Lemons in the automotive industry typically refer to defective cars with flaws, either with the design or performance. Lemon cars often look ‘normal’ from an appearance standpoint and will pass a cursory inspection easily. However, a more detailed look will reveal various issues, some of which are serious enough to pose severe problems in the near future. To qualify as a lemon in most cases, these issues are covered by warranty and persist after repeated attempts by the manufacturer to fix them.
Just like the fruit, buying a lemon car can leave a sour taste in the mouth. Luckily, if you’ve got a modern lemon, the good news is that you have options (assuming your country/region has appropriate lemon laws, that is).
In this article, we turn the spotlight on some cars that have gained the unwanted reputation of being a lemon for various reasons. In some cases, the carmaker was able to bounce back from the misstep. However, a few others were not so lucky.
DeLorean DMC-12
Via Mecum
It’s ironic that one of the most iconic cult car classics also has the reputation of being one of the most famous lemons ever made. The DeLorean DMC-12 rose to fame after its portrayal in the ‘Back to the Future’ movie franchise. In the movies, the car was a time travel device that allowed occupants to travel through time in a flash. The situation was quite different in reality, though.
The DMC-12, with its awkward handling, could barely get out of its way, let alone anyone else. It wasn’t just about how it drove. The build quality was awful – leaky gullwing doors, faulty electrical systems, and suspension issues were just some of the car’s well-documented issues.
Bricklin SV-1
Via GuideAutoWeb
The Bricklin SV-1 was a bold attempt to put Canada on the performance car map in the 1970s. Unfortunately, things did not go as planned, and the car ended up with an unwholesome reputation, ultimately leading to its demise. It was heavy and underpowered, but so were many other cars around that time.
However, the Bricklin SV-1 also had a notoriously iffy build quality that manifested in several issues, ranging from warped body panels to hydraulic and electrical failures. Less than 3,000 units of the SV-1 were made before slow sales killed off the car and, eventually, the company.
BMW M5 (E60)
Expectations are always high for any BMW car wearing the ‘M’ badge. In that regard, the BMW M5 (E60) did not disappoint, at least as far as performance was concerned. The BMW M5 could hit 60 mph in less than 5 seconds and complete the quarter mile in 12.8 seconds at 121 mph. It was powered by a formidable naturally aspirated V10 that, sadly, was also one of the car’s biggest weaknesses.
The powerplant was prone to rod-bearing failures and other expensive issues that, more often than not, led to a complete engine failure. See, there’s a reason this naturally aspirated V10 was both BMW’s first and only production V10 engine.
Aston Martin Lagonda
Via Motorious
The Aston Martin Lagonda, launched as a separate model in 1976, was intended to be a bold design statement by the British company. There’s no denying the car’s unconventional looks, highlighted by an extremely flattened hood and wedge-shaped body. It was too much for most people and discouraged prospective buyers, but that was not the car’s only problem.
The interior was decked out with an array of innovative electronic gadgetry that was highly unreliable. The carmaker shot itself in the foot in a mistimed bid to leapfrog the industry. Less than 700 units were made in a 14-year production span.
1961 Chevrolet Corvair
Via Puzzle Factory
The 1961 Corvair was famously branded ‘the one-car accident’ by automotive-safety advocate Ralf Nader in his 1965 book, ‘Unsafe at any Speed.’ That might have been a harsh criticism, but the Chevy Corvair was not entirely without blame. The Corvair had an unconventional swing-axle suspension system that made the vehicle likely to flip over in abrupt manoeuvres, especially when owners did not adhere to the recommended tire pressures.
Over-steering was also common due to a lack of an anti-sway bar. There was more. The hood, connected to the car’s frame with weak hinges, often turned into a dangerous flying projectile in crashes.
Ferrari Mondial 8
Via Classic Driver
Yes, even marque brands sometimes get it wrong. The Ferrari Mondial 8 was arguably one of the worst Ferraris ever made. It was heavy and grossly underpowered, needing almost 10 seconds to reach 60 mph.
To compound matters, the Mondial 8 was not a very reliable car with its complicated Bosch injection system. The gearbox and transistor-based electronics were also susceptible to issues. To be fair, Ferrari quickly moved on from Mondial 8, releasing other Mondial variants that improved on power, performance and reliability.
Rolls Royce Camargue
Via Bloomberg
Top Gear once described the Camargue as Rolls-Royce’s worst moment, and it’s hard to disagree with that assertion. It was the ultimate high-end lemon that did not do itself any favours with its questionable styling that adversely affected its handling. It failed to provide any significant advantage over the Silver Shadow it was based on, and it was largely ignored in the market.
Rolls Royce gamely kept the Camargue in production for 11 years but ultimately gave up after selling only 531 units. Unsurprisingly, values have tanked today, with prices as low as $40,000 for a decent example. It’s quite the fall for what was once the most expensive production car. On the flip side, the Camargue now serves as an accessible entry point into the Rolls Royce family if you can somehow look beyond its ugliness and ungainly stance.
Maserati Biturbo
Via Cars & Bids
The Maserati Biturbo was a great idea on paper; make an engine with a pair of turbochargers and put it in a production car. Unfortunately, in reality, the Biturbo was a horror show that did irreparable damage to Maserati’s reputation for reliability.
The turbochargers did not function as designed, which was just one of the car’s countless problems. Defective fuse boxes, cracking interior panels, corrosion and an overall dismal build quality rightfully earn the Biturbo a spot on this list.
Audi TT (First Generation)
Via Motorious
The Audi TT had its official debut in 1998. Shortly after, in late 1999/early 2000, Audi was forced to recall the coupe and roadster variants. The sports car had a design flaw that made it unstable at high speeds. This led to a number of fatal crashes and eventually led to Audi making a series of improvements that included the addition of a rear spoiler, revised suspension geometry and a reprogrammed stability control system. It was not just an issue with the design.
The first generation Audi TT (1998 – 2006) was also known for engine failure, water pump leaks and electrical problems. There were 13 Audi TT recalls from 2001 to 2006 alone. You will want to do proper research if you are looking for one to purchase.
Pontiac Fiero
Via Motortrend
The Pontiac Fiero was GM’s first mid-engine sports car, released to help Pontiac recapture its performance image. It actually became a successful product, with over 370,000 units during a 5-year production spell. However, that did not mean it was a good car. To cut down costs, the Fiero relied on cannibalizing other GM vehicles for parts that were not properly put together. It was a recipe for disaster.
The Fiero was known as a very unreliable car, prone to engine fires and cooling problems, among other issues. Eventually, the car’s bad rep began to catch up with it, and plummeting sales forced GM to discontinue the Fiero.
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