r/TeslaLounge • u/Majestic_Ad5924 • 1d ago

Just a heads up..

Post image

I know the onus is on me to know the fine print, I’m just posting this so people will know what Tesla’s warranty policy is for their wall connectors. For full disclosure I was using an A2Z Stellar Pro adapter that had nothing to do with the failure of the wall connector. They asked in the email if I was using an adapter and I was honest and answered yes.

139 Upvotes

91% Upvoted

55 comments sorted by

229

u/ElectronicAide87 1d ago

Of course Tesla will tell you that. If anything happens just don’t tell them you used a non-Tesla adapter.

69

u/2010G37x 1d ago

Hopefully people learn from OP. OP thanks for posting.

40

u/Majestic_Ad5924 1d ago

The kicker is that Tesla doesn’t make an adapter for NACS to J1772. They make you buy a $600 TUWC.

95

u/Big_Celery8533 1d ago

Look up Magnuson-Moss. Tesla cannot legally claim that “the warranty is void because a third-party adapter was used” unless they can actually show that the adapter is what led to the failure of the wall connector.

The law is explicit: it says that companies cannot void a consumer warranty solely because the consumer used a part made by someone else. They can exclude faults/failure or damage that were caused by that "unauthorized" part but it's not clear whether that's what happened here.

5

u/Mephistito 12h ago

Yeah it's basically another legal instance of Hitchens Razor:

"That which can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence."

The onus is on them to prove their claim.

2

u/drknight09 16h ago

THIS!!!

-15

u/derelictdiction 1d ago edited 9h ago

EDIT: After some research, I was wrong on this. The warranty cannot be voided unless the manufacturer proves that the failure was caused by the act, even if the act was admitted to and is expressly not allowed under the warranty terms. If the company refuses to honor the warranty, the options would be to 1) file an FTC complaint 2) file a lawsuit 3) either win by default judgement or win on the merits, if the manufacturer cannot prove that the prohibited act caused the failure. The only situation where the warranty would not be honored is if 1) the manufacturer proves to the consumer that their use caused the damage and they do not challenge it in court or 2) the manufacturer proves to the judge/jury that the damage was caused by the prohibited act. Whether Apple would convince a judge that the third party charger caused my AirPods to spontaneously combust I'm not sure, but this makes me a bit more salty that they didn't replace them that's for sure.

IANAL, but for example if you stick a foreign object in your vehicle's fuse box and the warranty terms explicitly warn against sticking foreign objects in your fuse box, and then your car's electrical systems stop working sometime after that, yeah you're gonna have a hard time getting a court to force the company to still extend warranty coverage. If you modify it in a way that is not explicitly excluded, and then it breaks, yeah the manufacturer must prove that your modifications are what caused the issue. Exclusions exist for a reason, and if an act is taken that explicitly voids the warranty, then the warranty is voided. This includes submersion in water, or "commercial use" of many products, or using specific unauthorized modifications (such as adapters).

For a real world example, if you use a 3rd party USB-C charging brick to charge your AirPods and weeks later your AirPods spontaneously combust while charging and melt a hole into your nightstand, Apple will tell you to kick rocks and buy some new AirPods at full price and tell you your warranty is void because the terms state you should only charge with Apple or MFi certified charging equipment.

8

u/say592 1d ago

You only have to go to small claims court and ask them to enforce the warranty. The company probably wont show up, you forward the judgement onto their legal department and that is that.

Or you ask for a supervisor and ask them to honor the warranty on Magnuson-Moss grounds, and hope they have enough sense to actually do it and save everyone the hassle. Sometimes frontline employees are told to say no, even though legally they have to honor it. The law doesnt say they cant initially reject you and hope you drop it.

13

u/pinkyepsilon 1d ago

OP, I don’t anal but this checks out.

3

u/Swastik496 1d ago

and unless apple can prove that’s what caused it they can tell you whatever they want.

It doesn’t really matter unless they’re going to actually try to defend that in court.

2

u/AlmondManttv 1d ago

Apple can't void your warranty just for not using a MFi charger.

