2020 Model 3 MANY warranty repairs.

[beasty54]

Hi All

I picked up a second hand 2020 Model 3 LR (Fremont built) back in November last year, and unfortunately I've had to have quite a few things replaced / repaired by Tesla under warranty, one of which is still ongoing. I was aware of one issue when i purchased the car, but i knew it was under warranty, and the dealer put in writing that they'd cover the cost of replacing the right repeater camera if Tesla wouldn't. The car was a good deal at the time, so with that guarantee from the dealer, it was worth going ahead.

Below is the list of repairs I've had done since mid November 2023:

• Both front upper control arms replaced
• Both front door seals replaced
• Right repeater camera replaced x 2
• Left repeater camera replaced
• Boot latch repaired
• Rear drivers side light replaced
• Rear camera replaced
• Paint work in front passenger wheel arch touched up
• Metal on the boot was touching the top part of the car when opening, this caused paint damage and rust. They bent the metal and touched up (great job)
• Drivers seat base foam & pleather replaced
• Bolts / mounts (not sure exactly) replaced on drivers seat due to movement - 3 attempts and still ongoing

As you can see, there's been quite a few problems that have resulted in a number of mobile visits, as well as service center visits. My 7th visit (3rd center visit) is scheduled for tomorrow because the drivers side seat is still moving / rocking when accelerating, this will be the 4th attempt if you include the 2 mobile visits. As i'm sure you can imagine, these repairs have cost me a considerable amount of time, the service center visits are usually a full day or more and over 150 miles to get there and back twice. Mobile visits generally require me to take a day off work, and tomorrows service center visit is another days holiday i'm loosing.

My question is, what would everyone else be expecting from Tesla at this point? I love my model 3, I've got no major complaints in general, but where do you draw the line with something like your drivers seat rocking slightly every time you accelerate, especially when it's definitely getting worse? I've arranged to speak to the service center manager when i'm there tomorrow, i'm just wondering what other people may or may not be expecting at this point? Do i even have any rights with the manufacturer directly (no warranty with dealer) when we're talking about a potential safety issue that's had 3 failed attempts at repairs?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[GatorMeat]

This is why I don't buy used. Maybe trade on new?

 

[CyberShy]

It's a 2020. It's an early build. That's a lot of problem repairs, but you bought used so you saved money... Money you get to spend on repairs. Other than the driver seat bolts and movement problem which sounds like the bolts are too long, the rest is early electronics. Since Tesla prefers to use its customers as guinea pigs instead of doing Design and Process Validation testing, you may be out of the woods for the next several years.

IMHO, trading in for new is throwing even more money away because then you eat huge amounts of depreciation.

I doubt you have any recourse with Tesla other than the original warranty that must still be in effect.

Do what you can afford to do. And keep a running log to counter the "I haven't had any problems with my car. You must hate Elon and be a short seller."

 

[beasty54]

This is why I don't buy used. Maybe trade on new?

To be fair, I've had far more issues in the past with new cars than I've had with second hand cars.

 

[beasty54]

It's a 2020. It's an early build. That's a lot of problem repairs, but you bought used so you saved money... Money you get to spend on repairs. Other than the driver seat bolts and movement problem which sounds like the bolts are too long, the rest is early electronics. Since Tesla prefers to use its customers as guinea pigs instead of doing Design and Process Validation testing, you may be out of the woods for the next several years.

IMHO, trading in for new is throwing even more money away because then you eat huge amounts of depreciation.

I doubt you have any recourse with Tesla other than the original warranty that must still be in effect.

Do what you can afford to do. And keep a running log to counter the "I haven't had any problems with my car. You must hate Elon and be a short seller."

Absolutely, I made the decision to take the risk, and in hindsight, i should have gone with a slightly newer one. I'll definitely not be trading it in for a new one for a while, it's had a lot of repairs under warranty so as you say, i should be good for a while now. It's with Tesla at the moment and they've confirmed "There's play in the seat base pivot joint, so it needs a replacement base" It's also having the issue with "DC charging unavailable" so that's being fixed at the same time.

My local Tesla service center have been really good to be fair, i guess i'm just at the point where i'm expecting them to throw in some supercharger miles to apologise for my car falling apart, i wouldn't say no to them activating acceleration boost for me either I guess we'll see how it goes when i collect it next week.

 

[Jason71]

I had a mid 2019 LR from new 27K miles and only 1 minor handbrake issue. But the paint, suspension, door seal and rear light issues are all known issues on the early cars. as were water ingress to boot and wiring which you have not suffered yet. I loved mine at the time but if anyone asked me I would recommend trying to stretch to a MiC car if possible. A few bad batches of those paint wise in the early days particularly on the sills but generally much improved quality I think. Zero issues with my MiC MY in nearly two years so far.

