A group of Tesla Model S and Model X owners are suing the auto manufacturer over automatic updates that impacted their battery range and, in some cases, caused damage.
Per the Hill, the suit alleges that pushed software updates reduced their vehicle’s range by 20 per cent and, in some cases, led to battery damage.
According to the claim, owners had to spend between $500 to $700 to reverse the update on their Model X or S. While those whose batteries were damaged were forced into buying new batteries, paying upwards of $15,000.
The suite notes:
When car owners purchase their vehicles, they reasonably expect that unforeseen events — like weather, accidents, or flat tires — may impact the performance of their vehicles and lead to costly repairs. But no reasonable consumer would expect that the car manufacturer itself, through an automated system, would deliberately and significantly interfere with the car’s performance through software updates that reduce the operating capacity of the vehicles.
The suit claims that Tesla’s updates violate the Consumer Legal Remedies Act, California Unfair Competition Act and Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The lawsuit was filed in US District Court in San Francisco.
Tesla has yet to respond, nor has the date for the initial hearing been set.
