Every year, thousands of vehicles are sold to consumers with parts that don’t work or function as they should. While some defects are harmless, others can be extremely dangerous to passengers and others on the road. Known as lemons, these faulty vehicles must legally be repaired, replaced, or refunded by the manufacturer. 

Almost every car company has sold a vehicle with a defective part at one point or another. However, certain manufacturers repeatedly manufacture, market, and sell lemon cars. 

Here’s a list of the car companies notorious for selling lemons, as well as a few of the most recent cases.

 

Which Car Manufacturers Sell the Most Lemons?

A lot goes into tracking lemon law statistics, so it’s hard to definitively say which car company has the most lemons. 

A 2016 study by AutoGuide.com, often cited for lemon law insights, analyzed complaints from auto forums. It was found that Fiat, Cadillac, General Motors, and Ford were among the top producers of lemons.

 

Car Companies That Historically Produced the Most Lemons

 

FIAT

Historically speaking, Fiat produces the most lemon cars. AutoGuide.com says the company makes about one lemon for every 76,808 vehicles manufactured. In contrast, Toyota has the best track record, with only one lemon for every 11,655,566 vehicles. 

 

Some of the Most Recent Fiat Lemons Include:

• 2019-2023 Fiat 500X and 2024 Fiat 500e
• 2013 – 2018 Fiat 500
• 2013-2018 Fiat 500C
• 2013-2018 Fiat 500L
• 2013-2018 Fiat 500X 
• 2013-2018 Fiat 500 Pop 
• 2013-2018 Fiat 124 Spider 
• 2013-2018 Fiat 500e

 

Common Problems Include:

• Transmission problems like jerking, lunging, or not working properly
• Leaks of oil, coolant, or other fluids
• Misalignment issues
• Electrical or computer system malfunctions
• Engine trouble, such as failure, power loss, or sluggish performance
• Brake overheating or failure
• Vibrations in the axles, transmission, steering, or brakes
• Warning lights “check engine” turning on

 

FORD

Ford revolutionized modern cars and mass production, but it’s also frequently involved in lemon law cases. Some of the most recent models that turned out to be lemons include recalls of Ford Explorers and Ford Escapes.

 

Ford Explorer (2011-2019)

In January 2024, Ford recalled over 1.8 million Explorers due to improperly secured A-pillar trim retention clips. If these clips fail, the trim can detach and fall off the vehicle, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

There was one alleged crash and two alleged injuries related to this problem.

 

FORD ESCAPE (2008-2013)

This popular, budget-friendly vehicle surprised consumers with its hidden flaws, which typically ranged from minor issues to serious safety concerns. Common complaints included: 

• Warning lights for the engine, tire pressure, and airbags
• Loss of power, stalling, and starting difficulties
• Suspension and brake issues
• Problems with the A/C and infotainment system
• Transmission failures
• Steering, alignment, and pulling defects

 

FORD FOCUS (2008-2013)

Like the Ford Escape, the Focus came with a myriad of mechanical problems that led to consumer complaints, including: 

• Transmission trouble
• Car-jerking and difficulty steering 
• Overheated gear shift and loss of power
• Engine stalling
• Steering problems
• Faulty door latches
• Suspension issues

 

GENERAL MOTORS

General Motors, maker of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC, is a top U.S. automaker. However, its vehicles often face safety issues during the warranty period.

 

Chevy Bolt (2017-2019)

In 2020, GM recalled their 2017-2019 Chevy Bolts due to a battery defect that increased the risk of fire when fully charged. Owners were advised to park their vehicles away from homes after charging and to avoid charging the batteries overnight.

 

Chevy Silverado, Tahoe, Suburbans, Etc. (2015-present) 

You may remember when General Motors issued a recall for over a million vehicles in 2018 due to power steering issues, which had already led to thirty car accidents and multiple injuries. These vehicles were included in the recall: 

• 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• 2015 GMC Sierra 1500
• 2015 Cadillac Escalade
• 2015 Chevrolet Tahoe
• 2015 Chevrolet Suburban
• 2015 GMC Yukon

Most of these models continue to be plagued with defects, including 10-speed transmission problems and fuel injector issues. 

 

Which Car Companies Sold the Most Lemons in 2024?

Some of these brands might look familiar, but the carmakers with the most lemons in 2024 don’t always have the worst overall track records. 

The data below is based on recalls issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2024. It’s important to note that a recall doesn’t automatically mean a car is a lemon. Recalls are issued all the time for defects that don’t immediately affect safety or value. 

However, recalls for serious issues like fire risks, loss of steering or power, or anything that raises the chance of an accident are a big deal. These are the kinds of problems that can lead to lemon law claims.

 

Chrysler

Chrysler has sold the most lemon cars in 2024. The NHTSA issued 62 safety recalls for Chrysler vehicles, affecting about 4.3 million cars. 

Chrysler’s issues in 2024 included: 

• Airbag and seatbelt malfunctions
• Electrical systems not working properly
• Electronic stability control (ESC) problems
• Exterior lighting and visibility issues
• Backover prevention concerns
• Service brake problems 
• Power train and hybrid propulsion system issues

 

Ford

Ford is tied for the top spot in 2024 with 62 vehicle recalls. From engine intake valves breaking to rearview camera images not displaying properly, several of Ford’s most popular models had issues, including, but not limited to:

• 2011-2019 Explorer
• 2014 F-150
• 2021-2024 Bronco Sport and 2022-2023 Maverick for loss of driver power from undetected low battery
• 2022-2024 Maverick with Connected Touch Radios (CTR)
• 2020-2024 Lincoln Aviator
• 2021-2022 Bronco, F-150, Edge, Explorer, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Aviator with either a 2.7L or 3.0L Nano EcoBoost engine. 

 

BMW

BMW ranked third in 2024 for the number of recalls, with 34 in total. While the brand is celebrated for luxury and performance, consumers have raised concerns about quality and reliability due to issues like:

• Airbag malfunctions
• Electrical system failures
• Structural problems
• Steering and suspension defects

 

What to Do If You Have a Lemon

Purchasing or leasing one of the vehicles mentioned above doesn’t automatically mean yours is unsafe to drive. That said, we urge you to stay informed of your rights as a consumer and up-to-date with recent recalls, defects, and complaints. You can search for your car or a specific defect on CarComplaints.com.

 

Contact Our Experienced California Lemon Law Attorneys

If you have any specific questions about your 2019 or newer vehicle, don’t hesitate to contact Norman Taylor & Associates! Our head attorney, Norman Taylor, focuses his practice solely on California lemon law. He even wrote the book on lemon law that’s used by juries in all California lemon law cases. 

Call 818-244-3905 or click the button below to get started with a FREE, no-obligation consultation today.

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