car companies continue to cut costs, integrate new technology, and rush production times, there’s a higher likelihood of lemon cars being created. Because some manufacturers deal with these issues more than others, we can see a pattern emerge over the last few years. Here are a few of the brands that have been dealing with lemon cars in recent models.
The Ford Motor Company has been in some hot water recently with the NHTSA. In November 2024, the government agency ordered Ford to pay a civil penalty of $165 million (the second-largest in history following the Takata airbag recall) for failing to recall vehicles with a defective backup camera. Aside from this settlement, other popular Ford vehicles have been involved in prominent Lemon Law cases, including the 2020-2022 Ford Explorer due to transmission and electrical system issues and the 2021-2023 Ford F-150 because of tailgate malfunctions.
During Ford’s years of owning Land Rover, there were also several lemon models worth noting. The 2003-2008 Range Rover was known for air suspension problems, while the 2000-2002 Land Rover Discovery II had head gasket issues.
The 2010-2022 Chevy Equinox with the 2.4L Ecotec engine is among the most notable because it dealt with excessive oil consumption that the company failed to repair. There have also been consumer complaints about the 2017-2019 Chevy Silverado, which suffers from rough shifting and shuddering.
General Motors, Chevrolet's sister company, had issues with some other brands as well, with the 2015-2023 Cadillac Escalade earning a reputation for transmission problems. The majority of the complaints are regarding the eight- and ten-speed automatic transmission with hesitation and rough shifting.
The most well-known Dodge lemon was the Dart, produced between 2013 and 2016. The Dodge Dart was meant to compete in the compact sedan market but failed to impress drivers because of clutch failures, electrical system issues, and engine malfunctions.
FCA also had to recall over one million vehicles in 2014, including the Jeep Cherokee, because of transmission and engine problems.
In conjunction with the Dodge brand, its parent company, Stellantis, has been involved in other lemon cases. For example, recent Fiat lemons include the 500, which may exhibit jerky shifting and faulty electrical system sensors.
The CVT installed in Subaru cars during the early to mid-2010s is the reason there were so many lemon cars for the brand. Not only did the Impreza, Outback, and Legacy deal with rough shifting complaints, but the transmissions were prone to fail prematurely.
Sadly, that wasn’t the only transmission that was giving Subaru trouble at the time. The Forester also suffered from transmission failures related to the four-speed automatic.
In recent years, one of the more reported lemons has been the 2019-2021 Volkswagen Jetta. The eight-speed automatic transmission hasn’t been smooth, and the infotainment system is known for freezing up.
With Porsche cars also owned by Volkswagen, it’s good to take a look at common problems among these brands. The 2020-2022 Porsche Macan has experienced similar transmission complaints and the same issue with the infotainment system.
The 2016-2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC is known for issues with the lighting system and a malfunctioning infotainment system. Some owners have also reported trouble with the air suspension, leading to a rough ride.
Some Mercedes-Benz vehicle models are also subject to a massive recall due to a software issue that can cause electrical system failure, resulting in issues with the braking system, power steering, and airbag deployment, putting the vehicle’s passengers at risk for injury. This recall included more than one million 2019-2020 Mercedes-Benz A-Class, CLA, and GLA models.
Volvo was once part of the original Swedish Volvo Group, but ownership shifted over the years. From 1999 to 2010, Volvo Cars was owned by Ford Motor Company before being sold to Geely Holding Group, a Chinese company, where it remains today. In recent years, several Volvo models, such as the S60, XC40, XC60, and V90, have faced Lemon Law complaints. Reported issues include overheating brakes, electrical malfunctions, and defective transmissions.
