A recent court filing reveals a significant legal battle brewing between an individual and a major automotive manufacturer over alleged vehicle defects. On August 28, 2024, Usuamayak Danesi filed a complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, against Tesla Motors, Inc., alleging multiple breaches of warranty under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
The case centers around a 2021 Tesla Model 3 that Danesi purchased on May 29, 2021. According to the complaint, Danesi experienced numerous issues with the vehicle's electrical system shortly after acquisition. The plaintiff asserts that these defects were covered under both express and implied warranties provided by Tesla Motors, Inc. The express warranties included promises that the vehicle would be free from material and workmanship defects for four years or 50,000 miles and eight years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain. Despite multiple attempts to have these issues resolved at authorized service centers, Danesi claims that Tesla failed to repair the vehicle adequately.
Danesi's legal team argues that Tesla's inability to fix the car constitutes a breach of both express and implied warranties under California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. "Each time Plaintiff delivered the nonconforming Vehicle to Defendants' authorized service and repair facility," reads the complaint, "Defendants represented to Plaintiff that they could and would conform the Vehicle to the applicable warranties." However, according to Danesi, these promises were not fulfilled as "defects continue to exist even after a reasonable number of attempts to repair was given."
In addition to seeking general damages exceeding $35,000 exclusive of interest and costs, Danesi is also asking for equitable relief including rescission of the sales contract and restitution of all monies expended. The plaintiff further seeks incidental and consequential damages along with exemplary damages due to what they describe as intentional misconduct by Tesla Motors. Additionally, Danesi is demanding civil penalties amounting up to two times their actual damages as permitted under the Song-Beverly Act.
Represented by Heidy Garcia from American Lemon Law Group LLP, Danesi has requested a jury trial for this case. The case ID is 24CV446176 and it will be presided over in Santa Clara County’s Superior Court.