Vehicle Manufacturers With the Most Lemon Law Claims in 2024
October 13, 2025- Categories: Lemon Law
In just the past few years, cars, trucks, and SUVs have been built with more components and have become more complicated than ever before. What that means, however, is that every vehicle has the potential to develop a defect that requires repair from its manufacturer. Some of these, such as outdated software versions, are simple enough to be fixed remotely. Others, however, require the vehicle’s owner to bring it to a dealership facility. Vehicle recall notices can also indicate vehicle models with persistent safety or performance issues that need immediate, manual fixes.
For many vehicle manufacturers, lemon law claims for these defective vehicles continue to be ever-present, even as these same manufacturers reap higher profits from vehicle sales than in decades past. With that in mind, it’s wise to recognize which manufacturers most frequently produce lemons so that consumers like yourself can shop with confidence.
If you have a defective vehicle that cannot be repaired and whose manufacturer will not replace or refund it, contact Neale & Fhima APC at 949-661-1007.
The List of Manufacturers With the Most Lemon Law Claims: 2024 Edition
Certain Names Face Elevated Numbers of Recalls
No vehicle manufacturer is immune from producing defective vehicles, otherwise known as “lemons,” but some manufacturers still produce more of these potentially dangerous vehicles than others. And when it comes to determining which of the major auto manufacturers have faced the most lemon law claims, 2024 data provides us with an interesting lineup. Based on the most recent data, the manufacturing companies that produce the most lemon vehicles are as follows:
General Motors
It is estimated that General Motors, the parent company behind several well-known auto brands, such as Chevrolet, Cadillac, and GMC, produces one lemon for every 78 vehicles it sells. Consumers should, therefore, do their due diligence when considering vehicles like Chevy Silverados and GMC Sierra pickup trucks.
Jaguar Land Rover North America
Despite being two distinct names in the auto industry, Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles are both manufactured by the same company. Thus, it is unsurprising that the two brands’ offerings are more likely to be lemons than others. Approximately one out of every 83 vehicles the company sells will turn out to be a lemon. Consumers must carefully weigh that fact with these vehicles’ image and style before making a purchase.
Ford
The Ford lineup, including the Maverick, F-150, Bronco, Bronco Sport, and Explorer, is among those that see the most safety recalls. Also on the list is the Lincoln Avatar, a make and model that the Ford Motor Company manufactures. Ultimately, for every 148 vehicles Ford sells, at least one of those vehicles is considered a lemon.
Nissan North America
Unlike its competitors, Honda and Toyota, Nissan produces a significant number of vehicles that are the subject of lemon law claims. Estimates suggest that one lemon law case will be filed against the company for every 115 vehicles sold. That ratio is shocking when stacked against American Honda Motor Company’s one-to-575 ratio and Toyota’s one-to-2,029 ratio.
Kia
Kia produces several popular vehicle models, including the Telluride, Sorento Hybrid, K5, Sorento Hybrid, and EV6. However, defects and safety recalls for these cars and SUVs can occur in numbers 4.6 to 6.9 times the auto industry’s median number, and about one out of every 242 Kia vehicles sold will give rise to a lemon law case.
Stellanis/Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Fiat Chrysler Auto merged with Peugeot S.A. in 2021 to form Stellanis, which now manufactures popular brands like Jeep, Dodge, Fiat, and Ram. With such a wide variety, it makes sense that Stellanis/Fiat Chrysler sells one lemon for every 107 vehicles sold.
Manufacturers With the Least Lemon Law Claims
Five major car manufacturers have approximately one lemon law case filed per 900 vehicles sold or higher. These manufacturers and their ratios of lemon law claims to vehicles sold are:
- Subaru: One lemon law case for every 880 vehicles sold
- Mitsubishi Motors North America: One case for every 982 vehicles sold
- Tesla: One case per 1,553 vehicles sold
- Mazda Motor of America: One claim for every 1,571 vehicles sold
- Toyota: One claim for every 2,029 vehicles sold.
While these lemon law ratios can be helpful to keep in mind when purchasing a vehicle, they should be just one piece of information considered. Consumers can also consult the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to see if the make and model they are thinking about buying has been the subject of any safety recalls.
Every vehicle has the potential to develop a defect. Understanding which manufacturers are most likely to do so can go a long way in deciding which auto brands to purchase from.
Basics of California Lemon Law Claims
What Is Considered a Lemon?
California’s lemon law protects consumers if they purchase a new vehicle that they later discover has a significant defect; it also applies to some used vehicles. Before they can exercise their rights, however, their vehicle must qualify as a “lemon,” as defined by the law. There are several elements that any vehicle must meet before it can be considered a lemon, which include the following:
- The vehicle must be a new or used car, truck, SUV, motorcycle, RV, or utility vehicle.
- The vehicle must be purchased for personal use, not for any commercial purpose.
- The vehicle must still be under the manufacturer’s warranty.
- The defect must substantially impair the value, safety, or functioning of the vehicle.
- The manufacturer must be given a reasonable opportunity to fix the defect.
Indeed, not every vehicle with a defect can meet the legal definition of a “lemon.” Only if these five elements are met can the buyer file a California lemon law claim.
Time Limitations
Any California lemon law claim must be filed within the current statute of limitations. In 2025, that is one year from the date the manufacturer’s warranty expires or six years after delivery of the vehicle. The consumer’s claim must be filed before either of these events comes to pass, or they can lose the ability to seek damages.
Relief Available to Buyers Who Purchase a Lemon
Buyers who purchase a lemon and who timely file a claim can choose one of two forms of compensation. First, they can demand the manufacturer replace the lemon with an identical, non-defective vehicle. The manufacturer will also be expected to pay any applicable taxes and registration fees for that new vehicle, but the consumer will not receive any kind of direct refund.
Second, the customer could push the manufacturer to buy the lemon back. In this case, the manufacturer would refund the purchase price, taxes, registration fee, and any other charges the consumer paid for the lemon. The manufacturer can, however, deduct a small amount for any wear and tear on the vehicle incurred between the date of purchase and the discovery of the defect.
In a few select cases, the consumer may be able to negotiate a cash settlement with the manufacturer. Such a settlement would allow the consumer to keep the defective vehicle and receive a cash payment representing the difference between a non-defective vehicle and the consumer’s lemon.
Contact Neale & Fhima APC for Assistance With Your Claim
California has one of the most consumer-friendly lemon laws in the country. Nevertheless, navigating its provisions and getting the relief you are entitled to can still prove challenging. Moreover, manufacturers often resist responding to lemon law claims and avoid the financial burden of these claims whenever possible. A skilled California lemon law attorney can help.
Neale & Fhima APC has over 40 years of combined experience handling California lemon law claims against all major auto manufacturers, boasting a 99 percent success rate. The firm’s attorneys take a personal interest in their clients’ circumstances and are committed to helping them receive the remedies they deserve as quickly as possible.
If your vehicle has a defect that the manufacturer cannot or will not fix, you may have a claim under California’s lemon law. Contact Neale & Fhima APC at 949-661-1007 to discuss your situation and next steps.
Attorney Aaron Fhima
Attorney Aaron Fhima is a trial attorney who has secured numerous settlements and verdicts against large corporations and some of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. Representing consumers and injury victims throughout the state of California, Aaron’s practice areas include personal injury, and lemon law litigation. Aaron has a long record of success taking on large defense firms; and he doesn’t hesitate to take cases to trial when necessary to enforce his clients’ rights.
