Wirtz Law Blog

In some ways, buying a new car is easier than ever. The Internet provides a wealth of information on the safety, features, and reliability of both new and used cars. It’s easier than ever before to find reviews from current owners, track repair statistics, and make an informed choice. If you know the VIN of a car that interests you, you can track it on Carfax or similar services to learn more about that specific vehicle. 

Yet buying a new car still isn’t foolproof. Millions of vehicles on US roads have one or more dangerous unrepaired defects that are under recall. No matter how careful you are, getting stuck with a lemon vehicle is still possible. 

Fortunately, you can lower your chances of facing a lemon. Some automakers have low lemon lawsuit rates – while others seem to turn out much higher rates of defective vehicles. Here are six American cars whose high defect rates require careful consideration before purchasing. 

Buick Encore GX

TopSpeed rated Buick 14th on its list of the 15 Most Unreliable Car Brands of 2023. While some past Buick models have offered strong reliability, the brand’s overall strengths haven’t kept pace with new technologies. 

In particular, Buick’s issues with brakes, engines, fuel systems, and emissions systems all pose challenges, undermining the brand’s total reliability scores. Even its top performers, the Envision and Enclave, still have total reliability scores under 60 out of 100, according to TopSpeed. 

Cadillac XT4 Sport

Motor1 senior editor Brett T. Evans called the Cadillac XT4 Sport’s styling “compellingly edgy.” Evans noted, however, that the styling isn’t enough to make the vehicle itself worth its price tag. 

Issues with engine performance rank high on the list of reasons not to buy this model. So do recalls, with seven recently issued recalls for the XT4 and its close cousin, the XT5. Problems with backup cameras and other features make the XT4 Sport a car to think twice about purchasing.

Chrysler 300

According to Money Inc., “the Chrysler 300 lags behind its competitors in technology, its performance isn’t as refined as other cars in its class, and its design may seem outdated.” Yet it still carries a high price tag, indicating that you may be paying more but getting less. 

Vehicle owners have also reported that finding replacement parts for the Chrysler 300 is difficult. Meanwhile, Recalls.gov returns 57 results for the search “Chrysler 300,” indicating that these vehicles may need the very parts that are difficult to obtain. 

Dodge Caravan

Money Inc. ranked the Dodge Caravan #1 on its list of cars to avoid. Poor performance, slow acceleration, and poor fuel efficiency combined to push the Dodge Caravan to the top of the “do not buy” list. 

Dozens of recalls recorded at Recalls.gov, the federal recall reporting site, indicate that the Dodge Caravan probably isn’t a wise choice whether purchased new or certified pre-owned. It’s worth examining a specific vehicle closely – and comparing it to similar vehicles from other automakers – before agreeing to a purchase.

Ford Explorer

Two Ford vehicles made Torque News’s list of “The Worst Cars, SUVs, and Trucks You Can Buy in 2023”: the Ford F-150 Lightning and the Ford Explorer. Not only was the Ford Explorer rate quite low on reliability and performance, but it also carried a high price tag for an SUV with few options compared to competitors of the same size. 

Meanwhile, the Ford Explorer SUV has a long history of recall issues. A Recalls.gov search for “Ford Explorer SUV” reveals dozens of recalls and investigations stretching back decades. Overall, it appears better vehicles are available – including better vehicles from Ford.

Lincoln Aviator

On the TopSpeed list, Lincoln rated as poorly as Buick, with a total Predicted Reliability Rating of 54/100. Of the Lincoln models listed, the 2023 and 2021 Aviator ranked worst. 

TopSpeed described the Lincoln Aviator as having “more than its share of problems.” Reports of vehicle issues cover several vehicle parts and systems. They include issues with electronic components, the drive system, suspension, steering, electrical system, seals, and even the paint and trim. In short, the Aviator runs the risk of being more trouble than it is worth. 

Did your vehicle purchase or lease turn out to be a lemon? Don’t wait: Talk to the experienced California Lemon Law attorneys at Wirtz Law APC today. A lawyer will answer your questions and help you understand your rights and options.