Top 10 Signs, Symptoms You Have a Lemon — California Attorney Reports

People who buy a brand-new car don’t anticipate they will have problems in the first few years. Also, once they start having issues, they often don’t recognize the signs and symptoms that may qualify as a lemon. More surprising, is when these defective vehicles happen to also be expensive luxury brands such as Mercedes, Tesla and Volvo.

A recent survey conducted by Consumer Reports also points out some of the worst auto failures consumers buy. This listing was used by CR to create the top 10 least reliable vehicles in 2022. The vehicles listed as the least reliable range in starting prices from $26,490 for the Volkswagen Tiguan to $62,990 for a Tesla Model Y. Furthermore, four of the 10 models that make up these unreliable vehicles are priced above $50,000.

What is a Lemon?

So what is the lemon law and how does it apply to a vehicle bought in California? First of all, it involves a vehicle purchased by the original owner that has an unexpired, valid manufacturer warranty. Next, the vehicle must be either unrepairable, have a major safety issue or has been in the repair shop for a total of at least 30 days since it was bought.

Indeed, owners of some new vehicles sometimes find out their purchase has a defect in the manufacturing or other problems that substantially impair its use, value, or safety such as it is likely to cause a serious injury or death. Sometimes, the auto manufacturer is able to quickly repair the issue and get it back on the road. However, other times it’s unrepairable or the owner has attempted to get the vehicle repaired multiple times.

Recently, many owners of defective vehicles have found the automaker doesn’t have the parts due to shipping or production delays. Also, it may take time for them to develop a fix for the defect. Indeed, that was the case with the ongoing airbag recalls. A consumer’s vehicle that remains at the shop due to an issue covered by the warranty for 30 days qualifies. This doesn’t have to be consecutive days, it also applies to cars that make multiple visits that add up to at least 30 days.

Also, it’s not uncommon for new car owners to have the same repeated problems with their brand new vehicle or a serious of issue that makes the owner fearful of driving it.

That’s why the California lemon law is here to protect consumers who purchase a new vehicle if it becomes troublesome, defective or unreliable.

Common Signs/Symptoms You Have a Lemon Law Case

So what are the most common problems and complaints among new car owners? Some of the worst are transmission repairs, but the most common issues people seek out lemon help for are the brakes. Here are the top 10 substantial defects car owners complain about when they contact Johnson Attorneys Group:

1. Brakes
2. Transmission
3. Electric Vehicle batteries/Electrical system
4. Engine stalling
5. Faulty airbags
6. Air conditioning
7. Suspension
8. Steering system
9. Engine cooling system
10. Mechanical latching and doors

Consumer Reports List of Least Reliable 2022 Vehicles

Consumer Reports recently compiled a list of the top 10 least reliable 2022 vehicles. They compiled the list based on consumer complaints in its annual survey. It ranks the vehicles on a scale of 1 to 100. The worst being zero and 100 would be the best. The worst vehicles they found — ending with the worst — are as follows (including base prices):

• 2022 Subaru Ascent (18/100) from $32,295
• 2022 Chrysler Pacifica (18/100) from $37,095
• 2022 Tesla Model Y (18/100) from $62,990
• 2022 Volkswagen Tiguan (17/100) from $26,490
• 2022 Volvo XC90 (17/100) from $50,900
• 2022 Chevrolet Corvette (13/100) from $60,900
• 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (11/100) from $33,800
• 2022 Ford Mustang (9/100) from $27,205
• 2022 Ford Explorer 8/100) from $33,745
• 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLE (5/100) from $56,150

These CR surveys study 17 troublesome areas ranging from smaller issues such as squeaky brakes or broken interior trim to transmission repairs or 4-wheel drive issues. The vehicle models included in the survey must have been on the market with available data for at least two years to qualify.

California Lemon Law Attorney James Johnson

Has the purchase of a new vehicle with ongoing problems left a bitter taste in your mouth? Did your vehicle have a major safety issue or defect? Are you concerned for your safety due to these issues or are you tired of repeated trips to the dealership? If so, you may need legal help. Also, if a vehicle is stuck in the shop for 30 days or more, you may have a cause for legal action.

California Lemon Law Attorney James Johnson will review your potential lemon law case and let you know if it qualifies as a lemon.

We recommend that you obtain an invoice for all repairs and recall visits from the dealership. These documents will support your lemon case. Should the vehicle experience repeated issues or become a safety risk, these documents support the Lemon Law Claim. Johnson Attorneys Group is well known by auto manufacturers as a strong advocate for consumers and our firm is highly knowledgeable about the rules for the California lemon law. Contact us for a free case review at 1-800-235-6801.