2013 Tesla Model S Owner Complaints

WAS REPLACING THE LEFT REAR WHEEL AND NOTED AN ODD "NOTCH" IN THE LEFT REAR SUSPENSION ALUMINUM UPPER CONTROL ARM. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM WAS PARTIALLY SEVERED WITH APPROXIMATELY 1/2 OF THE LOWER PORTION CROSS SECTION, AND 1/3 TO 1/4 OF THE UPPER PORTION CROSS SECTION, CUT THROUGH BY THE LOWER SHOCK ABSORBER ATTACHMENT BOLT. IT APPEARS THAT THE BOLT WAS MOUNTED BACKWARDS, WITH THE SHARP TIP OF THE BOLT FACING FORWARD INSTEAD OF REARWARD, AT EITHER THE FACTORY, OR WHEN THE POWERTRAIN WAS REPLACED BY THE TESLA DENVER SERVICE CENTER (AS REPORTED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER). EXTENSIVE PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE AND, FRANKLY, THEY ARE ESSENTIAL TO ACCURATELY DEPICT THE SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC NATURE OF THIS SUSPENSION DAMAGE. IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THE UPPER CONTROL ARM, A MAJOR SUSPENSION COMPONENT WHOSE FAILURE WOULD LIKE RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND POSSIBLY A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT, WAS AT OR NEAR THE POINT OF FRACTURE DUE TO THE MASSIVE LOSS OF CROSS SECTIONAL MATERIAL FROM THE FREQUENT IMPACTS (ON SUSPENSION COMPRESSION) BY THE MUCH HARDER/STRONGER BOLT TIP. IN OTHER WORDS, THE BOLT TIP ACTED AS A LATHE, CUTTING INTO THE SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM WITH EACH SUSPENSION CYCLE. IN THE SHORT TERM, I STRONGLY RECOMMEND AN IMMEDIATE INSPECTION OF THE TESLA MODEL S FLEET, BEGINNING WITH MODEL S'S THAT HAVE HAD THEIR POWERTRAIN LOWERED AND REINSTALLED, TO SEE HOW MANY OTHER MODEL S'S HAVE THIS IMPENDING CATASTROPHIC DEFECT. WHILE IT COULD HAPPEN, I WOULD BE HIGHLY SURPRISED IF THIS VIN WAS THE ONE AND ONLY CASE OF THIS BOLT BEING INSTALLED BACKWARDS. IN THE LONGER TERM, I RECOMMEND THIS BOLT BE REDESIGNED SO AS TO PREVENT INCORRECT INSTALLATION. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND FOR THE PHOTOGRAPHS. *TR

1/27/2015

LEFT REAR SUSPENSION INTEGRAL LINK COMPLETELY BROKE AND THE ATTACHED PIECE LODGED IN THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE RIM CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE TIRE RIM. *TR

5/2/2015

I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY MODEL S ON MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A FAST DRIVE AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. IT WAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE SMELL MADE ME DIZZY ALONG WITH MY FAMILY MEMBERS TO A POINT WHERE WE HAD TO STOP AND GET OUT OF THE CAR FOR AIR AND WALK IT OFF. WHY HASN'T THE GOVERNMENT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE TESLA MODEL S. I CALLED TESLA, I WAS TOLD, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT, THE SMELL WILL EVENTUALLY GO AWAY. THIS IS B.S. I PAID OVER $100,000 FOR A CAR THAT I CANNOT DRIVE FOR 2 TO 3 WEEKS BECAUSE OF A BURNING SMELL THAT MAKES EVERYONE IN MY CAR DIZZY AND ALL TESLA DOES IS SAY, OPEN YOUR WINDOWS? GO CHECK THE TESLA FORUM, EVERYONE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SMELL BUT TESLA WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. HTTP://WWW-ORIGIN.TESLAMOTORS.COM/DE_AT/FORUM/FORUMS/BURN-SMELL-NEW-TESLA-S-WHEN-HEAT I WILL NOT GIVE MY REAL CONTACT INFORMATION BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF TESLA AND THE CEO COMING AFTER ME FOR REPORTING THE COMPANY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND UNHEALTHY. *TR

7/4/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHARGING CORD BECAME EXTREMELY HOT AND THE CONTACT WAS BURNED AFTER MAKING CONTACT WITH THE CORD. THE PLASTIC PART OF THE CORD HAD ALSO MELTED. THE CHARGING CORD WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUND THE CHARGING CORD TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500.

12/23/2013

BEFORE DEFECTIVE NEMA-1450 COULD BE REPLACED, I HAD A MELT-DOWN OF THE DEVICE WHILE CHARGING THE CAR. THE REASON FOR WRITING: LETTER RECEIVED TODAY (LETTER DATED 6/27/14) FROM TESLA SAYS THEY HAD DEVELOPED A SOFT-WARE UPDATE TO PREVENT THIS (AS WELL AS REPLACING THE PART). MY INCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER MY SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED (I'M NOW 5.11, UPDATE WAS 5.8.4). CLAIMS OF SOFTWARE PROTECTION SHOULD BE VALIDATED. *JS

7/7/2014

TIMOTHY DEVINE WAS KILLED AFTER DRIVING HIS VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN THE CANYON. THE TESLA STARTED A BRUSHFIRE THAT WAS SO BAD THAT 180 FIREFIGHTERS WERE CALLED IN AND MALIBU CANYON ROAD WAS CLOSED FOR OVER 9 HOURS. TANG, A SPOKESMAN FROM THE HIGHWAY PATROL SAID THAT TIMOTHY DEVINE WAS SO BADLY BURNED HE WASN'T RECOGNIZABLE AS A PERSON AND THAT FIRE HAD MELTED THE CAR DOWN TO NOTHING. WAS THIS SUICIDE OR DRIVER ERROR? WAS THIS KNOWN PROBLEMS WITH STEERING, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, BRAKE FAILURE, ETC. WAS THIS FATAL CRASH, FIRE AND EXPLOSIONS THE THE FAULT OF THE DRIVER AND OR THE FAULT OF THE VEHICLE?

