Tesla owners in Quebec could get a few thousand dollars back each when they purchase their luxury car. The Supreme Court just approved two class action lawsuits against Elon Musk’s company.
• Also read: I love my electric car, but it costs too much
The first is Paint Issues (DPP) and the other is Premium Connectivity Service. Both appeals were approved on September 13th.
The DPP complaint affects everyone who has bought or long-term leased a Tesla 3 or Model Y. The problem affects the rear fenders of the vehicle, which must have suffered paint damage when it was 48 months old or younger.
The Tesla paint issue affects the rear fender, as seen here. Screenshot of a video from YouTube account @antirouillebolduc7363 (Éric Bolduc)
“It happened to everyone. Almost every Tesla has a design and protection problem. We just have to prepare it for Quebec and its winters, but Tesla doesn’t do that,” assures independent mechanic Éric Bolduc.
The interior of the same wing as above. Corrosion is obvious. Screenshot of a video from YouTube account @antirouillebolduc7363 (Éric Bolduc)
The owner of Antirouille Bolduc is one of two Tesla specialists in Quebec at Valkyrie PPF Solutions in Laval. Based in Saint-Apollinaire, near Quebec, customers come from all over. He drives a Tesla himself and swears by this car brand.
That doesn’t stop him from being realistic: Tesla has a serious paint problem.
“If you stay on a dirt road or even just in certain areas, it’s hell, unlike a snowbird spending the winter in Florida. Estrie and the Laurentians are the worst regions,” he said.
According to the lawyer in the filing, Tesla has sold more than 25,000 Model 3 or Y models since its founding in Quebec.
“Damages average between $3,500 and $7,500 per member. We’re talking about at least 5,000 cars,” says Benoit Gamache from BG Avocats.
Conservatively, we’re talking about an appeal of $17.5 million ($3,500 multiplied by 5,000 cars).
Hard to deal with
Jean-François Bellerose from Sherbrooke has owned a Tesla Model 3 since June 2019. He paid $63,420 for it.
A victim of the problem described in the lawsuit, he had his car repainted 18 months ago for $6,500. Five months later the problem recurred.
“It’s definitely a design issue at this point,” he laments.
He could at least get his $6,500 back if the lawyer wins the case.
LTE in the car
The other lawsuit against Tesla concerns its high-end connectivity service. This is an LTE connection in the car that allows, for example, satellite maps or watching Netflix.
Tesla requires customers to pay $13.99 plus taxes per month for the premium service. The problem, according to lawyer Benoit Gamache, is that Tesla salespeople don’t tell the customer. Screenshot of Tesla Canada website
Mr. Bellerose received the premium service for free when he purchased his Tesla, without being told that it was a “trial period.”
“I thought it was part of the car like everyone else,” he says.
When Tesla started charging him $13.99 a month without warning, he didn’t think it was funny.
He complained and Tesla eventually offered him the service free of charge, as agreed.
But that hasn’t happened to other Tesla owners in Quebec.
“At $13.99 for 6 months and at least 6,000 customers, we’re talking a lot of money. And we have to add at least $25 in punitive damages per client,” explains attorney Benoit Gamache.
Conservatively, we can estimate the value of this recourse at $5.5 million. “There will undoubtedly be significantly more than 6,000 customers, because everyone could be affected,” assures Me Gamache.
Anyone who has been billed for premium service or who has paint problems on their Tesla is encouraged to sign up for a class action lawsuit here.