Delivery issue? Protrusion / bump behind rear bumper cover

[empowah]

Anyone know what this could be? I took delivery on Saturday and saw that there was a bulge seemingly coming through the rear bumper.

If you push against the bumper cover, there’s some give and flex, except over this bump, where it’s rock solid. I asked the delivery advisor to add it to a due bill, but they wouldn’t provide me with anything in writing.

It’s more noticeable in person than in pictures. Reflections are distorted and uneven where the bump is. There are a few other minor defects too but I’m not OCD about them.

Have folks been generally satisfied with auto body work done by Tesla after delivery? I called service center and they say body repairs are handled by a third party. I’m concerned that Midnight Silver is hard to match.

Thanks!

 

[empowah]

Any similar experiences? Likely going to return the car and re-order at this point. Tesla has been dead silent, and never created a due bill as promised (called service center to confirm).

 

[duanra]

Any similar experiences? Likely going to return the car and re-order at this point. Tesla has been dead silent, and never created a due bill as promised (called service center to confirm).

For stuff under garantee, it might take a looong time to get it fixed

 

[PoitNarf]

How odd. Maybe something got stuck behind there during assembly at the factory?

 

[Trevor B]

Any similar experiences? Likely going to return the car and re-order at this point. Tesla has been dead silent, and never created a due bill as promised (called service center to confirm).

Looks bad. That and they refuse to acknowledge it makes it worse. I would return the car

 

[empowah]

No one is answering phones. Are we supposed to just show up and drop off the car? Hopefully they’ll provide a release of liability, documentation for loan termination, etc. I was excited to take delivery of the car, but so far this has been a frustrating experience.

 

[jmqstadler]

I noticed the same thing on the model 3 we took delivery of today. What was the outcome?

 

[Kleenerth3]

No one is answering phones. Are we supposed to just show up and drop off the car? Hopefully they’ll provide a release of liability, documentation for loan termination, etc. I was excited to take delivery of the car, but so far this has been a frustrating experience.

I would just show up and address the issue before the 7 days period. SC might just take care of it right then and be done in a few hours. Several threads have talked about doors rubbing, bad body panel joints, ill fitting glass, etc. Many of these were corrected that day or within 24 hours. Often they get busy out front especially in the morning and don't get to the phones.
So again, YES, show up, get in their grills and make them address the problem...
Or get a car returned. BOOM

 

[Cronn]

I took delivery last friday and I noticed this too. Anything come out from this?

 

[UCF3]

If you return a car how long are you blocked from ordering another car? Six months?

 

[Cronn]

I took delivery a week ago and noticed mine had this too.

 

[joluc88]

I had the same issue at delivery. Took an appointment at a local SC. They changed the whole bumper under warranty.

 

[Cronn]

I had the same issue at delivery. Took an appointment at a local SC. They changed the whole bumper under warranty.

was something under there pushing it out?

 

[GreenHokie]

was something under there pushing it out?

Well crap. After seeing this thread, I checked my rear bumper and it also has the same issue as yours... perhaps just a little less of a protrusion than yours, but it's still there. You really have to be looking for it (and at just the proper angle) to even see/notice it. Of course, now that I've noticed it, it will always seem obvious to me.

I suspect/hope something simply got trapped between the plastic bumper and the curved metallic bumper bar/frame during assembly. The rear bumper panel is pretty easy to remove. Normally, I would simply remove it myself to check. However, I had PPF (paint protection film) applied to my entire vehicle, including the rear bumper. So, I am somewhat hesitant to remove the bumper, since it would require a little bit of pulling/flexing of the panel to unclip and remove it. I am concerned that pulling/flexing the bumper surface may cause part of the PPF to peel off.

Fortunately, my particular vehicle has a rectangular access panel that is located on the bottom side of the rear bumper. This access panel simply sides off, once you rotate a couple of plastic retainer clips. So, I am going to remove the access panel this evening, insert my phone/camera, and hope I can get a picture of whatever is caught between the bumper and the metal bar/frame. Will report back...

 

[Cronn]

Well crap. After seeing this thread, I checked my rear bumper and it also has the same issue as yours... perhaps just a little less of a protrusion than yours, but it's still there. You really have to be looking for it (and at just the proper angle) to even see/notice it. Of course, now that I've noticed it, it will always seem obvious to me.

I suspect/hope something simply got trapped between the plastic bumper and the curved metallic bumper bar/frame during assembly. The rear bumper panel is pretty easy to remove. Normally, I would simply remove it myself to check. However, I had PPF (paint protection film) applied to my entire vehicle, including the rear bumper. So, I am somewhat hesitant to remove the bumper, since it would require a little bit of pulling/flexing of the panel to unclip and remove it. I am concerned that pulling/flexing the bumper surface may cause part of the PPF to peel off.

Fortunately, my particular vehicle has a rectangular access panel that is located on the bottom side of the rear bumper. This access panel simply sides off, once you rotate a couple of plastic retainer clips. So, I am going to remove the access panel this evening, insert my phone/camera, and hope I can get a picture of whatever is caught between the bumper and the metal bar/frame. Will report back...

Yeah its not that noticable on mine either but like you said after seeing it I cant unsee it. I scheduled an appointment with mobile service maybe they can remove the bumper and put it back. I'll report back after my appointment tomorrow,

 

[Kleenerth3]

If you return a car how long are you blocked from ordering another car? Six months?

You can order a different trim package at any time. 12 months if you're ordering an identical trim pack.

 

[devilmountain]

Make an appointment through the app at the service center or just show up. They will take care of it. That is what I did for an issue. My problem was resolved in a couple of days.

 

[joluc88]

was something under there pushing it out?

I have no idea. I left my car at the local SC and they replaced the whole bumper without asking questions. At first, i thought they were going to send my bumper for bodywork (told by the mobile technician).

Im glad my ppf shop noticed the bump on the rear bumper. I wouldnt had noticed it. You really have to stick your eyes on the bumper to see it.

 

[Cronn]

I have no idea. I left my car at the local SC and they replaced the whole bumper without asking questions. At first, i thought they were going to send my bumper for bodywork (told by the mobile technician).

Im glad my ppf shop noticed the bump on the rear bumper. I wouldnt had noticed it. You really have to stick your eyes on the bumper to see it.

Haha yeah my ppf shop saw it too. My concern is my car is pearl white and I’m afraid the new bumper won’t match.

 

[joluc88]

Haha yeah my ppf shop saw it too. My concern is my car is pearl white and I’m afraid the new bumper won’t match.

I have the same color pearl white and the new bumper matched perfectly. Nothing to worry about.