Model S Seat Defects

[Pierre1985]

Interesting question, I purchased a used 2022 model S with 1200 miles. I was doing a deep clean of my white seats today so I can prepare for ceramic coating. I’ve come to realize all my seats have defects. I was wondering if this is covered still even though I have 2,300 miles, and the car was purchased from a third party. Rear heated seats do not work besides the middle. And both passenger and driver front seats stitching is coming out.

 

[mswlogo]

Very strange. It should be covered, 3rd party shouldn’t matter unless they want to be stinkers and sometimes they are.

 

[Pierre1985]

I hope so. I sent in a service request, and the first thing they asked was if the car was purchased new from Tesla.

 

[mswlogo]

I hope so. I sent in a service request, and the first thing they asked was if the car was purchased new from Tesla.

Ooh. That’s not a good sign.

 

[Pierre1985]

Here is my current conversation with tesla…

 

[DerbyDave]

The images look like manufacturing defects, not wear and tear or abuse. The defects would be covered under the 4 year warranty no matter how the car was purchased. The seat heater issue is definitely covered.

 

[Pierre1985]

Well I guess I’m waiting for a decision from Tesla according to Service.

 

[mswlogo]

Well I guess I’m waiting for a decision from Tesla according to Service.

Note that they might say they are going to charge you, but then when it’s covered they don’t.

Problem is stitching can be a wear item. And now you are in “good faith” territory and getting it 3rd party reduces the chances of a good faith fix.

You are at their mercy.

 

[DerbyDave]

Note that they might say they are going to charge you, but then when it’s covered they don’t.

Problem is stitching can be a wear item. And now you are in “good faith” territory and getting it 3rd party reduces the chances of a good faith fix.

You are at their mercy.

The area to the left of the headrest is definitely not a "wear" area, as nothing ever touches it, and the surrounding area is pristine. The right front corner is definitely subject to wear, but again the area surrounding it is pristine. The stitch is visibly broken. This, the only issue in that area, and a broken stitch around a pristine area is not usually a wear issue. The two defects together show a problem with quality of manufacture, and not wear and tear. I would have gone to Tesla, had the area repaired under warranty, and if they claimed otherwise, take them to small claims court. No judge would ever refuse this evidence as covered under Tesla's transferable new car warranty. Tesla is leading you on. Don't cave. The only problem I have is that a good interior shop may be able to correct these defects quickly at a reasonable cost by restitching these areas as the manufacturer should have done, possibly without removing anything.

 

[Pierre1985]

Note that they might say they are going to charge you, but then when it’s covered they don’t.

Problem is stitching can be a wear item. And now you are in “good faith” territory and getting it 3rd party reduces the chances of a good faith fix.

You are at their mercy.

Just received from tesla stating that they will order parts and schedule an appointment. Not sure if that mean new seats or what.

 

[DerbyDave]

it is being covered.

 

[Pierre1985]

The area to the left of the headrest is definitely not a "wear" area, as nothing ever touches it, and the surrounding area is pristine. The right front corner is definitely subject to wear, but again the area surrounding it is pristine. The stitch is visibly broken. This, the only issue in that area, and a broken stitch around a pristine area is not usually a wear issue. The two defects together show a problem with quality of manufacture, and not wear and tear. I would have gone to Tesla, had the area repaired under warranty, and if they claimed otherwise, take them to small claims court. No judge would ever refuse this evidence as covered under Tesla's transferable new car warranty. Tesla is leading you on. Don't cave. The only problem I have is that a good interior shop may be able to correct these defects quickly at a reasonable cost by restitching these areas as the manufacturer should have done, possibly without removing anything.

Just received from tesla stating that they will order parts and schedule an appointment. Not sure if that mean new seats or what.

 

[mswlogo]

Good luck. Let us know how it goes.

 

[mswlogo]

BTW a good auto upholstery shop can probably fix it cheap if you have problems with Tesla.