Auto enthusiasts and owners of Tesla Model S and Model X have raised concerns that wireless software updates delivered over the air can affect how far these electric vehicles can travel on a full charge. Reports on the matter have circulated in automotive media, including Carscoops, which has documented claims from a portion of owners about noticeable range reductions following updates.
On Friday, May 12, a California class action was filed on behalf of Model S and Model X buyers or lessees. Plaintiffs allege that certain over-the-air revisions shorten the vehicle’s driving range by as much as 20 percent. Some owners reportedly faced the prospect of full battery replacement with costs that can run into tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the vehicle and warranty status. The suit portrays Tesla vehicles as dynamic computing platforms and argues that these updates, when deployed without consumer consent or adequate disclosure, may infringe on rights typically afforded to buyers and lessees in the United States. Legal representatives for the plaintiffs indicate that other automakers generally notify customers when updates are deployed, a practice they say Tesla reportedly lacks in some instances.
Separately, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary inquiry into Tesla after two incidents were reported in which steering wheels allegedly disengaged while the cars were underway. The ongoing investigation signals heightened regulatory scrutiny around driver-assistance features and core vehicle control systems in Tesla models, which could influence consumer confidence and future update policies across the industry. This regulatory dimension adds to the broader discussion about how software-driven improvements and safety-related changes are rolled out to electric vehicles in North America and beyond.