Tesla Owners Sue After Software Update Slashes Their Range

by Chris Teague

Published: May 15th, 2023

tesla owners sue after software update slashes their range

Tesla owners are passionate about their vehicles, especially when it comes to all the cool things they can do compared to other EVS. It wasn’t surprising to see them sue the automaker in 2016 over claims that a new software update limited their driving range, though it’s a little surprising to see it happening again in 2023.

Electrek reported that the lawsuit includes claims that some owners saw their range drop by as much as 20 percent. Language in the suit said that “when car owners purchase their vehicles, they reasonably expect that unforeseen events – like weather, accidents, or flat tires – may impact the performance of their vehicles and lead to costly repairs. But no reasonable consumer would expect that the car manufacturer itself, through an automated system, would deliberately and significantly interfere with the car’s performance through software updates that reduce the operating capacity of the vehicles.”

Despite being part of the same company that issued the software update, owners reported that Tesla service advised them that they needed a battery replacement with costs of up to $15,000. However, given Tesla’s lack of a PR department and the apparent inability to communicate changes to customers ahead of making them, it’s not that surprising to see hear.

This is an interesting situation because it’s likely that other automakers will need to make software changes that impact range at some point. Tesla’s difficulties pushing through these updates will be a warning to others, but it’s hard to imagine we won’t hear similar cases, or at least owner complaints, going forward.

[Image: Tesla]

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Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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3 of 38 comments

Collin on May 16, 2023

That’s my point: Tesla is either too dumb or malicious to cover what you just said in their warranty. My best guess is the latter cause they’re trying to shift blame to the customers for battery degradation and get out of paying for the replacement, not to mention the negative press and reviews that would incite. And that isn’t to say other manufacturers wouldn’t do the same, they’re just smarter about how they handle it.

2 Reply
Stuart de Baker on May 28, 2023

This is very interesting information. I was in no danger of buying a Tesla. I love my '08 Civic (stick), and it feels just as responsive as when I bought it 11 years ago with 35k on the clock (now 151k), and barring mishaps, I plan to keep it for the next 25 years or so, which would put me into my mid-90s, assuming I live that long.

On your information, I will avoid renting Teslas.

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- Don't on Jun 25, 2023
  
  No worries you'll likely outlive it at your current mileage rate.
  
  Like

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