Top 10 Vehicle Defects That Lead to Lemon Law Claims in California?
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- Top 10 Vehicle Defects That Lead to Lemon Law Claims in California?
The Most Common Issues That Qualify Cars for a Lemon Law Buyback
California drivers deal with more vehicle problems than almost any other state — heavy traffic, long commutes, high EV usage, and large numbers of new and leased vehicles. When a car repeatedly breaks down or the dealership can’t fix the problem, it may qualify as a California Lemon Law claim.
While any defect that affects use, value, or safety may qualify, certain problems appear far more often in California Lemon Law cases.
Here are the Top 10 most common vehicle defects that lead to Lemon Law claims.
While any defect that affects use, value, or safety may qualify, certain problems appear far more often in California Lemon Law cases.
Here are the Top 10 most common vehicle defects that lead to Lemon Law claims.
1. Transmission Problems
Transmission issues are among the most frequent Lemon Law defects, especially with brands like Ford, Nissan, Jeep, Hyundai, and BMW. Common symptoms include:
- Delayed shifting
- Harsh jerking or shaking
- Slipping gears
- “Transmission overheating” warnings
- Failure to accelerate
Transmission defects can quickly make the vehicle unsafe — and usually qualify for Lemon Law protection after 2–4 repair attempts.
- Delayed shifting
- Harsh jerking or shaking
- Slipping gears
- “Transmission overheating” warnings
- Failure to accelerate
Transmission defects can quickly make the vehicle unsafe — and usually qualify for Lemon Law protection after 2–4 repair attempts.
2. Engine Failure & Stalling
Engine defects often trigger immediate safety concerns.
Common patterns include:
- Stalling at stops
- Engine knocking or ticking
- Excessive oil consumption
- Overheating
- Sudden loss of power
These issues are common in Hyundai/Kia, GM, Ford, BMW, Subaru, and more. Because engine failure is dangerous, two repair attempts may be enough to qualify the car as a lemon.
Common patterns include:
- Stalling at stops
- Engine knocking or ticking
- Excessive oil consumption
- Overheating
- Sudden loss of power
These issues are common in Hyundai/Kia, GM, Ford, BMW, Subaru, and more. Because engine failure is dangerous, two repair attempts may be enough to qualify the car as a lemon.
3. Electrical System Malfunctions
Modern vehicles rely on complex electronic systems — and California Lemon Law claims involving electrical defects are rising.
Common electrical problems:
- Battery drain
- Sensor failures
- Headlight or taillight malfunctions
- Warning lights that repeatedly return
- Faulty instrument clusters
Electrical issues often cause multiple systems to fail at once, making the car unreliable or unsafe.
Common electrical problems:
- Battery drain
- Sensor failures
- Headlight or taillight malfunctions
- Warning lights that repeatedly return
- Faulty instrument clusters
Electrical issues often cause multiple systems to fail at once, making the car unreliable or unsafe.
4. EV & Hybrid Battery Problems
California has the highest number of EVs and hybrids in the U.S., so battery defects frequently lead to Lemon Law claims.
These issues include:
- Rapid battery degradation
- Charging failures
- Thermal shutdown
- Loss of driving range
- High-voltage system errors
- Recalls with no available fix
Brands commonly involved: Tesla, Rivian, Polestar, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz.
These issues include:
- Rapid battery degradation
- Charging failures
- Thermal shutdown
- Loss of driving range
- High-voltage system errors
- Recalls with no available fix
Brands commonly involved: Tesla, Rivian, Polestar, Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz.
5. Brake Problems
Brake defects are considered serious safety issues under the California Lemon Law. These include:
- Reduced braking power
- Grinding or squealing
- Premature brake wear
- ABS system malfunctions
- Brake booster failure
- Brake warning lights returning
Even 1–2 failed repair attempts may qualify the vehicle as a lemon.
- Reduced braking power
- Grinding or squealing
- Premature brake wear
- ABS system malfunctions
- Brake booster failure
- Brake warning lights returning
Even 1–2 failed repair attempts may qualify the vehicle as a lemon.
6. Steering Issues
Steering defects can make a vehicle dangerous to drive.
Common problems:
- Power steering loss
- Steering wheel vibration
- Wandering or pulling
- Loose or stiff steering
- Steering rack failure
Certain Jeep, Tesla, Ford, and GM models are known for steering-related Lemon Law complaints.
Common problems:
- Power steering loss
- Steering wheel vibration
- Wandering or pulling
- Loose or stiff steering
- Steering rack failure
Certain Jeep, Tesla, Ford, and GM models are known for steering-related Lemon Law complaints.
7. Airbag or Safety System Failure
Anything involving a safety system is taken seriously under Lemon Law.
These issues include:
- Airbag warning lights
- Airbags failing to deploy
- Accidental deployment
- Seat belt pretensioner defects
- Malfunctioning crash sensors
If a safety system fails, two repair attempts are often enough to qualify for Lemon Law protection.
These issues include:
- Airbag warning lights
- Airbags failing to deploy
- Accidental deployment
- Seat belt pretensioner defects
- Malfunctioning crash sensors
If a safety system fails, two repair attempts are often enough to qualify for Lemon Law protection.
8. Infotainment, Backup Camera & Software Issues
As vehicles become more software-driven, these defects have become increasingly common:
- Frozen screens
- Backup camera failure
- Bluetooth/wireless CarPlay issues
- GPS malfunctions
- Audio system shutting down
- Software updates breaking features
These may qualify under Lemon Law if they impair value or use, or relate to safety (rearview camera systems are federally required).
- Frozen screens
- Backup camera failure
- Bluetooth/wireless CarPlay issues
- GPS malfunctions
- Audio system shutting down
- Software updates breaking features
These may qualify under Lemon Law if they impair value or use, or relate to safety (rearview camera systems are federally required).
9. Fuel System Problems
Fuel system defects can create serious safety risks.
Common issues:
- Fuel pump failure
- Leaking fuel lines
- Gas odors
- Hard starting
- Fuel injector problems
Some of these issues are tied to major recalls affecting Toyota, Honda, GM, and BMW.
Common issues:
- Fuel pump failure
- Leaking fuel lines
- Gas odors
- Hard starting
- Fuel injector problems
Some of these issues are tied to major recalls affecting Toyota, Honda, GM, and BMW.
Does Your Vehicle Have Any of These Defects? You May Qualify for a Lemon Law Buyback.
If your car has one or more of these issues — and the dealership hasn’t been able to fix it — you may be entitled to:
- A refund
- A replacement vehicle
- A cash settlement
- Civil penalties in certain cases
- Attorney’s fees paid by the manufacturer
You pay nothing out of pocket.
Free California Lemon Law Evaluation
If your vehicle is experiencing repeated defects, we can review your repair history and determine if you qualify under the California Lemon Law.
Call (818) 946-9911
Email: info@alemilawgrp.com
Serving clients throughout all of California.
Call (818) 946-9911 Email: info@alemilawgrp.comServing clients throughout all of California.
