Image source: PC Mag
Tesla is currently facing a class action lawsuit alleging it misled the public with false advertisements about its Autopilot and full self-driving capabilities.
The lawsuit
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.
He claims the electric car maker’s ADAS systems cause its vehicles to turn red, miss exits and stall in traffic.
As a result, breakdowns cost Tesla owners thousands of dollars.
Tesla vehicles are usually equipped with ADAS or Autopilot.
Owners can upgrade the system for more functionality.
The company also sells an advanced autopilot and full self-driving software, or SFD.
The price of SFD continues to rise, and the current price is $ 15,000.
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Briggs Matsko
Briggs Matsko, the plaintiff, paid a $ 5,000 premium for the updated autopilot in his 2018 Tesla Model X.
Matsko says the company has announced that its technology is fully operational or “around the corner,” though it is unclear whether or not it works, making the vehicles dangerous.
Matsko’s lawsuit reads:
“Although these promises have proven false time and time again, Tesla and Musk have continued making them to generate media attention, to deceive consumers into believing it has unrivaled cutting-edge technology, and to establish itself as a leading player in the fast-growing electric vehicle market.”
Other allegations
Briggs Matski’s lawsuit is yet another addition to other complaints and allegations, including the attention and demands of state and federal agencies.
In July, the California Department of Motor Vehicles accused Tesla of misleading advertising.
Meanwhile, last month, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) asked the electric vehicle maker for more information about the cabin camera as part of an ongoing investigation into 830,000 Tesla self-driving cars.
NHTSA is currently investigating 16 incidents in which Tesla owners may have activated ADAS and crashed into stationary emergency vehicles.
In late August, a Tesla Model 3 owner filed a lawsuit against the automaker, alleging an Autopilot malfunction caused it to accidentally brake.
In Palm Beach County, Florida, a court recently set a date in February for a jury to hear testimony about a 2019 autopilot crash that killed a father of three.
Similar to Matsko’s class action lawsuit, Tesla’s lawsuits aren’t about the capabilities of the technology, but about the promises Tesla and Musk made to fanatics loyal to them.
Additionally, system branding could lull drivers into a false sense of security and lead to inattention.
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Tesla’s Autopilot
The electric car maker has announced that its Autopilot comes with features like traffic-aware cruise control and lane assist.
Advanced Autopilot features include Navigate, which guides the vehicle from entering to exiting the freeway; automatic lane change; and Smart Summon.
Smart Summon is a feature that navigates complex environments and parking spots to get the car to the driver.
A beta version of the FSD is active in over 100,000 vehicles and is available on city streets.
Tesla’s website warns drivers to stay alert and stay in control of vehicles, but Matsko, the California DMV, and others say that contradicts the faith Tesla and Musk have in the cars. Autopilot and FSD capabilities.
Matsko hopes the situation will deter Tesla from its “deceptive and misleading marketing of ADAS technology.”
References:
Tesla sued over alleged false autopilot, full self driving claims
Drivers sue Tesla for alleged false advertising of Autopilot and FSD software
