Tesla Idle Fee Settlement, Check If You Qualify — Shenkman v. Tesla, Inc., No. RG21102833

There’s money waiting for California Tesla owners who got hit with Supercharger “Idle Fees” — or worse, had their Supercharging cut off entirely. Tesla has agreed to pay up to $350 per person to settle claims it improperly charged these fees and disabled vehicles that didn’t pay. You have until September 25, 2026 to file.

Tesla Idle Fee Settlement — Key Facts

Category	Detail
Settlement Amount	Individual payments only — no published total fund; up to $350 per person plus full Idle Fee refunds
Claim Deadline	September 25, 2026
Who Qualifies	California residents who owned a Supercharger-enabled Tesla received in CA before Dec. 16, 2016, and were CA citizens as of June 21, 2021
Estimated Payout	$10 (no longer own vehicle) to $350 (Supercharging disabled 30+ consecutive days), plus full refund of any Idle Fees paid
Proof Required	Yes — for the $350 tier, must identify the approximate year(s) the vehicle was disabled 30+ consecutive days
Settlement Status	Pending final court approval — December 2, 2026
Court & Case Number	Superior Court for Alameda County, California, No. RG21102833
Law Alleged	Contract and consumer protection claims tied to Tesla’s free lifetime Supercharging agreements
Administrator	Simpluris
Official Claim Site	teslaidlefeeclassaction.com
Last Updated	August 14, 2026

Who Is Tesla and Why Are They Being Sued Over Idle Fees?

Tesla sold early Model S and Model X buyers on free lifetime Supercharging as a signature perk. This case claims Tesla later started charging “Idle Fees” to some of those same buyers for staying plugged in too long after a charge finished — and disabled Supercharger access entirely for people who refused to pay. That combination of promising free access and then penalizing or cutting off the people who bought in early is exactly what this lawsuit challenges.

What Did Tesla Do to California Owners Before December 2016?

The lawsuit, filed by class representative Kevin Shenkman, alleges Tesla charged Idle Fees to customers whose purchase agreements described their vehicles as “Supercharger Enabled,” “Supercharger Hardware,” or “Supercharger Hardware & Access” — all bought in California before December 16, 2016. Idle Fees are charges that kick in when a car stays plugged into a Supercharger for a set period after charging is actually done.

Here’s the part that pushed this into a lawsuit: the complaint alleges that when customers refused to pay, Tesla disabled — or threatened to disable — those cars’ Supercharger access altogether. For someone who bought a Tesla specifically because of the free-charging promise, losing that access isn’t a minor inconvenience. It’s the thing they paid extra for.

Tesla denies doing anything wrong and says its conduct complied with its customer agreements and the law. The court hasn’t ruled on who’s right — this is a negotiated settlement, not a verdict.

That denial doesn’t change what’s on the table right now: if you paid an Idle Fee or lost Supercharger access, there’s a specific dollar amount attached to getting that back.

Who Qualifies for the Tesla Idle Fee Settlement?

Here’s exactly how to know if this case includes you.

You’re likely a Class Member if:

• You received a Tesla vehicle in California before December 16, 2016
• Your purchase agreement described the vehicle as Supercharger Enabled, Supercharger Hardware, or Supercharger Hardware & Access
• You still owned that vehicle after December 16, 2016
• You were a California citizen as of June 21, 2021

You do not qualify if you’re the judge in this case or a member of the judge’s family or staff, you work for Tesla or a related company, or you already excluded yourself from the class during an earlier notice period.

Tesla Owners Outside California — Are You Still Covered?

No. This settlement is limited to California-based Class Members only. If you bought your Supercharger-enabled Tesla in another state, this particular case does not apply to you, even if you experienced the same Idle Fee charges or a disabled Supercharger.

Not sure if you qualify for the Tesla idle fee settlement? A free consultation with a consumer rights attorney can help before the September 25 deadline.

How Much Can Tesla Idle Fee Settlement Class Members Get? Up to $350 Per Person

The settlement stacks multiple benefits, and you may qualify for more than one at the same time.

No More Disabling, Plus a Waiver If You Still Own the Car

If you still own an eligible Tesla, Tesla has agreed to stop disabling your Supercharger access, restore it if it’s currently disabled, and waive any unpaid Idle Fees through the settlement date. If you no longer own the car, you can instead choose a flat $10 payment by filing a claim.

Tesla Idle Fee Refund — Full Amount Paid

If you paid Idle Fees, you can get every dollar of it back. Tesla’s own records determine the refund amount — you can’t be refunded for fees that were never charged or that were already waived.

Tesla Payout for a Disabled Vehicle — Up to $350

• $50 if your Supercharger access was disabled for less than 30 days over unpaid fees
• $350 if it was disabled for 30 or more consecutive days

To get the $350 tier, you need to name the approximate year or years your car was disabled that long — Tesla’s records have to back it up, or you’ll get $50 instead.

