Elon Musk’s software program experience has helped Tesla outsmart different carmakers. Whereas rivals would possibly must convey a whole lot of hundreds of automobiles into retailers for recall repairs, Tesla can typically repair related points by way of an over-the-air software program replace.
However in response to a class-action lawsuit filed Friday in California, software program updates have drained or rendered inoperable costly batteries for some house owners. The swimsuit states:
“When automotive house owners buy their automobiles, they fairly count on that unexpected occasions—like climate, accidents, or flat tires—might influence the efficiency of their automobiles and result in expensive repairs. However no cheap client would count on that the automotive producer itself, by means of an automatic system, would intentionally and considerably intrude with the automotive’s efficiency by means of software program updates that cut back the working capability of the automobiles. However that’s exactly what Tesla has finished right here.”
In accordance with the swimsuit, Tesla’s automated software program updates have, with out warning, depleted the battery in Mannequin S and Mannequin X automobiles, decreasing the driving vary by at the least 20%. “Automotive house owners will likely be compelled to pay a 3rd social gathering a big charge ($500-$750) to reverse the software program replace in order that the automotive house owners might proceed to expertise the battery efficiency that they had earlier than the replace,” the swimsuit states.
In some circumstances, the software program updates “will render the batteries inoperable, and automotive house owners must buy a brand new battery at a price of as much as $15,000,” it provides.
In July 2021, Tesla agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle claims that one among its software program updates briefly decreased the battery’s charging velocity, most capability, and vary briefly for greater than 1,700 Mannequin S house owners, in response to CNBC.
Hagens Berman legal professional Steve Berman, who’s representing Tesla house owners and lessors within the present lawsuit, instructed Fox Information, “Tesla house owners and lessors are uniquely on the mercy of the maker of their vehicles, and Tesla imposes software program updates with out consent each time their automobile is related to Wi-Fi.”
The lawsuit provides: “Tesla house owners hook up with Tesla instantly by way of Wi-Fi from their houses or companies, and Tesla can then push software program updates onto the automobiles, with out the chance to consent to the updates or ask questions concerning the updates. And Plaintiffs actually didn’t consent to updates that hurt the efficiency of their automobiles.”
Tesla states on its web site: “Over-the-air software program updates introduce new options and updates to your automobile—making your automobile safer and extra succesful over time.”
Fortune reached out to Tesla for feedback concerning the lawsuit however obtained no instant reply.
