The Korean government is weighing a subsidy cut for Tesla over unresolved battery errors that have rendered some three-year-old models unchargeable
Tesla owners in Korea — mostly those driving Model 3 and Model Y Long Range variants produced in 2020 and 2021 — are increasingly vocal about a recurring issue: the BMS_a079 error, which limits the battery’s maximum charge level to some 50 percent.
“The error warning first showed up on June 27, and my car’s battery was replaced with a remanufactured one. But the same error returned just three months later,” said a Model 3 owner
Some repairs have dragged on for as long as 926 days, with only 24.5 percent of cases resolved within seven days, and 24 percent took more than 729 days. There were 124 cases where repairs took 16 months, and three instances between six months and a year.
The Korean government is weighing a subsidy cut for Tesla over unresolved battery errors that have rendered some three-year-old models unchargeable, escalating scrutiny of the EV giant’s commitment to consumer protection. \
This comes as Tesla owners in Korea grow increasingly furious — first over the battery errors, and again over what they describe as the EV firm’s “irresponsible” response.
Owners have begun rallying online, demanding recalls or free battery replacements, and have even filed a petition with the National Assembly, garnering over 14,000 signatures, which has prompted Korea’s transport and environment ministries to monitor the issue.
“We cannot continue offering subsidies to vehicles that disadvantage consumers; We will even consider pulling subsidies depending on Tesla’s countermeasures,” an official who heads the EV subsidy program at the Environment Ministry told the Korea JoongAng Daily.
“We’ve asked Tesla Korea to provide a detailed explanation, but have failed to receive a response so far.”