2013 Model S sudden battery failure

[ucmndd]

It just seems pretty risky from a financial point of view to hold any Tesla once its battery pack warranty is over.

I agree, but I think it’s also possible to consider that risk and come out ahead.

I bought my car expecting a useful life of 8 years. That said, I could see some value in keeping it 10, but would consider those two extra years like “bonus” years. If it crapped out after 8 years and a day, that would be a bummer, but I’d basically sell it for scrap and move on having got what I expected out of the car. On the contrary, if it kept going for another 2 years without major issues, that’s clearly a financial benefit.

People are naturally risk averse and thus place more value on things like warranties than would otherwise pencil out - but if you get down to cold hard numbers I think it’s rarely if ever financially beneficial to dump a depreciated out of warranty car for a new one with a warranty to avoid repair costs. Of course there are lots of other reasons to want a new car - chief among them “because I want one”, and I totally get that too. That new car smell….

 

[ucmndd]

Yes, I have. I had reached out to multiple service centers and I would get one of below:
1.) I would be totally ghosted when sending email inquiry. No response on emails regarding alternative battery replacement.
2.) Visiting in person result in "Sorry we only do brand new battery replacement that your vehicle qualify for which is the 90kwh pack."

Ugh, what a bummer. Particularly as plenty of others have posted here confirming they were offered and received refurbished packs at a considerable savings.

This is the sort of inconsistency that really makes me nervous about continuing to own a Tesla.

 

[Rocky_H]

Besides plenty of packs failing under warranty and being replaced, not surprisingly, I keep seeing more and more reports of...

...selection bias, where only the people with bad experiences take the time to come to a forum to tell stories about it.
There--fixed that for ya.

 

[cmc1671]

Resolution: Replaced the original, just-out-of-warranty S85 HV battery with 62K miles for $11k. Traded car for a sophisticated German plug-in hybrid with a 7 year warranty, 35-40 mpg with zero range anxiety, backed by a responsive, courteous, transparent local SC. There were some high points to our 8 1/2 year Model S experience but in the overall it was a massive disappointment.

 

[SO16]

Resolution: Replaced the original, just-out-of-warranty S85 HV battery with 62K miles for $11k. Traded car for a sophisticated German plug-in hybrid with a 7 year warranty, 35-40 mpg with zero range anxiety, backed by a responsive, courteous, transparent local SC. There were some high points to our 8 1/2 year Model S experience but in the overall it was a massive disappointment.

Please report back in 8.5 years of this car ownership for a better comparison.

 

[BostonBurley]

Resolution: Replaced the original, just-out-of-warranty S85 HV battery with 62K miles for $11k. Traded car for a sophisticated German plug-in hybrid with a 7 year warranty, 35-40 mpg with zero range anxiety, backed by a responsive, courteous, transparent local SC. There were some high points to our 8 1/2 year Model S experience but in the overall it was a massive disappointment.

My feelings after 9-1/2 years are basically yours,

Some low points over 9-1/2 years,
overall it was a revolutionary, expensive, disappointment.
In the end it is just an expensive disappointment.
…I’ll buy two more…