6/28/2015

IT IS MY OPINION THAT, TESLA IS FRAUDULENTLY MISREPRESENTING STATISTICS AND THE SAFETY OF ITS VEHICLES. IT IS MY OPINION, IT IS FALSE ADVERTISING AGAIN. AFTER THE FIRST TESLA BATTERY FIRE ON OCTOBER 1, 2013: ON OCTOBER 4, 2013 ELON MUSK & TESLA MOTORS CLAIMED "YOU ARE 5 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE A FIRE IN A CONVENTIONAL GASOLINE CAR THAN A TESLA!" AFTER THE THIRD TESLA BATTERY FIRE ON NOVEMBER 19, 2013: ON DECEMBER 23, 2013 TESLA MOTORS CLAIMED "TESLA VEHICLE IS OVER FIVE TIMES LESS LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE A FIRE THAN THE AVERAGE GASOLINE CAR" I THINK TESLA MOTORS IS YET AGAIN USING FUNKY STATISTICS TO MISREPRESENT AND OVERSTATE THE SAFETY WORTHINESS OF ITS VEHICLES. AFTER THE THIRD TESLA BATTERY FIRE, TESLA WAS AND IS STILL USING STATISTICS THAT SEEMINGLY ONLY FIGURED ON ONE TESLA BATTERY FIRE, RATHER THAN ALL THREE. *TR

1/25/2014

TESLA MODEL S. HAS PROBLEMS THAT WITH LITTLE OR NO NOTICE THE CAR CAN QUIT, LEAVING THE CAR AND OCCUPANTS STRANDED DANGEROUSLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, SOMETIMES WITH NO LIGHTS. ALLEGEDLY THE TRACTION BATTERY, DRIVE UNIT, CONTACTOR, INVERTER, CONVERTER AND/OR 12 V ACCESSORY BATTERY CAN SUDDENLY FAIL CAUSING THE TESLA TO QUIT WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING, THEN COASTING TO A STOP. ALLEGEDLY IN SOME CASES AFTER THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP THE 12 V BATTERY AND SYSTEMS WILL QUICKLY FAIL, PREVENTING PARKING LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS FROM BEING USED AND PREVENTING THE PARKING BRAKE FROM BEING RELEASED AND PREVENTING THE ENGAGEMENT OF TOW MODE THUS PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM BEING PUSHED OR COASTED OUT OF DANGEROUS TRAFFIC TO A SAFER LOCATION. NOT BEING ABLE TO ENGAGE TOW MODE, IT MAKES TOWING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT, TIME-CONSUMING AND RISKY. *TR

3/24/2014

SOME CUSTOMERS ARE REPORTING POOR FRICTION BRAKING PERFORMANCE AFTER RAIN, SNOW OR CAR WASHES. ALLEGEDLY THERE IS AT LEAST ONE ACCIDENT FROM REDUCED FRICTION BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS IN WET CONDITIONS. MANY ALLEGE THAT SOMETIMES IN WET CONDITIONS THE FRICTION BRAKES TAKE SEVERAL SECONDS TO BECOME EFFECTIVE. *TR

3/5/2014

SOME TESLA OWNERS ARE ALLEGING THAT THERE ARE TESLA SERVICE BULLETINS FOR MODIFICATIONS ON TESLA'S THAT ARE BEING KEPT SECRET. IE: SOME TESLA OWNERS ARE REPORTING OCCASIONAL POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES. MANY TESLA OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THAT BRAKE DISCS AND OTHER BRAKE PARTS EASILY BECOME WET, THEN RUST. RUSTED ROTORS CAN CAUSE GRABBING, AND UNEVEN BRAKING (SWERVING ON BRAKE APPLICATION). ALLEGEDLY SOMETIMES RUSTED PARKING BRAKES WON'T DISENGAGE. IT SEEMS SOMETIMES BRAKE PARTS BECOME RUSTED, STICKY AND UNRELIABLE. WHEN THE BRAKE PADS BECOME WET, THERE IS POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE WITH LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE. THERE ARE SOME TESLA OWNERS REPORTING THAT THERE ARE TESLA SERVICE BULLETINS TO PREVENT POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE, BY ADDING DUST (SPLASH) GUARDS, REPLACING ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS; YET DOING INTERNET SEARCHES I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY TESLA MODEL S. SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE BRAKES. TESLA SEEMS TO BE KEEPING SAFETY PROBLEMS LIKE POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND THE RELATED SERVICE BULLETINS SECRET. ALLEGEDLY SOME TESLAS HAVE BEEN SOLD WITHOUT BRAKES DUST SHIELDS (SPLASH SHIELDS) THUS MAKING THEM MORE VULNERABLE TO WATER. TESLA'S REGEN BRAKING CAN BE SO EFFICIENT, THAT IT SEEMS SOME CUSTOMER'S FRICTION BRAKES ARE NOT BEING USED ENOUGH TO SQUEEGEE AWAY THE WATER OR GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT TO DRY OUT THE BRAKES. SHOULDN'T SERVICE BULLETINS, ESPECIALLY ONES REGARDING SAFETY BE READILY AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC? AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURES LIKE TESLA ARE DROPPING THE BALL. *TR

