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Model 3 Not drivable

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Hello Everyone,

I'm not sure if anyone has had this issue before or any resolution, but last night, my motor (as it seems) blew on me.

During a drive, I felt the front passenger brake lock up twice. As any rational person would, I pulled over and inspected, didn't see any issue.

When I got back into the vehicle and pressed the pedal after putting into drive, I heard grinding and a very loud THUD. When I got out of the vehicle again, noticed a large fluid leak (transmission fluid? oil fluid?). As I looked more underneath, noticed a few nice metal pieces.

While I can "shift" into different gears, the vehicle doesn't move forward when in drive or reverse.

I'm currently out of the powertrain warranty. Will be contacting my insurance tomorrow to see if they can help out (full coverage).

Any advice or solutions would be appreciated.

Thank You
 
  • Informative
Reactions: KenC
some photos of the metal pieces, fluid, and error code(s)
 

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  • Informative
Reactions: cwerdna and KenC
My son was driving his M3 in Southern California one evening when there was a loud, "Thud!", followed by various alarms on the screen. The car was driveable, but the collision warning et al was toast: he had hit some road debris. There was a major dent on the front bumper and one of the sensors was dead.
As it happens, this was the first time something like this had happened to him. I said to him the magic words, "Road Hazard!" and told him to call his insurance company.
There have been other cases like this reported with Teslas. Or, for that matter, other cars. A rock taking out a windshield is relatively common. Running over something serious (one report I read somewhere talked about a tow hitch, complete with ball that got run over, puncturing the heck out of the battery from below. It's amazing what solid steel will do.
In any case: Insurance companies don't get particularly frazzled about this kind of thing, unless you're doing off-roading, in which case they will. It seems to be, given your story, that it's pretty likely you hit something. But, that's what insurance is for.
I've never heard of hitting the brake and making parts fall out; but something hitting the suspension and breaking things loose, that's a different issue.
In any case, have a mechanic take a look. There's differences between mechanical failure and a road hazard strike; if it's road hazard, you'll pay a deductible and the insurance will take care of the rest.
 
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The fluid on the ground came out after the loud THUD, and it smells like transmission fluid
Hopefully there is some evidence under the car that you hit something, even if you didnt see it. If thats the case, yeah insurance should help you. The loud THUD sounds like that could be the case.

If you speculate, I would speculate toward "I think I ran over something".
 
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Reactions: jboy210 and ewwgaas
Quick Update:
Insurance will take care of everything, I only pay $1,000.
Will find out more details once the vehicle is at the repair shop.

Here are some photos of the damage:
 

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