Dodge Hornet Lemon Law

The most serious defect on the Dodge Hornet involves the R/T plug-in hybrid. Chrysler recalled roughly 2,254 early 2023–2024 Hornet R/T PHEVs because the 12-volt battery positive cable and/or a high-voltage connector cable may not have been tightened properly, which can overheat the connection and cause a fire while parked or driving. Owner notification letters went out in late September 2023. A defect that can lead to a fire is exactly the kind of safety problem California's Lemon Law treats seriously.

The Hornet has also drawn other early-production trouble: a recall over a rearview-camera image that may fail to display because of a software error or a cold-soldered voltage-regulator connection, and a recall on plug-in hybrids whose pedestrian-alert siren may be missing or disconnected. On top of the recalls, owners report Uconnect infotainment freezes and reboots, electrical warning lights, and charging or drivetrain quirks on the R/T PHEV.

Under California's Lemon Law, a recall isn't required to have a claim — and a recall alone doesn't automatically make a car a lemon. What matters is whether a warranty-covered defect substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of your Hornet and whether Dodge can repair it within a reasonable number of attempts. If the fix doesn't hold, the problem recurs, or the SUV sits too long waiting on parts, you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with Dodge paying your attorney fees.

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it's the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free repair. California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Act) comes into play when a substantial defect can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, or when your Hornet has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days.

If your Dodge Hornet qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback (a refund of what you've paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement — and Dodge pays your attorney fees on a successful claim, so pursuing your case costs you nothing out of pocket.