Key fob cracking on top

[digitaltim]

Just to pile on...

The circles have appeared on my fob after nearly zero use over 5 months of ownership - handles auto-present and walk-away lock. I will have it addressed at my next service (Saturday).

 

[dsm363]

I like the key design but the plastic covering is simply too flimsy to hold up over time.

 

[jerry33]

Mine is in one of those thumb drive cases, so unless something falls off, I'll never notice it.

 

[MikeK]

A friend drives a Panamera, and the other day I happened to get a glimpse of his key fob. I wish Tesla had gone this route.

 

[joshuaeven]

Business idea- someone make a vinyl 'wrap' for the fob in all the available paint colors, please. Little cutouts where the grill and lights are, black strip for pano and black roof, etc.

 

[JackA]

OK, I admit it... has anyone recovered their Model S fob after a ride in the washing machine? One of ours took that trip it is now disassembled and in a plastic bag with some silica dryer packets. We headed for S Cal tomorrow so will leave it alone for five days of drying out. Hope it acts sober when we get home.

 

[brianman]

A friend drives a Panamera, and the other day I happened to get a glimpse of his key fob. I wish Tesla had gone this route.
View attachment 20172

It looks like a sturdy metallic key. While I like that my S fob is light weight, I also think I'd prefer a little heft for the metallic strength. Not having the Panamera fob in hand, I'm guessing a little based on my visual impression.

 

[pilotSteve]

I like the key design but the plastic covering is simply too flimsy to hold up over time.

yup, another owner "piling on". I try to only use one key (keeping the other as a spare) and yesterday noticed the cracked top on the key I regularly use. Clearly Tesla will need to address this with either a new "sleeve" (replace the guts) or else they could do an "iPhone antenna gate" and send us all free cases :redface:

 

[Andrew Wolfe]

OK - mine fell apart as well. It's like having a Pano roof on the key fob.

I have the circle. Anyone know if you can put it back on?

 

[teslasguy]

Mine came off as well. DC replacing it next week.

 

[Teriyaki88]

After one week my FOB is still holding up well.

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/17011-Fun-with-FOB-Wrap?p=344622#post344622

 

[dsm363]

After one week my FOB is still holding up well.

http://www.teslamotorsclub.com/showthread.php/17011-Fun-with-FOB-Wrap?p=344622#post344622

It takes longer than a week. You'll probably state to see the rings by October though. The covering is simply too thin to last.

 

[Clint Eastwood]

It looks like a sturdy metallic key. While I like that my S fob is light weight, I also think I'd prefer a little heft for the metallic strength. Not having the Panamera fob in hand, I'm guessing a little based on my visual impression.

It's a solid plastic. I like it fine, but the tesla one looks nice too. If only it was more sturdy from what I'm reading here

 

[Mike_Schlechter]

Just noticed this on my wife's fob, which by all accounts has been lost somewhere in her purse for months. We pulled it out this weekend as I left mine at home and the top is basically cracking in a perfect circle. It has been is a small zippered part of her purse mostly, so I'm pretty surprised that this is happening.

Strangely, mine, which gets abused and used regularly, is not cracking at all.

 

[aviators99]

Mine is about to come off. I rarely use it.

 

[MikeK]

Mine had a faint crack visible in it when it was basically brand new. So far, the top is still attached.

I would happily trade it for a Panamera-style fob with visible buttons, but perhaps they'll be able to figure out how to keep the concealed look and make it more durable.

 

[CharliePetit]

I don't know if anybody is following this thread. We received our brown "otter" just before Christmas, 2012. A month or so ago I noticed the top starting to crack, then the trunk end. Now both tops have fallen off. I retrieved one from the ground, another from my pants pocket. Wonder if this lets moisture in, does anything else?

 

[jerry33]

Wonder if this lets moisture in

It probably does but I don't think it's watertight to begin with.

 

[kvietor]

You do know Tesla will replace those fobs at no cost and the new design should prevent this from happening again.

 

[epley]

Mine's cracking around the top button, too. Started around 4 months--I've had the car8 months now. Not progressing. I've heard they'll replace it, but it's not that bad or bothersome, so I haven't bothered.

Is anyone else having a problem with the key fob cracking on the center button? The top is cracking around the circular button below it. I've had the car for 3 months now and wouldn't think the fob would have problems so soon. I called customer experience and they said that the service center could take care of it. I plan on calling them today but wanted to see if anyone else seeing this?

-Joe