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Model 3 VIN53XX Delivery Fail - 1 hour notice

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Current owner (2 Teslas); reserved model 3 day 1; finally invited to config Jan 4 - configured within 10 minutes of getting the email. As of Jan 25, no word so I called Tesla and was referred to a model s advisor in Las Vegas. Said my configuration was "lost", apologized and later that day I was assigned a VIN. Was told vehicle would be ready for delivery (Dania Beach, FL) as early as Feb 7. Scheduled delivery for today (Feb 16) as I had to take time off and fly to Florida for delivery.

Pretty excited and, since I turned in my MS (lease was up) a month ago, also ready to get rid of my temporary rental. 63 minutes before delivery today I get a call from the SC (the first time I ever heard from my "delivery specialist"). was told "we started delivery prep a few hours ago, we detailed it first then brought it in to finish up the prep- discovered it needed a firmware download and it's not working" - don't come and we'll call you back in 3 hours. Nearly 6 hours later I get a call "can't get firmware to load; on phone with engineers in CA; maybe next Monday or Tuesday but really can't promise that for sure. No idea when".

To say the least, pretty pi*&ed that I flew special to get my new car, was given barely an hours notice that there was a problem, left handing all day then given no real info when I'm going to get my car.

Have others had this problem? I read one thread about a "hold" that took 20+ days to fix. I was offered to come into the SC tomorrow, sign the paperwork then they'd deliver it to med "when it was ready". Fat chance I was going "take delivery" (and thus own) a car when I had no idea if I'd ever even get it. I was also offered my money back and I could cancel the order if I want. I extended my trip and said I'd wait until Tuesday then probably wanted my money back.and would just wait to get a dual motor model (which I'd be just as happy to have).

Pretty shocked that the SC had the car onsite for nearly 2 weeks and waited until just 2 hours before delivery to do any prep - esp reading how many cars have required updates before delivery.

Should I even trust this VIN or wait for a later production? My Model X is a very early production VIN 2XX and it has had quite a few problems. This was supposed to be my 4 Tesla delivery - the quality of the experience (at least for me) has gone down each time. I rather liked getting my first MS delivered to my house on a large UPS car carrier at 11pm on a Saturday night - a nice guy unloaded the car, had my sign for delivery, gave me the keys and drove away. (this was the very first few weeks of delivery of the original MS). This would have been my first delivery at a SC (all the others were at my home) - total fail.

I tweeted Elon asking for help with my delivery (on the million to one chance I'd ever get any kind of reply)
 
Hope it all works out for you! Our first Tesla had a few delivery complications as well. Tesla has a lot of communications lessons to learn. The technology of their vehicles is above and beyond of their staff's communication skills. Good Luck!
 
Current owner (2 Teslas); reserved model 3 day 1; finally invited to config Jan 4 - configured within 10 minutes of getting the email. As of Jan 25, no word so I called Tesla and was referred to a model s advisor in Las Vegas. Said my configuration was "lost", apologized and later that day I was assigned a VIN.

I ordered on the 24th of January as soon as the configurator opened up (never even got the email) and we still don't have a VIN either. Looks like I might have to call Tesla tomorrow...
 
It may be possible that they requested more confirmations per-week from customers than the throughput of the factory at this time. If they offered 4-weeks to delivery if you "configure now" any word of how many have not been able to receive per this promise? Those posting similar to above continue to grow in visibility.
 
I had an issue on a Tuesday delivery, rescheduled to today. First call about the issue came in with about 6 hours of notice -- there was a part that needed replacement. OA said the car was at the service center for a couple days, initial checks didn't show any problems, but final walkthrough the issue popped up. I feel communication on all fronts is much better than when I took delivery of the S - the call back is basically instant if I don't get a hold of them. Although there were no issues with the delivery of the S, it seemed if I had a question it would be days before I heard back.

I think it's teething problems - the service center likely doesn't have all the knowledge or tools to troubleshoot issues with the cars yet. I get the sense that - rather than sending the car out and owe you something (need to figure out how to get the update applied, or you need to come back later to get the part replaced) - they're wanting to make sure the issues are fixed. I think practically, they want to prep the car right before delivery (only so many can fit under the roof), so if something comes up there's not a lot of time to fix it. They need about of day to triage the issue and find the right person, and then if the result is a replacement part, I would guess they may need a couple more days to get it in and replaced.

