No ventilated seats as promised

[Joe F]

Haven't driven yet in hot weather, but the fan is so loud on high I'm hoping 2 or 1 speed helps. We had one close to 80 deg day, and I didn't notice any effect with the fan on, although it wasn't a long drive.

Will really miss real cooled seats; Love my Infiniti for that on a long haul.

 

[ACExpress]

The ventilated/perforated seats were discontinued sometime between Jan 1 and Jan 15. I ordered a MS on 12/31 and another on Jan 15. One has it and the other does not. I was told that the seats were discontinued by the time I ordered the second one.

There is an article on Teslarati.com that goes over the issues with Ventilated seats (too many complaints about poor air circulation). If you were pushing for ventilated/perforated seats because of the ventilation then there is a chance you may have been disappointed, although that doesn't seem to be the case with everyone.

Best of luck in resolving this issue.

I was definitely aware of the complaints with the seats. The change happened on January 12 which was the same day I ordered. I read about the removal of the option on January 13 and contacted my OA, as I sought clarity on the seats because I had 7 days to remove PUP without penalty.

He confirmed I'd have ventilated seats, so that's why I'm upset about it. In terms of what it's worth to me, the rest of PUP is meh (certainly not anything close to $3500).

I spoke with him 3 days ago and he asked to give him 24 hours to figure it out. Nothing after one day, and I called and left a message after two days. Today is day three, and I'm less than impressed with the communication.

I am fully aware of the "first world problem" nature of the situation, but it was a $3500 difference on a $90,000+ car. They should make it right one way or another.

 

[M0DEL³]

...contacted my OA...spoke with him 3 days ago and he asked to give him 24 hours to figure it out. Nothing after one day, and I called and left a message after two days. Today is day three, and I'm less than impressed with the communication....

If your OA does not followup, I'd suggest a PM to Jon McNeill. I suspect that might result in a more effective communications path at the least.

 

[mikevbf]

I think what he meant was that ventilated seats exist on many other cars and glass-shards-in-holes does not seem to be enough of an industry-wide problem to stop building them. It's only Tesla. I think they stopped building them because probably some improved version is on the way.

Also a reasonable theory. See post 12 for my theory.

 

[AudubonB]

My post hasn't to deal with seats, but with another aspect of this thread's story:

Shards from auto window glass small enough to even come close to infiltrating seat perforations?

We're not talking wine glasses or Perrier bottles here, but tempered auto glass. From my pretty long experience, auto glass does not so shatter, and hasn't for about seventy years. So - can this be correct?

 

[SMAlset]

Purely speculation here, but my guess on the perf seats was they reached a certain level of perf material used in the performance cars and Xs and then offered it to the S class as a quick promo and bonus while reducing their inventory they'd have to store. When they reached a certain lower level they pulled the offer and probably still have some material for repairs to existing vehicle seats down the road. But like I said just my speculation.

Despite all the comments I've read on the forum after ordering our Perp PUP seats, I sat in an X and an S afterwards and loved the feel and will be glad to get them. My long-time car owner friend who drives high end sport vehicles said the perf seats should help wick away persperation from your back and seat cushion area. Said it won't be noticable air movement. Living in an area that gets 90+ temps in the summer/fall I can understand a Dallas owner wanting the perf seats as well. If it were me, I'd pursue it with higher ups that can make it happen. Really doubt the material is all gone and hope things work out for you.

 

[AirKuhl]

I have ventilated seats. They suck, pun intended. Compared to most other cars with seat ventilation, these barely work. I hope this works out for you but worst case, you really aren't missing much.

 

[P85DBeast]

I have ventilated seats. They suck, pun intended. Compared to most other cars with seat ventilation, these barely work. I hope this works out for you but worst case, you really aren't missing much.

I agree with you they are terrible. Barely even noticeable.

 

[ACExpress]

Any relief in this Texas heat is appreciated, so that's where I'm coming from. Bottom line is I wouldn't have ordered the $3500 PUP if I wasn't getting ventilated seats, so that's the main culprit of my disappointment. I knew they weren't that great at the time, but it was still worth it to me.

I've been in contact with the owner advisor, and I would say we are in the negotiation phase. He said there was no possible way to get the seats changed out but is trying to see what else they can offer.

From a legal perspective (consulting with wife and dad, the lawyers of the family), I am confident I would ultimately be entitled to a $3500 refund based on all documentation I have of conversations in writing at the time, but realistically turning it into a legal battle means everybody loses for such a relatively small dollar amount.

We'll see what kind of an agreement we can come to on the matter.

 

[spentan]

Taking delivery for one of my Xes tomorrow.

