zzdcar
Home
/
Reviews
/
Culture
/
Tesla Owners Sue Automaker, Say Software Updates Kill Their Batteries
Tesla Owners Sue Automaker, Say Software Updates Kill Their Batteries-April 2024
2024-02-19 EST 22:11:56

A Tesla Model S is plugged in at a vehicle Supercharging station in Seabrook, N.H., Aug. 24, 2018.

A group of owners have reportedly filed a proposed against in California. According to , the group says automatic software updates are killing their by decreasing driving range or causing failures altogether.

The lawsuit – filed in the U.S. District Court in San Francisco – reportedly claims that Tesla’s updates and what they end up doing to the vehicles actually violates state and federal laws. The group says they can allegedly cut by up to 20 percent. That’s if you’re lucky, it seems. In some cases the whole system will allegedly take a shit, and that could force owners to to the tune of $15,000. To avoid these issues, the lawsuit says some owners have paid third parties between $500 and $750 to reverse battery-related software updates.

Reuters reports that the lawsuit argues impacted Tesla vehicles are “protected computers” under the definition outlined in the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Under that law, an violates consumers’ rights.

“Tesla owners and lessors are uniquely at the mercy of the makers of their cars, and Tesla imposes software updates without consent whenever their vehicle is connected to Wi-Fi,”

I know what you’re thinking: “don’t a hell of a lot of automakers do OTA updates?” Well, those other automakers will generally notify customers when it wants to perform one on their car, according to the outlet. Tesla, on the other hand, can issue an automatic update whenever the car is connected to the internet.

In July of 2021, Tesla reportedly agreed to pay $1.9 million to settle claims that a software update temporarily reduced maximum battery voltage in over 1,700 Model S sedans. Owners each received $625 each because of the issue. The rest of the money went to $400,000 in attorneys’ fees and expenses.

Comments
Welcome to zzdcar comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Culture
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
2024 Kia EV9: What Do You Want To Know?
At long last, we are about to get behind the wheel of for the first time. Sure, , and sure, , and sure , but hey — what can you do? Anyway, before we get behind the wheel of this three-row electric beast, we want to know what you...
Apr 22, 2025
Subaru Had It Right All Along
Subaru Had It Right All Along
When first came to the United States, it sold small funky cars that were decidedly un-American. As the company grew its own identity and became more established in the U.S., it became the first automaker to offer an all-wheel-drive passenger car in 1975. Subaru was also an early-adopter of...
Apr 22, 2025
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I Entered My Lifted Miata In A Real Off-Road Race, Here's What Happened
I have two automotive loves: The first is the Miata, the second is off-road racing. For a while I raced air-cooled Volkswagens in the deserts of California and Nevada and I was lucky enough to co-drive in a class 11 stock bug in the Baja 1000 a few years...
Apr 22, 2025
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
Watch ABS Fail When MotorWeek Tests A 1997 Chevy S-10
MotorWeek’s is some of the on the internet. The long-running automotive news magazine has a treasure trove of tests after being on the air for over 40 years. Where else can you find detailed instrumented testing of long-forgotten cars like the or a ? MotorWeek’s recent Retro Review upload is...
Apr 22, 2025
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I Can't Get Enough Of This YouTuber Who Builds Tiny, Fully Functional Scale-Model Cars
I love tiny, of . I have a that is roughly half the size of a normal cat, and she’s perfect. I own a 2013 , which is like the miniature version of a normal-sized vehicle (at least here in Texas) — but beyond that, I also own a Hot...
Apr 22, 2025
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
Toyota Is Moving A Prewar 700-Ton Press Machine Halfway Around The World
closed its São Bernardo Plant in November 2023, marking the end of its first overseas production facility. The closure caps off a period of continuous car production in São Paolo, , lasting over 60 years. The plant was home to a Komatsu 700-ton press that predates itself. And now...
Apr 22, 2025
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.zzdcar.com All Rights Reserved