Texas Owner Wins $10.8K Judgment Over Tesla FSD Refund
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- Ben Gawiser purchased a Tesla Model 3 in August 2021 and paid $10,000 for the Full Self‑Driving (FSD) software.
- Tesla has not delivered a Level 5 autonomous driving system, with its FSD still operating at Level 2 despite promises of full self‑driving capability.
- Ben Gawiser filed a small‑claims suit in Travis County, Texas, paying $72.88 in filing and service fees after Tesla ignored his refund request.
- Texas small‑claims court entered a default judgment for Gawiser in the amount of $10,672.88 (the purchase price plus taxes and fees) when Tesla failed to respond.
- Tesla sought a rehearing and a five‑day deadline extension but offered no meritorious defense; the judge denied the motion.
- Tesla ultimately paid Gawiser a check for $10,800, covering the judgment and interest, after the court’s order was upheld.
Why it matters: The judgment gives Gawiser a rare refund and underscores the legal risk Tesla faces as consumers challenge unfulfilled Full Self‑Driving promises; the case may embolden other owners to pursue similar claims, potentially increasing Tesla’s liability.