7/15/2014

THE CAR WAS GOING AT ABOUT 5 MPH GOING DOWN A SHORT RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY. BRAKE WAS CONSTANTLY APPLIED. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT HIT A CURB AND THE MIDDLE PORTION OF THE CAR LANDED ON A 4.5 FT HIGH VERTICAL RETAINING WALL. THE WALL IS ONE FOOT AWAY FROM THE CURB. THE FRONT PORTION OF THE CAR WAS HANGING UP IN THE AIR. THE CAR WAS AT ABOUT 45 DEGREE UP AND ABOUT 20 DEGREE TILTED TOWARD THE RIGHT SIDE. AN ENGINEER FROM TESLA SAID THE RECORD SHOWED THE ACCELERATING PEDAL WAS STEPPED ON AND IT ACCELERATED FROM 18% TO 100% IN SPLIT SECOND. HE BLAMED MY WIFE STEPPING ON THE ACCELERATING PEDAL. BUT HE ALSO SAID THERE WAS A BUILT-IN SAFE-GUARD THAT THE ACCELERATOR COULDNOT GO BEYOND 92%. THE STATEMENTS ARE CONTRADICTORY. IF THERE IS A SAFEGUARD THAT THE ACCELERATOR CANNOT GO BEYOUND 92%, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY THAT MY WIFE COULD STEP ON IT 100%. THERE WERE SOME MECHANICAL PROBLEM THAT CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN FROM 18% TO 100% IN SPLIT SECOND. *LN UPDATED 12/30/2013 *JS

9/24/2013

I WAS AT A FULL STOP WAITING TO TURN LEFT INTO THE PARKING GARAGE. WHEN IT WAS CLEAR OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC FOR ME TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN, I RELEASED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE CAR INSTANTLY SURGED FORWARD VERY FAST AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED IN THE FRONT OF THE GARAGE. THIS ALL HAPPENED SO QUICKLY THAT I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO AVOID THE IMPACT. THE TIME OF OCCURRENCE WAS IN BROAD DAYLIGHT AT ABOUT 6PM PST. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS CAR FOR ALMOST 10000 MILES PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND KNOW HOW TO HANDLE THE CAR AND UNDERSTAND THE TORQUE THIS CAR HAS. I HAVE MADE THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF STOPS AND STARTS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED. THERE IS NO OTHER TERM TO DESCRIBE THIS OTHER THAN SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT DISPATCHED AN OFFICER AND NO DRUGS OR ALCOHOL WAS INVOLVED. *JS TESLA INSTRUCTED THEIR STAFF TO NOT COMMUNICATE WITH ME ABOUT THIS ACCIDENT. *JS

9/26/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL ABNORMALLY TIGHTENED AS IT EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL CRACKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE SHAM AND RACKING PINION NUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200.

8/7/2013

SOME TESLA OWNERS ARE ALLEGING THAT THERE ARE TESLA SERVICE BULLETINS FOR MODIFICATIONS ON TESLA'S THAT ARE BEING KEPT SECRET. IE: SOME TESLA OWNERS ARE REPORTING OCCASIONAL POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES. MANY TESLA OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THAT BRAKE DISCS AND OTHER BRAKE PARTS EASILY BECOME WET, THEN RUST. RUSTED ROTORS CAN CAUSE GRABBING, AND UNEVEN BRAKING (SWERVING ON BRAKE APPLICATION). ALLEGEDLY SOMETIMES RUSTED PARKING BRAKES WON'T DISENGAGE. IT SEEMS SOMETIMES BRAKE PARTS BECOME RUSTED, STICKY AND UNRELIABLE. WHEN THE BRAKE PADS BECOME WET, THERE IS POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE WITH LONGER STOPPING DISTANCE. THERE ARE SOME TESLA OWNERS REPORTING THAT THERE ARE TESLA SERVICE BULLETINS TO PREVENT POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE, BY ADDING DUST (SPLASH) GUARDS, REPLACING ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS; YET DOING INTERNET SEARCHES I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY TESLA MODEL S. SERVICE BULLETINS ON THE BRAKES. TESLA SEEMS TO BE KEEPING SAFETY PROBLEMS LIKE POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE AND THE RELATED SERVICE BULLETINS SECRET. ALLEGEDLY SOME TESLAS HAVE BEEN SOLD WITHOUT BRAKES DUST SHIELDS (SPLASH SHIELDS) THUS MAKING THEM MORE VULNERABLE TO WATER. TESLA'S REGEN BRAKING CAN BE SO EFFICIENT, THAT IT SEEMS SOME CUSTOMER'S FRICTION BRAKES ARE NOT BEING USED ENOUGH TO SQUEEGEE AWAY THE WATER OR GENERATE ENOUGH HEAT TO DRY OUT THE BRAKES. SHOULDN'T SERVICE BULLETINS, ESPECIALLY ONES REGARDING SAFETY BE READILY AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC? AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURES LIKE TESLA ARE DROPPING THE BALL. *TR

