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Tesla lemon law · MMWA

Tesla Lemon Law Attorney

We represent owners of defective Tesla vehicles nationwide under federal MMWA and state lemon laws. Cash-only settlements. Contingency — we seek MMWA fee-shifting. Real trial firm, not a lead-gen funnel.

Read the Tesla lemon law guide →
Federal MMWA focusCash-settlement focusWe seek manufacturer-paid fees

Common Tesla defects we see

Software, charging, and Autopilot defects on Model 3, Model Y, Model S, and Model X. Here's the cluster of recurring issues that drive Tesla lemon law and MMWA claims.

  • Software / firmware bugs that disable features after OTA updates
  • Charging port + battery-pack failures (especially 4-year-old vehicles)
  • Phantom braking and Autopilot lane-departure issues
  • Build-quality issues — panel gaps, water intrusion, trim defects
  • Display screen (MCU) blackouts and 12V battery failures

Tesla's direct-sales model means there's no franchise dealer to absorb the blame — the manufacturer IS the dealer, and that's exactly who you want on the hook in a lemon law case.

If the dealer says it's normal and it isn't, that's why we exist.

What to do when the Tesla dealer can't fix it

You've been to the dealer. Multiple times. They've reset codes, swapped parts, told you it's normal — and the problem keeps coming back. Here's what we actually do.

Step 1 — get every repair order in writing. The dealer is legally required to give you a written repair order for every warranty visit. Save them all. Even the "no problem found" ones — especially those.

Step 2 — escalate to the manufacturer, not the dealer. Under both state lemon laws and federal MMWA, the warrantor is the MANUFACTURER, not the dealer. The dealer is the manufacturer's authorized agent, but the manufacturer is who owes you the remedy.

Step 3 — call us before you accept any "goodwill" offer. Tesla manufacturer representatives sometimes offer goodwill repairs, extended warranties, or limited cash payments to make the issue go away. These offers are usually significantly less than what you'd recover under federal warranty law. Take the case eligibility quiz first — we'll tell you what the case is actually worth.

Cash-only settlements are our default. You keep the Tesla, pocket the cash. We seek to have the manufacturer pay our attorney fees under MMWA — never out of your settlement.

How the case actually works

Same process, regardless of make. The manufacturer changes — the playbook doesn't.

1

Take the quiz

A few quick questions on your purchase, repairs, and warranty. Tells you whether you likely have a case before you talk to anyone.

2

We review

Upload (or text us photos of) your purchase agreement, every repair order, and your warranty booklet.

3

We demand the manufacturer, not the dealer

Under MMWA and state lemon laws, the warrantor is the manufacturer (Ford Motor Co, Stellantis, Toyota Motor North America, etc.) — not the local dealership. We file against the manufacturer.

4

Cash settlement

You keep the vehicle, pocket cash for diminished value. We seek to have the manufacturer pay our attorney fees under federal warranty law — never out of your settlement.

Tesla lemon law FAQs

Real questions Tesla owners ask. Plain English answers.

Does Tesla have a special arbitration program I should use first?+

Many Tesla dealers and manufacturers offer informal dispute-resolution programs (BBB AUTO LINE, NCDS, or manufacturer-specific). These programs are funded by the manufacturer, which limits how aggressive they can be in your favor. We typically advise skipping informal arbitration and going straight to formal MMWA demand — the fee-shifting provision means we seek to have the manufacturer pay our fees when we win, which is rarely true in their arbitration programs.

How many repair attempts before I have a Tesla lemon law case?+

State lemon laws vary — typically 3-4 attempts for the same defect, or 30+ cumulative days out of service for warranty repair, within a presumption window (1-2 years / 12,000-24,000 miles depending on state). Federal MMWA has no specific repair-attempt count — it asks whether the manufacturer has had a "reasonable number of attempts" to fix the problem. "Reasonable" depends on the severity and the specific defect.

Does Lemonaid Firm handle used Tesla cases?+

Yes — if the Tesla is still under the original manufacturer's warranty, OR if there's any kind of written warranty (CPO program, extended warranty, dealer-issued warranty). State lemon laws often don't cover used vehicles; federal MMWA usually does. Take the quiz and we'll tell you which laws apply to your specific vehicle.

What's the typical cash settlement on a Tesla case?+

Our default settlements run 15-25% of the original purchase price as a cash payment, plus manufacturer-paid attorney fees under MMWA. You keep the vehicle when the math works. For high-value vehicles, settlement amounts scale up correspondingly.

Can I sue the Tesla dealer or only the manufacturer?+

Under MMWA and most state lemon laws, the warrantor is the manufacturer — Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Toyota Motor North America, Stellantis, BMW of North America, etc. The dealer is the authorized service agent but doesn't own the warranty obligation. We file against the manufacturer; the dealer's role is documentary (their repair orders are the evidence).

What documents do I need to start a Tesla claim?+

Three documents to start: (1) your purchase or lease agreement, (2) every repair order from every dealer visit, (3) the manufacturer's warranty booklet. The case quiz starts the intake; we send you the full document checklist once we open a file.

How long does a typical case take?+

Most cases resolve within a few months of the initial demand letter. Cases that need to be filed in court take longer but usually settle before trial.

Is Lemonaid Firm only for Tesla cases?+

No — we handle MMWA and state lemon law cases on every major manufacturer. We work with brands across the entire market, from mass-market to ultra-luxury. The playbook is the same; the manufacturer changes.

Free case review

Find out if you have a Tesla case

A few quick questions on your purchase, repair history, and warranty status — then we tell you whether you have a Tesla lemon law or federal MMWA claim. No appointment, no office visit, no fax.

Find out if you have a case →

Or call us at 844-321-LEMON