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Lion Lemon

2020-2024 · Luxury Electric Sedan

Tesla Model S Lemon Law

Experiencing problems with your Tesla Model S? Our California lemon law attorneys can help you get the compensation you deserve.

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Common Tesla Model S Problems

Model S front upper control arm ball joint failure (part number 1041570-00-B) causing steering looseness and uneven tire wear, often occurring before 40,000 miles on 2020-2022 vehicles.
MCU2 (Media Control Unit) eMMC flash storage degradation in 2020-2021 Model S vehicles, leading to touchscreen blackouts, loss of backup camera, and failure of critical vehicle controls.
Model S dual-motor drivetrain whine and vibration caused by differential fluid breakdown in the front small drive unit, requiring full drive unit replacement under warranty.
Failure of the Model S falcon-wing-style retractable door handles (part number 1005623-00-G) due to internal gear mechanism wear, leaving owners locked out of the vehicle.
Model S air suspension compressor burnout (part number 1066632-00-D) leading to the vehicle dropping to the lowest ride height and displaying suspension fault warnings on the instrument cluster.

Your California Lemon Law Rights

Under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, if your Tesla Model S has a substantial defect that cannot be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, you may be entitled to:

  • Full refund of the purchase price
  • Replacement vehicle of comparable value
  • Cash compensation (cash-and-keep settlement)
  • Attorney's fees paid by the manufacturer

Tesla Model S Lemon Law FAQ

My 2020 Model S has had its air suspension compressor replaced three times. Does this qualify under California Lemon Law?

Yes, three unsuccessful repair attempts for the same defect strongly supports a Lemon Law claim under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. Air suspension failure substantially impairs both the safety and use of your Model S. You should send Tesla a written demand for repurchase or replacement, as this exceeds the threshold most courts consider a reasonable number of repair attempts.

Does my leased Model S qualify for California Lemon Law protection?

Yes, the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act covers leased vehicles in California. As the lessee of a Model S, you have the same lemon law protections as an outright purchaser. If your leased Model S qualifies as a lemon, you are entitled to a refund of all lease payments made, plus any down payment and fees, minus a mileage offset.

Tesla replaced my Model S's MCU but the touchscreen problems returned. What should I do under California Lemon Law?

A recurring MCU failure after replacement counts as additional failed repair attempts under the Song-Beverly Act. You should immediately bring the vehicle back to Tesla and request a new repair order documenting the same defect. Keep copies of all repair invoices and communications, as repeated failures of the same component are strong evidence that the vehicle cannot be conformed to warranty.

How is the mileage offset calculated for my Model S Lemon Law refund in California?

The mileage offset is calculated by dividing the miles driven before the first repair attempt by 120,000, then multiplying by the purchase price. For example, if you drove 10,000 miles before the first repair on a $90,000 Model S, the offset would be approximately $7,500. Only miles driven before the first warranty complaint count toward the offset, not total mileage at the time of the claim.

Other Tesla Models We Cover

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Lemon Law Resources

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