Tesla's battery warranty is one of the most generous in the automotive industry, but there's plenty of confusion about what it actually covers, what the thresholds are, and what happens if your battery degrades faster than expected. Here's a clear breakdown.
Warranty Terms by Model
| Model | Duration | Mileage Limit | Minimum Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 Standard Range | 8 years | 100,000 miles | 70% |
| Model 3 Long Range / Performance | 8 years | 120,000 miles | 70% |
| Model Y Standard Range | 8 years | 100,000 miles | 70% |
| Model Y Long Range / Performance | 8 years | 120,000 miles | 70% |
| Model S (all variants) | 8 years | 150,000 miles | 70% |
| Model X (all variants) | 8 years | 150,000 miles | 70% |
| Cybertruck (all variants) | 8 years | 150,000 miles | 70% |
What "70% Capacity Retention" Means
Tesla guarantees your battery will retain at least 70% of its original capacity within the warranty period. If it drops below, Tesla repairs or replaces the battery at no cost.
"In real terms: A Model 3 Long Range with an original range of 330 miles would need to fall below approximately 231 miles at 100% charge to qualify. Reaching this level within 8 years and 120,000 miles would be highly unusual and would typically indicate a manufacturing defect."
Most Teslas retain 85% to 95% within the warranty period.
What IS Covered
Capacity loss below 70% — if measured capacity drops below the threshold within the warranty period. Battery failure — complete pack failure or faults preventing normal operation. Drive unit issues — the warranty covers electric drive units too, not just the battery.
What Is NOT Covered
Normal degradation above 70% — even if you've lost 20%, if you're still above 70%, it's considered normal wear. Accident or modification damage — collisions or aftermarket changes void coverage for those issues. Improper charging equipment — damage from non-approved chargers may not be covered. Software-related range changes — if an update affects your displayed range, that's not a warranty claim.
How to Make a Warranty Claim
Run a battery health test — use Tesla's built-in test (Controls > Service > Battery Health) for an accurate measurement. Contact Tesla Service — schedule through the Tesla app, select "Battery & Charging." Tesla verifies — the service team runs their own diagnostic to confirm. Repair or replacement — Tesla may replace individual modules rather than the entire pack.
What About Used Teslas?
The battery warranty transfers to subsequent owners. Check the manufacture date and current mileage to determine remaining coverage. This is a significant advantage when buying used.
Practical Advice
The 70% threshold is deliberately conservative — it's a safety net for defective batteries, not a target you should expect to approach. Check your battery health periodically, keep records, and only worry if you see something abnormal like a sudden drop or degradation dramatically faster than what others with the same model report.
Check your warranty status — use our free Tesla Battery Health Calculator to see where your battery stands relative to the 70% threshold.
Check Battery Health