Tesla idle fees class action settlement

Tesla idle fees class action settlement

By the Class Action Buddy Editorial Team · Last reviewed August 21, 2026 · ✓ verified against https://www.teslaidlefeeclassaction.com/

Up to $350
Max Payout
Sep 25, 2026
Filing Deadline
Yes
Proof Required?
Tesla settled a class action over the "idle fees" it charged drivers who had been promised free lifetime Supercharging, and the claims deadline is September 25, 2026. Miss it and the money's gone. Idle fees are what Tesla bills when a car sits plugged into a Supercharger after charging finishes. The case is Shenkman v. Tesla Inc. (Alameda County Superior Court, Case No. RG21102833). Plaintiffs alleged that Tesla imposed these fees on customers who had bought vehicles with free lifetime Supercharging, didn't disclose them, and threatened to cut off Supercharging access for anyone who declined to pay. Tesla denies wrongdoing but agreed to settle anyway. Eligibility is narrow, and California-only. A class member generally received a Tesla before December 16, 2016, kept it past that date, and was a California resident as of June 21, 2021 — split into three subclasses tied to vehicles sold as "Supercharger Enabled," "Supercharger Hardware," or "Supercharger Hardware & Access." The relief comes in two tiers. Everyone in the class gets relief on the fees themselves: Tesla stops disabling Supercharger access, restores it where it was cut off, and waives any unpaid idle fees. Filing a valid claim adds a refund of every idle fee the member paid. If Tesla disabled a car over unpaid fees, the payout is $50 for under 30 days or $350 for 30 or more consecutive days. And a former owner who no longer holds an eligible Tesla can claim a flat $10 by attesting to class membership. Claims require the vehicle's VIN, and the final approval hearing is set for December 2, 2026.
🎯

Not sure if this settlement applies to you?

Take our 60-second eligibility quiz to find every settlement you qualify for — including this one.

Check Eligibility →

Who Is Eligible?

You may be eligible to file a claim if you:

  • You are a California resident who received a Tesla vehicle before December 16, 2016, continued to own it after December 16, 2016, and were a citizen of California as of June 21, 2021.
  • Your vehicle was described in Tesla's Motor Vehicle Purchase Agreement as "Supercharger Enabled," "Supercharger Hardware," or "Supercharger Hardware & Access" (the three subclasses), purchased before December 16, 2016.
  • You were charged Tesla "idle fees" on a vehicle that came with free lifetime Supercharging, and/or had your Supercharging access disabled over unpaid fees.
  • You will need your Tesla vehicle identification number (VIN) to file a claim.
  • If you no longer own an eligible Tesla, you can still submit a claim for a flat $10 by attesting that you are a class member.

How Much Can You Get?

Every class member gets the core relief regardless of a claim: Tesla will not disable Supercharger access for class members, will restore it if it was previously cut off, and will waive any unpaid idle fees. Beyond that, filing a valid claim can get you cash. You can receive a refund of all Supercharger idle fees you actually paid through the date of the settlement. If Tesla disabled your vehicle because of unpaid idle or other fees, there is a fixed payment: $50 if it was disabled for less than 30 days, or $350 if it was disabled for 30 or more consecutive days. And if you no longer own an eligible Tesla, you can claim a one-time $10 payment instead. Payments follow the court's final approval; the hearing is scheduled for December 2, 2026.

How to File Your Claim

File with the administrator:

  • File a claim by September 25, 2026 at the official settlement website, teslaidlefeeclassaction.com — this is the only way to receive the cash benefits.
  • You will need your Tesla vehicle identification number (VIN) to verify eligibility.
  • Indicate which benefits apply to you: a refund of idle fees you paid, a $50 or $350 payment if your car was disabled, or the flat $10 if you no longer own an eligible Tesla.
  • Only file if you genuinely qualify — claims are submitted under penalty of perjury.
  • Contact the administrator at 833-421-7344 (Tesla Idle Fee Class Action Settlement, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958). To opt out or object instead, do so by September 25, 2026; the final approval hearing is December 2, 2026.

File this one with the administrator

Class Action Buddy does not file this settlement for you — use the official claim process above. What the app does do is watch the open settlements list and tell you when a new one matches your profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the deadline to file a claim for the Tesla idle fees class action settlement?

The current deadline to file a claim is Sep 25, 2026. Claims sent by mail must be postmarked by this date, so allow about a week for delivery if you are not filing online.

How much can I receive from the Tesla idle fees class action settlement?

The maximum payout per eligible claimant is Up to $350. Actual payments may be lower depending on the total number of valid claims filed and the available settlement fund.

Do I need documentation for the Tesla idle fees class action settlement?

Yes — this settlement requires supporting documentation, and what counts is set out on the official claim form rather than being the same in every case: a consumer case may ask for receipts or order confirmations, while a financial or data-breach case usually turns on account records or the notice the administrator sent you. Note: some settlements still require a Claimant ID or PIN from a mailed notice; if this one does, it will be shown on the official claim form.

How do I file a claim for the Tesla idle fees class action settlement?

File directly with the settlement administrator, using the official claim form linked on this page. Class Action Buddy does not support this settlement in the app, so the administrator’s own claim process is the route. Check whether the form asks for an ID or PIN from the notice you were sent before you start.

Who qualifies for the Tesla idle fees settlement?

California residents who received a Tesla before December 16, 2016, still owned it after that date, and were California citizens as of June 21, 2021. It covers three subclasses whose vehicles were sold as 'Supercharger Enabled,' 'Supercharger Hardware,' or 'Supercharger Hardware & Access.'

How much can I get from the Tesla idle fees settlement?

You can get a refund of all Supercharger idle fees you paid, plus fixed payments if Tesla disabled your car over unpaid fees: $50 for less than 30 days or $350 for 30 or more consecutive days. If you no longer own an eligible Tesla, you can claim a flat $10.

What are Tesla 'idle fees'?

Idle fees are charges Tesla applies when a vehicle remains plugged into a Supercharger for a set period after charging is complete. The lawsuit alleged Tesla charged them to owners who had been promised free lifetime Supercharging without disclosing the fees.

Do I need to file a claim for the Tesla settlement?

Yes, to receive the cash benefits. Submit a claim by September 25, 2026 at teslaidlefeeclassaction.com using your Tesla VIN. The core relief — no disabling of Supercharger access and waiver of unpaid fees — applies to class members automatically.

What is the Tesla idle fees claim deadline?

September 25, 2026 is the deadline to file a claim, opt out, or object. The final approval hearing is scheduled for December 2, 2026, and payments follow the court's final approval.

What was the Tesla idle fees lawsuit about?

Shenkman v. Tesla Inc. (Alameda County Superior Court, Case No. RG21102833) alleged Tesla charged undisclosed 'idle fees' to customers who bought vehicles with free lifetime Supercharging and threatened to disable Supercharging for those who did not pay. Tesla denies wrongdoing and agreed to settle.

Primary source: official settlement administrator — teslaidlefeeclassaction.com. The settlement details on this page were checked against the administrator’s official website.

Class Action Buddy is an independent directory and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the settlement administrator or the court. This page is general information, not legal advice. See how we verify settlements.

Ready to File Your Claim?

We're adding new settlements regularly. Download the app to get notified when this one is available.

Download Class Action Buddy →

Or file directly at the settlement website →