If you prefer a handy chart to reference when buying a car, the following information is helpful to have. It lists the manufacturers that are known for having Lemon Law claims, the models and years to avoid, as well as the most common issues we see.
| Manufacturer | Model(s) & Years | Common Issues / Lemon Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Ford | 2020–2022 Explorer | Transmission and electrical system issues |
| 2021–2023 F-150 | Tailgate malfunctions | |
| Land Rover | 2003–2008 Range Rover | Air suspension problems |
| 2000–2002 Discovery II | Head gasket issues | |
| Chevrolet | 2010–2022 Equinox (2.4L Ecotec) | Excessive oil consumption, unresolved by repairs |
| 2017–2019 Silverado | Rough shifting, shuddering | |
| Cadillac (GM) | 2015–2023 Escalade | Transmission issues (8- & 10-speed automatic) |
| Dodge | 2013–2016 Dart | Clutch failures, electrical system issues, and engine malfunctions |
| Fiat (Stellantis) | 2013–2018 500 lineup (C, L, X, Pop, e) | Jerky shifting, faulty electrical sensors, and gas leaks |
| 124 Spider | Transmission and clutch complaints | |
| Jeep (Stellantis) | 2014 Cherokee | Transmission and engine problems (recall) |
| Subaru | Early–mid 2010s Impreza, Outback, Legacy | CVT rough shifting, premature transmission failure |
| Early–mid 2010s Forester | 4-speed automatic transmission failures | |
| Volkswagen | 2019–2021 Jetta | 8-speed automatic transmission, infotainment freezing |
| Porsche (VW) | 2020–2022 Macan | Transmission complaints, infotainment issues |
| Mercedes-Benz | 2016–2020 GLC | Lighting system, infotainment malfunctions, and air suspension issues |
| 2019–2020 A-Class, CLA, GLA | Electrical system failure, brakes, power steering, airbags (recall) | |
| Volvo | S60, XC40, XC60, V90 (recent years) | Overheating brakes, electrical malfunctions, defective transmissions |
According to a J.D. Power Dependability Study, Lexus and Toyota make the most reliable cars. Many of the most popular models (Highlander, Camry, and Corolla) are known to last several hundred thousand miles when properly maintained. In this particular study, Mazda, Chevrolet, MINI, Buick, Kia, BMW, Dodge, Jeep, and Porsche also end up above the industry average for 2024, some of which have been an improvement over previous years.
Across the board, the industry average increased four problems for every 100 vehicles from the 2023 study. In total, the problem rate increased 17% between 90 days and three years of ownership, up another five percentage points from 12% in the 2023 study.
If your vehicle has persistent issues, it’s important to know how to check for a lemon. To see if the vehicle meets the requirements of the state lemon laws, you must research the vehicle's history. You can do this with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) lookup.
Next, you would check for any open recalls through NHTSA. If there are open recalls, you can take it to a local dealership for a free repair. If the repairs don’t resolve the issue and the car meets the above requirements, you can take legal action and try to receive a vehicle replacement or buyback.
To protect consumers, we’ve compiled the steps to take when starting a Lemon Law claim. Make sure you document the issues, allow the manufacturer the chance to fix it, verify your warranty coverage, file a formal complaint, and get a reputable lemon lawyer to work the case with you.
As soon as you realize there may be a problem with your vehicle, you want to start documenting everything that occurs. Without this documentation, you won’t be able to get a replacement vehicle or cash compensation. We recommend keeping the following records for a potential claim.
In all of your paperwork, it’s essential to detail how the defect affects the vehicle’s functionality, safety, or value, which is what you will be responsible for proving.
Before you can obtain compensation, you are required to give the dealer a chance to fix the issue. For the new vehicle, the dealer has a minimum of four repair attempts on standard defects. However, if there’s a serious safety issue, you only need to allow two failed repair attempts.
As outlined above with the documentation, you want to keep well-documented records of these repair attempts. Make sure you record the date, type of issue, and the resolution for each attempt.
Any manufacturing defects must be dealt with during the warranty period if you want to file a lemon claim. The bumper-to-bumper warranty covers most of the vehicle, but it lasts for less time than the powertrain warranty, which is mainly for the engine and transmission.
