Disgruntled Tesla Cybertruck Owner Expresses Regret After Experiencing Critical Failure and Being Unable to Drive Vehicle, with Tesla Unable to Provide Repair for Nearly a Month.
Florida Resident Faces Lemon Law Conundrum with Tesla Cybertruck
Stephen Jones, a resident of Florida, has found himself in a predicament with his newly purchased 2024 Tesla Cybertruck. The vehicle, which cost him $130,000, has been inoperable for over a month due to a critical failure that prevents charging and driving.
Jones has been trying to get his Cybertruck into the service centre for 39 days, with the service appointment being rescheduled multiple times. The latest rescheduling moved the date from July 16 to August 5.
The Cybertruck's prolonged inoperability has led Jones to consider invoking Florida's Lemon Law. According to the law, a vehicle is considered a lemon if it has a substantial defect that impairs its use, value, or safety, and the manufacturer is unable to repair it after a reasonable number of attempts. In this case, the "reasonable number of attempts" is defined as either three unsuccessful repair attempts or the vehicle being out of service for a cumulative total of 30 days or more.
Jones' Cybertruck has been out of service for more than 15 days, meeting the criteria for initiating the Lemon Law process in Florida. However, it's important to note that as of 2025, Tesla has started production and delivery of the Cybertruck from Gigafactory Texas, but there is no specific public information indicating that Jones' Tesla Cybertruck qualifies for Lemon Law protection in Florida.
Before taking any legal action, Jones should consider consulting with a lawyer who specializes in Florida Lemon Law to discuss his specific situation and ensure he follows all the required procedures correctly. He should also contact the Florida Attorney General's office for guidance on the arbitration process and the Consumer Guide to the Florida Lemon Law booklet.
Jones plans to file a 'defect notification form' with Tesla and the Florida Attorney General's office on Monday, July 14. This form is an essential step in the Lemon Law process, as it provides the manufacturer with a final opportunity to repair the vehicle.
In the meantime, Jones is facing practical challenges, as the service centre for his Cybertruck is 50 miles away, making it difficult for him to access it. He is currently unable to drive his Cybertruck due to its low battery charge, adding to his frustration.
The 30-day period for being out of service can create a presumption of a lemon, but Jones will still need to prove at an arbitration hearing that the defect substantially affects the vehicle's safety, use, or reliability.
As the situation unfolds, Jones' case serves as a reminder for consumers to be vigilant about their rights under Lemon Laws, especially when dealing with high-value, cutting-edge vehicles like the Tesla Cybertruck.
