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Lawsuit Instigated Against Tesla in Australia Over Unexpected Braking, Range Issues, and FSD Hardware Problems

Tesla nuclear in controversy Down Under as it's accused of deceptive marketing in Australia, with claims it overstated vehicle performance and Autopilot capabilities, underestimated battery range, and flawed self-driving features. Reportedly supported by a site from [...]

Tesla encountered a potential class action litigation in Australia concerning mysterious braking...
Tesla encountered a potential class action litigation in Australia concerning mysterious braking incidents, range issues, and autonomous driving hardware malfunctions.

Lawsuit Instigated Against Tesla in Australia Over Unexpected Braking, Range Issues, and FSD Hardware Problems

In a recent development, Tesla is facing a potential class action lawsuit in Australia, with two law firms, Woodsford and JGA Saddler, leading the charge. The lawsuit alleges that Tesla has misrepresented the capabilities and performance of its vehicles, particularly regarding Autopilot, battery range, and self-driving hardware.

The focus of the lawsuit is on Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles manufactured from 2021 onwards, equipped with 'Tesla Vision,' a camera-based system for self-driving and other safety features. The lawsuit claims that Tesla's marketing and real-world performance of these features do not align.

One of the key allegations in the lawsuit is the issue of "phantom braking," where Tesla's Autopilot system applies emergency braking unexpectedly, potentially leading to an increased risk of accidents. Many Tesla owners have reported incidents of phantom braking over the years, posing dangers to both drivers and other road users.

The lawsuit also challenges Tesla's advertised range figures, claiming that the vehicles fail to achieve the promised maximum range. This discrepancy between real-world range and advertised range has been a point of contention in other markets as well, with Tesla being fined $2.2 million in South Korea for overstating the driving range of their electric vehicles in cold weather.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has stated that the company will provide free upgrades to owners with Hardware 3 (HW3/AI3), but on an unspecified timeline. The lawsuit, however, questions the sufficiency of this hardware for achieving fully autonomous driving, despite past marketing claims.

Individuals who purchased or leased a Tesla Model 3 or Model Y in Australia between May 2021 and February 2025 are eligible to join the class action. Affected owners can register at Tesla Motors Class Action | Australia.

It's important to note that the lawsuit does not mention any advertisements. Tesla has faced similar cases in other markets, including the US where the company failed to get a case dismissed last year. This latest development in Australia underscores the ongoing scrutiny of the company's claims and performance.

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