You bought a new car. You did everything right. You researched the model, compared prices, signed the paperwork, and drove it off the lot. And then the problems started.
Maybe it was a warning light that wouldn’t go off. Maybe the engine started doing something it definitely shouldn’t be doing. Maybe you’ve been back to the dealership three, four, five times, and nobody can seem to fix it. Whatever it is, something is wrong, and you’re starting to wonder if you got stuck with a lemon.
You might have. And if you did, you have rights.
Lemon laws exist to protect consumers who end up with defective vehicles that manufacturers can’t, or won’t, fix. Understanding whether your situation qualifies starts with knowing what kinds of defects actually matter. Here are the five most common vehicle defects that can qualify your car as a lemon.
Engine Problems
The engine is the heart of your vehicle, and defects here are among the most serious ( and most common) issues lemon law cases involve. Engine problems present in a lot of ways: excessive oil consumption, stalling at highway speeds, rough idling, overheating, unusual knocking or ticking sounds, or a check engine light that refuses to stay off, no matter how many times the dealership clears it.
What makes engine defects particularly strong candidates for lemon law claims is that they directly affect the safety and usability of the vehicle. If your car stalls unexpectedly in traffic or overheats on the highway, that’s not a minor inconvenience; that’s a dangerous situation. And if the dealership has attempted to repair the issue multiple times without success, you may be well within your rights to pursue a claim.
Transmission Defects
Transmission problems are another frequent culprit. Hesitation when shifting gears, slipping between gears, grinding or shuddering during acceleration, and delayed engagement when moving from park to drive are all signs that something is wrong with the transmission.
Like engine defects, transmission issues can render a vehicle unsafe or substantially impair its use. They’re also notoriously difficult to diagnose and repair, which means many owners find themselves in an exhausting cycle of dealership visits without ever getting a real fix. That pattern is exactly the kind of situation lemon laws are designed to address.
Electrical System Failures
Electrical defects have become increasingly common in recent years. Problems with the electrical system can affect almost anything: the infotainment system, power windows, door locks, backup cameras, driver assistance features, dashboard displays, or the vehicle’s ability to start reliably.
Electrical defects are tricky because they can show up one day and disappear the next, making them difficult for technicians to reproduce during a service visit. That inconsistency doesn’t disqualify you from lemon law protection. If the defect substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle, it counts, even if the dealership claims they couldn’t replicate it.
Brake and Steering Issues
Few things are more alarming than a vehicle that doesn’t stop the way it should, or doesn’t go where you’re pointing it. Brake defects can include excessive pedal travel, grinding or squealing that persists after service, brake fade, or a pedal that feels soft or spongy. Steering defects might show up as pulling to one side, vibration in the steering wheel, stiffness, or unresponsive handling.
Both of these issues are serious safety concerns, which is why they’re taken seriously under lemon law statutes. A car that can’t brake or steer reliably isn’t just defective, it’s a hazard to you, your passengers, and everyone else on the road. If your vehicle has a documented history of brake or steering problems that the manufacturer hasn’t been able to resolve, that may be a strong foundation for a claim.
Persistent Warning Lights and Onboard Diagnostic Issues
This one surprises some people, but it’s real. A warning light that keeps coming back (check engine, ABS, airbag, transmission, or any other system alert) can be the basis for a lemon law claim when it’s accompanied by an underlying defect the dealer can’t fix.
Warning lights exist for a reason. When they keep appearing despite repeated repair attempts, it signals that something in the vehicle’s system isn’t functioning as designed. Combine that with documentation of multiple service visits, and you have exactly the kind of paper trail that supports a valid lemon law case.
What Makes A Car A Lemon?
Understanding what makes a car a lemon comes down to a few key factors. In general, the defect must substantially impair the use, value, or safety of the vehicle. The manufacturer must have been given a reasonable number of attempts to fix it, typically defined by your state’s lemon law statute. And, the problems must have occurred within a certain mileage or time window, usually tied to the original warranty period.
The specifics vary by state, which is why having experienced legal guidance matters.
Krohn & Moss, Ltd. – Fighting for Consumers
If any of this sounds familiar, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Krohn & Moss, Ltd. Consumer Law Center® has spent decades standing up for consumers across the country who were sold or leased defective vehicles.
The consultation is free, the process is straightforward, and, if you qualify, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle, a refund, or cash compensation.
You bought a car that was supposed to work. Let’s make sure you get what you paid for.
Contact Krohn & Moss today for a free case review.
