FWD handle fell off / was taken?

[acal]

Haven't inspected the car myself. DW just texted me that she was parked at a TraderJoes for a short visit and came out to find we're missing the door handle on the driver side FWD. No other signs of damage or forced entry. Maybe it fell off while driving there and she didn't notice? (we have an interior trim piece that won't stay where it goes) Maybe someone was trying to break in? Maybe it's some kind of souvenir?

Anyone else had issues w/ the handles coming off??

 

[acal]

ETA - she reports that, on further inspection, there is no sign of damage, scratches, broken anything, etc. if someone pulled it off they did it without having to force, scratch, or damage anything.


Could it have just fallen off???

 

[Bogobec]

I have read somewhere in this forum that if not clipped correctly, it could really easily slide and fall. That might be the cause.

 

[acal]

'clipped correctly'...meaning not installed correctly @ the factory?

 

[Bogobec]

I'm trying to find the thread with no luck. I think yes, not installed correctly at the factory. But then it will depend how long you have had the car. If I recall correctly it was a bend pin that make it not clip correctly. the OP could easily make the handle slide out of the socket.

 

[acal]

I'm the orig owner. the car was purchased in late Aug (so it's pretty new). Wonder if I can convince them it just fell off and get it replaced under warranty?

 

[spectrum]

I had a piece of chrome trim fall off of the driver door. They are often warped or not clipped correctly — I'm sure if you told them it fell off that they would give you a new one. But it might take longer to order the part. You might get a whole new Model X more quickly

 

[acal]

got home and took a look @ the other side. I didn't realize just how cosmetic and unsubstantial the door handle covers are!
The other one was trivial to pull forward and take off. Are they supposed to be like that?

 

[acal]

Resolved. Posting for future owners who might have the same thing.

Went to the SC. Tech put a new on on and was going to send me on my way. I checked an X on the showroom floor and nope - on THAT car you cannot trivially slide the handles off, so clearly something was wrong w/ mine. Sales guy confirmed that no, it's not supposed to be like that. Mine were missing some kind of retaining clip or something. So...tech took it back and resolved it. Both side now do not slide off.

It's troubling that this sort of thing (incorrectly assembled bits) seems to be fairly common, but at least this one was on a non-essential item and they fixed it while I drank the free coffee.