 

[Unclepaul]

While Tesla did not make a nickle off you, they have incurred great expense to honor the original warranty.
That you decided to save $ by purchasing an early build on the used market is not something that Tesla is excited about.
When you buy used, you are also inheriting someone elses problems.

Think Tesla is treating you will, but you are unappreciative.

Tesla mass produces their cars. It is not unexpected that some of them may have more issues than others. Perhaps you are just unlucky.

 

[Jason71]

While Tesla did not make a nickle off you, they have incurred great expense to honor the original warranty.
That you decided to save $ by purchasing an early build on the used market is not something that Tesla is excited about.
When you buy used, you are also inheriting someone elses problems.

Think Tesla is treating you will, but you are unappreciative.

Tesla mass produces their cars. It is not unexpected that some of them may have more issues than others. Perhaps you are just unlucky.

What a very American view. On this side of the pond we tend not to be so deferential to corporations
If Tesla did not offer a warranty no one would by the cars. If they did not make them transferable to subsequent buyers no one would buy the cars nearly new so the depreciation would be huge and so no one would buy them new.
Offering a warranty is part of the price of doing business for a car company.
Honoring it is not doing you a favour it is complying with the terms of a contract.
If Tesla want to spend less on warranty claims they needto build the cars better, which I think they are doing now. Paying out a lot on the early cars is what happens if you use your customers as beta testers. Seems to have worked out OK for them though so don't feel too bad for them.

I would avoid the UK forum if I were you. You are going to lose your mind when you read about all the people getting full refunds from Tesla on Full Self Driving because it doesn't!

 

[Whyone]

While Tesla did not make a nickle off you, they have incurred great expense to honor the original warranty.
That you decided to save $ by purchasing an early build on the used market is not something that Tesla is excited about.
When you buy used, you are also inheriting someone elses problems.

Think Tesla is treating you will, but you are unappreciative.

Tesla mass produces their cars. It is not unexpected that some of them may have more issues than others. Perhaps you are just unlucky.

Wow!

It's a different world!!!

 

[Unclepaul]

Understand that different countries have different levels of entitlement.
I did not infer that Tesla was doing the 2nd hand buyer any favors, but agree with you they are carrying out their end of the bargain by honoring the original warranties. Indeed, that is a part of the price of dong business.
Biggest issue seems that the unlucky used car buyer is complaining, that even though Tesla has provided thousands of pounds of warrant service, he feels put out by needing to take it in for them to do so.
I have, however, noticed that these attitudes have driven most of the legacy British automakers into foreign hands.
Americans just spent the last few days celebrating a massive 4th of July holiday, celebrating their freedom from British rule.
Carry on...pip pip!

 

[beasty54]

Understand that different countries have different levels of entitlement.
I did not infer that Tesla was doing the 2nd hand buyer any favors, but agree with you they are carrying out their end of the bargain by honoring the original warranties. Indeed, that is a part of the price of dong business.
Biggest issue seems that the unlucky used car buyer is complaining, that even though Tesla has provided thousands of pounds of warrant service, he feels put out by needing to take it in for them to do so.
I have, however, noticed that these attitudes have driven most of the legacy British automakers into foreign hands.
Americans just spent the last few days celebrating a massive 4th of July holiday, celebrating their freedom from British rule.
Carry on...pip pip!

I agree, Tesla are carrying out their end of the deal, and they've made it MUCH easier than any other manufacturer / dealer would, I absolutely give my service center credit for that. With that being said, I'm confident when I say i doubt many people, American or British, would think that 7 visits from a mobile tech, or trips to the service center is acceptable in the space of just 7 months.

At the end of the day, I've probably paid more for my 2020 Model 3 than you lucky US folk pay for a brand new one, I don't think it's unreasonable to not want to spend 2 days every month travelling to and from a service center, or sitting at home waiting for a mobile tech.

 

[yessuz]

Mine is 2022 M3 LR.. you should see my warranty repair list...

 

[beasty54]

Mine is 2022 M3 LR.. you should see my warranty repair list...

You've got to show us now

 

[Mercimek]

22 M3LR:
Left camera, steering wheel, touchscreen, driver door window regulator, seat adjustment (rocking), interior trim alignment, and driver door seal repair.
7 repairs in total. Over 2 years in and 65k km.

Still very happy with the car and intend to keep for a long time.

 

[beasty54]

22 M3LR:
Left camera, steering wheel, touchscreen, driver door window regulator, seat adjustment (rocking), interior trim alignment, and driver door seal repair.
7 repairs in total. Over 2 years in and 65k km.

Still very happy with the car and intend to keep for a long time.