Car warranties last for a specific mileage or time limit, typically whichever comes first. Therefore, if your car’s warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, it wouldn’t be valid if your car is only two years old but has 40,000 miles on the odometer.
Even if the car is still under warranty, some issues would be considered excluded. Any consumable part, such as brake pads or windshield wipers, would be excluded. Additionally, if you’ve made any modifications that lead to the defect, the manufacturer is not responsible for repairs.
We encourage you to review the vehicle’s warranty booklet or reach out to the manufacturer if you need more clarification.
If the repairs don’t resolve the issue, you need to notify the manufacturer in writing. Keep a record of the communication for your files. The letter should include the following information:
It could take several weeks to months for the manufacturer to respond to your request. Once they do, the manufacturer may ask for arbitration to resolve the dispute.
If you are dealing with persistent vehicle defects, you should contact a Lemon Law attorney before proceeding any further. The sooner you consult with a lawyer, the better your chances are of getting compensation from the manufacturer. Contact The Lemon Pros for your free consultation.
We can reduce the stress by handling the claim process for you. We navigate the entire Lemon Law process and negotiate with the manufacturers on your behalf. Because we’ve worked with all of the major manufacturers, we know how to maximize your compensation.
After negotiations, we may be able to secure you a Lemon Law buyback, a replacement vehicle, or cash compensation. We can help you determine which option is best for your situation.
If you want a reliable car, it’s important to avoid buying a lemon vehicle in the first place. Research the models before purchasing or leasing to determine which is considered a reliable vehicle. We also recommend having a pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic. For added protection, you may prefer to buy a certified pre-owned vehicle that has warranty coverage.
Most of today’s manufacturers deal with countless complaints about one lemon problem or another. That’s why it’s important to stay informed about the manufacturer's lemon rate and recent recalls for determining who to buy from. However, when a manufacturer fails to uphold their end of the deal, it’s time to seek justice with the help of a qualified attorney.
The Lemon Pros are committed to protecting your consumer rights. We know how to get compensation for most lemons on the market, and we are regarded as the best Lemon Law attorneys in the area. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
You can find answers to the most common questions regarding lemon vehicles:
Of the most complained-about cars, Ford, Land Rover, Chevrolet, and Cadillac seem to top the charts. There are also many reports against Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Subaru, Volkswagen, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo.
Yes. You can insure a lemon car, but coverage may be limited. If the car is unreliable or has safety issues, it could affect your premiums or coverage options.
Not exactly. A Lemon Law buyback happens when a manufacturer repurchases a defective car, usually under a state Lemon Law. A lemon is the defective car itself. Therefore, a buyback results when a car is declared a lemon.
Some common signs of a lemon car include repeated mechanical or electrical problems that don’t get fixed after multiple repair attempts. It may also be seen through frequent warning lights on the dashboard, persistent safety issues like faulty brakes or airbags, or unusual noises and vibrations. Basically, if your car has the same serious problem over and over and the manufacturer can’t fix it, it could be a lemon.
When you buy a lemon car, lemon laws provide legal protection. These laws vary by state but generally allow you to request a replacement vehicle, receive a full refund of the purchase price, including taxes and fees, and recover repair costs or related expenses.
Some lemon cars to avoid include recent models with repeated issues, like the Ford Explorer and F-150, Chevy Equinox and Silverado, Dodge Dart, Subaru Impreza and Outback, VW Jetta, and Volvo S60 and XC60.
Lemon reports occur on vehicles with repeated defects or safety issues. A branded title shows that the issue was reported under state lemon laws and may continue having persistent problems.
Lemon car examples include vehicles with repeated defects that manufacturers fail to fix. Notable examples are the Ford Explorer and F-150, Chevy Equinox and Silverado, Dodge Dart, Subaru Impreza and Outback, VW Jetta, and Volvo S60 and XC60.
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