San Diego Tesla Model S Lemon Law Attorneys

Experienced Lemon Law Attorneys Pursuing Compensation for Tesla Model S Owners in San Diego

Since its release in 2012, the Tesla Model S has been a popular choice for San Diego drivers. Many owners use the full-size luxury electric sedan as their go-to car for both everyday errands and scenic getaways along the California coast.

The Model S has long been marketed as a vehicle that combines high performance and comfort with innovative technology. Unfortunately, the Tesla ownership experience doesn’t always meet expectations. Many owners have reported recurring problems that remain unresolved despite multiple repairs. Software glitches, hardware defects and repeated service visits are more common than anticipated.

If your Tesla Model S has experienced ongoing issues, you have important protections under California’s lemon law. The skilled San Diego Tesla Model S attorneys at Wirtz Law APC are here to help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Owning a Model S in San Diego

The Tesla Model S attracts drivers who want a roomy yet sleek sedan without the bulk of an SUV. In San Diego, Tesla operates a service center in Miramar and a showroom at Westfield UTC Mall. There are plenty of Tesla Superchargers in convenient locations, including Clairemont Mesa Boulevard, Village Way, Balboa Avenue and Camino De La Plaza.

Tesla had 41,138 vehicle registrations in California from April to June 2025. The Model S appeals to a wide range of drivers, from professionals who rely on it for their daily commute to couples heading out on weekend road trips. Drivers can travel up to 410 miles on a single charge. Compared to the Model X, which is better suited for larger families, the Model S strikes a balance between luxury and practicality. 

Common Tesla Model S Issues and Recalls

Despite its reputation for cutting-edge engineering, the Tesla Model S has been the subject of repeated complaints from San Diego drivers. The problems often extend beyond simple inconveniences, raising concerns about safety and reliability. Several significant recalls have been issued for the Model S in recent years, including:

• Touchscreen Problems: The Tesla Model S has three displays, including a 17.4-inch first-row touchscreen and a 9.4-inch second-row touchscreen. In 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) asked Tesla to recall 158,000 vehicles due to touchscreen safety issues that could prevent driver access to key controls. If touchscreens freeze or go blank, they can disable climate control, the backup camera and window defogger, among other settings.
• Infotainment System Failures: In May 2022, Tesla recalled nearly 130,000 vehicles due to the risk of the infotainment system overheating before or during fast charging, causing screen lag or reboot issues. The recall included certain Model S vehicles from 2021 and 2022, and the problem was addressed via an over-the-air software update.
• Defective Airbags: Tesla issued a voluntary recall on certain 2024 and 2025 Model S vehicles to replace the driver airbag, which may have been damaged during the supplier assembly process. When an air bag is torn during deployment, it can increase the risk of injuries in a collision. Another airbag issue involved an incorrect horn pad installed in certain vehicles, preventing the horn from sounding.
• Faulty Seat Belt Anchor: Tesla issued a voluntary recall on 2021-2023 Model S vehicles to inspect first-row seat belts and their pretensioner anchors. A faulty connection could increase the risk of injury in an accident. Another seat belt-related recall was issued in May 2024 due to a defective warning system.

Tesla vehicles, including the Model S, come with Autopilot and offer optional upgrades like Full Self-Driving. However, such advanced features don’t always work as they should. In August 2025, the NHTSA opened an investigation into whether the automaker delayed reporting collisions linked to its driver assistance technology.

Other problems identified with the Tesla Model S include unexpected power loss while driving, battery and charging system issues, electrical malfunctions and steering issues. Recall information can be found on the Tesla website at tesla.com or the NHTSA website at recalls.gov. Some recalls are resolved with over-the-air software updates, while others require Tesla owners to visit their nearest service center.

How California Lemon Law Protects Model S Owners

California’s lemon law protects consumers who buy or lease vehicles with recurring issues that significantly impair their use, value or safety. If your Tesla Model S has required repeated repairs for the same problem or has spent a lot of time in the shop, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle or buyback.

To qualify, the Model S must have been purchased or leased in California and registered in the state when the issues began. The problems must also occur while the vehicle is still under warranty. The basic vehicle warranty for a Tesla Model S is four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. It is eight years or 150,000 miles for the battery and drive unit.

Before a court can decide that a vehicle is a lemon, the manufacturer must be given a reasonable number of opportunities to fix the defect. What counts as reasonable depends on the specific issue and its severity, but it can be as few as two attempts. For Tesla vehicles, over-the-air software updates also count as repair attempts under California’s lemon law. These automatic updates work like smartphone app updates and usually spare owners a trip to the Tesla service center.

