People search it online all the time: Which cars get the most lemon law complaints? People want to know so they can avoid these vehicles, or if they really like a model, they want to dig into the data and find out more about the complaints.
One point that must be stressed is that recalled vehicles aren’t automatically classed as lemons. Vehicles have to satisfy state lemon law criteria as exhibiting an unrepairable substantial defect that severely impacts its use, value, or safety (plus other criteria, which vary by state). A recall itself, though, can be used as part of the evidence in a lemon law claim to help prove the substantial defect. However, a pattern of consumer complaints could lead to a voluntary recall for those affected models to get a fix for the part or system to stem the tide of lemon law claims.
Research Doesn’t Always Prevent People from Buying Lemon Vehicles
We’ll get into how to research complaints (there’s a whole ecosystem online for doing that). Ultimately, even with due diligence, one can still unfortunately sometimes buy a lemon vehicle. If that happens, you don’t have to go it alone. Top lemon law attorneys offer free consultations (866-440-2460) where you can present your evidence. If your claim is valid, the attorney can fight for your rights to hold the manufacturer accountable for compensation.
The Vehicles with the Most Lemon Law Complaints and How to Track Them
First, it can be helpful to note the difference between a complaint and a recall:
| Feature | Lemon Law Claim | Manufacturer Recall |
| Scope | Applies to your specific car and its unique repair history. | Applies to an entire model year or production batch. |
| Goal | To get a refund (buyback) or a replacement vehicle. | To provide a free repair for a known safety defect. |
| Acknowledgment | These claims often settle out of court, but the manufacturer may try to avoid or dismiss them. | Manufacturer officially admits there is a defect. |
Next, you’ll want to know which vehicles actually get the most lemon law complaints. We’ve tracked these last year and historically, too. There is no one main list; often people check multiple sources, such as Consumer Reports and the top government source, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. We’ll dig into the NHTSA website shortly.
These vehicles are often listed among the ones with the most lemon law complaints:
- Ford F-150: Is often at the top of the list because of transmission failures, engine stalling, electrical issues, and many complaints/recalls.
- Ford Explorer: Like with the F-150, this model has similar transmission, engine, and electrical problems.
- Tesla Model Y: There are many reports of software glitches, build quality issues, problems with battery/range, and frequent lemon law filings.
- Tesla Model 3: Like the Model Y, this model can suffer from software, electrical, and quality complaints.
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500: Often highlighted for engine overheating, electrical faults, and other persistent defects.
Note that the high volumes of sales of these vehicles may also contribute to overall higher lemon law complaints.
For more information on arbitration and other frequently asked lemon law questions, click here.
So, to investigate those models with high lemon law claims further, you have several resources you can use, starting with the comprehensive NHTSA website.
How to Use the NHTSA Website to Check Complaints and Recalls
Regarding the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you can visit their NHTSA data page. Consumers can enter their own data and view others’ complaints, and the NHTSA also provides recall records. For example, you could download the 2025-2026 complaint data and review it by model. You’ll see exactly what people reported, such as (this is a composite narrative): ‘I was driving 55 mph on a highway when suddenly the vehicle braked for no reason.’
You can search a number of data sets on the NHTSA website, in addition to recalls. Plus, they have a dedicated section for people who wish to compare vehicles before they buy. Simply search for one type of vehicle, and click it to save. Then search for another and click to save that as well, setting up your two-vehicle comparison. Clicking the blue ‘Compare’ button takes you to an informative screen where the two vehicles are broken out in several categories, such as safety and technology features.
Note: One key point to watch for is ‘Manufacturer Communications,’ which may show a number in that column. This number (if there is one; some say 0) stands for internal manufacturer and dealer communications. You may need to go to the main NHTSA page and enter the vehicle year and make/model to get to a screen where those manufacturer communications can be accessed. Your lemon law attorney will review these communications, should NHTSA have any data on these, and will know how to use them in building your case.
