June 11, 2025 In March the Federal Court listed a class action against Tesla Motors Australia and its US parent after thousands of drivers added their names to the paperwork. Woodsford is paying the legal costs, and litigation practice JGA Saddler filed the claim. Court documents say the dispute covers Model 3 and Model Y cars built from 2021, each fitted with the camera-based “Tesla Vision” setup, an Autopilot driver assist package and a lithium-ion battery. The filing says those three features do not work as advertised. Drivers who purchased or leased the cars in Australia between May 2021 and February 2025 make up the group. According to the claim, every buyer paid a premium price in the belief that the technology promised a safer and longer journey. The Federal Court will decide later this year whether the case moves to trial. Could This Influence The Self-Driving Car Industry And Laws Globally? Transport law lecturers say regulators in Europe and North America are studying the Australian case. If the claim succeeds, consumer groups abroad may quote the judgment when they question bold self driving promises. In the United States Tesla has already settled lawsuits over fatal crashes while refusing to admit fault. Safety agencies there logged hundreds of phantom braking complaints last year, and they continue to request software updates and test results. Mr Yin hopes the court forces Tesla to either fix the code or buy his car back. Until that day he keeps a wary eye on traffic behind him and touches the brake pedal at the first hint of a shudder. A trial date is expected later this year, and both sides know the ruling could influence beyond Australia in turn. Related Articles