What Vehicles Are Considered Lemons?

Vehicles are considered lemons when they have a substantial defect that impairs use, value, or safety and the manufacturer or dealer fails to repair that defect after a reasonable number of attempts within the warranty period. In practice, this typically applies to new cars, SUVs, and light trucks, and in many states can also include leased and certain used vehicles still under warranty. The precise criteria vary by state, but consumers generally need documented, repeated repair attempts or significant days out of service to qualify for legal remedies.

The Legal Definition Under U.S. Lemon Laws

“Lemon” is a legal term under state lemon laws and the federal Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act. State statutes set out when a vehicle’s repeated, unfixable defects cross the line from frustration to a legal entitlement to a refund or replacement. While language and thresholds differ, the backbone is consistent: a substantial defect arising early in ownership, covered by warranty, and not repaired after reasonable attempts or extended time out of service.

Common thresholds used by states

Most states rely on similar benchmarks to determine whether a vehicle qualifies as a lemon. The following points capture the thresholds many state laws use to presume a vehicle is a lemon, though exact numbers and timelines can differ.

• Multiple repair attempts: Often three to four attempts for the same defect without a lasting fix.
• Serious safety issues: Fewer attempts (sometimes one or two) if the defect involves systems like brakes, steering, airbags, or fuel systems.
• Extended downtime: A cumulative period out of service—commonly around 30 days—within the coverage window.
• Early in ownership: Defects arise and are reported within a defined time or mileage window (frequently within the first 12–24 months or 12,000–24,000 miles).
• Under warranty: The problem must be covered by the manufacturer’s warranty and the manufacturer must be given a final opportunity to repair in many states.

Together, these criteria aim to distinguish occasional glitches from chronic, material problems that undermine a vehicle’s fundamental reliability or safety.

Which Vehicles Are Covered

Coverage depends on the state, but the scope of vehicles considered under lemon laws has broadened with modern ownership patterns and technology. The categories below reflect what is commonly covered, though you should verify specifics under your state’s statute.

• New passenger cars, SUVs, and light trucks purchased or registered in the state.
• Leased vehicles (in many states, lessees have the same rights as purchasers).
• Dealer-owned demonstrators and program cars treated as new at sale.
• Used vehicles still within the original manufacturer’s warranty; some states have separate “used car lemon laws” that impose minimum warranty protections.
• Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, including drivetrain, battery, and charging system defects when covered by warranty.
• Motorcycles in a number of states (coverage varies widely—check state law).
• Motorhomes/RVs in some states, though coverage may be limited to the chassis and drivetrain rather than the “house” components.
• Certain small-business or commercial vehicles below a specific weight (often with limits on fleet size or gross vehicle weight rating).

State statutes usually require that the vehicle be purchased or registered locally, used primarily for personal or household purposes, and covered by the manufacturer’s warranty at the time defects are reported.

Vehicles Often Not Considered Lemons

Not all problem vehicles qualify under lemon laws. The exclusions below are common across many jurisdictions and can prevent a claim from moving forward.

• Vehicles sold “as is” or out of warranty (unless covered by a state used-car lemon law or implied warranty rules).
• Defects caused by abuse, neglect, accidents, or unauthorized aftermarket modifications or tuning.
• Normal wear-and-tear or maintenance items (tires, brake pads, wiper blades) and minor cosmetic issues that don’t impair use, value, or safety.
• Private-party sales without warranties in most states.
• Heavy commercial vehicles above a state’s weight threshold or fleet vehicles outside statutory limits.
• Salvage or rebuilt-title cars, and vehicles with odometer tampering or flood damage not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.
• Claims brought after the state’s filing deadline or outside the statutory time/mileage windows.

Even when state lemon laws don’t apply, consumers may still have recourse under federal warranty law or state consumer protection statutes, especially if a written warranty exists.

Red Flags Your Vehicle May Qualify

Drivers often suspect “lemon status” long before they learn the legal language. The indicators below commonly show up in successful claims.

• The same problem returns three or more times despite dealer repairs.
• Critical safety systems fail or behave unpredictably (brakes, steering, airbags, high-voltage battery management, or unintended acceleration).
• The vehicle spends lengthy or repeated periods at the dealership for repairs, with accumulating days out of service.
• Persistent check-engine lights, power loss, battery range failures, thermal management faults, or charging malfunctions in EVs/plug-ins.
• Recurring defects documented early in ownership and within the warranty period.

Patterns matter: consistent, dated documentation showing repeat failures is often the difference between frustration and a successful lemon claim.

How to Protect Your Rights

If you suspect your vehicle is a lemon, timely and organized action is essential. The steps below reflect widely recommended best practices across states.

1. Document everything: keep repair orders, invoices, communications, mileage at each repair, and photos/video of symptoms.
2. Present the vehicle for repair promptly and ensure each visit’s concern is written on the repair order in your words.
3. Notify the manufacturer (not just the dealer) in writing—certified mail is best—and request a final repair opportunity if your state requires it.
4. Use the manufacturer’s arbitration or a state-run dispute program when required before filing suit.
5. Consult an attorney experienced in lemon law; many statutes allow recovery of attorney’s fees from the manufacturer if you prevail.
6. Consider a claim under the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act if your situation doesn’t fit your state’s lemon law but involves warranty breaches.
7. Track deadlines: statutes of limitation and presumption periods vary by state and can be strict.

Following these steps creates a clear record and preserves options, whether you resolve the case in arbitration or in court.

