mknox
Well-Known Member
I know of one 40 kWh owner who eventually did opt for the software upgrade. I believe the warranty bump came when he paid to unlock the full 60.
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100% drive unit failure rate??
- Thread starter yobigd20
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- Driving Dynamics Model S
I know of one 40 kWh owner who eventually did opt for the software upgrade. I believe the warranty bump came when he paid to unlock the full 60.
The more I think about this, the more I think we are asking the wrong question. Using the same standard, every ice engine I've ever had has had 100% failure rate. They all got noisy or sluggish and had to be adjusted/maintained. Ranging from plugs to valve job. We don't consider that failure, just maintenance. What's confusing the issue here is that tesla has elected a return/replace/remanufacture approach vs local repair, which obscures our knowledge of real costs and severity of problems. So, I think the real question is when tesla will begin local service for some of the common maintenance and repair items. Then we will know a real failure vs standard maintenance or minor repair.
mknox
Well-Known Member
My SC told me a while back that local DU repairs would be happening "soon", and they were just waiting on instructions and training.
I agree, and I've been saying this for a few months now: Once Tesla implements a drive-unit "tune-up" mentality (i.e. you used to need to replace your transmission fluid every 15k miles*, well now you need to have your DU serviced every 15k miles), the whole drive unit "failure" issue goes away.
*for arguments sake
freeewilly
Member
Not sure if this was mentioned before. Since the failure rate is so high, should them do a recall on every Model S?
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
I think the gist of the thread is that it has not been established the failure rate is "so high", esp. for the newer cars rolling out of the factory.
mknox
Well-Known Member
My March 2013 car had it's DU replaced once at about 13,000 miles / 8 months of use, and I am on the waiting list for another. The second DU started making the "Milling Sound" a bit over a year ago.
JohnSnowNW
Active Member
I don't know about Leaf drivetrain failures, but they aren't using the same tech.
I'm active on mynissanleaf.com and can say that Leaf drivetrain/motor replacements for any reason are almost unheard of.
It's not 0 but the reports I recall seeing are in the low single digits.
Here's 1 that I found (same guy). Unclear if was a misdiagnosis:
New Traction Motor Being Installed - My Nissan Leaf Forum
New Traction Motor Being Installed - Page 3 - My Nissan Leaf Forum
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That's interesting, and can be somewhat reassuring/disheartening depending on how you look at it. Having just looked at a leaf up close recently, I was shocked at the size of the entire drive unit. It resembles and can honestly be easily mistaken for an ICE.
What you call the drive unit is essentially everything except the battery. On a Model S, all the same pieces are distributed around the car, whereas on the Leaf, it's all in that one big box. (Motor, differential, inverter, DC-DC converter, fast charge contractors, high-voltage junction box, etc)
stopcrazypp
Well-Known Member
Not only tech but the power and torque loads are completely different. Even the base Model S has far more power and torque than a Leaf.
Speaking of which, it'll be interesting to see how the drivetrain replacements are spread over the various models: 60 / 70D/ 85 /85D / P85 / P85D, etc.
I don't see how that's the case. It's an electric motor and drive. Are the leaf's AC?
That's not really what I'm saying. Both EVs are breaking new ground. The point to be made is that I'm somewhat reassured that the leaf has been so reliable. Tesla's string of DU revisions has me somewhat concerned, however.
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