thegangler
Member
Quick google image search came back with this. Unless they're replacing the whole side panel (how???), time for a new car.
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Help, A-Pillar Defect Found
- Thread starter Snowstorm
- Start date
jelloslug
Active Member
Exactly. That is not an easy part to replace and I would not accept them replacing that part anyway.
jelloslug
Active Member
It's also obvious from the pics that the split was like that before it was painted.
Gizmotoy
Active Member
Was surprised no one else mentioned that. It was painted this way! You'd think that it would have had to miss several quality checks by the time it made a customer's hands. Presumably the windshield is robot-installed, because it seems it could have been easily caught at that point. Astonishing.
The good news is that, at least in these pictures, I don't see definitive evidence it's gotten worse since being painted. So there's a chance it was installation damage, and not an ongoing issue with component alignment in the car that will cause it to continue to split and get worse.
That said, I can't imagine a case where I'd accept that kind of defect on a major structural component of a new car. As others have mentioned, that part is huge. It's a major rebuild to replace it. This kind of issue definitively belongs on a CarFax. I don't know if Tesla's shops report their repairs, but it getting it fixed could come with a major resale hit.
Get your Delivery Specialist on the phone pronto.
@Snowstorm, I recommend that you read THIS page about goodwill agreements Tesla asks people to sign in similar situations. Tesla should buy back this car from you. Taking the car to a body shop or service center would complicate things further because it blurs the line between what defect was or wasn't there when it was delivered. Talk to a consumer protection organization. You were sold a defective product.
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Electricfan
Active Member
I've read other posts like this before. What you hear from the Tesla "faithful", (I don't use the term "fanboy" as it seems pejorative to me and I don't wish to insult anyone, and I am a "fanboy" if anybody is, having bought two Teslas and planning to buy a third when/if they get FSD working) is that "this happens all the time, only they catch it before delivery and fix it, so you never see it, but lots of cars leave factories with defects, happens all the time, no big deal, don't worry about it....."
I think you should get a new car, as that is a major flaw and is just unacceptable in a brand new car that costs an arm and a leg. Escalate it to your "regional service manager" if you have to. Ask your service center for the name, if they can't or won't go to bat for you to get a replacement. Last resort, hire a lawyer. A piece of the car's frame that is split wide open on a brand new car - unbelievable they delivered that to you. (I'm not saying they didn't, I'm saying its shocking they did)
I think you should get a new car, as that is a major flaw and is just unacceptable in a brand new car that costs an arm and a leg. Escalate it to your "regional service manager" if you have to. Ask your service center for the name, if they can't or won't go to bat for you to get a replacement. Last resort, hire a lawyer. A piece of the car's frame that is split wide open on a brand new car - unbelievable they delivered that to you. (I'm not saying they didn't, I'm saying its shocking they did)
Thanks for the assistant guys. I am not going to authorize repair of this until we figure out the resolution. I don't want a damaged and fixed product, I want something that is built the right way and delivered as is. I already have expectations set that it won't be perfect and saw a few minor trim alignment issues that I can live with till the eventual day I bring it in, but a major piece being broken like this is just wrong. My delivery person was a bit defensive saying that he won't have allowed it to be delivered that way, but from the way the crack was painted, it is pretty clear it happened before it got painted. I don't know what stress this was subject to to cause that and what else is wrong with it. I am going to fight for them to replace the car and not just get it fixed.
It is at the body shop now, I'll update us tomorrow.
It is at the body shop now, I'll update us tomorrow.
Zaphod
Galaxy President (former)
I can't begin to even fathom how that could have happened and especially how no one, at any time at the factory and service center did not notice that and flagged it somehow. That is pretty large defect to have pass through the cracks (pun intended).
I would also push to get a new car. You could argue that it is a structural issue and affect A-pillar strength. I can't imagine that being an easy fix either. Nothing a little bondo or j-b weld can't fix I'm sure
I would also push to get a new car. You could argue that it is a structural issue and affect A-pillar strength. I can't imagine that being an easy fix either. Nothing a little bondo or j-b weld can't fix I'm sure
Would that be considered frame damage, as a part of the unibody? There are specific laws in the US regarding selling cars with frame damage without disclosure.
mrElbe
Active Member
I know Excellence Auto ( the Tesla authorized body shop ) performs miracles BUT this frame damage could be a safety issue in a crash. I would ask for a replacement also.
