Higher mileage readings affected warranty coverage, suit charges
Key takeaways:
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Plaintiffs claim Tesla vehicles overstate mileage, reducing warranty coverage.
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Lead plaintiff says his car logged triple the distance actually driven.
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Lawsuit argues Teslas odometers are based on energy use, not real distance.
Back in the days when odometers were mechanical, shady used car dealers were often accused of winding the meter backward to make it look like a candidate for the crusher had fewer miles than it actually did.
But times have changed, and now a proposed class-action in California accuses Tesla of the opposite -- showing more miles than actually driven.
The complaint, brought by Tesla owner Nyree Hinton, alleges that the company knowingly inflates mileage readings,reducing the duration of warranty coverage and potentially increasing company profits at consumers' expense.
According to the suit, Hinton purchased a used Tesla in December 2022 that displayed 36,772 miles on the odometer. Not long after acquiring the vehicle, he sought repairs and began to notice peculiar patterns in the mileage being recorded.
Specifically, Hinton claims that his Tesla was logging approximately 72 miles per day, despite his commute totaling just 20 miles round trip.
Energy not distance
The lawsuit asserts that Tesla vehicles do not measure physical distance traveled using traditional odometer mechanisms. Instead, the suit claims, Tesla estimates mileage using a formula that factors in energy consumption and driver behavior. This allegedly results in inflated mileage figures, which can prematurely void warranties and pressure customers into purchasing extended service plans.
Tesla Inc. knowingly overstates the distances traveled in Tesla Vehicles, or at minimum tolerates substantial inaccuracy in distances traveled in Tesla Inc.s favor, the complaint states. Hintons vehicle surpassed the 50,000-mile markthus exceeding the Basic Vehicle Limited Warrantysooner than expected, shifting the cost of repairs to the owner.
The lawsuit further contends that the inflation of mileage also affects lease mileage limits and overall repair costs, stating that the tactic increases repair revenue, reduces warranty obligations, and compels consumers to purchase extended warranties prematurely.
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Posted: 2025-04-18 15:27:36