7/15/2014

I REMOVED THE REAR BUMPER COVER FROM THE CAR TO INSTALL A TRAILER HITCH. THREE OF THE FOUR NUTS WERE NOT TIGHTENED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STEEL BUMPER CROSS MEMBER. THE NUTS WERE LOOSELY STARTED ONTO THE STUDS. THE NUTS ARE LOCATED IN AN AREA THAT CANNOT BE INSPECTED WITHOUT DISASSEMBLING THE REAR OF THE CAR. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS IT AFFECTS CRASH CRUMPLE ZONE INTEGRITY AND PROTECTION FOR THE REAR FACING JUMP SEATS IN THIS VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND I DO NO BELIEVE THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THERE IS AN ASSEMBLY QUALITY CONTROL ISSUE. *TR

2/17/2013

SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A STRIP MALL, I RELEASED MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS, LIGHTLY TAPPED BRAKE AND THE CAR "UNINTENTIONALLY ACCELERATED" INTO A PALM TREE IN FRONT OF A BRICK PILLAR AT A STRIP MALL. I BACKED OUT TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE. HUSBAND WAS WITNESS IN DRIVER'S SEAT. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME, (LAST YEAR AT A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT) ALTHO THE FIRST TIME NO DAMAGE WAS DONE AND NO REPORTS WERE FILED. POOR DECISION IN HINDSIGHT! SINCE NO PERSON WAS INJURED, THE POLICE DEPT WOULD NOT TAKE A REPORT. INSURANCE WAS CALLED AS WELL AS TESLA. TESLA TOOK 6 DAYS TO PULL LOGS AND ASSURED US IT WAS BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY AND ESCALATED TO MANAGEMENT. WE RECEIVED A CALL YESTERDAY FROM TOSHA AT TESLA, RELAYING THAT THEY DETERMINED THAT T WAS DRIVER ERROR AND LOG REPORTS SHOW THAT AS THE CAR WAS PULLING INTO THE SPOT, IT WAS ON A 3 ON A SCALE OF 100 AND THEN IT ACCELERATED 87% AND THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. DOES NOT MAKE LOGICAL SENSE THAT THE CAR COULD ACCELERATE 87% IN A MATTER OF 2 FEET! I AM 150% SURE I DID NOT HIT THE ACCELERATOR. I AM 47, NOT A 90 YR OLD WOMAN WHO MAY HAVE PEDAL CONFUSION. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED WITH ANY OF OUR OTHER NON-TESLA CARS NOR IN MY 40+ YEARS OF DRIVING CARS OR MOTORCYCLES. THEIR RESPONSE IS SUSPECT AND WE ARE QUITE FRANKLY FEARFUL TO DRIVE THE CAR SAFELY. THIS STIP MALL HAS LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT WALK BY, ESP ELDERLY AND THE FACT THAT NO ONE OR THE PILLAR WAS HIT IS A BLESSING. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WILL BE ASKING TESLA FOR A WRITTEN REPORT OF THEIR FINDINGS BUT NOT CONFIDENT IT WILL BE PROVIDED. WE PLAN TO SEEK COUNSEL AS WELL ESP SINCE THIS IS CONSIDERED AN "AT FAULT ACCIDENT".

3/2/2016

I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY MODEL S ON MONDAY, JULY 1, 2013. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A FAST DRIVE AND I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. IT WAS COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE SMELL MADE ME DIZZY ALONG WITH MY FAMILY MEMBERS TO A POINT WHERE WE HAD TO STOP AND GET OUT OF THE CAR FOR AIR AND WALK IT OFF. WHY HASN'T THE GOVERNMENT ISSUED A RECALL ON THE TESLA MODEL S. I CALLED TESLA, I WAS TOLD, DO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT, THE SMELL WILL EVENTUALLY GO AWAY. THIS IS B.S. I PAID OVER $100,000 FOR A CAR THAT I CANNOT DRIVE FOR 2 TO 3 WEEKS BECAUSE OF A BURNING SMELL THAT MAKES EVERYONE IN MY CAR DIZZY AND ALL TESLA DOES IS SAY, OPEN YOUR WINDOWS? GO CHECK THE TESLA FORUM, EVERYONE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SMELL BUT TESLA WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. HTTP://WWW-ORIGIN.TESLAMOTORS.COM/DE_AT/FORUM/FORUMS/BURN-SMELL-NEW-TESLA-S-WHEN-HEAT I WILL NOT GIVE MY REAL CONTACT INFORMATION BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF TESLA AND THE CEO COMING AFTER ME FOR REPORTING THE COMPANY. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND UNHEALTHY. *TR

7/4/2013

NEEDED TO REPLACE DRIVE MOTOR, 85KW BATTERY IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS AND CURRENTLY HAVE FAULTY ONBOARD CHARGER AND NOT ABLE TO CHARGE. THESE FREQUENT CHARGING PROBLEMS HAVE REALLY ANNOYED ME. TESLA SERVICE HAS BEEN REALLY NICE AND RESPONSIVE, HOWEVER, I DECIDED TO REPORT THESE BECAUSE THE ISSUES ARE BEYOND WHAT'S EXPECTED FROM A NEW CAR, LET ALONE A TESLA. THIS IS LESS THAN RELIABLE FOR A 1+ YR OLD CAR. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE EXTENSION OF TESLA DRIVE TRAIN AND BATTERY WARRANTY (UNLIMITED MILES) THESE WOULD HAVE BEEN REALLY EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. *TR

