Computers are nearly as crucial to running modern cars as traditional components like engines or transmissions. They control everything from climate control and navigation systems to critical safety features, such as anti-lock brakes and airbags. Unfortunately, as more functions come under computer control, car software issues have also become more common – leaving many Los Angeles drivers with unsafe or undrivable lemons. However, California’s Lemon Law protects consumers when software issues make their vehicle a lemon.
The Barry Law Firm focuses solely on California Lemon Law cases and has helped thousands of drivers recover fair compensation for defective vehicles. With over 15 years of experience with these complex cases, we know the rules and how to hold automakers accountable. We make the legal process as painless as possible and never charge for our services. Call now or complete our contact form for a FAST & FREE consultation.
What Are the Most Common Software Issues?
Some common software issues in modern cars include:
Infotainment System Problems
Infotainment defects are among the most noticeable car software problems, particularly if the screen freezes, reboots on its own, or goes completely blank. Similarly, Bluetooth and smartphone connections may drop, making hands-free calling unreliable. Navigation apps can also crash mid-trip, and rearview cameras may not display when shifting into reverse. Since these systems control multiple features simultaneously, repeated breakdowns can disrupt drivers’ convenience and safety.
Transmission Software Glitches
Many modern car transmission modules rely on software to handle smooth shifting. Defects in this programming can cause jerking, slipping, or hesitation when changing gears. In some cases, cars shift at the wrong times, while others suddenly lose power or drop into neutral. These unpredictable behaviors increase the risk of accidents, especially in stop-and-go traffic or at highway speeds.
Engine Control Problems
Software manages critical engine functions in many cars, including fuel injection, emissions systems, and turbochargers or superchargers. Errors in these programs can lead to engine stalls, reduced power, and poor fuel efficiency. Drivers may also see warning lights appear even after repeated repairs.
Driver Assistance Feature Failures
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) can help keep drivers safe through features like applying automatic braking, sensing when drivers are leaving their lane, detecting other vehicles in a car’s blind spots, and more. However, these systems also depend heavily on precise coding. Defects in these programs can cause false alarms or sudden system shutdowns. Additionally, cars may brake without reason, accelerate unevenly, or misread lane markings due to a software defect.
Electrical and Battery Management Errors
Electric and hybrid vehicles rely on complex software to regulate battery charging and energy distribution. When this software fails, drivers can experience sudden power loss, inaccurate range estimates, or charging problems. However, gas-powered cars can also face software-driven electrical issues, such as batteries draining overnight or dashboards displaying false error messages. These recurring faults often leave vehicles stranded or difficult to start.
Airbag and Restraint Malfunctions
In many cars, software controls the airbags and seatbelt systems to make sure they activate only in emergencies. Defects in this vehicle software may cause airbags to not deploy during a collision or, in rare cases, to deploy without an impact. Seatbelt tensioners may also fail to engage because of a software glitch.
Climate Control and Comfort System Issues
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units in cars often rely on software to balance airflow and maintain temperature. Defective programming may cause the system to blow hot air instead of cold, cycle inconsistently, or not respond to controls. Glitches can also cause seat warmers and automatic climate adjustments to stop working.
Connectivity and Update Failures
Many new vehicles use over-the-air updates to fix bugs and install new features. However, these software updates can create new problems. Drivers sometimes find that an update fails to install, leaving the car with outdated software. In some cases, drivers experience worse performance or disabled features after an update. These repeated update failures or system rollbacks can leave vehicles unreliable and out of sync with manufacturer standards.
Sensor and Calibration Defects
Many modern cars rely on a network of sensors feeding data into software systems. When calibration errors occur, features like parking assistance, tire pressure monitoring, or collision detection may malfunction. Software problems in some vehicles may repeatedly trigger false alerts, while others fail to warn the driver of real dangers.
Instrument Cluster Errors
The digital displays that show a car’s speed, fuel level, and warning lights run on embedded software. Defects in these programs may cause gauges to flicker, reset, or provide inaccurate readings. Drivers may see warning lights for problems that do not exist or fail to receive alerts about actual issues. Because the instrument cluster provides critical information, these failures affect both safety and reliability.