It's was an inconvenience for me, but a huge issue for you considering you're taking off work and flying to pick up the car. In the end, I think it'll be worth it and I'm not too concerned that the issue they identified is any indication of the car being "a lemon". For you, I would think worst case they would replace the control unit that they're having trouble updating. I felt much better the next day when they provided me with a revised delivery date. But if I needed to wait through the weekend and buy a return ticket to get back home, on top of an already extended delivery timeline, I might feel soured to the whole deal so I can see that perspective.
 
Current owner (2 Teslas); reserved model 3 day 1; finally invited to config Jan 4 - configured within 10 minutes of getting the email. As of Jan 25, no word so I called Tesla and was referred to a model s advisor in Las Vegas. Said my configuration was "lost", apologized and later that day I was assigned a VIN. Was told vehicle would be ready for delivery (Dania Beach, FL) as early as Feb 7. Scheduled delivery for today (Feb 16) as I had to take time off and fly to Florida for delivery.

Pretty excited and, since I turned in my MS (lease was up) a month ago, also ready to get rid of my temporary rental. 63 minutes before delivery today I get a call from the SC (the first time I ever heard from my "delivery specialist"). was told "we started delivery prep a few hours ago, we detailed it first then brought it in to finish up the prep- discovered it needed a firmware download and it's not working" - don't come and we'll call you back in 3 hours. Nearly 6 hours later I get a call "can't get firmware to load; on phone with engineers in CA; maybe next Monday or Tuesday but really can't promise that for sure. No idea when".

To say the least, pretty pi*&ed that I flew special to get my new car, was given barely an hours notice that there was a problem, left handing all day then given no real info when I'm going to get my car.

Have others had this problem? I read one thread about a "hold" that took 20+ days to fix. I was offered to come into the SC tomorrow, sign the paperwork then they'd deliver it to med "when it was ready". Fat chance I was going "take delivery" (and thus own) a car when I had no idea if I'd ever even get it. I was also offered my money back and I could cancel the order if I want. I extended my trip and said I'd wait until Tuesday then probably wanted my money back.and would just wait to get a dual motor model (which I'd be just as happy to have).

Pretty shocked that the SC had the car onsite for nearly 2 weeks and waited until just 2 hours before delivery to do any prep - esp reading how many cars have required updates before delivery.

Should I even trust this VIN or wait for a later production? My Model X is a very early production VIN 2XX and it has had quite a few problems. This was supposed to be my 4 Tesla delivery - the quality of the experience (at least for me) has gone down each time. I rather liked getting my first MS delivered to my house on a large UPS car carrier at 11pm on a Saturday night - a nice guy unloaded the car, had my sign for delivery, gave me the keys and drove away. (this was the very first few weeks of delivery of the original MS). This would have been my first delivery at a SC (all the others were at my home) - total fail.

I tweeted Elon asking for help with my delivery (on the million to one chance I'd ever get any kind of reply)

I feel your Pain and would be very unhappy as well. It's probably why they want local pick ups. Knowing myself though, i'd be in exact same boat as you. Rush to get the car asap by extending myself to make this happen, then be miserable and upset when they didn't deliver.
 
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I ordered on the 24th of January as soon as the configurator opened up (never even got the email) and we still don't have a VIN either. Looks like I might have to call Tesla tomorrow...
I ordered the first day they announced that SR would not be available until next year which was Feb 7, I was called last Thursday from delivery specialist the 15th so 8 days from placing order and in S.Cal like you previous owner. My buddy placed his order two hours prior to me and an owner and S. Cal and still no VIN but heres what we came up with... when he placed order he said he had a trade and I do not, guessing they will prioritize based on the easiest deliveries. Also was told by DS if I use outside financing it could not a little longer because of extra steps they need to put into play?? Figure just taking there financing and refi with my CU after delivery. Did you put in the system that you have a trade?
 
I ordered the first day they announced that SR would not be available until next year which was Feb 7, I was called last Thursday from delivery specialist the 15th so 8 days from placing order and in S.Cal like you previous owner. My buddy placed his order two hours prior to me and an owner and S. Cal and still no VIN but heres what we came up with... when he placed order he said he had a trade and I do not, guessing they will prioritize based on the easiest deliveries. Also was told by DS if I use outside financing it could not a little longer because of extra steps they need to put into play?? Figure just taking there financing and refi with my CU after delivery. Did you put in the system that you have a trade?

