Key Takeaways
- The 2021-2024 Ford F-150 has generated thousands of NHTSA complaints, with powertrain and electrical failures leading the categories.
- California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act entitles you to a full refund or replacement vehicle if Ford cannot fix the same defect after a reasonable number of attempts.
- AB 1755 (effective January 1, 2025) changed filing deadlines — missing them can cost you your claim.
- The Lemon Law Guys spent years defending Ford and other manufacturers before switching sides. They know exactly how these cases are handled internally.
- Consultations are free. Ford pays your attorney fees if you win.
Ford F-150 Lemon Law Attorney in Los Angeles
The Ford F-150 is the best-selling truck in America. It is also one of the most complained-about vehicles in the federal safety database. If yours has been back to the dealer repeatedly for the same problem — engine failure, electrical faults, braking malfunctions — you may have a lemon on your hands and a legal right to a full refund or replacement under California law.
At The Lemon Law Guys | Johnson & Buxton, our attorneys spent years on the other side of these cases, defending manufacturers like Ford before switching to consumer advocacy. That experience is your advantage. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Does Your Ford F-150 Qualify as a Lemon?
California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Cal. Civ. Code §§ 1790-1795.7) and the Tanner Consumer Protection Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22) set the standard. Your F-150 is presumed to be a lemon if, within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles of ownership, any of the following apply:
- Ford or an authorized dealer has attempted to repair the same defect four or more times without success.
- Ford has attempted at least two repairs on a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury — such as brake failure or sudden engine shutdown at highway speed.
- The vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days due to warranty repairs.
You do not have to hit all three. One is enough to trigger the presumption.
AB 1755 (signed September 29, 2024; effective January 1, 2025) changed the statute of limitations for lemon law actions: lawsuits must now be filed within one year after the applicable express warranty expires. Miss that deadline and your claim may be barred. Talk to a Los Angeles Ford F-150 lemon law attorney before that deadline passes.
Ford F-150 NHTSA Complaint Data
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation maintains a public database of owner-filed safety complaints. The table below reflects verified complaint counts for recent F-150 model years.
| Complaint Category | 2022 F-150 | 2023 F-150 |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / Drivetrain | ~944 | 552 |
| Electrical System | ~784 | 382 |
| Service Brakes | — | 170 |
| Engine | — | 116 |
| Exterior Lighting | ~361 | 100 |
| Total Complaints (2023) | — | 1,518 |
| Active Recall Campaigns | 23+ | 6 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, complaint data as of August 2026.
Common Ford F-150 Defects in Los Angeles
- Rear axle hub bolt fracture: NHTSA recall 23V847000 covered 112,965 model year 2021-2023 F-150 trucks after rear axle hub bolts were found to break, creating a risk of wheel detachment.
- Electric parking brake spontaneous activation: A wiring harness contacting the rear axle housing could trigger the electric parking brake without driver input.
- Transmission rollaway risk: Recall 23V093000 affected vehicles that could roll away when parked.
- Airbag non-deployment: Multiple recall campaigns cited risk that passenger airbags would fail to deploy in a crash.
- Powertrain / engine failures: Sudden loss of power and engine damage.
If your F-150 was returned to the dealer for any of these problems and the dealer failed to resolve it, California law may entitle you to a full buyback. Tell us what happened and we’ll evaluate your case at no charge.
Your Rights Under California Lemon Law
- A full refund — the original purchase price plus taxes, registration fees, and any finance charges paid, minus a usage offset.
- A replacement vehicle — a new F-150 of equal or greater value at no cost to you.
Ford pays your attorney fees under Cal. Civ. Code § 1794(d). You pay nothing out of pocket if your case qualifies.
Why Former Defense Attorneys Win More F-150 Lemon Law Cases
Derek Johnson and Jonathan Buxton spent years defending Ford and other manufacturers. They know the internal playbooks. Now they use that knowledge against the manufacturers. Get a free case evaluation from attorneys who know Ford’s defense strategy from the inside.
How to Start Your Los Angeles F-150 Lemon Law Claim
- Gather your repair orders. Every dealer visit should have a written repair order.
- Note the mileage and dates. The 18-month / 18,000-mile window runs from original delivery.
- Do not sell or trade the truck. Surrendering the vehicle before the case resolves can complicate your claim.
- Contact The Lemon Law Guys. We handle everything through resolution.
Think your F-150 is a lemon? Call 805-342-0555 or submit your case online.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many repair attempts do I need before I can file a California lemon law claim against Ford?
The Tanner Consumer Protection Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22) creates a legal presumption of a lemon at four repair attempts for the same defect, or two attempts for a safety-related defect.
My F-150 is financed. Can I still get a lemon law refund?
Yes. The refund calculation covers the down payment, all monthly payments made, and outstanding loan balance, minus a mileage-based usage offset.
How long does a Ford F-150 lemon law case take to resolve in Los Angeles?
Most cases settle within three to six months. Cases that reach litigation average nine to eighteen months.
Or call us directly: 805-342-0555