Lawsuit concerning Tesla's paint defect issues in Quebec advance to the class action stage
In a significant development, a class action lawsuit filed against Tesla in Quebec over paint quality issues in Model 3 and Model Y vehicles has been authorized to proceed by the Superior Court of Quebec on September 13, 2023. The lawsuit, first filed by Jean-Francois Bellerose in May 2020, involves more than 13,000 Model 3s and over 2,300 Model Ys sold in Quebec as of mid-2021.
The lawsuit alleges that Tesla was aware of the paint quality issues when the vehicles were first marketed and sold, but failed to take proactive steps to notify or compensate affected customers. The suit seeks reimbursement for the cost of paint repairs or preventive measures like protective film or mud flaps, as well as $500 per claimant for moral damages and another $500 for Tesla's alleged failure to disclose the risk of premature paint degradation.
Services Concilia has been appointed by the court to manage the notification process and opt-out procedures for class members. Class members who do not wish to participate in the lawsuit will be required to submit a formal opt-out request by a deadline set by the court.
The case is set to be heard in Montreal, with a trial date yet to be scheduled. If Tesla is found liable, the total payout could reach into the millions. However, the exact payouts for affected owners would depend on the lawsuit’s specific allegations, evidence of defect severity, negotiations, or court rulings.
In the absence of documented details, potential owners affected by this lawsuit are advised to consult Quebec’s official class action registry or legal databases, Tesla owner forums and advocacy groups in Quebec, news outlets specializing in automotive consumer rights or Quebec legal matters, and official communications from Tesla Canada for the most accurate and current status.
It is important to note that Tesla offered free mud flaps and paint protection film (PPF) kits to Canadian owners in late 2020. However, the lawsuit alleges that these measures do not address the underlying paint quality issues.
The full judgement, mostly in French, can be read below. The lawsuit has not surfaced in major media or online coverage indexed in the current search results up to this date, highlighting the importance of seeking information from the sources mentioned above.
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