Payment method and timing depend on how the claims process runs once the settlement is approved; the administrator hasn’t published exact mailing dates yet.

More filers doesn’t shrink anyone’s check here — unlike a lot of settlements, these are individual, verified amounts, not a shared pool. What you’re owed is what you get.

Payments over $600 may appear on a 1099. Check with a tax professional about how a refund or payout affects your filing.

That’s real money for something a lot of owners probably wrote off as a cost of doing business with Tesla. It’s worth five minutes to check.

How to File Your Tesla Idle Fee Settlement Claim — Step by Step

1. Go to the official claim site: teslaidlefeeclassaction.com/form/claim
2. Enter your name, contact information, and vehicle details (VIN if you have it)
3. Attest that you meet the Class Member criteria above
4. If claiming the $350 tier, identify the approximate year(s) your Supercharger access was disabled for 30+ consecutive days
5. Submit and save your confirmation
6. Watch your email — the Settlement Administrator, Simpluris, will contact you if anything else is needed

Takes about 10 minutes online. Prefer paper? A printable claim form is available through the settlement site and can be mailed to the Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958.

⚠️ The deadline is September 25, 2026 — file now at teslaidlefeeclassaction.com/form/claim.

Should Tesla Class Members Opt Out or Object Before September 25, 2026?

What Opting Out of the Tesla Settlement Actually Means

Opting out means you get no payment from this settlement, but you keep the right to sue Tesla separately over the same Idle Fee and disabling claims. Most people shouldn’t opt out without talking to a lawyer first, since walking away from a guaranteed refund and payout for an uncertain future lawsuit is a real trade-off. The notice indicates an earlier opt-out window already passed for some individuals; if you’re unsure whether you’re still eligible to exclude yourself, contact the Settlement Administrator directly.

How to Object to the Tesla Settlement

If you want to stay in the class but disagree with how it’s structured, you can object. Objections must include the case name and number, your contact information, proof of Class membership, your specific grounds for objecting, and your signature — a lawyer’s signature alone doesn’t count. Send it to the Clerk of the Court, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612, and a copy to the Settlement Administrator, with a postmark no later than September 25, 2026.

Talk to a class action lawsuit attorney before September 25 if you’re considering either option.

Tesla Idle Fee Settlement — Key Dates, 2026

Milestone	Date
Notification Email Sent	July 24, 2026
Claim Filing Deadline	September 25, 2026
Objection Deadline	September 25, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	December 2, 2026, 1:30 p.m. PT
Expected Payment Date	UNVERIFIED — administrator has not published a distribution date; payments issue after final approval and any appeals resolve

Tesla Idle Fee Settlement — Frequently Asked Questions, No. RG21102833

Do I need a lawyer to file a Tesla idle fee settlement claim?

 No. The claim form is designed for Class Members to complete themselves. If you want your own lawyer for something beyond the standard claim, you can hire one at your own expense.

Is the Tesla idle fee settlement legitimate?

 Yes. It’s a court-supervised settlement in Shenkman v. Tesla, Inc., No. RG21102833, pending in the Superior Court for Alameda County, California, administered by Simpluris.

When will Tesla settlement payments be sent? 

Only after the court grants final approval at the December 2, 2026 hearing, and after any appeals are resolved. No specific mailing date has been published yet.

What if I missed the Tesla claim deadline? 

Claims and mailed forms must be submitted or postmarked by September 25, 2026. There’s no confirmed process for late claims — contact the Settlement Administrator directly if you’re close to missing it.

Will my Tesla settlement payment go on a 1099? 

Payments over $600 may be reported. Check with a tax professional about your specific payout.

What’s the difference between the $50 and $350 disabling payments?

 It comes down to how long your Supercharger access was cut off. Under 30 consecutive days gets you $50. Thirty or more consecutive days gets you $350 — but only if Tesla’s records confirm the timeframe you identify on your claim.

Can I get both an Idle Fee refund and a disabling payment? 

Yes. The settlement benefits are cumulative — you can qualify for the refund, the disabling payment, and the non-cash relief all at once if your situation supports it.

Sources Used in This Tesla Idle Fee Settlement Article

• Official Settlement Website — Shenkman v. Tesla, Inc.: https://www.teslaidlefeeclassaction.com/
• Official Settlement FAQ, Simpluris (Settlement Administrator): https://www.teslaidlefeeclassaction.com/faq/
• Official Settlement Important Dates page, Simpluris: https://www.teslaidlefeeclassaction.com/dates/

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against the official Settlement Administrator’s website (Simpluris) on August 14, 2026. Last Updated: August 14, 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.