Are you curious as to whether the problem your car is experiencing is fairly common? This is a reasonable question, and in this article, we’ll discuss some common reasons any car could become a lemon (a car that has an unrepairable defect), the most common things car owners complain about in California lemon law cases, the Car Complaint Index, and the most difficult cars to repair.
In general, a car is most unlikely to develop a problem that can’t be fixed or won’t stay fixed due to a fundamental flaw in the way it was designed (such as the Ford Pinto’s gas tank being right behind the rear bumper and exploding when rear-ended). Bad parts from the manufacturer can also be to blame. Most American auto parts are manufactured in China, and sometimes there are unforeseen shipping problems or a bad batch. Maybe there was an “off day” at the plant that made the parts…maybe a fire, accident, or weather event interrupted the normal routine.
These are the most popular car complaints we see over and over in California lemon law cases.
If your car’s problem isn’t one of these, that doesn’t mean it isn’t or can’t be a lemon. Maybe your trunk won’t stay latched shut – it doesn’t matter, as long as the issue is ongoing after multiple trips to the repair shop.
Like the S&P 500 or Dow Jones Industrial measure stock performance, the Car Complaint Index shows the number of complaints a car receives versus the number of those cars on the road. Here are the highest ranking cars and manufacturers on the index:
18. Chevrolet Equinox
17. Cadillac XT5
16. Tesla Model X
15. Nissan Titan
14. Volvo XC90
13. Jeep Renegade
12. Chevrolet Bolt
11. Jeep Grand Cherokee
10. Dodge Durango
9. Mercedes-Benz CLA
8. Mercedes-Benz GLC
7. Dodge Journey
6. Jeep Cherokee
5. Ford Fusion Energi
4. Hyundai Tucson
3. Tesla Model S
2. Chrysler Pacifica
1. Hyundai Santa Fe
According to reports, these cars are the most challenging for mechanics to successfully repair:
These high-performance cars contain so many computerized and specialty components that repairing them is particularly tough (and costly).
Consult with a California Lemon Law Attorney. Would you like a lemon law professional to examine whether your car qualifies as a lemon under California law? We can help! If your car is a 2017 model or newer, has been repaired multiple times with no success, and has under 60,000 miles, get a free case evaluation today.
Valerie G. Fernandez Campbell, known as The Lemon Law Lady, has dedicated her entire legal career to the specialized field of Lemon Law, a journey that began immediately after her
graduation from UCLA School of Law.
With a 99% success rate and a policy of no fees unless you win, her practice stands as a testament to her expertise in California’s Lemon Law, her commitment to her clients, and her unwavering dedication to justice and consumer rights.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Valerie G. Fernandez Campbell, personally handled over 500 lemon law cases and settlements.
