A California Tesla owner has filed a lawsuit that alleges the automaker sped up his vehicle’s odometer, causing the warranty to expire faster than it would have normally. Plaintiff Nyree Hinton said the automaker’s odometer readings don’t reflect actual mileage, and instead rely on driving behavior, algorithms, and energy consumption to calculate mileage.
Hinton bought a used 2020 Model Y in late 2022 with 36,772 miles. He claims the car clocked mileage at least 15 percent faster than it should, saying some days it recorded 72 miles when he had driven 20 at most. Hinton’s 50,000-mile basic warranty expired much faster than he thinks it should have, leaving him on the hook for a $10,000 air suspension repair.
The lawsuit seeks punitive and compensatory damages for Tesla owners in California, which could impact more than a million vehicles. The complaint reads, “By tying warranty limits and lease mileage caps to inflated ‘odometer’ readings, Tesla increases repair revenue, reduces warranty obligations, and compels consumers to purchase extended warranties prematurely.”
Tesla has also been sued for allegedly inflating the driving ranges of its vehicles, but the automaker’s lawyers have denied wrongdoing in both cases. Interestingly, Tesla successfully petitioned to have the case moved from a California state court in Los Angeles to a federal venue in the city, so it will be interesting to see how it plays out while Elon Musk remains involved with the federal government.
[Images: Tesla]
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