I haven't been on a factory tour yet but to me it looks like there was a problem when that frame was stamped. You can see the rough texture inside part of the crack which is why I wondered if this could have been welding? Metal doesn't crack and have bumpy surfaces like that. Regardless, as has been pointed out already, clearly the part was painted at the factory during production so it was sent out for delivery like this. Someone at the end location had to have noticed that as the car was prepped. Might not have been that particular DS if he just handled the paperwork end of things, but can't believe it wasn't noticed by someone there. If I were the manager there I would be wanting to know who prepped the car for you and why it wasn't brought to management's attention.
No way would I authorize repair or even consider it for one second. Given we're not talking about a scratch or dent here I would at least be talking to the location's manager. Can't believe they even made you take it to a body shop for inspection looking at that photo. Curious has the manager of that location been in touch with you?
No way would I authorize repair or even consider it for one second. Given we're not talking about a scratch or dent here I would at least be talking to the location's manager. Can't believe they even made you take it to a body shop for inspection looking at that photo. Curious has the manager of that location been in touch with you?
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thegruf
Active Member
normally I would be one of the "just get your SC to sort it" for all the (rather too many) niggles from the factory but on the basis this is as new as delivered, I am truly shocked. The A pillar is a significant structural component.
Elon ought to see this.
and take action.
Personally I would absolutely reject the car and require a replacement; as I would have zero confidence that there were not other defects with the vehicle that were not visible if they can let something as bad as this out.
@SMAlset - this is not a cast part, so it is not voiding from the casting process, but a part formed from sheet which would appear to have torn during the forming process possibly due to a flaw in the steel, which happens but the part should clearly have been rejected.
Elon ought to see this.
and take action.
Personally I would absolutely reject the car and require a replacement; as I would have zero confidence that there were not other defects with the vehicle that were not visible if they can let something as bad as this out.
@SMAlset - this is not a cast part, so it is not voiding from the casting process, but a part formed from sheet which would appear to have torn during the forming process possibly due to a flaw in the steel, which happens but the part should clearly have been rejected.
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thegangler
Member
Good point, likely ripped during stamping - not sure what else would exert that kind of force, other than a collision.
I got in contact with my delivery manager Jenny in Toronto and mentioned about the rebuild. She is sympathetic to the situation but needs to speak with he service manager and the body shop tomorrow AM before deciding what to do. I looked at the loaner and noticed that the broken part appears to be part of the entire side frame and not just a trim piece. I think it might be a complete tear down to fix it.
I am leasing this too, so definitely do not want to wait months for a fix.
I am leasing this too, so definitely do not want to wait months for a fix.
JRP3
Hyperactive Member
Absolutely demand that they take the car back and build a replacement. It was delivered with a frame and/or body part damaged at the factory. Tell them to escalate it as far as they need to, because there are laws about this.
Honestly? This probably affects structural integrity. I would stop driving the car. Notify the lease company that the car had a structural defect from the factory. Stop paying the lease. And call your lawyer.
This is an unusual situation and I hope Tesla makes it right for you promptly. I doubt the local service center has ever seen it before. If you're getting the runaround, escalate.
If you do twitter, contact Musk directly. I am pretty sure that Musk would like Engineering to investigate this car intensively to figure out what happened. They sure don't want this to happen again.
Honestly? This probably affects structural integrity. I would stop driving the car. Notify the lease company that the car had a structural defect from the factory. Stop paying the lease. And call your lawyer.
This is an unusual situation and I hope Tesla makes it right for you promptly. I doubt the local service center has ever seen it before. If you're getting the runaround, escalate.
If you do twitter, contact Musk directly. I am pretty sure that Musk would like Engineering to investigate this car intensively to figure out what happened. They sure don't want this to happen again.
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I don't tweet or have a active twitter account now and it can be strange to start. Going to give them a day to see what they think before escalating it more. The trouble here is while there is maybe only 2 inch of crack I can see, there is probably way more below that I cannot. This looks like it will be a big tear down job.