10/23/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TESLA S 985. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE VARIOUS SHIFTING ISSUES WHEN USING REVERSE. IN ADDITION, UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURRED ONLY WHEN DRIVING IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPROGRAMMED BUT THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 04-16-14 *BF UPDATED 04/17/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER THE RE-FLASH, HE NO LONGER WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. UPDATED 05/20/14

1/30/2014

ON 4/15 2016 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A ONE LANE ROAD AND THE "POWER PLANT" FAILED (PER THE TESLA SERVICE INVOICE) AND THE CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST ALL POWER. THE CARE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE CENTER IN ROCKLIN CALIFORNIA. THERE TEST RESULTS STATES "CONFIRMED REAR DRIVE UNIT WILL NEED REPLACEMENT DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE" A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR THE DRIVE WHEN IT HAPPENS AT SPEED IN TRAFFIC.

4/19/2016

I HAVE HAD A 3 MONTH OLD MODEL S. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OWNERS WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANT AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR IN THEIR CARS. I HAVE 4,000 MILES IN MY 4 DOOR SEDAN, AND WAS TOLD BY TESLA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO PLAN ON REPLACING THE TIRES IN THE NEXT 1K MILES, DURING A RECENT SERVICE APPT TO FIX MY MOONROOF LEAK. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RACED OR DRIVEN HARD TO CAUSE EARLY TIRE WEAR. WHEN I ASKED THEM TO SEE IF THEIR WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, THEY SAID TO EXPECT THIS AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THESE CARS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE EDMUNDS LONG TERM EVALUATION OF THE MODEL S, IT ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE AT 10K MILES, AND TESLA REPLACED THE TIRES FOR FREE. I HAVE ATTACHED THEIR POST ABOUT THEIR CAR. HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/TESLA/MODEL-S/2013/LONG-TERM-ROAD-TEST/2013-TESLA-MODEL-S-TIRE-WEAR-POST-MORTEM.HTML THE MICHELIN TIRES ARE WARRANTED TO 20K MILES(ON MY CAR) ON THE PILOT PS2 TIRES. THE CONTINENTAL TIRES IN THE EDMUNDS CAR IS WARRANTED EVEN LONGER. IF YOU LOOK AT OTHER FORUMS/REVIEWS, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. EXCESSIVE EARLY TIRE WEAR CAN BE A HAZARD TO PEOPLE UNSUSPECTING THIS. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF EVEN CHECKING TO SEE IF I NEEDED NEW TIRES AT 4K MILES. IF I NEVER CHECKED, MY TIRES WILL SOON BE ON DRIVING ON THE BARE METAL TREADS WITH A POSSIBLE TIRE BLOWOUT. THIS CAN POSE A SERIOUS DANGER TO ANY UNSUSPECTING DRIVER. MAYBE WITH SOME PRODDING, TESLA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO WHY A FOUR DOOR PASSENGER CAR, HAS SUCH EXCESSIVE AND EARLY TIRE WEAR, AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE GET INTO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. *TR

10/17/2013

MY CAR WENT OVER A POTHOLE ON 101 S JUST SHORT OF WOODSIDE RD. EXIT. I HEARD A LOUD THUD AND MY CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL AND VEERED INTO THE LANES NEXT TO ME AS I TRIED TO CONTROL IT. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO STOP IT, IT FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE REAR, RIGHT TIRE BURST AND THE WHEEL IMPACTED BADLY. REAR SUSPENSION BROKEN AND THE 'QUARTER AND ROCKER PANEL' BROKEN.

1/14/2017

A STOLEN TESLA CRASHED IN WEST HOLLYWOOD, KILLING THE DRIVER. PHOTOS SEEM TO SUGGEST THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. ALLEGEDLY LIGHT POLES SPLIT THE CAR IN HALF. THE LIGHT POLES SEEM TO BE THE BREAKAWAY TYPE. SUGGESTING THERE MAY BE A STRUCTURAL WEAKNESS THAT ALLOWED THE TESLA TO BREAK IN HALF, FRACTURING THE BATTERY, CATCHING PIECES OF BATTERY ON FIRE, AND EXPLODING BATTERY CELLS, SENDING FLAMING SHRAPNEL THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD. *TR

7/10/2014

THE FIRST REPORTED TESLA CRASH IN CHINA, IT APPEARS THAT THE DRIVERS STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. WHILE CHINA IS NOT IN THE JURISDICTION OF NHTSA, THE INFORMATION CAN BE USED PROACTIVELY FOR SAFETY IN THE US, INSTEAD OF BEING REACTIVE. HTTP://WWW.CARNEWSCHINA.COM/2014/07/11/FIRST-TESLA-CRASHES-IN-CHINA/......UPDATED 07/15/14 *BF

