Long waits for repairs is not a new story, but now some have had enough. In a lawsuit filed against the company this week, Tesla owners are taking the automaker accountable for sky-high prices and long repair times. The lawsuit alleges that Tesla has a monopoly on parts and services at the expense of car owners. Unfortunately for Tesla, this is the latest in the brand.
Tesla sued over limited repair capacity
Per a report, the Model S owner filed a class action lawsuit on March 14. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in San Francisco, states that owners of combustion vehicles have multiple options for maintenance and repairs. Not only can conventional vehicles be repaired at a number of service centers, but owners have the option to repair the vehicles themselves if they choose.
According to the lawsuit filed by Virginia M. Tesla itself.
The lawsuit alleges that only the brand itself is or is authorized to operate on these vehicles. Even worse, these authorized service centers should only use Tesla-manufactured components.
By doing so, Tesla is being sued on the grounds that it is violating antitrust laws. Lambrix goes on to say that Tesla is taking advantage of its unique market position to prevent repair and maintenance dollars from leaving its umbrella.
Long standing customer complaints
Of course, the long delays are not news to those who have been following Tesla for the past few years. In 2018, it wasn’t unusual for Tesla owners to wait weeks or months for even basic vehicle repairs such as brakes and suspension components.
Those waiting for more complex parts related to electric motors or in-vehicle electronics could see longer wait times.
The lawsuit also addresses this, saying:[owners] They suffer long delays in getting their electric cars fixed or maintained, only to pay above-the-competition prices for those parts and repairs once they finally become available.”
Will Tesla’s lawsuit succeed?
At this time, it is difficult to know whether or not the lawsuit against Tesla will succeed. The company holds several patents that make it difficult for third-party manufacturers to create less expensive replacement components. However, there are also many parts sourced from Tesla cars that should be easy to source from outside the manufacturer’s umbrella.
It’s not unusual for auto manufacturers to require parts and in-house labor for warranty repairs. However, once a vehicle is out of warranty, owners are free to repair their cars however they see fit, and there is a great ability to do so. That Tesla continues to limit where and how owners service their cars beyond the warranty period is certainly unusual.
Unfortunately, there is no way to reach Tesla directly for comment on the lawsuit. In addition, the company has not yet officially responded to the lawsuit.
We will continue to provide updates as we learn more.
