California’s lemon law, which is contained within the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, fully covers Tesla vehicles. If you purchased a Tesla in California and it has a warranty-covered defect that the manufacturer cannot fix after a reasonable number of repair attempts, you may be entitled to financial relief. Tesla is treated no differently than any other automaker under this law, despite the fact that it sells directly to consumers rather than through franchised dealerships. Contact our Santa Monica Tesla lemon law attorneys if you think you have a lemon.
Learning about how these protections apply to Tesla specifically can help you figure out whether you have a valid claim. Read on to learn more about how California’s lemon law works for Tesla owners.
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How California’s Lemon Law Applies to Tesla
Tesla operates its own service centers instead of relying on independent dealers, which means the company itself is the responsible party in a lemon law claim. In some ways, this simplifies the process. There is no question about whether the dealer or the manufacturer is to blame for failed repairs, since Tesla handles both sides.
That said, Tesla is known for pushing back on lemon law claims and almost certainly won’t resolve your case favorably without a legal battle. Having an experienced lemon law attorney on your side helps level the playing field when dealing with Tesla’s immense legal resources.
Common Tesla Defects That May Qualify
Tesla vehicles are popular for their technology and performance, but they are not immune to serious defects. Some of the most commonly reported problems among Tesla owners in California include:
- Battery range falling well short of advertised estimates
- Sudden acceleration
- Unexpected braking
- Touchscreen malfunctions and system crashes
- Autopilot and driver assistance errors
- Drive unit failures
- Excessive wind and road noise from poor panel fitment
- Door handle and window seal issues
- Paint defects and body panel gaps
- Charging system failures
If any of these problems are covered under Tesla’s warranty and the service center has not been able to resolve them after multiple visits, your vehicle may meet the threshold for a lemon law claim.
What Forms of Compensation Can I Recover Under California’s Lemon Law?
If your Tesla qualifies as a lemon, the manufacturer may be required to buy it back at the original purchase price, minus a reasonable mileage deduction for the time you drove it before the defect first showed up. Tesla may also offer a replacement vehicle or a cash settlement in some cases.
On top of that, you may be able to recover costs you’ve paid while dealing with the defect, including loan payments, registration fees, towing charges, and rental expenses. California law also may require Tesla to pay your attorney’s fees if your claim is successful.
Contact a California Lemon Law Attorney for a Free Consultation
Tesla owners in California have the same lemon law protections as buyers of any other vehicle. If your Tesla keeps having the same problems and the service center can’t get them fixed, you may have a valid claim under the state’s lemon law.
Contact My Lemon Firm today to get started with your case and schedule a free consultation at (844) 40-Lemon. We’re confident we can help you make things right and secure a favorable outcome on your behalf.