Remedies You Can Expect

When a vehicle qualifies as a lemon, state laws generally require the manufacturer to make you whole. The remedies below are the most common outcomes.

• Refund (buyback) of the purchase price, taxes, and certain fees, minus a usage deduction calculated by statute.
• Replacement with a comparable new vehicle, at your option in many states.
• Reimbursement of incidental and consequential damages, such as towing, rental cars, and diagnostic charges, when allowed.
• Payment of reasonable attorney’s fees and costs if you prevail.
• “Lemon buyback” branding on the title of repurchased vehicles in many states, to inform future buyers.

The exact formula for refunds and eligibility for add-on costs varies; read your state’s statute or consult counsel to understand what you can recover.

State-by-State Highlights

Because lemon law details differ, a few high-level examples illustrate the range of approaches. Always verify specifics with your state attorney general or consumer protection office.

• California: The Song–Beverly Consumer Warranty Act presumes a lemon when serious defects persist within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, with benchmarks for repair attempts and days out of service; used cars remain covered if still under the manufacturer’s warranty.
• New York: Separate new and used car lemon laws offer protections within defined time/mileage windows; the used car law requires dealers to provide a limited warranty based on mileage at sale.
• Texas: The state program provides relief within an early ownership window and requires using the Texas DMV’s process; repair attempt and downtime thresholds are specified by rule.
• Florida, New Jersey, Washington, Massachusetts, and others: Each has its own presumption periods, repair-attempt counts, and arbitration requirements, including programs run by state agencies.

Even where lemon laws diverge, the core principle—persistent, unfixable defects early in ownership—remains consistent across jurisdictions.

Frequently Asked Clarifications

Some common misunderstandings can derail a claim or create false expectations. The points below address recurring questions.

• Recalls don’t automatically make a car a lemon; the issue must meet your state’s defect and repair thresholds.
• Used cars can be lemons if covered by remaining factory warranty or specific state used-car lemon laws.
• EV battery and range issues may qualify if they substantially impair use, value, or safety and are covered by warranty.
• Boats and off-road vehicles may fall outside state lemon laws, but federal warranty protections can still apply if a written warranty exists.
• You generally must give the manufacturer a reasonable chance to fix the problem before seeking a buyback or replacement.

Knowing these nuances helps set realistic expectations and shapes a stronger, compliant claim strategy.

Summary

A vehicle is considered a lemon when a substantial defect, arising early and covered by warranty, cannot be fixed after reasonable repair attempts or extended downtime. Most commonly this involves new cars, SUVs, and light trucks, but leased vehicles, certain used cars, motorcycles, RVs, and EVs may also qualify depending on the state. Document issues, notify the manufacturer, follow required dispute steps, and act within deadlines to preserve eligibility for a refund, replacement, or other statutory remedies.

What cars have the most lemons?

Top 5 Most Common Lemon Law Cars & The Manufacturers Behind Them

• Ford Explorer & F-150. Manufacturer: Ford.
• Tesla Model Y & Model 3. Manufacturer: Tesla.
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500 & Bolt EV. Manufacturer: General Motors (Chevrolet)
• Jeep Wrangler & Grand Cherokee. Manufacturer: Stellantis (Jeep)( )
• Hyundai Tucson & Kia Sportage.

What cars are known as lemons?

There is no official “lemon car” list, but many sources compile lists of historically problematic or unreliable vehicles based on consumer complaints, recalls, or legal actions. Some examples of vehicles frequently cited as “lemons” include the Edsel, Chevrolet Vega, Ford Pinto, DMC DeLorean, Yugo, Pontiac Aztek, and Tesla Model S due to chronic issues with performance, safety, or components. 
Examples of “Lemon” Vehicles
Here are some vehicles frequently mentioned on lists of problematic cars: 

• 1958-1960 Edsel
• 1971-1977 Chevrolet Vega
• 1971-1980 Ford Pinto
• 1981-1983 DMC DeLorean
• 1986-1991 Yugo GV
• 1996-2003 General Motors EV1
• 2001-2005 Pontiac Aztek
• Tesla Model S (various issues)
• Volkswagen Atlas (various issues)

What Qualifies a Car as a Lemon?
Under lemon laws, a “lemon” vehicle is defined by a substantial defect covered by the manufacturer’s warranty that impairs its use, value, or safety. The defect must not result from consumer abuse, neglect, or unauthorized modifications. A vehicle may be considered a lemon if it: 

• Has been repaired multiple times for the same issue without success.
• Has been out of service for repairs for a cumulative total of 20 or more days.

Where to Find More Information

• The Lemon Lawyers: provides lists of cars with high complaint ratios and recurring issues. 
• Wikipedia: maintains a list of automobiles known for negative reception, which often includes “lemon” candidates. 
• California Lemon Law Attorney websites: offer extensive lists of vehicles that have been subject to numerous complaints or lemon law claims. 

How many Toyotas are lemons?

A 2016 study found Toyota produced one lemon per 11,655,566 vehicles which is an impressive stat compared to other car brands. Honda and Mazda aren’t far behind, and even among luxury brands, Lexus comes out on top for dependability.

How can I tell if my car is a lemon?

Your car may be a lemon if you are dealing with:

1. Frequent Repair Needs.
2. Unresolved Safety Concerns. California’s lemon law protects consumers whose new vehicles have defects that make the vehicles unsafe to drive or compromise safety features.
3. Performance Issues.
4. Excessive Time Out of Service.