Model S Technical / Mechanical Issues

[aronth5]

This thread's first posting was 9/27/2012. Now that we're approaching 2 full years of posts I thought it would be interesting to graph the number of posts for 6 month period.
Very unscientific method and lots of ways to interpret the data but nevertheless interesting. I took the total number of pages posted to this thread for each six month period and simply created the bar chart.

 

[bareyb]

That's cool aron.

The two minor fixes I had were both fixed permanently. So they are finding good solutions. I might point out that both times they contacted ME about my concern and already had the appt. ready and waiting. It's like this thread is a direct pipeline to the Service Dept. If you want the same treatment put something similar to what I have in your signature.

 

[JRP3]

Impressive considering that the total number of vehicles has greatly increased at the same time total number of issues have decreased.

 

[brianman]

Impressive considering that the total number of vehicles has greatly increased at the same time total number of issues have decreased.

I don't think we can really draw that conclusion. Discussion about issues has decreased, not necessarily the number of issues of TMC members... or of the general driving population.

I think it's more a trend of fewer forum members among buyers these days and fewer new and interesting issues cropping up. The latter is definitely a good sign, IMO.

 

[paco3791]

I don't think we can really draw that conclusion. Discussion about issues has decreased, not necessarily the number of issues of TMC members... or of the general driving population.

I think it's more a trend of fewer forum members among buyers these days and fewer new and interesting issues cropping up. The latter is definitely a good sign, IMO.

I, for one, try NOT to repost an issue that has already been discussed. That's what the search function is for. However, I do get the impression that issues as a whole have been going down.

 

[Rahine]

Last night drove a friend home to Saratoga, CA and as we drove away, noticed a rear window open. When I tried to close it, I heard a crunch! Drove a half mile to dinner. Had to slide the window up manually. Called Tesla Service and left a message since it was late. Tesla Service called just after 7:00am! The car is in the shop to replace both rear window actuators. I had the same issue with the other window over a year ago! They said that the actuators have since been redesigned and shouldn't have any issue again.

On another note, just yesterday my wife notices that the right front panel just above the Tesla emblem behind the front wheel had been keyed! Nearly a foot long deep scratch. The Tesla Service center called a body shop for a quote. They said it would be about $750 to repair.

In the mean time we are driving a loaner P+ with likely all options installed! Had my wife drive it to see how the parking sensors work. Would possibly upgrade our car to get them if we could. That's likely the only option I'm really am envious of.

I was told it could be around $6800 to upgrade to parking sensors just FYI

 

[Bugeater]

Yea, I'm hearing prices along that line. Thanks! Still might be cheaper than constantly hitting the wheel stops.

Really wish they would make the wheel stops shorter!

 

[Causalien]

Not sure if I am posting in the right thread

Not sure if I am in the right thread. But here goes my question. I had a chance to drop by the Amsterdam store today as it was conveniently located on the major road to Van Gogh. There was a display of just the tesla's skateboard and battery pack, so I took some time to look over the welds.

This one is near the front passenger side wheel and I see quality issues with this. Does anyone know if it's because these displays are assembled from a different process? or if this is production quality?

 

[JRP3]

I don't know, but I'd think if there were some early production issues those units might be sent off as display units, and, if there were quality issues in production that were significant they would have shown up as some structural weakness in the many accidents which have occurred.

 

[Todd Burch]

Agree, it's very likely that those with structural issues were the very ones chosen to be used for display units.

 

[Causalien]

Agree, it's very likely that those with structural issues were the very ones chosen to be used for display units.

Ah good. I need to find someone who dissassembled their Model S then.

 

[breser]

Does anyone know if it's because these displays are assembled from a different process? or if this is production quality?

If you believe this post on reddit they are not built by Tesla but rather for Tesla by Brooks Motor Cars in Oakland. It's apparently done this way because the car is never in this state in manufacturing so you can't just pull a car off the line to get one of these.

 

[Duckjybe]

Ah good. I need to find someone who dissassembled their Model S then.

Seems you are a trader trying to drum up a problem. You must be short Tesla stock.

 

[AudubonB]

Completely by chance, the Scottsdale AZ gallery manager was discussing these welds with me as he and I were going over their sample skateboard just yesterday. Paraphrasing, "you can tell this is a pre-production chassis; completely handmade. The robot welds are precise to microns - look absolutely nothing like these."

So, I would say the one on display in Netherlands likewise has "such sloppy" welds. I just wish I could make my own aluminum welds look even anywhere near that nice!!!!

 

[bsd]

My car was in for its 1 year service today. They're quite serious about taking the cars out on the road to reproduce issues, but this seems above the call of duty:

 

[AudubonB]

That's the best location yet! You don't suppose it signals Alaska might actually get its promised Service Center?

Naah, thought not.

 

[lalainyourface]

Hi everyone! I recently had my car delivered (9/27) and have had the best few weeks of driving yet. There are a few things that I had some questions about that although isn't a big deal, I was wondering what kind of issues are.

1. When I am driving between 30-65mph, there is a faint clicking noise. It's a repetitive click click every 3-4 seconds and seems to be coming from behind the driver's left side AC. I was informed by my Specialist that it is standard and all new cars have it and that it may be due to some kind of autopilot related issue? Is anyone else having this problem or should I make a video of the sound?

2. The car seems slanted. The left side is like an 8th inch to a quarter inch lower than the right. Is this something that is seen in other cars or would it possibly be an issue with the suspension springs? The bottom plastic liner near the rear drivers wheel seems deformed? Should I take some pictures for show here so that someone may help or explain?

Other than that, love the car to death and makes my work commute so much more fun!

 

[breser]

1. When I am driving between 30-65mph, there is a faint clicking noise. It's a repetitive click click every 3-4 seconds and seems to be coming from behind the driver's left side AC. I was informed by my Specialist that it is standard and all new cars have it and that it may be due to some kind of autopilot related issue? Is anyone else having this problem or should I make a video of the sound?

Sounds like it might be this:
issues on new cars

Don't know about your other issues.

 

[lalainyourface]

Sounds like it might be this:
issues on new cars

Don't know about your other issues.

This is exactly the sound I have! Now I know its not just me hearing this. Hopefully they will figure it out soon so I don't have to use music to drown it out :O. Thanks for the info and link.

 

[Todd Burch]

Issue #1 is the EM brake system "self check" sound, so says my service advisor. There is currently no fix for this yet.

For #2, do you have coil suspension or air? How can you feel a difference in an eighth to a quarter of an inch from one side of the car to the other? Pics will help.