Wirtz Law Blog

The allure of driving off the dealership lot with a brand-new car can quickly diminish if that vehicle proves to be unreliable. Owning a car that frequently needs repairs, poses safety risks, or depreciates faster than expected can be more than just a nuisance—it can lead to significant financial, emotional, and practical problems. For consumers in California, it’s vital to understand how state lemon laws protect you when your new car doesn’t meet the standards of reliability and performance you reasonably expect.

The 9 Most Unreliable Cars in 2023

According to J.D. Power’s automotive studies, which consider initial quality and dependability data over three years, a Predicted Reliability score of 91-100 is the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average. Here are the cars that fall into the lower end of this spectrum in 2023:

• 2023 Audi Q5 Predicted Reliability Score: 69/100. The Audi Q5 faces reliability issues, making it a concern for owners looking for a dependable luxury SUV.
• 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Predicted Reliability Score: 67/100. Despite its popularity among families, the Pacifica’s lower reliability score raises questions about its long-term dependability.
• 2023 Lexus NX Predicted Reliability Score: 67/100. Surprisingly, for a brand known for reliability, the Lexus NX has encountered issues that affect its reliability score.
• 2023 Jeep Wagoneer Predicted Reliability Score: 65/100. The Jeep Wagoneer, although a new entrant in the SUV market, has shown reliability concerns that could impact owner satisfaction.
• 2023 Audi A6 Predicted Reliability Score: 63/100. The A6, Audi’s luxury sedan, has faced challenges that question its reliability, affecting its score.
• 2023 Volvo XC60 Predicted Reliability Score: 62/100. Volvo’s XC60, known for safety and comfort, falls short on the reliability scale, posing potential headaches for owners.
• 2023 Porsche Taycan | Predicted Reliability Score: 61/100. Porsche’s foray into electric vehicles with the Taycan has encountered reliability issues, reflected in its lower score.
• 2023 Volkswagen GTI Predicted Reliability Score: 61/100. The GTI, popular for its performance and practicality, has reliability concerns that potential buyers should consider.
• 2023 Polestar 2 Predicted Reliability Score: 58/100. As a new player in the electric vehicle market, the Polestar 2 has shown that reliability can be improved.

If you have a problematic vehicle, consulting with an attorney can be an essential step in ensuring your rights are protected under California’s consumer laws.

The Problems with Unreliable Cars

Unreliable vehicles are more than just a temporary inconvenience; they represent ongoing challenges that can affect every aspect of ownership, including your use, value, and safety. Below are some issues that unreliable cars pose to vehicle owners: 

• Repeated repairs and maintenance. Unreliable cars often require frequent trips to the mechanic, leading to a cycle of repairs that can drain your time and resources.
• Safety risks. Vehicles with reliability issues may have underlying defects that compromise safety, putting drivers, passengers, and other road users at risk.
• Economic impact. The costs associated with constant repairs add up and, when coupled with rapid depreciation, can significantly affect the vehicle’s financial burden on the owner.
• Stress and disruption. The uncertainty of an unreliable car can lead to stress and disruption in daily life, impacting your ability to get to work, fulfill family obligations, and enjoy personal time.

In the context of these challenges, the protections offered by California’s lemon laws emerge as critical safeguards for consumers, ensuring that the investment in a new vehicle doesn’t become an ongoing liability. Understanding these protections and when to seek legal advice can be the key to effectively resolving the issues presented by an unreliable vehicle.

California Lemon Law for Unreliable Vehicles

California’s lemon laws are designed to safeguard consumers from the frustrations and financial burdens of owning a defective vehicle. These laws apply to new cars, trucks, EVs, hybrids, and SUVs covered under a manufacturer’s warranty. When a vehicle exhibits persistent problems that substantially impair its use, safety, or value and cannot be rectified despite reasonable repair attempts, it falls under the Lemon Law criteria.

Key aspects of California’s lemon laws include the following:

• Reasonable repair attempts—under the California lemon laws, the manufacturer does not get an unlimited number of repair attempts on your vehicle. After a reasonable number of repair attempts, which can be as few as two, your vehicle might qualify for a repurchase or replacement;
• Eligibility for relief—not only are private individuals covered, but also businesses with vehicles weighing under 10,000 pounds, provided they have no more than five vehicles registered in the state; and
• Restitution—consumers may choose between a replacement vehicle of equal value or a refund of the purchase price, including taxes, fees, and any finance charges incurred, minus a deduction for the consumer’s use of the vehicle.
• Civil penalties—in addition to getting your money back for your car, when a manufacturer willfully violates California’ lemon law, you may also be entitled to additional damages up to two time your actual damages.
• Attorney’s fees and costs—when you are successful, your attorney’s fees and costs will be paid by the manufacturer. In most instances an experienced lemon law firm will not require any out of pocket obligation on your part and will take your case on a contingency.

Understanding these protections is crucial for California consumers facing issues with their new vehicles. Being well-informed about your rights under the Lemon Law ensures that you can take timely and effective action if your vehicle shows signs of being a lemon. It also underscores the importance of meticulous record-keeping of all repair attempts and communications with the manufacturer or dealer, as these records can be vital in pursuing a lemon law claim.

Have You Been Soured on Your Recent Vehicle Purchase?

If you bought a new car, truck, EV, hybrid, or SUV, and your new vehicle has repeatedly required trips to the mechanic for the same problem or even different problems, you may have a lemon on your hands. If so, the California Lemon Law may require the manufacturer to either buy back your vehicle or provide you with a new one. At the California Lemon Law firm of Wirtz Law APC, our dedicated team of lemon law expert attorneys has extensive experience helping vehicle owners obtain the compensation they deserve after purchasing a defective vehicle. We have recovered more than $70 Million on behalf of our clients and have been successful in over 98 percent of the Lemon Law cases we’ve handled. To learn more and to schedule a free consultation today, give us a call at 858-259-5009. You can also connect with us through our secure online contact form.