Tesla faces lawsuit from Model X owner over alleged safety faults
A Californian customer has filed suit against Tesla, claiming his $162,000 Model X SUV is plagued by safety issues and unusable due to persistent faults.
A Tesla Model X owner in California has taken legal action against the electric carmaker, alleging that repeated safety faults have rendered his $162,000 SUV undriveable. The lawsuit, filed by Barrett Lyon, details a series of problems with the Model X, including malfunctioning doors, unreliable driver assistance systems and software glitches.
Lyon, who previously owned both a Tesla Roadster and an early Model S, described his experience with the Model X as a sharp contrast to his earlier satisfaction. According to the complaint, the SUV’s falcon wing doors have slammed shut on his wife and swung open inside the garage, causing physical damage to the car and property. Lyon claims these issues have left the vehicle unsafe for his family.
Owner lists multiple safety and usability complaints
The lawsuit cites further technical faults, including an Autopilot system that reportedly struggles in wet weather and becomes confused, a touchscreen that freezes, and a second-row seat that can cause the driver’s seat to fold forward unexpectedly. Lyon also described the auto park feature as unusable, stating the Model X has become little more than an expensive ornament.
Lyon is seeking a full refund of the purchase price, reimbursement for registration fees, damages and legal costs. The lawsuit adds to a series of publicised complaints about Model X reliability and safety. Tesla has previously acknowledged production delays and, in April, recalled some Model X vehicles over a third-row seat issue.
Context: Model X reliability and previous issues
Tesla’s Model X, introduced after a two-year delay, has faced scrutiny over its complex door mechanisms and software-dependent features. The company issued a recall in April related to third-row seat latches. Customer frustration has grown as more owners have reported similar problems, although Tesla has not publicly responded to Lyon’s specific claims at the time of writing.
For further background on Tesla’s recent safety controversies, seeanother crash caused by Tesla’s autonomous features.