7/12/2014

TESLA MODEL S. HAS PROBLEMS THAT WITH LITTLE OR NO NOTICE THE CAR CAN QUIT, LEAVING THE CAR AND OCCUPANTS STRANDED DANGEROUSLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, SOMETIMES WITH NO LIGHTS. ALLEGEDLY THE TRACTION BATTERY, DRIVE UNIT, CONTACTOR, INVERTER, CONVERTER AND/OR 12 V ACCESSORY BATTERY CAN SUDDENLY FAIL CAUSING THE TESLA TO QUIT WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING, THEN COASTING TO A STOP. ALLEGEDLY IN SOME CASES AFTER THE VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP THE 12 V BATTERY AND SYSTEMS WILL QUICKLY FAIL, PREVENTING PARKING LIGHTS AND HAZARD LIGHTS FROM BEING USED AND PREVENTING THE PARKING BRAKE FROM BEING RELEASED AND PREVENTING THE ENGAGEMENT OF TOW MODE THUS PREVENTING THE VEHICLE FROM BEING PUSHED OR COASTED OUT OF DANGEROUS TRAFFIC TO A SAFER LOCATION. NOT BEING ABLE TO ENGAGE TOW MODE, IT MAKES TOWING THE VEHICLE MORE DIFFICULT, TIME-CONSUMING AND RISKY. *TR

3/24/2014

TESLA MAIN COMPUTER IS DESIGNED TO FAIL AND DISABLE THE ABILITY TO TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, REAR VIEW CAMERA, AND SO ON. THE MAIN COMPUTER LOGS EVERYTHING HAPPENING IN THE CAR EXCESSIVELY (THEY DO THIS SO PRESS REVIEWS CAN BE REFUTED, IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES) BUT THAT LOGGING CAUSES THE CHIP TO FAIL. THE SOLUTION IS TO TURN OFF LOGGING BUT THEY REFUSE, SO THESE COMPUTERS FAIL PREDICTABLY ON SCHEDULE. ALL TESLAS ARE AFFECTED. *TR

6/24/2020

THIS IS NOT SO MUCH A COMPLAINT AS IT IS A QUESTION. I HAD THOUGHT ABOUT PURCHASING A TESLA AND I SAW PICTURES OF THE RECENT ACCIDENT THAT SPARKED, LITERALLY, A FIRE -- APPARENTLY A FRONT END COLLISION. THE EXCUSE FROM TESLA WAS THAT A PIECE OF METAL PIERCED THE BATTERIES AND THAT WILL, AS I UNDERSTAND IT ACCORDING TO TESLA, CAUSE A FIRE. I BELIEVE THAT WHEN NHTSA CRASH TESTS THESE CARS, IT IS INTO CONCRETE. AS MOST CRASHES ARE METAL TO METAL, SHOULDN'T YOU TEST, ESPECIALLY THIS CAR, BY CRASHING IT INTO ANOTHER CAR? *TR

10/4/2013

THE VENTILATION IN THE 3RD ROW IS AWFUL IN THE MODEL S. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF SICK KIDS THROWING UP BECAUSE IT'S TOO HOT. TESLA ACKNOWLEDGED IT OVER A YEAR AGO AND STILL HASN'T FIXED IT. WE HAVE TRIED CONTACTING THEM AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET A RESPONSE. *TR

8/23/2014

THE VENTILATION IN THE 3RD ROW IS AWFUL IN THE MODEL S. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING OF SICK KIDS THROWING UP BECAUSE IT'S TOO HOT. TESLA ACKNOWLEDGED IT OVER A YEAR AGO AND STILL HASN'T FIXED IT. WE HAVE TRIED CONTACTING THEM AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO GET A RESPONSE. *TR

8/23/2014

HERE IS A SALVAGE CAR THAT HAS HAD A SEVERE REAR END IMPACT. HTTP://WWW.COPART.COM/US/LOT/29148486?SEARCHID=342174653 IT APPEARS THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT-BACK HAS COLLAPSED. THIS IS NOT GOOD. "IT IS ESTIMATED THAT APPROXIMATELY 50,000 REAR IMPACT INJURIES OCCUR PER YEAR IN THE US ALONE. ELEVEN HUNDRED OF THESE ARE FATAL. ANOTHER 1,600 ARE LIFE THREATENING INJURIES SUCH AS BRAIN DAMAGE, BURNS AND PARALYSIS. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN A VEHICLE IS STRUCK FROM THE REAR AT MODERATE SPEEDS, OFTEN BETWEEN 25 AND 32 KILOMETRES PER HOUR, CAUSING THE SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE IN FRONT BUCKET AND SPLIT BACK SEATS. THE RESULT CREATES AN AVENUE WHICH MAY ALLOW OCCUPANTS TO BE EJECTED EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE USING SEAT BELT RESTRAINTS. WHEN A SEAT BACK COLLAPSES, CURRENT SEAT BELT SYSTEMS ARE RENDERED VIRTUALLY USELESS. THIS ALLOWS THE OCCUPANT TO SLIDE REARWARD UNDER THE SEAT BELT THEN THEY ARE EITHER EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE OR FORCED HEAD FIRST INTO THE REAR SEAT BACK, EXPOSING THEM TO POSSIBLE HEAD OR SPINAL INJURY" CAN YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE WHETHER THERE IS A WEAKNESS IN THE SEAT-BACK WHICH IS PLACING DRIVERS AT RISK OF DEATH OR INJURY.

8/10/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOWS IN THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE PARTS NOT BEING SOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

4/13/2016

ON 9/5/19 MY MCU (MEDIA CONTROL UNIT) (THE MAIN COMPUTER IN MY CAR) DIED. AS A RESULT, I WAS UNABLE TO: 1. MANUALLY POWER OFF THE VEHICLE AND PLACE IN TOW MODE 2. TURN ON PARKING LIGHTS, TURN ON/OFF HEADLIGHTS 3. TRIGGER ON/OFF CHILD PROTECTION LOCKS ADDITIONALLY, 1. ALL HEATING, COOLING, DEFROST, AND DEFOGGING WAS DISABLED I'VE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MODEL S/X CARS ON MULTIPLE FORUMS INCLUDING HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/ & HTTPS://FORUMS.TESLA.COM. I BELIEVE THE REASON IS SHOWN HERE HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=O-7B1WAOJ9Q. START AT 8:40. THIS IS QUITE WORRISOME, AS IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THIS FAILURE WILL HAPPEN AGAIN IN A FEW YEARS. IT WAS A HOT DAY AND NOT ONLY WAS IT UNBEARABLY INSIDE MY CAR, HOWEVER, MORE IMPORTANTLY, MANY OF THE KEY SAFETY FUNCTIONS (SEE ABOVE) WERE ALSO DISABLED DUE TO THIS FAILURE.

9/22/2019

I HAVE HAD A 3 MONTH OLD MODEL S. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OWNERS WHO HAVE SIGNIFICANT AND EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR IN THEIR CARS. I HAVE 4,000 MILES IN MY 4 DOOR SEDAN, AND WAS TOLD BY TESLA SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO PLAN ON REPLACING THE TIRES IN THE NEXT 1K MILES, DURING A RECENT SERVICE APPT TO FIX MY MOONROOF LEAK. THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RACED OR DRIVEN HARD TO CAUSE EARLY TIRE WEAR. WHEN I ASKED THEM TO SEE IF THEIR WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CAR, THEY SAID TO EXPECT THIS AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THESE CARS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE EDMUNDS LONG TERM EVALUATION OF THE MODEL S, IT ALSO HAD THE SAME ISSUE AT 10K MILES, AND TESLA REPLACED THE TIRES FOR FREE. I HAVE ATTACHED THEIR POST ABOUT THEIR CAR. HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/TESLA/MODEL-S/2013/LONG-TERM-ROAD-TEST/2013-TESLA-MODEL-S-TIRE-WEAR-POST-MORTEM.HTML THE MICHELIN TIRES ARE WARRANTED TO 20K MILES(ON MY CAR) ON THE PILOT PS2 TIRES. THE CONTINENTAL TIRES IN THE EDMUNDS CAR IS WARRANTED EVEN LONGER. IF YOU LOOK AT OTHER FORUMS/REVIEWS, THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. EXCESSIVE EARLY TIRE WEAR CAN BE A HAZARD TO PEOPLE UNSUSPECTING THIS. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF EVEN CHECKING TO SEE IF I NEEDED NEW TIRES AT 4K MILES. IF I NEVER CHECKED, MY TIRES WILL SOON BE ON DRIVING ON THE BARE METAL TREADS WITH A POSSIBLE TIRE BLOWOUT. THIS CAN POSE A SERIOUS DANGER TO ANY UNSUSPECTING DRIVER. MAYBE WITH SOME PRODDING, TESLA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO WHY A FOUR DOOR PASSENGER CAR, HAS SUCH EXCESSIVE AND EARLY TIRE WEAR, AND FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE GET INTO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. *TR

10/17/2013

TL THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TESLA MODEL S EQUIPPED WITH LIONHART LH-FIVE TIRES, SIZE: 245/35/R21 (NA). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN TESLA DEALER IN TORRANTE, CA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REPLACEMENT TIRES WERE FAULTY. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE VARIED. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000. THE DOT NUMBER AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

12/15/2018

DOOR HANDLE PROBLEMS THE HANDLE FAILS EVERY 6MONTHS SHOULD BE A RECALL DRIVE TRAIN ISSUES

6/9/2019

TESLA IS LIKE A LAPTOP WITH WHEELS. IF THE LAPTOP'S HARD DRIVE DIES, THE CAR WON'T WORK. THAT IS WHAT HAPPENED TO MY 2013 TESLA MODEL S P85+. THE CAR'S MAIN COMPUTER HAD A COMBINATION OF FAULTY DESIGN IN HARDWARE(SMALL EMMC MEMORY CHIP) AND SOFTWARE(HIGH FREQUENCY LOGGING TO EMMC MEMORY) RESULTING THE MEMORY CHIP FAILED AFTER 120,000 MILES OF DRIVING. AFTER THE FAILURE, THE CAR WILL NO LONGER DRIVE FOR MORE THAN 23 MILES OR BE CHARGED BEYOND 23 MILES OF RANGE. THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING, THE MAIN CONTROL SCREEN STAY BLACK. THE CAR WILL RECEIVE NO CONTROL. THE ORIGINAL RANGE IS 245 MILES. *TR

6/17/2020

AN INDIVIDUAL CLAIMS THAT WHEN HE CHARGES AT A LOWER RATE, THAT IF THE NEW SOFTWARE DETECTS A PROBLEM IT INCREASES THE CHARGE RATE RATHER THAN REDUCING IT. IF IT IS TRUE, UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES THE UPDATE CAN INCREASE THE CHANCE OF AN OVERLOAD AND FIRE. IT SEEMS IN SOME CASES THAT THE TESLA SAFETY SOFTWARE UPDATE SAFETY "FIX" MAY BE CREATING FIRE HAZARDS. THERE MAY BE A GLITCH, BAD PROGRAMMING IN THE TESLA SOFTWARE UPDATE. PART OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V006000 RECALL, HAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT BY AN ALLEGATION MIGHT INCREASE CURRENT WHEN THE SOFTWARE DETECTS A PROBLEM WHEN IT IS CHARGING AT A LOWER CHARGE RATE. ALLEGEDLY IN SOME CASES THE TESLA CHARGER WILL CHARGE FASTER THAN IT IS SET. *TR

1/13/2014

DESPITE THE 14V006000 RECALL BEING ISSUED ABOUT A MONTH AGO, CUSTOMERS ARE COMPLAINING THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION, SO THEY HAVE BEEN UNAWARE OF THE FIRE HAZARDS AND ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT IT ONLINE AFTER THEIR CHARGE CONNECTORS FAILED AFTER THE RECALL. ALLEGEDLY ON JANUARY 9, 2014 TESLA CEO ELON MUSK CLAIMED THAT RELATED RECALLED TESLA MODEL S. ADAPTERS WOULD BE MAILED OUT WITHIN TWO WEEKS. YET A MONTH LATER CUSTOMERS AND ALLEGEDLY EVEN TESLA SERVICE CENTERS HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE REPLACEMENT ADAPTERS. THE PROPOSED RECALL AS IT STANDS SEEMS TO BE INSUFFICIENT BECAUSE THE ONLY HARDWARE THAT IS REPLACED IS THE ADAPTER. THE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE ADAPTER AND THE UMC MODULE ARE WELL DOCUMENTED TO BE THE SOURCE OF MANY OVERHEATING, MELTING AND BURNING EVENTS. THESE CONNECTIONS SHOULD PROBABLY BE REPLACED WITH CONNECTORS THAT ARE BETTER CAPABLE OF CARRYING THE HIGH CURRENT FOR LONG DURATIONS. DESPITE TESLA TRYING TO PORTRAY A SOFTWARE UPDATE AS A "FIX", TESLA CHARGE CONNECTORS CONTINUE TO OVERHEAT, MELT AND BURN. DESPITE TESLA TRYING TO SCAPEGOAT HOUSE WIRING AND WALL OUTLETS AS THE PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN AND CONTINUES TO BE OCCURRENCES OF TESLA CHARGE CONNECTIONS OVERHEATING, MELTING AND BURNING THAT HOUSE WIRING AND WALL OUTLETS ARE NOT THE SOURCE. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HOUSE WIRING AND WALL OUTLETS HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE A CAUSE AND OR FACTOR IN SOME CASES, HOWEVER THAT SHOULD NOT DIVERT ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE FAULTY TESLA CHARGE CONNECTIONS THAT ARE A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

2/12/2014

BEFORE DEFECTIVE NEMA-1450 COULD BE REPLACED, I HAD A MELT-DOWN OF THE DEVICE WHILE CHARGING THE CAR. THE REASON FOR WRITING: LETTER RECEIVED TODAY (LETTER DATED 6/27/14) FROM TESLA SAYS THEY HAD DEVELOPED A SOFT-WARE UPDATE TO PREVENT THIS (AS WELL AS REPLACING THE PART). MY INCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER MY SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED (I'M NOW 5.11, UPDATE WAS 5.8.4). CLAIMS OF SOFTWARE PROTECTION SHOULD BE VALIDATED. *JS

7/7/2014

CPSC: I OWN A TESLA MODEL S MADE IN NOVEMBER 2013. ALL 4 DOOR HANDLES ARE BROKEN OR MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER THE FIRST ONE WENT OUT, I TOOK IT TO TESLA AND THEY SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WOULD COST $1,200.00 AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. AFTER TALKING TO SEVERAL OTHER TESLA OWNERS OWNERS AND DOING SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT IT'S MORE UNCOMMON THAT THEY DON'T BREAK THAN THAT THEY DO. THE ACTUAL COST TO REPAIR THEM WOULD BE MUCH LOWER, BUT THEY DON'T OFFER THAT. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR ON MY CAR IN FACT SPONTANEOUSLY OPENS ITSELF. THIS USUALLY OCCURS WHEN PRESSING THE BUTTON THAT ENGAGES THE PARK BREAK. IT SEEMS CLEAR TO ME THAT THE PRODUCT IS DEFECTIVE. *BF UPDATED 07/19/2017*JS

7/18/2017

THE DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLE (EXTERIOR) WILL NOT PRESENT, WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THE VEHICLE IS 6 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 40K MILES ON IT. THE TESLA CUSTOMER SERVICE REP SAID THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT, BUT THEY ARE STILL CHARGING OVER $400 TO FIX IT. THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS STATIONARY. I PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY TO HELP SOMEONE, AND WHEN I TRIED TO GET BACK INTO MY CAR, THE HANDLE WOULD NOT PRESENT AND I HAD TO ENTER FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE HANDLE HAS NOT WORKED SINCE. MANY OTHER TESLA OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM. DOOR HANDLES ARE A NECESSITY FOR ALL VEHICLES, AND SHOULD LAST A REASONABLE LIFETIME FOR A CAR. NOT BEING ABLE TO ENTER YOUR CAR IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

10/2/2019