From Yahoo Finance: 2025-04-17 17:35:00

A proposed class action lawsuit alleges Tesla speeds up odometers on electric vehicles to shorten warranties and avoid repair costs. Plaintiff Nyree Hinton claims odometer readings reflect energy consumption, driver behavior, and “predictive algorithms” rather than actual mileage driven. Hinton’s 2020 Model Y ran at least 15% fast, causing his warranty to expire prematurely.

Hinton, a Los Angeles resident, faced a $10,000 repair bill due to his warranty expiring early. The lawsuit alleges Tesla ties warranty limits to inflated odometer readings to increase repair revenue and compel consumers to purchase extended warranties prematurely. Tesla and its lawyer have denied the allegations, with the company not responding to requests for comment.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for Tesla drivers in California, potentially covering over 1 million vehicles. The case was moved to Los Angeles federal court from a state court in the city. Tesla has faced previous litigation over inflated vehicle driving ranges, with a federal judge in Oakland ruling drivers must pursue claims in individual arbitrations, not as a class action.



Read more at Yahoo Finance: Tesla speeds up odometers to avoid warranty repairs, US lawsuit claims