Tesla Owner Sues Over Exaggerated Range Claims for Model X

Lawsuit alleges Tesla's advertised driving range is nearly double what the vehicle can actually achieve.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:11pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A Texas Tesla owner has filed a lawsuit against the automaker, claiming his 2022 Model X can barely travel 185 miles on a full charge despite Tesla advertising a range of over 300 miles. The owner, James Dondero, says he paid an additional $20,000 for a 'long-range' option that was supposed to increase the vehicle's range to 348 miles, but he has been unable to achieve those numbers in real-world driving.

Why it matters

Driving range is a critical factor for many consumers considering the switch to electric vehicles. This lawsuit highlights concerns that Tesla may be exaggerating the capabilities of its vehicles, which could undermine consumer trust and slow EV adoption if the issue is widespread.

The details

Dondero alleges in his lawsuit that despite following Tesla's instructions, such as fully depleting and recharging the battery, the vehicle's performance did not improve. He also claims Tesla scheduled service appointments without offering a new diagnosis and declined to repurchase the vehicle. The lawsuit also mentions that Tesla delivered Dondero's Model X without a promised center console wireless charging component due to chip shortages.

  • Dondero purchased the 2022 Model X in 2022.

The players

James Dondero

A Texas Tesla owner who purchased a 2022 Model X for $106,290 and is suing the company over exaggerated range claims.

Tesla Inc.

The Austin-based electric vehicle manufacturer that is accused of fraudulent advertising and misrepresenting the driving range of its vehicles.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Tesla hyped the range of its electric vehicles, or EVs, raising consumer expectations beyond what the vehicles can deliver. And Tesla compounded this problem by selling Long Range packages (at $20,000 a pop) to customers like Dondero without delivering any value.”

— James Dondero (statesman.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide whether to allow the case to proceed to trial, where Dondero is seeking damages and attorney's fees.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the importance of accurate and transparent marketing of electric vehicle capabilities, as exaggerated claims could undermine consumer trust and slow EV adoption. It also raises questions about Tesla's service and diagnostic practices for addressing range-related issues.