Lemon Law · Tesla
Tesla lemon law attorney in California
Owners of Tesla vehicles have filed complaints with federal regulators describing problems with forward collision avoidance systems, service brakes, cruise control, electrical components, and steering. The most-reported categories include automatic emergency braking that activates without warning, brake systems that engage independently, and software-related defects affecting multiple vehicle systems. The manufacturer has issued recall campaigns addressing camera malfunctions, brake caliper fasteners, suspension link separations, and Full Self-Driving Beta software behavior. Under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a vehicle with a defect covered by the manufacturer's warranty may qualify for replacement or repurchase if the dealer cannot fix it after a reasonable number of repair attempts. These presumptions apply when the defect is first reported, and the vehicle is presented for warranty repair, within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first (Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22).
Known defects
What Tesla owners report, and why repeat repairs matter
These are the categories owners file most often with the federal safety regulator for the Tesla model years in the record below. A complaint is one owner's report, not a finding that a vehicle is defective.
Automatic Emergency Braking and Collision Detection Malfunctions
Owners report false forward-collision warnings and unexpected automatic emergency braking that stops the vehicle suddenly. Recall campaigns have addressed communication errors triggering false warnings and swapped camera views impairing detection. When a collision-avoidance defect persists after repair attempts, the repair history may support a claim under Song-Beverly, especially for safety systems. Repeat service orders for the same driver-assistance failure show the problem was not fixed in a reasonable number of tries.
Model Y · Model 3 · Model S · Model X
Brake System Failures and Unexpected Activation
Owners describe brakes that activate independently while cruise control is engaged, without pressing the pedal. The manufacturer recalled vehicles for loose brake caliper bolts that allow caliper separation and wheel-rim contact. A brake defect that returns after repair is the type of problem Song-Beverly addresses. Multiple service orders for braking malfunctions, especially those affecting control, can strengthen a claim when the defect remains unfixed after a reasonable number of attempts.
Model Y · Model 3 · Model S · Model X
Cruise Control and Speed Regulation Problems
Owners report cruise control that fails intermittently or disengages without warning, sometimes with camera and navigation failures. Complaints describe systems stopping during drives and brakes engaging while speed control is active. A vehicle needing repeated service for the same cruise-control defect may qualify for relief if the dealer cannot repair it within the statute's attempt limits. The test is whether the defect substantially impairs the vehicle's use, value, or safety.
Model Y · Model 3 · Model X · Model S
Electrical System and Software Defects
Owners report low-voltage battery failures without warning, camera and GPS malfunctions, and software affecting multiple systems. The manufacturer has recalled vehicles for software errors involving defrost performance, pedestrian warnings, and seat belt chimes. Electrical defects that recur despite repair attempts are common in lemon law claims. When a warranty-covered electrical problem returns repeatedly and the dealer cannot fix the root cause, California law may provide a remedy.
Model Y · Model 3 · Model X · Model S
Steering System Malfunctions and Failures
Owners describe steering that becomes stuck while driving, requiring pulling over and restarting the vehicle. Complaints also report cracked steering wheel centers and stiffness. The manufacturer recalled vehicles for Full Self-Driving Beta software allowing unsafe steering at intersections. A steering defect is usually considered a serious safety issue under Song-Beverly. If the problem persists after two attempts or the dealer cannot duplicate it, documenting each occurrence becomes important.
Model Y · Model 3 · Model X · Model S
By model & year
Find your exact Tesla
Every model year the firm has read the federal record for has its own page. Pick your model year for what owners filed against it, the recall campaigns naming it, and what the statute asks.
Model 3
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns | Most-reported part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tesla Model 3 | 21 | 1 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2025 Tesla Model 3 | 115 | 3 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2024 Tesla Model 3 | 216 | 5 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2023 Tesla Model 3 | 424 | 12 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2022 Tesla Model 3 | 764 | 18 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2021 Tesla Model 3 | 662 | 22 | Forward collision avoidance |
Model S
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns | Most-reported part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tesla Model S | 3 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2025 Tesla Model S | 6 | 2 | Power train |
| 2024 Tesla Model S | 38 | 6 | Lane departure |
| 2023 Tesla Model S | 118 | 13 | Steering |
| 2022 Tesla Model S | 138 | 20 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2021 Tesla Model S | 178 | 24 | Forward collision avoidance |
Model X
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns | Most-reported part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tesla Model X | 6 | 0 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2025 Tesla Model X | 15 | 3 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2024 Tesla Model X | 26 | 8 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2023 Tesla Model X | 195 | 17 | Steering |
| 2022 Tesla Model X | 126 | 22 | Steering |
| 2021 Tesla Model X | 123 | 24 | Steering |
Model Y
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns | Most-reported part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tesla Model Y | 0 | 8 | None on file |
| 2025 Tesla Model Y | 98 | 3 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2024 Tesla Model Y | 342 | 5 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2023 Tesla Model Y | 1,292 | 17 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2022 Tesla Model Y | 1,718 | 20 | Forward collision avoidance |
| 2021 Tesla Model Y | 3,222 | 23 | Forward collision avoidance |
The statute
When a Tesla problem becomes a lemon
These are the presumptions in the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act and the Tanner Consumer Protection Act (Cal. Civ. Code § 1793.22). Each applies when the defect is first reported, and the vehicle is presented for warranty repair, within 18 months of delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever comes first. They are presumptions, not predictions about any individual vehicle.
A
Two or more attempts (safety)
For a defect that could cause death or serious injury, reported within 18 months or 18,000 miles.
B
Four or more attempts
For the same non-safety warranty problem, reported within 18 months or 18,000 miles.
C
30 days out of service
Cumulative, for warranty repair, within 18 months or 18,000 miles.
Have an attorney read your Tesla repair orders.
Start My Free Case ReviewAttorney Advertising disclaimer: Prior results do not predict or indicate a similar outcome in any future matter. The information on this page is general information about California law, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If your vehicle is unsafe to drive, stop driving it and call the firm on (619) 235-0137. Figures from the federal safety regulator's record are estimates taken from the record on the date shown.