California drivers do not stay quiet when their cars act up. From January 2021 through early October 2026, owners who listed California filed 19,632 complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about 2019 and newer vehicles. My firm, America’s Lemon Lawyer, analyzed those complaints in a study of the most complained-about cars in California. Here is what the numbers show, what they do not show, and what to do if your own car keeps going back to the shop.
The 10 models with the most complaints
Ranked by the number of complaints from California owners:
- Tesla Model Y: 1,165
- Tesla Model 3: 915
- Jeep Wrangler: 369
- Honda Civic: 366
- Subaru Outback: 323
- Ram 1500: 311
- Honda CR-V: 305
- Volkswagen ID.4: 283
- Hyundai Ioniq 5: 278
- Toyota RAV4: 265
Further down the top 25 are other familiar names, including the Ford F-150 (239), Kia Telluride (173), and Toyota Camry (160).
An important caution: this is a ranking of volume, not a reliability score. The counts are not adjusted for how many of each model were sold or how many miles they were driven, and popular models naturally draw more complaints because more of them are on the road. NHTSA complaints are also owner reports that the agency has not verified. Still, the list shows where California drivers are running into trouble often enough to report it to the federal government.
Electric vehicles draw complaints at more than twice the rate
The most striking pattern involves electric vehicles. Measured against California DMV registrations, battery electric vehicles from model year 2019 and newer drew 32.8 complaints per 10,000 registered vehicles. All other vehicles came in at 15.0, and hybrids and plug-in hybrids at 7.6.
Four of the top ten models are fully electric: the Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, Volkswagen ID.4, and Hyundai Ioniq 5. The Model Y led three separate problem areas: driver-assist and collision warning systems (290 complaints), brakes (132), and suspension (106). The Ioniq 5 led every model in electrical system complaints, with 165.
What owners are reporting
Across all vehicles, the problem areas named most often were:
- Electrical system: 3,485
- Engine: 2,271
- Driver-assist and collision warning: 1,878
- Brakes: 1,705
- Transmission and powertrain: 1,542
- Lights, cameras and visibility: 1,206
A single complaint can name more than one problem area.
Several gas-powered models stood out in particular categories. The Ford F-150 led all vehicles in transmission and powertrain complaints (92), and the GMC Sierra 1500 led in engine complaints (73).
The Honda Civic led every model in steering complaints (174), and the Toyota RAV4 led in airbag complaints (54).
Region matters too. The Bay Area produced the most complaints of any region in the study, 3,884, followed by Los Angeles County with 3,328.
When a recurring problem becomes a lemon law issue
A complaint to NHTSA does not, on its own, entitle an owner to anything. But if your vehicle has a defect that the dealer cannot seem to fix, California’s lemon law may help. The law, part of the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, generally requires a manufacturer to replace or repurchase a vehicle with a warranty defect it cannot repair after a reasonable number of attempts.
Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first, the law presumes a vehicle is a lemon if:
- the same problem has been subject to repair four or more times;
- a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury has been subject to repair two or more times, and the owner has notified the manufacturer directly at least once where the manufacturer’s paperwork requires it; or
- the vehicle has been out of service for repairs for a total of more than 30 calendar days.
Those days add up across visits, which is why it helps to understand how California counts the days your car spends at the dealer. The presumption is a starting point, not the only path. A vehicle can still qualify outside the 18-month window, depending on its repair history.
When a claim ends in a repurchase, the manufacturer generally refunds the price paid along with items such as sales tax, registration fees, and finance charges, less a deduction for the miles driven before the first repair attempt for the defect. This explainer on what a manufacturer has to pay in a lemon law buyback walks through each item.
Keep the paperwork
The strongest claims are built on records. If your car has a problem that keeps coming back:
- Get a repair order for every visit, and read it before you leave. Confirm that it shows the date, the mileage, and your complaint in words close to your own. If a dealer refuses, here is what to do when the dealer won’t give you repair orders.
- Keep receipts for routine maintenance, such as oil changes and scheduled service. A complete file answers any suggestion that the problem came from neglect.
- Keep a simple log of when the problem happens, and take photos or short videos of issues that come and go.
- Save receipts for towing, rental cars, and other costs tied to the defect.
Choosing a lemon lawyer
If you decide to speak with a lawyer, a few points can help you compare firms:
- Look for a practice that handles lemon law cases regularly. These claims have their own rules, and the procedures have changed in recent years.
- Ask who will actually handle your case and how you will be kept informed.
- Ask whether the firm is prepared to file suit if the manufacturer’s offer is not fair.
- Check the lawyer’s license status on the State Bar of California’s attorney search, and read reviews on independent sites.
- Be cautious of anyone who promises a specific result or dollar amount, or who pressures you to sign right away.
Cost is often the first concern. Under California Civil Code section 1794(d), a buyer who prevails in a Song-Beverly case may recover attorney’s fees and costs from the manufacturer, so many lemon law firms do not charge clients upfront. This overview of how attorney fees work under California lemon law explains the rule in more detail. Read the fee agreement carefully all the same, and ask who pays costs if the case does not succeed.
For a longer checklist, see this guide to the best lemon law attorneys in California and how to compare them.
Legal deadlines apply to warranty claims, so if your car has been back to the dealer several times for the same problem, it is worth getting advice sooner rather than later.
This article provides general information about California law and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation depends on its own facts.
About the author
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. is the founder and managing attorney of Wynn Law Group, APC, which does business as America’s Lemon Lawyer. The Los Angeles firm represents California drivers in lemon law claims under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
Matthew Wilde
Matthew Wilde is an automotive journalist with experience contributing to leading publications. He focuses on delivering clear, well-researched analysis of automotive industry news and vehicles. Growing up surrounded by a variety of cars, Matthew developed a strong foundation in automotive technology and design. His work emphasizes accuracy and depth, aimed at informing both enthusiasts and industry professionals with straightforward, precise reporting.
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