Consumer complaint received 2026-02-23 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Lease
Issue: Managing the loan or lease — Problem with additional products or services purchased with the loan
Company: Tesla, Inc.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
To : Legal Department XXXX XXXX XXXX Tesla , Inc . FROM : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, CA XXXX United States XXXX / XXXX VEHICLE INFORMATION XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX Lease Date : XX/XX/year> Current Mileage : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX XXXX XXXX California XXXX PRE-LITIGATION NOTICE Tesla is hereby placed on formal notice that this vehicle constitutes a dangerous, nonconforming product that qualifies for repurchase or replacement under California law. Tesla has failed to repair the defect after reasonable opportunities and has engaged in conduct exposing the company to civil penalties for willful violations. Unless resolved within XXXX ( XXXX ) CALENDAR DAYS, I will proceed with formal legal action without further notice. XXXX DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT UNCOMMANDED DOOR DEPLOYMENT The vehicles driver-side door opens spontaneously without command or occupant interaction. The defect occurs unpredictably when : Other vehicles pass Pedestrians walk nearby Animals move close to the vehicle The vehicle is parked or unattended This malfunction caused a collision damaging both this XXXX XXXX and another vehicle I own. The incident was recorded by the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and provided to Tesla. Link to XXXX video is below, where you can clearly see this serious safety concern. Tesla acknowledged the defect by repairing both vehicles at no cost. The dangerous condition continues to exist. XXXX. TESLA ADMITS THE DEFECT CAN NOT BE REPAIRED Tesla retained the vehicle for over XXXX months. After extensive inspection, Tesla personnel advised that the issue can not be fixed and recommended disabling the automatic door feature. This is not a repair. Requiring the owner to disable a core vehicle function : Fails to conform the vehicle to warranty Materially diminishes value and usability Contradicts advertised capabilities Leaves an unpredictable hazard in place May impair additional safety systems Service personnel at the XXXX, California facility indicated the vehicle should be replaced because the defect can not be corrected. XXXX. VEHICLE PRESENTS AN ONGOING RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY Uncontrolled door deployment creates a substantial risk of : Injury or death to pedestrians and cyclists Collisions with moving vehicles Occupant injury Property damage This condition renders the vehicle unsafe for ordinary use. I do not feel safe operating it. XXXX MULTIPLE SERVICE VISITS EXCESSIVE DOWNTIME I have presented the vehicle to Tesla on multiple occasions for this defect. Tesla has not taken the matter seriously and has failed to provide an effective solution. The vehicle has been out of service for well over XXXX ( XXXX ) days, including a period exceeding XXXX months in Teslas possession. Under California law, this alone establishes a presumption that the vehicle is a lemon. XXXX PRIOR UNDISCLOSED MATERIAL DAMAGE BATTERY REPLACEMENT After execution of the lease, Tesla disclosed that the vehicle had previously undergone a complete battery replacement. This material repair was not disclosed before signing. California law requires disclosure of prior damage or material repairs. Failure to disclose constitutes a serious violation and potential fraud. Tesla later issued a {$5000.00} payment to address this nondisclosure. At that time, Tesla represented that no additional issues existed. The existence of a severe safety defect calls that representation into question. XXXX STATUTORY VIOLATIONS Teslas actions constitute violations of : California Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act ( Civil Code XXXX XXXX XXXX ) California Consumer Legal Remedies Act Breach of express warranty Breach of implied warranty of merchantability Failure to disclose material facts Potential fraudulent or negligent misrepresentation Because Tesla has been aware of the defect and failed to provide a lawful remedy, the violations appear willful, exposing Tesla to civil penalties of up to XXXX times actual damages. XXXX. FORMAL DEMAND FOR STATUTORY RELIEF Pursuant to Civil Code 1793.2 ( d ), Tesla must promptly replace or repurchase a vehicle that can not be brought into compliance with warranty. I hereby demand XXXX of the following within XXXX ( XXXX ) calendar days : OPTION XXXX REPLACEMENT Provide a new vehicle of equal or greater value with : Transfer of all lease terms No additional cost No penalties or fees Delivery within a reasonable timeframe OPTION XXXX REPURCHASE Repurchase the vehicle and reimburse ALL amounts recoverable by law, including but not limited to : All lease payments made Down payment and fees Taxes and registration Incidental and consequential damages Costs associated with the defect Any additional statutory remedies XXXX. EVIDENCE AND LITIGATION HOLD I possess substantial evidence supporting my claims, including video documentation of the malfunction and collision. Tesla is hereby instructed to preserve ALL evidence related to this vehicle, including : XXXX data Sensor logs Diagnostic records Service reports Internal communications Engineering analyses Incident reports Destruction or alteration of evidence may constitute spoliation. XXXX. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE LEGAL ACTION If Tesla does not comply within the stated timeframe, I will pursue all available remedies, including : Filing a civil action Seeking civil penalties for willful violations Recovery of attorneys fees and costs Injunctive relief if appropriate Reporting to regulatory authorities No further notice will be provided before litigation is initiated. XXXX SAFETY WARNING Until resolved, the vehicle remains unsafe due to the risk of uncontrolled door deployment. XXXX XXXX XXXX :

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation