Model S Battery affected by collision

[Whaler63]

Hello,

Our 2021 -S was parked when hit by a drunk driver last weekend. Thankfully we were not in the car. No one was physically injured.

The car that struck ours was going approx 30 MPH when it struck ours (see pics) at hit our car at a 45 degree angle at the LR wheel. After the force of impact tore up the car in the obvious places, it is apparent that most of the crash energy was absorbed by the wheel-axle-suspension - drive components. The car was thrown 3 feet over the curb by the force of impact.

While I wait for the Tesla Collision Center to perform their diligence, my biggest concern is the battery. Having sustained such impact I am concerned about the potential degradation of the battery and the possibilities of Fire. I’m am becoming familiar with the therm “Thermal Runaway”.

Has anyone had experience with collision related battery issues?

Cheers,

 

[glide]

Hello,

Our 2021 -S was parked when hit by a drunk driver last weekend. Thankfully we were not in the car. No one was physically injured.

The car that struck ours was going approx 30 MPH when it struck ours (see pics) at hit our car at a 45 degree angle at the LR wheel. After the force of impact tore up the car in the obvious places, it is apparent that most of the crash energy was absorbed by the wheel-axle-suspension - drive components. The car was thrown 3 feet over the curb by the force of impact.

While I wait for the Tesla Collision Center to perform their diligence, my biggest concern is the battery. Having sustained such impact I am concerned about the potential degradation of the battery and the possibilities of Fire. I’m am becoming familiar with the therm “Thermal Runaway”.

Has anyone had experience with collision related battery issues?

Cheers,

Don’t worry about it. Your car is totaled.

 

[travasky]

Damage to two corners and driveline/suspension = almost certainly totaled.

 

[Electric700]

OP, sorry that happened...definitely not fun to go through. Your Model S is probably worth at least $70,000 since it's a 2021 model. If the battery fully checks out then the repairs could come to a fraction of the $70k+ sale cost. The repair place / insurance needs to do the full analysis to see what it would take to make the car like new again.

Also I recommend that charging be tested when it's safe to do so and at the earliest possible time. Try to keep the car at a 55% state of charge if possible during repairs (if they are hopefully approved).

 

[OrbiterTI4]

My S did not get a battery swap following a collision, granted the impact point on my vehicle was further away from the battery than yours. I did stress to the service center my concerns about battery health (both from impact and from sitting in a body shop lot for 4 months with minimal charging) but they blessed the battery and it's still going nearly 4 years later.

 

[richrootes]

I’d be more worried about the drunk driver possibly invalidating his insurance by actually driving whilst drunk!

 

[wk057]

I buy several wrecked Teslas per month. The battery is probably fine. The car is also almost certainly a total loss claim, so I wouldn't worry about it anyway.