Yeah that's not so good on a 2022 car. I forgot to say i'd had my steering wheel replaced too.

 

[yessuz]

You've got to show us now

From my memory:

• replaced right wing mirror, and then fuse (or something) connected with the mirror (as it stopped folding ~ 2 weeks in ownership) as mirror replacement did not solve issue. had to have at least 2 separate bookings
• charge port replaced (stopped AC charging) within a year of ownership,
• at least 10 visits to SC and by ranger) due to rattles/squeaks at the rear seats..., probably 10+ bookings in total
• seatbelt retainer replacement (at b pillar passenger), as well as plastic trim part as seat belt was cutting in the trim... 2 bookings required
• both driver and passenger seats repaired (creak when resting, - plastic thingy.. hard to explain but well known issue with driver/passenger seat backrests), 2 bookings
• both tweeters on a pillars replaced as started buzzing, 3 bookings (1st booking they replaced one at the driver's door and not pillar).
• roof trim replaced as was fuked up by guy fixing tweeter...
• passenger side rear seat bolster replaced as one of clips broke off due to.. reasons.. part of the rear seat rattle bookings I think
• GPS antenna replaced,
• break calipers/system replaced as could not be removed for cleaning during 2 year service
• wheel/steering wheel readjustment within a month of ownership... had to pay as reported too late apparently..
• probably forgot something else
• last one will be steering wheel replacement due to bubble on the poor vegan leather...

and I did not even look underneath the car/chasis...

2022 LR, 51k miles

 

[zoomer0056]

Do i even have any rights with the manufacturer directly (no warranty with dealer) when we're talking about a potential safety issue that's had 3 failed attempts at repairs?

It seems as though the big items have been fixed. The last remaining item is seat rocking. Is that the safety issue you're referring to?

If you're not happy, you gotta continue to pursue it ... rights or not. It's your car and you're stuck dealing with this until it's fixed or you sell.

Let Tesla attempt another fix. At the same time, comb through the forums looking for how others have resolved this issue. Also, get out the gloves and take a look at the seat yourself. If you're not that handy, get a mechanically minded friend or even a non-Tesla shop to take a look.

Easy for me to say: it's your problem until it's not. Wishing you success.

 

[beasty54]

From my memory:

• replaced right wing mirror, and then fuse (or something) connected with the mirror (as it stopped folding ~ 2 weeks in ownership) as mirror replacement did not solve issue. had to have at least 2 separate bookings
• charge port replaced (stopped AC charging) within a year of ownership,
• at least 10 visits to SC and by ranger) due to rattles/squeaks at the rear seats..., probably 10+ bookings in total
• seatbelt retainer replacement (at b pillar passenger), as well as plastic trim part as seat belt was cutting in the trim... 2 bookings required
• both driver and passenger seats repaired (creak when resting, - plastic thingy.. hard to explain but well known issue with driver/passenger seat backrests), 2 bookings
• both tweeters on a pillars replaced as started buzzing, 3 bookings (1st booking they replaced one at the driver's door and not pillar).
• roof trim replaced as was fuked up by guy fixing tweeter...
• passenger side rear seat bolster replaced as one of clips broke off due to.. reasons.. part of the rear seat rattle bookings I think
• GPS antenna replaced,
• break calipers/system replaced as could not be removed for cleaning during 2 year service
• wheel/steering wheel readjustment within a month of ownership... had to pay as reported too late apparently..
• probably forgot something else
• last one will be steering wheel replacement due to bubble on the poor vegan leather...

and I did not even look underneath the car/chasis...

2022 LR, 51k miles

OK, you definitely win

Did they ever offer you anything just to say say sorry for so many issues?

 

[yessuz]

OK, you definitely win

Did they ever offer you anything just to say say sorry for so many issues?

a mug and thermo (travel) mug with Tesla logo...

 

[beasty54]

It seems as though the big items have been fixed. The last remaining item is seat rocking. Is that the safety issue you're referring to?

If you're not happy, you gotta continue to pursue it ... rights or not. It's your car and you're stuck dealing with this until it's fixed or you sell.

Let Tesla attempt another fix. At the same time, comb through the forums looking for how others have resolved this issue. Also, get out the gloves and take a look at the seat yourself. If you're not that handy, get a mechanically minded friend or even a non-Tesla shop to take a look.

Easy for me to say: it's your problem until it's not. Wishing you success.

I suppose "potential safety issue" is a bit extreme, I've never felt like the seat is about to come off the rails. I'll just be happy when it's fixed to be honest, the local service center have been pretty decent so i'm not going to be $hitty with them, it'll just be really nice if they get Tesla to throw in some free supercharger miles to apologise for the monthly visits.