12v battery needs replacing after 7000 miles/9 months

[Sir Guacamolaf]

Tesla should also consider making the 12v battery easy to replace - so easy that any owner could do it themselves without using any tools.

 

[SeminoleFSU]

My car is always plugged in when I'm at home and not driving. I've spent maybe a dozen or so days traveling where it hasn't been plugged in overnight. I also have always connected off. My car is always asleep unless it's phoning home. So, in my case at least, it seems the battery just died prematurely.

If that's the case then yea you prob had a bad battery... hopefully it's not something else happening in the 12v system those are always difficult to troubleshoot and get resolved

 

[doubleohwhat]

Tesla should also consider making the 12v battery easy to replace

Yes. This battery is apparently notorious for needing replacement. They should make it just as easy as a 12v battery replacement in most ICE vehicles.

 

[doubleohwhat]

The tech just replaced the battery. Very knowledgeable guy. Even he was surprised the battery died this quickly. Apparently, Tesla has switched to a different 12v battery that is supposed to last longer. Hopefully it will.

 

[doubleohwhat]

Forgot to mention... Apparently they (Tesla) plan on these batteries lasting two years.

 

[FloridaGary]

I have a Dec 2015 Model S and the 12v battery failed in 3 months. My service center informed me to expect this about every year. So far, it's been 15 months since it was replaced. I don't drive more than 200 miles per week and only charge 2 or 3 times per week. Fortunately, it was the only problem I have experienced during the entire length of ownership. I can't complain.

 

[doubleohwhat]

Honestly, as long as the battery lasts a year then I'm fine. I can just have them replace it during the annual inspection Once the car is out of warranty, I'll replace it with a lithium battery.

 

[Canuck]

Once the car is out of warranty, I'll replace it with a lithium battery.

Having had to have my battery replaced recently under warranty, this is my plan too, when the current one dies and it's out of warranty.

 

[K-MTG]

On my X I notice that it makes a clicking sound, like 10 clicks in 4 seconds and the driver door opens kind of slugglishly at night.

Sign of the battery failing??

 

[Candleflame]

It is a design flaw in Teslas vehicles. The 12v battery powers everything but the drivetrain. The main battery isn't set up in a way to provide a float charge to the battery. So what happens is that the 12v battery gets continuously discharged until it reaches a low chargepoint (i think about 70%) and then gets topped up by the main battery again. Because there is quite a significant power draw from the electric devices on board this can happen several times a day when you drive, but also when you don't drive.

Really what they should be doing if they are not optimizing the battery to provide a float charge to the 12v battery is put a lithium ion 12v battery in.