Hello All,
First post here from new owner of a 2013 MS85, seeking a "reality check." I bought my used Model S on July 7th, with 80K miles. I am enthralled with the car, having waited years to be able to afford a used one. However, on the drive home from the dealership, the MCU went black and wouldn't reboot. I spent a few days learning about the eMMC issue; pulled the daughterboard and sent it to EVFixMe who replaced the chip, and I have a functioning MCU again. Then, last week, while backing up in my driveway, the right rear lower control arm failed at the outboard end. The large circular boss that holds the bushing cracked in three places and released the bushing so that the suspension collapsed and the wheel assumed a camber of 30 or so degrees. The two broken parts of the control arm were laying on the driveway underneath.
I had the car flatbedded to the Paramus, NJ Service Center. I discovered and advised them that Tesla Service Bulletin SB-19-31-001 applies to my car and describes this failure: "Condition: On certain Model S vehicles, either lower rear control arm might crack, causing excessive negative camber of the rear suspension. Correction: Replace both LH and RH lower rear control arm assemblies with updated parts." They initially said the SB didn't apply to my car and I sent the SB to them; then they agreed that it "seems" to apply. However, they are stating that they would only cover the repair if the car were still under warranty.
They sent their quote for the repair: $3,921. This includes R&R for the Lower Control Arm Assembly, as well as parts damaged when the suspension collapsed: Toe Link Assembly, Integral Link, Halfshaft Assembly (I think one of the boots on this was torn), Airspring Module, and a Brake Hose. It doesn't include replacing the LH control arm, just the failed one.
I'm really surprised that Tesla knows that these control arms are prone to cracking and has issued the Service Bulletin, but isn't replacing them voluntarily. I'm surprised that this isn't an actual recall item given the consequences if it fails when the car is at speed, which obviously could be catastrophic. I filed a notice with NHTSA about this failed part. I've written back to the service rep explaining this, and asking to escalate the discussion to someone in management. I expressed my deep enthusiasm for Tesla and my "dream car," and mentioned that I've installed two 50 amp charging circuits at my home in anticipation of purchasing a second Tesla, likely brand new this time, but that this experience risks dampening my enthusiasm. Finally, I authorized the repair and intend to pay for it if Tesla doesn't step up, and I intend to have the other side control arm replaced with the updated part as well, since I see no reason to trust it.
Am I off the mark here? Is what I am asking of Tesla service reasonable, or should I accept that this is an early iteration of the car with "teething problems" and this sort of thing is just going to be part of owning a 2013 MS? Frankly, I'm more than a little spooked by the thought of what might have happened if the control arm had failed ten minutes earlier, while I was on the highway at 70 mph with my family on board, rather than in my driveway. Perspective an ideas about how to go forward with this issue will be much appreciated!
First post here from new owner of a 2013 MS85, seeking a "reality check." I bought my used Model S on July 7th, with 80K miles. I am enthralled with the car, having waited years to be able to afford a used one. However, on the drive home from the dealership, the MCU went black and wouldn't reboot. I spent a few days learning about the eMMC issue; pulled the daughterboard and sent it to EVFixMe who replaced the chip, and I have a functioning MCU again. Then, last week, while backing up in my driveway, the right rear lower control arm failed at the outboard end. The large circular boss that holds the bushing cracked in three places and released the bushing so that the suspension collapsed and the wheel assumed a camber of 30 or so degrees. The two broken parts of the control arm were laying on the driveway underneath.
I had the car flatbedded to the Paramus, NJ Service Center. I discovered and advised them that Tesla Service Bulletin SB-19-31-001 applies to my car and describes this failure: "Condition: On certain Model S vehicles, either lower rear control arm might crack, causing excessive negative camber of the rear suspension. Correction: Replace both LH and RH lower rear control arm assemblies with updated parts." They initially said the SB didn't apply to my car and I sent the SB to them; then they agreed that it "seems" to apply. However, they are stating that they would only cover the repair if the car were still under warranty.
They sent their quote for the repair: $3,921. This includes R&R for the Lower Control Arm Assembly, as well as parts damaged when the suspension collapsed: Toe Link Assembly, Integral Link, Halfshaft Assembly (I think one of the boots on this was torn), Airspring Module, and a Brake Hose. It doesn't include replacing the LH control arm, just the failed one.
I'm really surprised that Tesla knows that these control arms are prone to cracking and has issued the Service Bulletin, but isn't replacing them voluntarily. I'm surprised that this isn't an actual recall item given the consequences if it fails when the car is at speed, which obviously could be catastrophic. I filed a notice with NHTSA about this failed part. I've written back to the service rep explaining this, and asking to escalate the discussion to someone in management. I expressed my deep enthusiasm for Tesla and my "dream car," and mentioned that I've installed two 50 amp charging circuits at my home in anticipation of purchasing a second Tesla, likely brand new this time, but that this experience risks dampening my enthusiasm. Finally, I authorized the repair and intend to pay for it if Tesla doesn't step up, and I intend to have the other side control arm replaced with the updated part as well, since I see no reason to trust it.
Am I off the mark here? Is what I am asking of Tesla service reasonable, or should I accept that this is an early iteration of the car with "teething problems" and this sort of thing is just going to be part of owning a 2013 MS? Frankly, I'm more than a little spooked by the thought of what might have happened if the control arm had failed ten minutes earlier, while I was on the highway at 70 mph with my family on board, rather than in my driveway. Perspective an ideas about how to go forward with this issue will be much appreciated!