I have a 2019 Model 3 that is subject to the recall. I received a call from Tesla about 8 months ago asking me if I could take my car to a Supercharger location where they were holding a repair clinic especially for the harness recall. I declined because the location was a 5 hour drive round trip. I was told I would receive a call from the service center, which I never did. I recently scheduled an appointment at the service centre so it could be addressed along with a couple other minor warranty repairs.
At first, I was told my car was not subject to the recall even though a search on the Tesla website indicates my VIN is included.
I was then told the recall could not be completed because I have an aftermarket power trunk kit installed on my vehicle. They actually noticed on my service order that the warranty on the trunk harness is now void.
I have two issues with this. First, this is a safety recall not a warranty request. In Canada anyway, I’m under the understanding that a safety recall must be completed regardless of the vehicle condition (for instance, a “rebuilt” salvage vehicle must be fixed under a recall even though there is no factory warranty). Second, even if it was a warranty repair, any denial of warranty coverage would have to show that the aftermarket component was the cause of the failure.
Tesla seems to choose the oddest things to battle. They didn’t blink an eye replacing both my headlights because they had water stains on the inside of the lenses, but denied a 5 minute, $5 recall repair.
I politely insisted, even offering to pay for the part. After speaking with a manager they gave me a “goodwill” reinforcement grommet. The Tesla service instructions are available online, the the repair took me less than five minutes. It included checking the color of the camera wire, and if solid black (mine was), zip-tying the reinforcement grommet to the bend of the harness.
Given the simplicity of the repair, Tesla’s reaction was perplexing.
