California Tesla Lemon Law Attorney

Yes. Every Tesla sold or leased in California with a manufacturer's written warranty still in effect is covered by the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — including the Model 3, Model Y, Model S, Model X, and Cybertruck. Tesla's New Vehicle Limited Warranty and Battery & Drive Unit warranty are written warranties under the statute, so new, used-with-warranty, and CPO Teslas all qualify.

It can. Tesla's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems have been the subject of federal investigations and widespread 'phantom braking' complaints — the vehicle braking hard for no real obstacle — along with unexpected steering or disengagements. Because unexpected braking creates a substantial safety risk, an Autopilot defect Tesla cannot resolve typically qualifies on California's lower two-repair-attempt threshold.

They can be. Owners across the Model S, X, 3, and Y have reported premature failures of front and rear suspension components — control arms, fore-links, and knuckles — that can cause clunking, misalignment, and in severe cases loss of control. A suspension defect that affects safe operation and cannot be resolved after repeated repairs qualifies under the Song-Beverly Act.

The Media Control Unit (MCU) in earlier Model S and Model X vehicles has a documented eMMC flash-memory wear failure that disables the center touchscreen — which controls climate, backup camera, charging, and defrost. Because the screen controls safety-related functions, a failure Tesla cannot resolve substantially impairs use and can qualify under California lemon law. Newer models can experience their own display and computer faults.

It can. Sudden range loss, charging restrictions, or battery-management faults (including messages that limit charging or power) that exceed normal degradation and that Tesla cannot restore may substantially impair the vehicle's use and value. The high-voltage battery is covered by Tesla's Battery & Drive Unit warranty, and repeated failed repairs meet the California lemon law threshold.

Sometimes. Cosmetic-only issues generally do not qualify, but water intrusion that causes electrical faults, corrosion, or interior damage, and body or glass defects that impair use or safety, can qualify when the dealer cannot resolve them after repeated attempts. The test is whether the defect substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle.

An over-the-air software update that is meant to fix a defect counts as a repair attempt under California law — and if the defect returns after the update, that failed OTA fix supports your claim rather than resetting the clock. Keep records of every service visit, mobile-service appointment, and software update tied to the problem. Note that Tesla also uses arbitration clauses, so it is worth having a claim reviewed before you act.

Three remedies are available: a full repurchase at the original purchase price (minus a statutory mileage offset based on miles driven before the first failed repair attempt), a comparable replacement Tesla, or a cash settlement that compensates for diminished value while you keep the vehicle. California's Song-Beverly Act also authorizes a civil penalty of up to two times actual damages when the manufacturer willfully failed to honor its warranty, and Tesla pays attorney fees on successful claims.