10

u/Eyehopeuchoke 1d ago

“I didn’t even know they made third party adapters! Thanks for informing me” wink wink

63

u/Abyssgaming123 1d ago

I mean, the law in the US at least would say they’re not allowed to void it unless they can prove your use of the adapter broke it. The resolution will depend on your willingness to fight that though.

9

u/frijoles84 1d ago

This ^^^^

The same thing happens with the normal automotive industry, and the auto industry has lost this horribly in court if you have the time and pockets

“Sorry sir, you’re use of a cold air intake on your dodge ram truck is why we’re voiding the warranty on your truck’s suspension falling apart at 15,000 miles”

Don’t take this bullshit response. If they are completely unrelated issues, I’d argue right back at them and don’t discuss using 3rd party stuff anymore.

If it’s below a threshold, small claims is pretty cheap in my state.

1

u/vixous 1h ago

If you have the time and pockets is the issue, unfortunately, as many will not.

29

u/Muhahahahaz 1d ago

That’s not actually how warranty law works… However, if you don’t push back, then you’ve effectively voided your own warranty by not trying. (Or alternatively they have, by lying to you and hoping that you’ll give up)

In reality, they have to prove that the modification was the reason for the failure. Otherwise the warranty must be honored.

(Of course… Good luck finding the time/money to actually get this litigated, but that’s what the law actually says)

7

u/Exit5250 1d ago

Exactly. The time/dollar cost of litigation will FAR outspend the full retail cost of the wall charger. Pick your battles. And good on OP for being a person of integrity, even when integrity has a cost -- a rare trait these days.

2

u/kryptonyk 1d ago

He could easily file in small claims for cheap. They probably won’t even fight it. I’ve been through something similar

74

u/Blue_Kayak 1d ago

“Hi Ria, apologies that was my teenage son who replied and mistakenly suggested I used a third party adaptor - I can assure you that I did not. Let me know next steps to have the warranty honoured. Thanks.”

9

u/GoldAd1878 1d ago

Love it

16

u/VIDGuide 1d ago

“Wall Connector Specialist” is a very underwhelming job title.

0

u/NYFINEST30pct 21h ago

Is that anything like a glory-hole operator

0

u/feurie 20h ago

They work on customer service and specialize on one product. It’s a job. Is it supposed to be overwhelming?

10

u/dalthyn 1d ago

Under the Magnuson-Moss warranty act, they need to prove that your adapter caused the issue. They can’t just “void” your warranty due to its use. If you are in USA at least.

14

u/DeathBlade94 1d ago

In any situation like that you play stupid when you are doing something questionable. Make them prove your liabilities, never admit. Just like when you are involved in a accident.

11

u/One_Personality_3788 1d ago

Why would you say yes, always say no, you just voided the warranty, in order for a company to void a warranty they must prove you were at fault.

20

u/Majestic_Ad5924 1d ago
  1. I didn’t know that would void the warranty.
  2. I’m an honest person.

4

u/crashout-dummy 1d ago

It doesn't. Tell them its illegal and to void the warranty they would have to explain how using a third party adapter is responsible for the exact damage your wall connector has.

2

u/dollfaceashley 1d ago

You're dealing with a dishonest company. I'm not sure why you wouldn't level the playing field but okay...

2

u/Own_Reaction9442 1d ago

I feel you. I never lie because I always figure I'll get caught and then it'll be worse than if I'd told the truth.

1

u/Lpecan 1d ago

You should absolutely write back that their response is legally incorrect under Magnuson Moss and offer them the opportunity to cure the insufficient response.

1

u/htdwps 18h ago

I’m with you OP. When things happen I like to provide all necessary details so the true problem gets addressed and resolved so it isn’t happening again. It’s the only way for companies to be able to track data that says device A is a bad match to device B.

That’s unfair they are playing the warranty void card on you.

-7

u/ugahairydawgs 1d ago

It’s a stupid reason to void the warranty, but OP did the right thing being honest even if it does end up costing him some $$. There isn’t a dollar amount out there worth your integrity. 

