by Tesla’s Problems in Australia: Phantom Braking and Questionable Range Claims
Tesla has once again found itself at the center of a scandal, this time due to class action lawsuits in Australia. Electric vehicle owners are complaining about two main issues:
Approximately 10,000 Tesla owners have joined the lawsuit, which has already been filed with the Federal Court. This points to systemic problems rather than isolated incidents.
Phantom Braking: A Real Danger on the Roads
Lawyers from JDA Saddler, who represent the plaintiffs, have gathered numerous testimonies about sudden braking at speeds of 100-110 km/h. Importantly, this happens even without using the Autopilot system.
“Drivers report feeling terrified when their cars suddenly brake, and in some cases, this has led to collisions,” stated Rebecca Jankauskas from JDA Saddler.
Questionable Technical Specifications
The lawsuit also accuses Tesla of providing misleading information regarding:
- Maximum range, which does not match real-world performance
- Autonomous driving capabilities that are not technically supported by the vehicles’ equipment
Interestingly, official complaints to the Australian federal Department of Infrastructure about phantom braking were received from only six owners, which is significantly different from the number of participants in the class action. This may indicate both a lack of awareness among owners about the complaint filing mechanisms and the true scale of the problem, which requires more thorough investigation. International attention to this case may accelerate action from the manufacturer to address the technical shortcomings.
