Nobody wants to wind up with a lemon when buying a new car. This means significant market research is important, and many people turn to the popular Consumer Reports magazine for trustworthy advice on everything from drive quality to reliability when it comes to new cars on the market. Consumer Reports reviews nearly every car on the market for every model year for numerous criteria, including build quality and reliability. On this blog, we examine their bottom-ten list for reliability for the 2016 model year.

Fiat 500L – CR noted that the Italian automaker’s hatchback had the worst reliability rating amongst all new-model cars. Brand new models usually take a few years before companies can work all of the bugs out of their designs, but this one is noted to be particularly bad, making it a prime lemon target.

Ford Fiesta – Many of Ford’s sedans have received numerous complains for a poorly-designed clutch. This means jolting shifts and transmission slipping are common, and in many cases Ford can’t even fix the problem. Expect a lot of these vehicles to be subjected to lemon claims.

Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon – Based on essentially the same platform, the Tahoe/Yukon may be aesthetically pleasing, but has extensive problems with the power equipment, including the 4-wheel drive system and power steering.

Ram 2500 – CR reports this Chrysler-manufactured pickup truck is rife with issues in everything from the 4-wheel drive components to the power steering, to even its emissions controls. Chrysler recently landed in hot water after it was discovered they cheated emissions tests, similar to Volkswagen.

Tesla Model X – Tesla’s struggles with their fully-electric crossover vehicle have been well-documented, including those with the unique “falcon-wing” style doors. However, the electronic features in the car, including the door locks, power equipment, and climate system are all riddled with bugs still.

Chrysler 200 – This car is known for being as mediocre in quality as it is unreliable. The transmission has been a real sore spot for owners, with rough shifting and violent jerking leading to gear slipping and locking-up being some of the most commonly-reported issues.

Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL – Similar to the Tahoe/Yukon, these larger versions have even more documented problems, particularly in the transmission which shifts exceedingly rough, leading to slipping. The 4-wheel drive system is also deeply flawed and needs regular repairs for some units.

Jeep Renegade – Another Chrysler product to appear on this list, the Renegade is rife with issues in the drive system. Consumer Reports also noted that the vehicle vibrates excessively while idling, which can lead to a lot of problems for cars with features breaking.

Ford Focus – Much like its little sister the Fiesta, the Focus suffers from a horribly-designed clutch that jerks and shifts violently. Ford’s troubles with the clutches in these cars have been well-documented, and replacements are not all that uncommon.

Cadillac Escalade – General Motors did not have a solid year when it comes to the reliability of their large SUVs. The Escalade has been noted for similar issues to the Tahoe/Suburban/Yukon lines: 4-wheel drive system issues, rough shifting leading to transmission replacements, and power equipment failure.

If you have purchased any of these car models and been frustrated by a constant need to repair any of these listed issues, you may be able to make a claim through the California Lemon Law. A California lemon law attorney from Norman Taylor & Associates have an extensive history of successful suits, and have recovered more than $120 million for clients to help them get a new, trustworthy, and safe car.

For a free case evaluation, call Norman Taylor & Associates today at 818.244.3905.