Tesla has been aggressively defending its reputation in court, suing customers who publicly criticize their vehicles after accidents… and winning.
One of the most shocking cases involves Zhang Yazhou, who was a passenger in her Tesla Model 3 when her father lost control of the vehicle. As they approached a red light, Zhang recalls her father’s panicked cry: “The brakes don’t work!” He swerved to avoid two cars before crashing into an SUV, a sedan, and a concrete barrier.
Shaken but unharmed, Zhang never expected what came next… Tesla sued her for defamation after she publicly spoke out about the vehicle’s braking issues. A Chinese court sided with the electric car giant, ordering her to pay over $23,000 in damages and issue a public apology to the $1.1 trillion company.
But Zhang isn’t alone. Over the past four years, Tesla… led by billionaire Elon Musk… has sued at least six car owners in China over complaints related to sudden vehicle malfunctions, quality concerns, or accidents allegedly caused by mechanical failures.
Additionally, Tesla has targeted at least six bloggers and two media outlets for critical coverage, according to an investigation by The Associated Press. The company won all eleven cases where verdicts were available, with two still under appeal and another settled out of court.
This legal strategy raises questions about free speech, consumer rights, and corporate power. While Tesla continues to dominate the electric vehicle market, its aggressive litigation tactics suggest that speaking out against the company could come at a steep price.
