Blog Archives

Back to the Shop Again? What Some 2025 Ford Explorer Owners Are Dealing With

5/26/2026

A brand new SUV should not need weekly service appointments. Yet some 2025 Ford Explorer owners find themselves on a first-name basis with their dealership’s repair shop. The same problems keep coming back. The frustration builds with each visit.

South Carolina lemon Law sets clear eligibility rules

South Carolina law protects buyers who receive defective vehicles. But not every car qualifies. The owner must have purchased the vehicle new from a dealer in the state of South Carolina. The car also needs a current SC registration. One more requirement: A claim for the vehicle’s must be brought within three years from the date of purchase. A 2025 model fits well within this window.

A SC Lemon Law claim requires a substantial defect. That means a substantial defect or condition affecting the vehicle’s safety, use, or value. A misaligned trim piece probably will not qualify. But brake failure? Complete electrical shutdowns at highway speeds? Those trigger protection.

The manufacturer must be given a reasonable opportunity to repair the vehicle. This occurs when there have been three or more repair attempts for the same issue or the vehicle has spent more than 30 total days in the shop.

What Federal Data Reveals About This Model

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration maintains a database of consumer complaints. For the 2025 Ford Explorer, the reports paint a concerning picture. Multiple owners describe sudden brake failure. The pedal goes hard. The SUV does not respond. One driver narrowly avoided crashing into the car ahead.

Car complaints also highlight electrical nightmares. Screens go black without warning. Warning lights flash randomly. One owner lost their entire instrument cluster mid-drive. No speedometer. No fuel reading. No idea what the engine was doing.

Consumer Reports placed this model on its “10 SUVs to Avoid” list. The predicted reliability score landed at 1 out of 5. That ranking places the Ford Explorer among the worst cars for long-term dependability.

safety recalls add to owner headaches

NHTSA recall 25S35 addresses a serious transmission defect. The powertrain control module may reset while the vehicle moves. This action can disable the Park function entirely. The SUV may roll away even when the driver shifts into Park and removes the key. For SC families, that creates a real danger.

Ford issued at least nine separate recalls for the 2025 Explorer as of early 2026. Each recall means another dealership visit. Another day without the vehicle. Another stack of paperwork.

when to contact steve moskos

Each repair attempt matters under SC Lemon Law. Even when the service writer says “we cannot replicate the problem,” that visit still counts toward the three-attempt threshold. Keep every repair order. Write down each service date. Document every conversation with the dealership.

Steven Moskos helps SC consumers pursue Lemon Law claims. Read about auto fraud cases involving undisclosed vehicle damage. Or check the consumer law overview for additional protections.

Do not wait for the warranty to expire. Contact us today and let us help you navigate the SC Lemon Law.

Is the 2025 Toyota RAV4 Experiencing More Issues Than Expected?

5/21/2026

The 2025 Toyota RAV4 arrived with considerable fanfare. Buyers expected the same reliability that has defined this nameplate for decades. But something unexpected is happening. Owner complaints are increasing faster than anyone anticipated. From blank dashboards to exploding sunroofs, the evidence suggests this model year may belong on any honest list of the worst cars for long-term dependability.

What owners are reporting

Real consumer complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration paint a troubling picture. Car complaints about the 2025 Toyota RAV4 cluster around three specific problem areas.

Electrical system failures top the list. The instrument panel frequently goes black during startup. This means no speedometer. No brake warnings. No tire pressure alerts. The fix requires charging for three to four hours before every single drive. Toyota issued a formal recall affecting over 590,000 vehicles for this exact software defect.

Structural defects have also surfaced. Multiple owners report their panoramic sunroof shattering spontaneously. One driver described hearing an explosion while traveling at 75 miles per hour. The sunroof was closed. No other vehicles were nearby. No overpasses or trees overhead. The glass simply exploded. Other owners report early rust formation on new vehicles. Dealerships have allegedly proposed painting over the rust rather than investigating the underlying cause.

South Carolina Lemon Law Eligibility

Here is what every South Carolina owner needs to understand. The SC lemon law applies only to new vehicles purchased in this state. The vehicle must currently be registered in South Carolina. The defect must appear within the warranty term. The law covers defects that substantially impair the vehicle’s use, market value, or safety.

The manufacturer gets a reasonable number of attempts to fix the problem. South Carolina law presumes reasonableness at three repair attempts for the same defect or thirty total days out of service. These do not need to be consecutive days. A vehicle that sits at the dealership waiting for parts counts toward that thirty-day total.

why these defects matter under the law

A blank instrument panel that hides your speed is a safety hazard. Toyota itself acknowledged this risk in the recall documentation. The company stated that failure to display critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury. That admission is powerful evidence in a Lemon Law claim. A spontaneously exploding sunroof also creates obvious safety concerns. Both defects substantially impair the vehicle’s value and safe operation.

If your 2025 Toyota RAV4 has been to the dealer three times for the same electrical failure, or if it has been out of service for thirty or more cumulative days, you likely have a valid claim under the SC Lemon Law. This applies regardless of what the dealership tells you about waiting for parts or software updates.

Steve Moskos handles exactly these types of claims. He understands the specific requirements of the SC Lemon Law and how to document car complaints effectively. Contact us today to determine if your car qualifies and what your next steps should be.