Quebec class action lawsuit over Tesla paint defects moves ahead

The Superior Court of Quebec has authorized a class action lawsuit against Tesla to proceed, potentially opening the door for thousands of Model 3 and Model Y owners in the province to receive compensation for paint quality issues that have plagued their vehicles. The lawsuit was first filed in May 2020 by Jean-François Bellerose, a Tesla Model 3 owner from Quebec who noticed the black paint on the rocker panels of his vehicle began chipping and peeling within just six months of ownership. After raising the issue with Tesla and being told the repairs would not be covered under warranty, Bellerose paid out-of-pocket to fix the damage—nearly $5,000, according to court documents. In a ruling issued on September 13, 2023, Judge Lukasz Granosik granted authorization for the case to proceed as a class action. The approved class includes all individuals and businesses in Quebec who purchased or leased a new Tesla Model 3 or Model Y between January 1, 2018 and the date the court notice is published, and who experienced paint deterioration within the first 48 months of ownership. Now a subsequent ruling issued on April 15, 2025, which can be found at the end of this article, finally allows the case to move forward to trial, where Tesla could be ordered to reimburse owners for repair costs and pay additional damages. Specifically, the lawsuit seeks reimbursement for the cost of paint repairs or preventive measures like protective film or mud flaps. Additionally, the suit demands $500 per claimant for moral damages—covering the stress and inconvenience caused—as well as another $500 for Tesla’s alleged failure to disclose the risk of premature paint degradation. Credit: Isabelle R The legal filing also alleges that Tesla was aware of the problem when the vehicles were first marketed and sold, but failed to take proactive steps to notify or compensate affected customers. The court has not yet made a ruling on the merits of these allegations, and a trial date has yet to be scheduled. While the individual compensation amounts vary, the financial implications for Tesla could be significant. According to the suit, more than 13,000 Model 3s and over 2,300 Model Ys had been sold in Quebec as of mid-2021. If Tesla is found liable, the total payout could reach into the millions. Tesla, while not admitting liability, appeared to acknowledge the issue in late 2020 by beginning to offer free mud flaps and paint protection film (PPF) kits to Canadian owners after Bellerose filed his lawsuit. The case will be heard in Montreal, with Services Concilia appointed by the court to manage the notification process and opt-out procedures for class members. Those who do not wish to participate in the lawsuit will be required to submit a formal opt-out request by a deadline to be set by the court. You can read the full judgement below, which is mostly in French. DocumentDownload