Latest news with #brakefailure
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Tesla Ordered to Buy Back Model S Plaid After Brake Failure Ruling
Tesla Ordered to Buy Back Model S Plaid After Brake Failure Ruling originally appeared on Autoblog. A Norwegian court has ordered Tesla to buy back a Model S Plaid after a catastrophic brake failure during a track day, marking one of the most damning legal defeats for the automaker in recent memory. The Oslo District Court ruled in favor of the owner, Vilhelm Dybwad, who reached out to The Drive about the incident, after the high-performance EV failed to complete even a single lap without overheating its brakes—despite being advertised as a track-ready court found Tesla's marketing claims to be misleading and ruled that the $150,000 vehicle was sold under false pretenses. Tesla must now refund the full purchase price, pay interest, and cover legal fees—adding up to nearly $150,000 in total compensation. What Happened on Track? Dybwad's Model S Plaid experienced total brake fade at Rudskogen Motorsenter, Norway's most demanding racetrack, on its very first hot lap. The failure was immediate and severe: the car's brake system overheated almost instantly, flashing warning messages and rendering the car unsafe for track owner filed suit under Norway's strong consumer protection laws. The court found that Tesla had marketed the Model S Plaid as 'track-capable' without equipping it with proper hardware to survive a performance environment. Tesla's defense—that a carbon-ceramic brake package was coming later—was not deemed sufficient, as it wasn't available at the time of purchase. Marketing Promises Versus Reality Tesla has long walked a fine line between performance bragging rights and practical durability. In this case, its own ads—including a Nürburgring campaign and various Plaid promo clips—were used as evidence of deceptive claims. This ruling comes at a time when Tesla is also facing significant pressure in the U.S. over how it markets its driver-assist this week, the company published a new safety report claiming its Autopilot system is significantly safer than manual driving, stating that cars using Autopilot went over six million miles between crashes in Q2. But critics argue that real-world user experience often paints a more inconsistent inconsistency has become a legal liability. In California, Tesla is now facing a potential 30-day sales ban over allegations of misleading advertising regarding its 'Full Self-Driving' and 'Autopilot' systems—terms regulators argue are dangerously inaccurate. More Trouble Ahead The buyback ruling could set a precedent in Europe and beyond, particularly for owners who have pushed the Model S or Model X beyond their daily comfort zones. Although Tesla has already launched track packages for newer Model S units—complete with upgraded brakes—this case highlights a wider problem for the company: the disparity between its marketing and real-world also comes amid growing global competition. In China, Tesla faces a serious threat from Dongfeng's new M-Hero M817, an off-road-capable hybrid SUV that racked up 10,000 pre-orders in just 24 hours. The M817's broad capability and local appeal make it a formidable rival in a market where Tesla's position has become less secure. What This Means for Owners and Enthusiasts For Model S Plaid owners, the takeaway is clear: despite its straight-line speed and headline-grabbing horsepower, the Plaid may not be as versatile as Tesla claims. Unless fitted with the appropriate hardware—and driven within its limits—the car may not meet the expectations its marketing has this case sparks more lawsuits is unclear. But it's certainly part of a broader reckoning Tesla faces—not just for its product claims, but for its relationship with regulators and consumers worldwide. Tesla Ordered to Buy Back Model S Plaid After Brake Failure Ruling first appeared on Autoblog on Jul 25, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Auto Blog
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Tesla Ordered to Buy Back Model S Plaid After Brake Failure Ruling
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. A Norwegian court has ordered Tesla to buy back a Model S Plaid after a catastrophic brake failure during a track day, marking one of the most damning legal defeats for the automaker in recent memory. The Oslo District Court ruled in favor of the owner, Vilhelm Dybwad, who reached out to The Drive about the incident, after the high-performance EV failed to complete even a single lap without overheating its brakes—despite being advertised as a track-ready machine. The court found Tesla's marketing claims to be misleading and ruled that the $150,000 vehicle was sold under false pretenses. Tesla must now refund the full purchase price, pay interest, and cover legal fees—adding up to nearly $150,000 in total compensation. Previous Pause Next Unmute 0:00 / 0:09 Full screen Tesla sales in Europe drop yet again Watch More Source: Tesla What Happened on Track? Dybwad's Model S Plaid experienced total brake fade at Rudskogen Motorsenter, Norway's most demanding racetrack, on its very first hot lap. The failure was immediate and severe: the car's brake system overheated almost instantly, flashing warning messages and rendering the car unsafe for track use. The owner filed suit under Norway's strong consumer protection laws. The court found that Tesla had marketed the Model S Plaid as 'track-capable' without equipping it with proper hardware to survive a performance environment. Tesla's defense—that a carbon-ceramic brake package was coming later—was not deemed sufficient, as it wasn't available at the time of purchase. Source: Holden Marketing Promises Versus Reality Tesla has long walked a fine line between performance bragging rights and practical durability. In this case, its own ads—including a Nürburgring campaign and various Plaid promo clips—were used as evidence of deceptive claims. This ruling comes at a time when Tesla is also facing significant pressure in the U.S. over how it markets its driver-assist features. Just this week, the company published a new safety report claiming its Autopilot system is significantly safer than manual driving, stating that cars using Autopilot went