Possible Remedies for a Tesla Model S Lemon Law Claim

The California lemon law allows owners to seek several types of compensation when a vehicle qualifies as a lemon:

• Refund: The most common remedy is a full refund of the vehicle purchase price. California law adjusts the refund based on the miles driven before the defect appeared. An experienced lemon law attorney can ensure the calculation is correct and maximize the buyback.
• Replacement vehicle: You can request a replacement vehicle that is “substantially similar” to your Model S. Because Tesla offers consistent models, obtaining a comparable replacement is often straightforward. As the vehicle owner, you have the right to choose between a refund or a replacement.
• Incidental and consequential damages: These damages cover additional costs related to your lemon vehicle, including towing fees, rental cars, public transportation or rideshare expenses while your Model S is being repaired or replaced.
• Civil penalties: If an automaker willfully fails to comply with the California lemon law, you may be entitled to civil penalties, which can be up to twice the amount of your actual damages.
• Attorney’s fees: When you win your lemon law claim, state law requires automakers to pay your attorney’s fees. This allows you to hire a skilled San Diego lemon law attorney with little to no out-of-pocket cost.

Automakers often have teams of lawyers dedicated to denying or delaying claims. Having your own legal representation increases your chances of getting the full compensation you deserve for a defective vehicle.

Understanding Tesla’s Arbitration Clause

Tesla’s purchase agreements and order forms include an arbitration clause. This clause requires owners to submit lemon law claims to arbitration unless they actively opt out within a limited period, usually 30 days. Opting out can give you more options for pursuing a claim.

Arbitration is an alternative to going to court. Instead of a jury trial, a professional arbitrator reviews evidence from both sides and issues a binding decision. You don’t have the opportunity to appeal the decision. Arbitrators often have experience in the auto industry and with lemon law cases, but they may not have any courtroom experience.

Arbitration can be faster and less expensive than a trial, but it tends to favor automakers, even when a vehicle owner has a valid claim. Many lemon law cases are resolved before trial through negotiations between lawyers for both parties. These settlements often lead to better outcomes than arbitration, particularly if you hire an attorney experienced in lemon law.

If you did not opt out of Tesla’s arbitration clause within the designated period, a San Diego lemon law attorney can help you understand your options. They will protect your rights every step of the way, guiding you through arbitration if necessary.

What to Do If Your Tesla Model S Has Repeated Repairs

If your Tesla Model S has been in the shop multiple times for the same issue, it’s important to take action. Here are five steps to help protect your lemon law claim:

1. Document every repair attempt. Keep copies of work orders, service records and correspondence.
2. Track how long your vehicle has been out of service. California’s lemon law may apply if the car is in the shop for more than 30 days, whether cumulatively or consecutively.
3. Give Tesla a reasonable opportunity to fix the issue. Two repair attempts may be sufficient, depending on the defect.
4. Contact a San Diego lemon law attorney before your warranty expires. California’s lemon law requires claims to be filed within one year after your warranty expires or within six years of your vehicle’s original delivery date.

Finding the Right San Diego Lemon Law Attorney

Lemon law claims can be complex. Not every lawyer is familiar with the issues that arise for electric vehicles like the Model S or how Tesla’s repair patterns work.

When choosing an attorney, look for someone with a proven track record in San Diego lemon law cases, ready to represent you at no upfront cost. At Wirtz Law APC, we focus exclusively on California lemon law. Our team has helped Tesla owners in San Diego and across California recover millions of dollars when their vehicles failed to work as they should.

If your Model S has required repeated trips to the service center and Tesla has not fixed the problem, we can help you understand your options. You may be entitled to a refund, a replacement vehicle or reimbursement for additional costs such as rental cars or towing.

Tesla may try to avoid taking responsibility, but you don’t have to face the lemon law process alone. Wirtz Law APC guides you through every step, from reviewing your service history to demanding a fair resolution under California law. With the right San Diego lemon law attorney, you can protect your rights and ensure your Model S works as it should.

Talk to a San Diego Tesla Model S Lemon Law Attorney Today

If you own a Tesla Model S or any other Tesla vehicle (Model X, Model Y, Model 3, Cybertruck) and continue to experience serious problems, you may have a lemon. California’s lemon law protects consumers when manufacturers fail to repair a defective vehicle after a reasonable number of attempts.

Struggling with your vehicle’s repeated problems? Don’t wait to learn about your legal options. The sooner you act, the stronger your lemon law claim may be. Wirtz Law APC can explain your rights under California lemon law and help you pursue the compensation you deserve. To learn more, contact us today to schedule a free consultation at no obligation.

Our office is located in La Jolla, San Diego, and we are proud to have served our bustling and thriving community for nearly 30 years. We bring years of experience serving San Diego communities, such as La Jolla, North Park, South Park, Chula Vista, National City, Gaslamp, Hillcrest, Kearny Mesa, and Convoy. We also serve Southern California, Northern California, and Central California.