Hoping for the vented seats. Would be interesting if they are not though. Would raise same issue of paying for PUP because of it

 

[Canuck]

From a legal perspective (consulting with wife and dad, the lawyers of the family), I am confident I would ultimately be entitled to a $3500 refund based on all documentation I have of conversations in writing at the time, but realistically turning it into a legal battle means everybody loses for such a relatively small dollar amount.

If you don't get the resolution you're looking for soon, I'd recommend saying during a conversation, "My wife and father are both lawyers -- but I sure hope we don't have to go that route."

I bet that will get results.

 

[Max*]

If you don't get the resolution you're looking for soon, I'd recommend saying during a conversation, "My wife and father are both lawyers -- but I sure hope we don't have to go that route."

I bet that will get results.

I can't tell if you're being facetious or not...

 

[Canuck]

I can't tell if you're being facetious or not...

Not at all. When people say their spouse, siblings, parents, etc. are a lawyer, and they have a legitimate complaint, most lawyers will tell their clients to try to resolve the issue fast because it's unlikely the issue will die, especially when legal fees need not be paid by that party, and the party has been advised of the law.

 

[SocalMS]

Just took delivery of my S60D. I was all set to go and inspected the exterior and interior before I signed the papers and remitted payment. Then it occurred to me that I should check the seats to make sure they were the perforated/ventilated variety.

Nope...solid tan leather. Unfortunately I was up against a work meeting I had to attend and had already signed the documentation (admittedly, didn't notice until after I signed). Because my trade was now their car and I was also in a hurry, I didn't think I had any choice in the moment but to take delivery.

I brought it up to the delivery specialist (Ray), and he talked about how they were only available for a short time, yada yada. I specifically purchased the upgrades package for the seats, as I didn't care about the other inclusions. I had expressed this info to the owner advisor after my order was placed (1/12/17) but before it was confirmed. I would have left off the package or removed it within 7 days if the seats were not going to be ventilated. I communicated this to the owner advisor, and I have a text from him on 1/16/17, "confirming your car will have the ventilated seats unless you request the non-ventilated seats."

At this point, what recourse do I have? It was a $3500 package I wouldn't have purchased, although I'd rather just have the seats as promised. Needless to say, I left with the car but actually feeling angry instead of jubilant (and in a hurry, but that's my own fault). I intend to escalate as much as it takes to either get it fixed or get $3500 back. Should I work back through the delivery specialist's manager, the owner advisor's management (different locations), or someone else via corporate?

Thanks in advance.

Sounds like they took the option off when you actually pulled the trigger and ordered the vehicle.

Can you confirm the option is on your vehicle order?

 

[ACExpress]

Sounds like they took the option off when you actually pulled the trigger and ordered the vehicle.

Can you confirm the option is on your vehicle order?

I can't confirm because I didn't take a screenshot while I was ordering. Any order summary just mentions the Performance Upgrades Package as a single line item. I learned of the reddit post indicating it was being removed from the design studio and even looked to see when it was posted versus when I ordered. It may have been pulled an hour before or an hour after, but it's a moot point because I sought and received confirmation from the OA within the 7 day change window where I made it clear I'd remove PUP if no ventilated seats.

 

[spentan]

As I was worried about this, I had a chat to my DS today. My VIN is 38070 and she confirmed that it does have the Ventilated Seats. Picking it up tomorrow

I will be picking 38066 up next week, it is still in production which makes me worried that it may not have them. Time will tell.

 

[ACExpress]

I was informed by my OA that I will be receiving a refund check for $3500 for the Performance Upgrades Package (now called Premium Interior Package). I am pleasantly surprised, but hopefully it won't take forever to receive the check.

Initially they offered the 3 year maintenance package, and I declined as I found it to be of minimal value and not a worthy enough remedy. I actually countered with "upgrade my 60 to a 75 and we're all square" as a means of giving Tesla a nearly free way out, even though I don't find the 75 upgrade to be a big value add (probably wouldn't buy it even if it was $1k but wanted to move on while getting a little something of value). They declined and said they would be refunding the $3500 which is far better in my book. I was told there was no chance of getting the ventilated seats.

While the other parts of PUP don't really do anything for me and the ventilated seats were all I really cared about when ordering (and communicated accordingly), I still came out ahead. I'd still rather have the ventilated seats and not get my money back, but they did the right thing and I'm happy with it.

 

[Doctt]

Good for you. You get the PUP for free!

 

[Max*]

I'm glad Tesla stepped up and did the right thing.

 

[scottm]

Vented seat option... $10 per @ Walmart.

These worked great in my dad's '78 wagon, had no air conditioning... driving through Arizona. Oh, those were the days! I distinctly recall having bags of ice on our heads... Anyway, these seat beads kept our buns from toasting on the vinyl.