As I'm hoping to take delivery of my Model S Plaid soon, I've trying to put together a consolidated list of all the issues folks have been finding at the time of delivery of their cars, so I can look out for such issues before accepting delivery of mine.
The goal would be to note all issues of concern to you, take photos of them, and decide whether you want to take delivery as is and deal with them at service centers, or raise them to delivery specialists and potentially refuse delivery.
I know there's already a
refresh issues thread going, and I've been inspired by that one a lot, but this one is specifically for things to look out for at delivery, and it's also not a pros/cons or list of dislikes.
Note that this does NOT include software issues or missing features, which we hope will be fixed with OTA updates over time.
If you've already taken delivery and see anything missing, please add it by incrementing the list with a numbered item.
Hoping this list will help others who are also about to take a delivery. Enjoy!
- Paint scratches/dents/peeling/swirl marks
- Paint bubbles/foreign objects under paint
- Adhesive residue on paint, lights, glass, or exterior trim
- Panel gaps: door, trunk lid, or frunk misalignment
- Trunk liner not secure/popped up
- Clear coat sag on leading edges
- Rubber seal hanging down behind front grill
- Condensation in head/tailights
- Watermarks on windshield that can’t be wiped off
- Spoiler misalignment/edges lifting
- Scratched glass (on the outside)
- Rear license plate frame dented/bent
- Passenger door not closing
- Door handle stuck when retracting, continuous whirring sound
- Door handle rubbing against door shell when presenting
- Door bottom corner inside folds
- Driver door inside trim nick on panel (where it meets the dash when closed)
- Yoke rubber cover coming loose on corner
- Worm/vein in yoke airbag cover
- Interior trim scratches
- Adhesive residue on interior trim, console, seats, etc.
- Seat bolster wrinkled
- Bubbles in door panels
- Center console sliding door not staying open/always slids shut
- Interior fabric in door panel not fully set/glued down
- Ambient floor lights not all working
- Loose object ratting/rolling around inside door panel
- Dent in the main speaker grill in dash under windshield
- Rear door panels misalignment
- Poor seams on rear seats
- Front side triangle window not connected to the weatherstrip
- Loose A pillar
- Lightbulb in the center console storage popped out
- Clogged up perforations in a-pillar speaker grill
- Interior rubber seals misaligned (trunk, doors)
- Windshield/rear/side windows glass distortion
- Scroll wheel on yoke squeaks when rolling up/down
- Sideview mirrors squeak (touch or open/close door)
- Carpeting not extended all the way to the rubber seals in door sill
- Glue in joints of the yoke
- Driver side door handle gets stuck in extended position
- Frunk internal insulation is loose by fender near the lid piston
- Wheel well has trim sticking out
- Frunk lid standoffs not touching body on one side
- Wrinkled/uneven rubber gasket around the doors
- Rubber cover around the front trunk area on the passenger side is a little loose/short
- Excess paint/drip on corner of some pieces
- Some door handles recessed more than normal causing the light to be partially hidden
- Squeaking noise while pulling on door handles
- Squeaking noise on side view mirror black plastic trims
- Big tear on the side of the dashboard near the A pillar on the driver side
- Some type of residue on dashboard
- Whistling noise from A/C when passenger side is not active
- Missing privacy shelf in trunk
- Missing lower trunk space covers (one large, one small on the left)
- Missing fasteners in the wheel well
- Cracks in wood trim
- Scratches under the car, especially front bumper
- Wrinkles in rear seat bench
- Alignment of roof glass - check that gaps are roughly equal on driver and passenger side, particularly if intending to install a roof rack
Quite the list, I know.. but wait, there's more!
The below issues would only be noticeable upon entering the car/driving, so not sure they can be checked before accepting/refusing delivery:
- Ultrasonics not sensing objects
- Steering yoke rubs when you turn
- Car pulling to one side or the other (misaligned wheels)
- Sideview mirrors shake/vibrate at speed
- Turn signal error due to Broken wire
- Rattles on various trim while driving
- Rattle from outside of car with window down
- Rattle in back somewhere when going over a bump
- Slight vibration in steering wheel above 70pmh
- Whistling wind noise at speed
- Clunk/thud in front suspension when going over speed bumps
- Vibration when accelerating from 38-42mph
- Subwoofer slider having no impact to bass levels
List of “loose” items you should get at delivery:
- 2 key fobs (looks like little toy cars)
- 2 key cards
- Mobile connector with 110V adapter
- J1772 adapter
- Zippered storage bag for mobile connector and adapter
- Registration paperwork
- Floor mats
- Rear trunk privacy shelf
- Large rear trunk cargo cover
- Small rear trunk cargo cover (left side)
- Rear license plate frame
- Monroney window sticker (US version)
The attached PDF file includes the items listed above (as of 9/3/21) combined with the list found in a post from
@jeremymc7 at
New Model S inspection or checklist
Good luck to everyone taking deliveries!!
-Marc