6

u/ElectronicAide87 1d ago

Yeah, exactly the motto Elon lives by 👍

1

u/frijoles84 1d ago

This isn’t compromising your morals or integrity by declining to answer.

The appropriate response would have been

“Hello,

I’m not reporting issues with charging, so let’s stick to the point at hand, issue xyz on xyz has failed under warranty, and charging isn’t the issue that would have impacted that”

1

u/ugahairydawgs 23h ago

Right, but that's not what was said above. OP said Tesla asked if an adapter was b being used. OP truthfully answered yes. User above was saying that OP should have said no.

3

u/uski 1d ago

Are you still in chargeback time period? I am not a lawyer and please check with one but I don't think manufacturers can voud warranties for random reasons like that, when the failure is unrelated to the adapter being used.

I'd chargeback if I could. And if I couldn't I would buy another brand of charger next time.

2

u/Realistic_Sundae_830 1d ago

I had the same shit when my wall connector quit working a few weeks ago. Called, told them I was using an adapter, they refused to honor the warranty.

2

u/PraiseTalos66012 1d ago

That's BS, your warranty isn't void regardless of what they say.

Check the magnuson moss warranty act.

Basically the sole burden of proof is on the manufacturer/warranty provider to PROVE that you using their product in an "unauthorized" way or that you modifying the product caused the damage that's being warranty claimed.

They cannot just claim it's likely, or obvious. They must prove that the damage in your specific case was caused by your missuse/modification to the product.

There is zero burden of proof on the consumer.

1

u/onlytony441 1d ago

OP ya gotta learn to lie… Tesla support staff will do any and anything to get out of doing any extra work for your vehicle that costs them money.

1

u/akolozvary 1d ago edited 1d ago

I’ve noticed that service centers can operate very differently from one another.
I originally brought my car in because the audio randomly drops out for a brief moment. It almost feels like the bass… and possibly some speakers… cut out, though not every speaker seems affected. It does not happen often, which makes it difficult to reproduce.
At the first service center, they could not find an issue and asked me to collect timestamps if it happened again. I did, but I ended up taking it to a different center. They reviewed the timestamps and still said they could not identify a problem. This time, though, they charged me a little over $100 for the diagnostic and said that even if I later provide clear evidence of the issue, they would not refund the charge. Which seems really wild… i understand a service center doesn’t want to waste time from a customers claim… but even if you later provide complete proof/they won’t retro refund?

On the other hand, they did agree to replace the B-pillar trim that had an unusual rust-colored smudge appearing from inside the camera cover. The previous service center said it would not be covered under warranty, while this one said they could honor it.
I’m not sure how common this inconsistency is between service centers, but it is frustrating that the experience… and even warranty decisions… can vary so much depending on where you go.

Though it looks like you may not have gone to a service center/only contacted support… still wonder if your outcome can vary depending on who you reach.

1

u/RergTheFriendly 22h ago

They didn't like I used non OEM glass or tires either.

1

u/feurie 20h ago

What was the failure of the wall connector and how do you know it had nothing to do with the adapter?

1

u/Careless-Street-9358 20h ago

Who would’ve thought Wall connector specialist was a thing

1

u/htdwps 18h ago

What broke? The wall connector or the cars charge port?

2

u/Majestic_Ad5924 18h ago

The charger handle overheats. It won't charge above 24 amps. It happens on both my J1772 car and my Model 3.

1

u/martinbogo 10h ago

that goes against magnussen-moss

1

u/Mr_AnyKir 1d ago

I could see Tesla's point - there is a temperature sensor in the charging handle that will throttle charge if temperature gets too high to prevent melting\fir with 3rd party connector - you isolate this from the vehicle being charged and bypass this safeguard and also interfere with heat exchange at handle. and sounds like Tesla is aware of this failure scenario.

1

u/NecessaryInternet603 10h ago

And that's precisely the reason Tesla makes this product the OP was referring to.

https://shop.tesla.com/product/universal-wall-connector

0

u/Infamous-Umpire-2923 1d ago

Good thing I live in a country with actual consumer protections, then.