Image Source: Pexels
Doing Research Before You Buy
What if you haven’t bought your car yet? Maybe you’re between vehicles and you’re shopping for a new one, or this will be your first car. You’re likely in the research phase, and you hope to avoid or reduce the chance of getting a lemon.
Beyond Tracking Complaints: Vehicle Research Tips
All the information we provided above that you can get on the NHTSA website is a great place to begin your research. But what if you need overall guidance on how to do your research?
Our post will help you break down, step by step, good research practices that may help you reduce the chances that you will buy a lemon.
Note that you can also make comparisons and dig deep with vehicle research on Kelley Blue Book, CARFAX, Edmunds.com and many more vehicle information websites.
What If You Currently Own a Defective Vehicle?
Maybe you own a malfunctioning car and have started to wonder if it could be a lemon. We mentioned earlier that a lemon vehicle must exhibit an unrepairable, substantial defect that severely impacts its use, value, or safety. The best way to find out if your vehicle is a lemon is to meet with a lemon law attorney. The free consultations we referred to are an excellent way for consumers to find out where they stand regarding state lemon law. They help take the guesswork out of what you’re dealing with and can give you a logical path forward.
Lemon laws are confusing. Read our guide to the lemon law complaint process.
So, let’s say you’ve already had your car in the shop for 15 days, and you’ve brought it in for two repairs, and the same problem keeps happening. Most states, unless the issue is a major safety threat, allow 3-4 repair attempts to the manufacturer. When you meet with a lemon law attorney, you can go over what has occurred with the problem and attempted repairs. You can also show the lawyer correspondence between you and the dealer and manufacturer, plus other evidence you have, such as photos, videos, and more.
Learn more about how to get the most out of your free consultation. Check out our post on What to Expect During a Lemon Law Consultation with an Attorney. Among the tips is a link to our list of questions to ask the lawyer.
Is it Possible to Totally Prevent Buying a Lemon Vehicle?
No research methods are perfect, and knowing the vehicles that get the most lemon law complaints is only the first step when considering a new (or pre-owned) car. Even if you find reliable vehicles to consider, there inevitably will be a few in every production cycle that can be problematic. All a person can do is their best research. Then, when all else fails and you end up with a lemon anyway, remember that a skilled lemon law attorney is your best defense against being stuck with a defective vehicle.
Variables out of your control: In this era of exponential growth in automotive technology, there are also more chances that vehicles can malfunction; there are too many software glitches and system issues that can potentially crop up. With that in mind, the list of models with the most lemon law complaints may become more fluid in coming years as different high-tech vehicles become operational. All these updates also push lemon laws into new directions, and as states grapple with understanding what constitutes a lemon in this new era, it will be more important than ever to be represented by an experienced lemon law attorney should your vehicle be defective.
Trust Allen Stewart, P.C. for Expert Lemon Law Representation
As we’ve seen, finding out which vehicles get the most lemon law complaints can lead to a wider discussion about how to give yourself a better chance of not buying a lemon vehicle. Even with careful research, the changing vehicle landscape, with computerized features central to vehicle function, introduces variables no one can fully account for. That’s why you need a top lemon law attorney to protect your rights.
Allen Stewart, P.C. provides you with a winning track record of holding manufacturers accountable for vehicles exhibiting substantial defects. Our lemon law attorneys are well-known in California, New York, Texas, and around the country. We’ve won hundreds of cases and are not intimidated by manufacturers who may try to avoid, dismiss, or diminish your claim.
You may wonder if you need a lawyer. Please know that the manufacturer will defend its interests with its attorneys. You need an experienced lemon law lawyer who has stood up proactively for clients’ rights and won them compensation for their defective vehicles. You will not have to pay us to represent you, as the manufacturer is obligated to pay your attorney fees when you win your case.
Don’t wait to contact Allen Stewart, P.C. Time is of the essence with lemon law claims. Call us now (866-440-2460) or schedule your free consultation online.