Interesting, in my case I have no trade in and I am paying cash without financing. So it should be super easy...
 
My guess is that the software can change unexpectedly as far as the Service Centers are concerned. Thus, they wait until just a day or two before delivery to get the car prepped. That way they aren't working a week ahead and may have to upload software twice on the same car.
 
Today's update: I decided to just show up in person at the SC to see what I could discover. Turns out it's not just firmware (or who knows if it ever was). The center screen is dead - car can be driven (put in gear, moved etc) but nada from the screen - black dead expanse. The part needed has been ordered, was told it would be overnighted for tomorrow (though the DS was less than affirming that it would actually arrive tomorrow) and no promise if the needed part is even the right one or will be sufficient to fix it. I guess I'll be patient for a few more days and, if nothing by then, either get my money back and wait for the AWD or, at the very least, insist on a different vehicle. In any case, can't say i'm warm & fuzzy knowing my new car - even before delivery - will have to be taken apart (to some degree) at the SC to replace the screen/other parts. I'm going to be sure to drive it before signing anything to make sure it's squeak/rattle free. My first S was a vin <200, my X was VIN 2XX and neither will have been pulled part as much over their life as this vin 53XX will have been pulled apart before I even take delivery. Yes, we are 'real-time' beta testers
 
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My guess is that the software can change unexpectedly as far as the Service Centers are concerned. Thus, they wait until just a day or two before delivery to get the car prepped. That way they aren't working a week ahead and may have to upload software twice on the same car.

I will agree with you 100% that waiting until a day or two before makes sense (mine was there 10+ days before scheduled delivery) but waiting until 2 hours before delivery (for which I was told the first hour was detailing) seems to be cutting it way, way too close and just a bad decision/process.
 
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Today's update: I decided to just show up in person at the SC to see what I could discover. Turns out it's not just firmware (or who knows if it ever was). The center screen is dead - car can be driven (put in gear, moved etc) but nada from the screen - black dead expanse. The part needed has been ordered, was told it would be overnighted for tomorrow (though the DS was less than affirming that it would actually arrive tomorrow) and no promise if the needed part is even the right one or will be sufficient to fix it. I guess I'll be patient for a few more days and, if nothing by then, either get my money back and wait for the AWD or, at the very least, insist on a different vehicle. In any case, can't say i'm warm & fuzzy knowing my new car - even before delivery - will have to be taken apart (to some degree) at the SC to replace the screen/other parts. I'm going to be sure to drive it before signing anything to make sure it's squeak/rattle free. My first S was a vin <200, my X was VIN 2XX and neither will have been pulled part as much over their life as this vin 53XX will have been pulled apart before I even take delivery. Yes, we are 'real-time' beta testers
Boy do I feel your pain! Why does it seem if we want one of these cars we have to put up with all this kinda crap? In the Los Angeles Times Sunday paper (yesterday) they had a featured two page article on the M3 and the stories of numerous owners about all the issues the car has and how the consumers seem to look the other way. I guess I shouldn't count on Saturday delivery until I'm driving out of the delivery center.
 
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Sorry to hear about your experience. I just took delivery of my M3 last week and VIN is kinda close to yours and I have had no issues. Sounds like poor work on part of SC in waiting so long to work on the car.

That said, I had issues with my MX. I think maybe 1-2 days before delivery they called and said it had an issue with the driver's side door lock and needed to be replaced (it was draining the 12v battery). THREE weeks later they finally had the part and I took delivery, so I feel your pain and hopefully it's only a couple of days and not the 3+ weeks I had to wait. Of course here I sit 1.5 years later and it really doesn't feel as bad as it did then, and looking at a 3 week wait in the grand scheme of things wasn't terrible. But it felt terrible at the time.

Hope you get yours soon and they give you a delivery experience you deserve!
 
Good news - new display came in; was installed and I took delivery at 4pm today. Drove it home and hooked it up to my charger in my garage (same one I used with my old MS). Left to go to dinner an hour later, unplugged, got into the card and saw a message on my display "Charge Port Door needs to be serviced - contact Tesla" - it stayed lit for me drive to dinner and then back home.

Oh well, I was perfect and awesome for 1 hour. Now back to the SC (for the third time in 3 days) to a fix - hopefully the third time is the charm.

At least I'm 1/2 from the SC here in Ft Lauderdale - at my other place in upstate NY, the closest ranger is 200+ miles to service my MX.