What Can Cause These Software Issues?
Software issues in cars often stem from several possible causes, such as:
- Coding errors during development – Mistakes in the original programming can lead to glitches that show up after a car’s sale.
- Incompatible system updates – Over-the-air or dealer-installed updates sometimes conflict with existing software, creating new problems.
- Faulty sensors or hardware integration – When sensors or electrical parts fail to communicate correctly with the software, the system may misread data or shut down some features.
- Poor calibration or testing – Inadequate testing before release can leave drivers dealing with bugs that an automaker should have caught earlier.
- Overloaded software systems – As automakers add more features, a car’s software grows more complex, increasing the risk of glitches and failures.
- Electrical system irregularities – Low voltage, battery problems, or wiring faults can interfere with a car’s software performance.
When Does a Software Issue Make My Vehicle a Lemon?
A software defect may qualify your vehicle as a lemon if it substantially affects the car’s safety, use, or value. California’s Lemon Law covers issues that fall under the manufacturer’s original warranty and first appear while the vehicle’s warranty remains in effect.
The law also requires that the manufacturer be given a reasonable number of opportunities to fix the issue through their authorized dealership. What counts as reasonable depends on the case. For serious safety concerns, two or more repair attempts may be enough. For less severe problems, the manufacturer may be allowed more than two chances to correct the defect. If the vehicle spends excessive time out of service because of software problems, that may also support a Lemon Law claim.
Because modern vehicles often depend on software for critical functions, repeated failures in these systems can undermine reliability and safety. Persistent defects with transmission modules, airbags, electrical management, or advanced driver assistance features can place drivers at significant risk. Even if the software problems seem minor initially, they can drastically affect your vehicle. Ongoing repair attempts that fail to resolve software issues may make the Lemon Law applicable to your vehicle.
If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, you can demand that the manufacturer buy the vehicle back and refund you for what you have spent on it. This compensation can include the purchase or lease price, sales taxes and other official fees, and any expenses related to the lemon, such as rental car and towing costs.
What Should I Do If My Vehicle Has Software Issues?
Follow these steps if your car is having software problems:
- Document every problem. Write down the dates, symptoms, and circumstances of each malfunction. Save photos or videos if possible.
- Take the car to the authorized dealership. Always bring the vehicle to the manufacturer’s authorized dealership for repairs to apply towards the repair attempts required for a Lemon Law claim.
- Keep copies of repair orders and receipts. Ask for detailed service records after every visit, and store these records in one place.
- Note how long the car stays in the shop. Track the total number of days your vehicle is out of service for software-related repairs.
- Report repeated failures. If the dealership cannot resolve the problem after multiple visits, make sure to tell them that the defect remains.
- Seek legal guidance if problems continue. If defects persist despite repeated repairs, talk to an attorney about a possible Lemon Law claim.
What Can a Lawyer Do to Help Me with Recurring Software Glitches?
At The Barry Law Firm, we focus exclusively on Lemon Law cases in California. If your car suffers from recurring software glitches that make it eligible for a Lemon Law claim, we know how to build a strong case against the manufacturer. Our team will assemble your documentation of the software issue, repair orders, and warranty coverage to show your vehicle qualifies as a lemon. We also communicate with the manufacturer, so you don’t have to deal with their delays or excuses.
Our team can handle the entire Lemon Law claim process from start to finish – all at no cost to you. The California Lemon Law requires the manufacturer to pay all attorney fees and costs after a successful claim. That means you will never receive a bill for our services, no matter the outcome. We use our extensive experience to push for the buyback you deserve so you can move forward without the burden of a defective vehicle.
Contact The Barry Law Firm Today
A lemon with a recurring software glitch puts you, your family, and others on the road in severe danger. The Barry Law Firm has the experience, in-depth knowledge, and drive to hold automakers accountable and demand fair compensation for your lemon vehicle. Call now or complete our contact form for a FAST & FREE case review to learn more.
