Automakers are not in the business of making lemon cars. They have stringent processes to ensure that a minimum of defective cars roll off their production lines. But with more than 30,000 parts in the average car, it is almost impossible to completely eliminate the potential for defects.
There are no hard and fast numbers on how many lemon cars are produced each year. Research by Frontier Group found 0.45% of new vehicle registrations in California had Lemon Law claims from 2018 to 2021. Their research also found that General Motors had the highest number of Lemon Law claims, while Toyota had the fewest.
Approximately 2.00% of All Vehicles Sold Are Lemons
While the Frontier Group research is valuable, it likely represents an undercount of the actual number of lemon cars on the road. Their methodology relies on reviewing court cases, which is the last resort for many lemon car owners. Around half of those who purchase a lemon car will be satisfied if the defect is eventually repaired, even though they wind up taking a huge hit to the vehicle’s resale value. In states like Florida and Georgia, where the Lemon Law requires vehicle owners to request a “final repair attempt” before they can go to court, manufacturers may work overtime to ensure that repairs are complete. If a vehicle has been leased, the dealership may simply swap it out for one without problems. We believe these situations account for half of all lemon cars sold in the United States, or 1.00% of all vehicles sold annually.
Of the remaining 1.00% of vehicles sold that are lemons, some owners take advantage of manufacturer programs to replace the vehicle. At Bad Vehicle, we believe that half of those who have unrepaired lemon cars will not sue and will look for some other way of resolving their issues with a manufacturer. That leaves approximately 0.50% of owners who will use the Lemon Law, which is close to the number Frontier Research uncovered in its survey of California court cases.
Is Your Car a Lemon?
A lemon car typically meets the following criteria:
It Has a Substantial Defect That Falls Under Warranty
One of the first factors that can qualify a broken-down car as a lemon is if it has substantial defects that are covered by the warranty. Defects have to not only be substantial, but also need to comprise the car’s safety, value or use. Note that the vehicle warranty must be in effect, which typically means that you bought the vehicle new from a dealership in the last 24 months, and that all repairs have been performed at a manufacturer-owned dealership.
For instance, if there is a factory flaw with your airbag system or braking system, this will almost definitely qualify you for protection under the Lemon Law.
On the other hand, if your new car has a couple of wires to the radio that are loose, this probably won’t mean your car is a lemon. A lemon car can have electrical faults, but they need to impact driving or safety features. For example, if your indicator system is faulty, this can comprise your safety and the operation of your car.
Numerous Repair Attempts Have Been Made
In general, at least three attempts must be made to fix the same problem before a vehicle can be considered a lemon car. If your vehicle has a defect that’s covered by your warranty, the manufacturer is allowed to make multiple attempts to fix the problem. In some states, you must then ask for a “final repair attempt” by the manufacturer before you can proceed with a Lemon Law claim. The Florida and Georgia lemon laws both take effect if the same repair has been attempted 3 times within the first 24 months of ownership.
The 24-month allowance period starts on the day you take ownership of your new vehicle. This might not sound like a lot of time, but it is usually long enough for lemon car symptoms to develop. One survey of new vehicle owners found that more than two-thirds of lemon cars show symptoms within one month of purchase.
The Dealership Takes Longer Than 30 Days to Fix the Vehicle
Lemon Laws in Georgia and Florida take effect if a vehicle has been in service for 30 or more days. This does not need to be continuous; if there are 3 repair attempts lasting 10 days each, or 2 lasting 15 days each, the vehicle will qualify.
In some cases, time in the service bay can automatically qualify a broken-down vehicle as a lemon. If the vehicle is in service for 30 days or more for a single repair, this may be enough to file a Lemon Law claim.
Is Your Broken Down Car a Lemon? Contact Us
If any of the above criteria apply to you, you may have a lemon car. Bad Vehicle helps vehicle owners enforce their warranty rights against vehicle manufacturers. Consultations are free, and there is no charge for our services unless you win a settlement in your Lemon Law claim.
Contact us online today or call us at 786-297-8977 to learn about your rights and your status under the Lemon Law. Our experienced Lemon Law attorney can handle every aspect of your claim and let you know if your claim is likely to result in a settlement.