Common Vehicle Problems That May Qualify as Lemons
From engine failures to chronic electrical issues, these are the vehicle defects that California's Lemon Law was designed to address.
Short answer
Which Vehicle Problems Qualify
Not every fault makes a car a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act applies when a substantial defect affecting the vehicle's use, value or safety survives a reasonable number of repair attempts while it is still under warranty. Engine failures, transmission faults and persistent electrical problems are the categories that most often meet that bar.
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When Vehicle Defects Become Lemon Law Claims
Not every car problem qualifies as a lemon, but when a substantial defect persists despite multiple repair attempts while the vehicle is under warranty, California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act gives you powerful legal protections. The defect must substantially impair the vehicle's use, value, or safety.
Below you will find information on some of the most common vehicle problems our clients face, along with links to specific manufacturer and model issues. If your vehicle has experienced any of these problems repeatedly, you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement.
Types of Vehicle Problems We Handle
Engine Defects
Excessive oil consumption, stalling, misfires, lifter failures, and timing chain problems are among the most common engine defects that qualify vehicles as lemons.
Transmission Failures
Hard shifting, slipping, shuddering, delayed engagement, and complete transmission failure are serious defects that can make driving dangerous and unpredictable.
Electrical Problems
Infotainment malfunctions, phantom warning lights, battery drain, sensor failures, and wiring defects are increasingly common in modern vehicles packed with electronics.
Brake Defects
Premature brake wear, soft or spongy pedal feel, grinding noises, and ABS malfunctions are safety-critical defects that often qualify for Lemon Law relief with fewer repair attempts.
HVAC & Climate Issues
Air conditioning failures, heater malfunctions, refrigerant leaks, and climate control system defects can substantially impair the use and value of your vehicle.
Paint & Body Defects
Peeling paint, rust formation, water leaks, wind noise, and structural alignment problems can significantly reduce the value and enjoyment of a new vehicle.
Specific Vehicle & Manufacturer Issues
We track defects across all major manufacturers. Explore these common problem vehicles to learn about known issues and your legal options.
GM L87 Engine Lawsuit
Oil consumption, lifter failure, and timing chain issues affecting GM's 5.3L V8 engine.
2025 Chevy Trax Problems
Transmission issues and electrical problems in the redesigned Chevy Trax.
2019 Honda CR-V Problems
Oil dilution and engine stalling issues plaguing the popular Honda CR-V.
2022 Ford Escape Problems
Transmission defects and SYNC infotainment system failures in the Ford Escape.
Recalls & Lawsuits
Current vehicle recalls and class action lawsuits related to Lemon Law claims.
Car Recall Checker
Look up your vehicle by VIN to check for open safety recalls from NHTSA.
When Should You Pursue a Lemon Law Claim?
California law generally considers a vehicle a lemon if the manufacturer cannot repair a substantial defect after a reasonable number of attempts — typically two or more visits for a safety-related defect, or four or more for other warranty issues. Your vehicle may also qualify if it has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days due to warranty repairs.
The key is to document everything: keep all repair orders, service receipts, and records of communication with the dealer and manufacturer. This documentation becomes the foundation of a strong Lemon Law claim.
If you believe your vehicle qualifies, schedule a free consultation with our experienced Lemon Law attorneys. We handle the legal process so you can focus on getting back on the road safely.
Vehicle Defect & California Lemon Law Questions
My car keeps going back to the dealer for the same problem. When does it actually become a lemon?
California's Song-Beverly Act looks at whether the manufacturer got a fair shot at the repair. A common guideline is four or more attempts at the same substantial defect, or two attempts when the problem is something that could cause serious injury or death. Another path is time: if your vehicle has spent 30 or more cumulative days in the shop for warranty work, that alone can support a claim. None of these are hard cutoffs, so document every visit and let the facts build the case.
Does the defect have to be a safety issue to qualify?
No. The defect has to substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the car, and any one of those three is enough. A transmission that slips and strands you affects use. Chronic problems that tank resale value affect value. A brake or steering fault affects safety. Safety defects tend to qualify faster because the repair guideline drops to two attempts, but plenty of non-safety problems still meet the standard.
What can I actually get if my car is a lemon?
The manufacturer owes you one of two remedies: a buyback or a replacement vehicle. With a buyback they refund what you paid, including your down payment, monthly payments, and related costs like taxes and registration, minus a mileage offset for the time before the first repair attempt. A replacement gives you a comparable new vehicle instead. Some clients settle for a cash payment and keep the car. Which route fits depends on your situation.
Do I have to pay attorney fees out of pocket?
Almost never. The Song-Beverly Act shifts fees to the manufacturer, so when your claim succeeds, the carmaker pays your reasonable attorney fees and costs on top of your recovery. That fee-shifting is the whole reason a regular owner can take on a manufacturer without writing a check up front. We work these cases on that basis.
I bought my car used. Am I out of luck?
It depends on your warranty. After the 2024 Rodriguez v. FCA decision, a used vehicle sold with only the balance of a manufacturer's warranty generally no longer qualifies for a buyback or replacement, though a certified pre-owned vehicle with its own new warranty may still qualify and owners can often still recover damages and attorney fees. The details turn on the warranty terms and when you bought, so it is worth having someone review your paperwork rather than assuming a used purchase shuts the door.
What should I be saving while my car is still in and out of the shop?
Keep every repair order, even the ones that say no problem found, because those visits still count. Hold onto service receipts, loaner paperwork, and any texts or emails with the dealer or manufacturer. Note the dates your car went in and came back so you can track total days out of service. This paper trail is what turns a frustrating experience into a documented claim.
Which faults most often support a claim?
Engine and transmission failures, brake and steering faults, persistent electrical problems and recurring stalling. What they share is that they affect how the vehicle can be used or how safe it is.
Do cosmetic problems ever qualify?
Rarely. The defect has to substantially affect the vehicle's use, value or safety, and trim rattles or paint blemishes generally do not reach that bar. A cosmetic fault can matter where it is a symptom of something structural underneath, which is a different argument.
What about a fault that only happens sometimes?
Intermittent faults are harder to evidence but not disqualifying. Report it every time it occurs, keep the repair order from each visit even where nothing was found, and note the conditions when it happens. That record is what turns an intermittent complaint into a documented pattern.
Do wear items count?
No. Brake pads, tires, wiper blades and similar consumables are expected to wear out and are not defects, however often they need replacing. A claim rests on a defect in materials or workmanship that the manufacturer's warranty covers.
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