over six million miles between crashes in Q2. But critics argue that real-world user experience often paints a more inconsistent picture. That inconsistency has become a legal liability. In California, Tesla is now facing a potential 30-day sales ban over allegations of misleading advertising regarding its 'Full Self-Driving' and 'Autopilot' systems—terms regulators argue are dangerously inaccurate. Source: Tesla More Trouble Ahead The buyback ruling could set a precedent in Europe and beyond, particularly for owners who have pushed the Model S or Model X beyond their daily comfort zones. Although Tesla has already launched track packages for newer Model S units—complete with upgraded brakes—this case highlights a wider problem for the company: the disparity between its marketing and real-world performance. It also comes amid growing global competition. In China, Tesla faces a serious threat from Dongfeng's new M-Hero M817, an off-road-capable hybrid SUV that racked up 10,000 pre-orders in just 24 hours. The M817's broad capability and local appeal make it a formidable rival in a market where Tesla's position has become less secure. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. What This Means for Owners and Enthusiasts For Model S Plaid owners, the takeaway is clear: despite its straight-line speed and headline-grabbing horsepower, the Plaid may not be as versatile as Tesla claims. Unless fitted with the appropriate hardware—and driven within its limits—the car may not meet the expectations its marketing has set. Whether this case sparks more lawsuits is unclear. But it's certainly part of a broader reckoning Tesla faces—not just for its product claims, but for its relationship with regulators and consumers worldwide. About the Author Max Taylor View Profile
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volvo Issues Urgent Brake Failure Warning for EVs and Plug-In Models, and a Video Shows the Danger
Volvo issued an urgent brake failure warning for its plug-in hybrid and electric models, which could experience total loss of brake power. Prolonged use of regenerative braking (more than 1 minute and 40 seconds consecutively) may result in the friction brakes completely losing stopping power. The warning follows a June 12 recall for 11,469 vehicles, approximately 1000 of which had not completed the over-the-air fix by July 15. Volvo sent out an urgent brake failure warning for its plug-in hybrid and electric models, which in some cases stretch back to the 2020 model year. The new notice comes in direct response to a recall filed by Volvo on June 12, for 11,469 vehicles—approximately 1000 of which have not downloaded the over-the-air fix by July 15. The new notice includes a "Do Not Drive" warning for owners who haven't downloaded the over-the-air update for the June recall. Volvo's EVs, including the 2023 C40, 2025 EC40, and the 2023-2024 XC40, are listed in the recall documents. Volvo's plug-in models are also affected, including the 2025–2026 EX40, 2023–2025 S60, 2025 S90, 2022–2026 XC60, 2024–2025 V60, and the 2020–2026 XC90. According to the new warning, continuous use of the regenerative braking function—one minute and 40 seconds consecutively—can result in a total loss of brake function. To avoid the issue, Volvo and NHTSA are advising drivers to turn off "B" mode in plug-in models and one-pedal mode in EVs. According to Volvo, one serious incident has been confirmed and was caught on camera (shown above). You Might Also Like Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars through the Decades How to Buy or Lease a New Car Lightning Lap Legends: Chevrolet Camaro vs. Ford Mustang!
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
NHTSA Issues Urgent Brake Failure Warning for Certain Volvo EVs and PHEVs, Crash Video Illustrates
Volvo issued a recall about a month ago for 11,469 vehicles that could experience a complete brake failure due to a brake module software defect. Today, the NHTSA released an 'urgent brake failure warning' to those with affected vehicles. Of the 11,469 Volvo vehicles included, the NHTSA says approximately 1000 still need the recall work completed. Thankfully, said 'work' is as simple as downloading an over-the-air update to the vehicle. A wide range of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles make up the models impacted: 2023 C40 2025 EC40 2025-2026 EX40 2023-2024 XC40 EV 2023-2025 S60 PHEV 2025 S90 PHEV 2024-2025 V60 PHEV 2022-2026 XC60 PHEV 2020-2026 XC90 PHEV The recall documents state that if an EV is in one-pedal drive mode, or a PHEV is in 'B' mode, coasting downhill for at least 1 minute and 40 seconds could result in a total loss of braking functionality. An owner captured the problem occurring on a dashcam, and the NHTSA posted the video. You'll notice the vehicle quickly begin to gain speed moving downhill at about the 1:35 mark. The driver was on a narrow, downhill road, and they eventually gained enough speed that it carried them up onto a steep shoulder. The car then crashed into a berm and finally came to a stop on the road. For those who haven't downloaded the recall update yet, NHTSA advises you turn off one-pedal drive in EVs and 'B' mode in PHEVs. Volvo says to refrain from driving the vehicle until the update is complete. You should be able to download the update via the infotainment system, but Volvo says to contact your local dealership should you have any questions or require further assistance. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Reuters
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- Reuters
NHTSA urges Volvo owners to complete urgent brake recall
July 17 (Reuters) - The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Thursday asked owners of some vehicles of Swedish automaker Volvo ( opens new tab to urgently complete a safety recall over a brake failure issue. Volvo issued a recall in June for 11,469 vehicles of a number of models due to a loss of brake function. The remedy for the Volvo recall is to update vehicle software through an over-the-air download, which as of July 15 has not been done by about 1,000 vehicles, the NHTSA said in a statement. "Without this recall remedy, an affected vehicle could completely lose its ability to brake while going downhill," it said.
