The auto industry is no stranger to lawsuits.
We’re dealing with brands that sell thousands and thousands of products across the globe every year. These companies keep extremely high-powered legal defense teams on retainer to combat lawsuits.
But which auto manufacturers in Los Angeles tend to get the most heat from consumers?
Should you be avoiding these brands when shopping for your next vehicle?
At Cline APC, a California lemon law firm, we don’t like telling car buyers to avoid specific brands. At the end of the day, mistakes happen – and ending up with a defective vehicle is a rare experience.
What we can do is advise you on the facts based on data from the Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety (CARS) Foundation. This study examined 34,397 California lemon law cases to find the manufacturers with the most claims against them. With this information, we can provide professional guidance on what to do if you were sold a motor vehicle with manufacturer defects.
Without further ado, let’s talk about the car brands with the most lawsuits.
1. General Motors
General Motors – or just GM – is a staple in the American automotive industry. Brands like Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, and Cadillac fall under the GM umbrella. According to the data, GM leads the list with the most lawsuits against it, with 1 lemon law case for every 78 vehicles sold.
2. Jaguar Land Rover North America
Jaguar, the popular luxury car brand based in the United Kingdom, has had many suits filed against it. Given the findings in the report, there was 1 California lemon law case for every 83 units sold – earning the second place spot on our list.
3. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles – FCA – is an Italian-based car company known for its unique catalog of compact cars. But the brand has had more than its fair share of lawsuits, with 1 California lemon law case for every 107 vehicles sold.
4. Nissan North America
Nissan is generally known for producing high-quality, fuel-efficient vehicles at reasonable prices. For the most part, the brand lives up to its reputation. However, there have been plenty of defective models sold in California – with 1 California lemon law case for every 115 products sold.
5. Ford
Known for producing highly robust trucks, Ford – arguably the most iconic automotive company in the American car industry – is a world leader in innovation. Unfortunately, they make this list of the auto manufacturers in Los Angeles with the highest number of lemon law cases against them. Ford comes in at 1 California lemon law claim for every 148 motor vehicles sold.
Think Your Vehicle May Have Manufacturer Defects?
Being the unlucky buyer of a lemon vehicle is a tough pill to swallow.
There’s never a “convenient” time to have car troubles – and it’s extremely frustrating when they are due to the manufacturer’s negligence. But we’ve got good news for you. The California lemon law is on your side.
If you have the slightest hunch your vehicle has manufacturer defects, the first order of business is understanding the basics of how California lemon law works. Additionally, it never hurts to speak with a Los Angeles lemon law lawyer to address any questions.
Qualifications of CA Lemon Law
Experiencing a defect from an auto manufacturer in Los Angeles does not necessarily mean you have a “lemon” under California’s law. For a defective vehicle to be eligible for legal recourse, it must meet the following criteria:
- The vehicle was sold with a written warranty – either an original manufacturer warranty or a dealer warranty;
- The defect was reported to the manufacturer within the terms of the warranty;
- The defect was not caused by driver abuse, neglect, or error;
- The defect substantially impairs the vehicle’s safety, usability, or value;
- The manufacturer’s certified repair technicians have made a reasonable number of attempts to fix the defect; or
- The defect has caused the vehicle to be in the repair facility (out of service) for 30 or more days.
Once you have all the proper lemon law records – repair invoices, communication with the auto manufacturer in Los Angeles, proof of unsuccessful repair attempts, etc. – to prove your vehicle meets the qualifications of California’s lemon law, you are eligible to file a lemon law claim.
However, this is just the beginning.
Can You Negotiate a Lemon Law Settlement without a California Lemon Law Attorney?
You are always free to represent yourself in a California lemon law claim against LA auto manufacturers.
But it’s not recommended.
To reiterate, auto manufacturers in Los Angeles have extremely high-powered legal teams defending them against lawsuits. Paying out a lemon law claim a) is expensive and b) is a mark against the brand’s global reputation – and may earn them a spot on a list like this.
The result is they have no intention of compensating you fairly for a defective vehicle. These legal defense teams have many tactics they use to avoid doing so.
When you work with a Los Angeles lemon law lawyer, they know how to counter these tactics to fight for rightful compensation, making sure you don’t get short-changed.
What’s the Next Step?
If you’re experiencing issues with your vehicle – and believe the automotive companies have made a mistake in the factory, speak with an experienced lawyer for guidance. Even if your vehicle doesn’t meet the qualifications of California lemon law, a lemon attorney will be happy to point you in the right direction.
LA auto manufacturers know you’re likely in this situation for the first time, and they may use this to their advantage in minimizing a potential settlement.
Now, if your vehicle does meet the criteria of the state’s lemon law, the next step is to schedule an official consultation with a Los Angeles lemon law lawyer. They will discuss your situation in detail and begin the process of building your claim against the manufacturer.
At Cline APC – like most lemon law attorneys – we offer FREE consultations and work on a contingency fee agreement. For many years, our firm has been serving Los Angeles and Southern California to help consumers seek fair compensation after being sold lemon cars. This means we charge you nothing out of pocket to take your case – as we collect our fees as part of the final settlement paid out by the manufacturer.
To get started, call our law offices at 888-982-6915, send an email to info@clineapc.com, or schedule a free consultation.
