Wirtz Law Blog

The California Lemon Law protects new and most used car buyers from vehicles that have repeated, unfixable problems, whether it’s one part, one system, or multiple problems. This law requires manufacturers to either replace or refund a vehicle that has significant defects that aren’t resolved after several repair attempts. Over the years, some vehicles have been more prone to lemon law claims than others. However, it’s crucial to note that models change from year to year, and past issues may not reflect the quality of current models.

Historical Data on Lemon Law Claims

While specific data may vary year by year, certain trends can be identified based on past claims:

Luxury Cars Often Make the Top of the Lemon Law List

Contrary to popular belief, luxury brands have not always escaped the lemon list. Brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Jaguar have, at times, been associated with higher-than-average lemon law claims. This could be attributed to the complex nature of luxury vehicles, which can lead to more potential points of failure.

Vehicles with New Technology May Experience “Glitches” which are Defects

As manufacturers introduce new technology in their vehicles – whether infotainment systems, advanced driver assistance systems, or new powertrain technologies – there’s potential for problems. Historically, cars introducing pioneering tech have seen a spike in initial issues, which may lead to lemon law claims.

Some Manufacturers Consistently Sell a Higher-than-Average Number of Lemons

Some brands have had more frequent lemon law claims across their range of models, possibly due to systemic manufacturing or quality control issues. For instance, in certain years, brands like Fiat and Land Rover have faced criticism for reliability issues.

Taking the Stats in Context

It’s essential not to take these statistics at face value. For example, a brand selling millions of units might have more absolute complaints than a smaller brand. Still, in terms of percentage, they may be more reliable. In this way, it’s not just the total number of Lemons a manufacturer produces that is relevant; it is also important to consider what percentage of the manufacturer’s vehicles were deemed to be Lemons. 

Additionally, sometimes, specific model years face issues due to changes in parts suppliers, manufacturing processes, or the introduction of new technologies. A model that is problematic in one year might be entirely reliable the next. For example, the early 2020s was a challenging year for all manufacturers due to the supply-chain shortage triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

What Makes a Car a Lemon in California?

In California, a car is considered a “Lemon” if it has significant defects or malfunctions that the manufacturer or dealership cannot fix within a reasonable number of attempts. Below is a brief overview of what makes a vehicle a Lemon under the California Lemon Law:

Warranty Period: A defect must occur within the vehicle’s warranty period, either the “bumper-to-bumper” or the “powertrain” warranty. Warranty lengths vary significantly between manufacturers, so it is important to know how long your warranty lasts when considering a Lemon Law claim.  

Reasonable Repair Attempts: There is no exact definition of what constitutes a “reasonable bumper of repair attempts” under the California Lemon Law. However, it is generally accepted by the courts that two repairs are enough.

Significant Malfunctions: These defects in manufacturing or workmanship must substantially impair the vehicle’s use, value, or safety. Thus, minor defects that don’t materially affect the vehicle’s safety, drivability, reliability, or value won’t necessarily give rise to a Lemon Law claim. 

If a vehicle meets these criteria and the manufacturer cannot remedy the issue, the owner may be entitled to a refund or replacement at the owner’s choice under California’s Lemon Law.

Lastly, there is no requirement in California to give the automaker one more chance to fix the vehicle, but that option is always available to the owner, if that is what they want.

Have You Been Disappointed After Buying a New Southern California Vehicle Because It’s Frequently in Need of Repairs?

If you recently purchased a new vehicle or a used vehicle that was still under the original manufacturer’s warranty, California’s Lemon Law provides you with certain protections. If you find yourself at the mechanic more often than expected, you may have a Lemon on your hands, and the CA Lemon Law may provide you with a remedy. The dedicated California Lemon Law attorneys at Wirtz Law APC have decades of combined experience investigating, preparing, and litigating Lemon Law claims for California consumers. We offer free no-obligation consultations to all prospective clients, during which we will review your case, answer your questions, and explain how we can help you pursue a replacement or buy-back. To discover more, or to arrange a complimentary consultation with a seasoned Lemon Law attorney, reach out to us at 858-259-5009. You can also get in touch with us through our online contact form.