Question on powertrain warranty

[Modeler]

Please help clarify my confusion. The latest warranty PDF from Tesla list a 4-year Basic warranty and unlimited miles/time battery warranty when you have an 85kW battery. However, tens of stories on the Web from 2014 state that there is an 8-year warranty on the powertrain. I see no such coverage mentioned in the Tesla official materials. Is there, in fact, a longer warranty on the drive units? Was it ever there? If so, did Tesla quietly pull it? Thanks.

 

[mblakele]

Here's the language from a copy of the NA new vehicle limited warranty document dated 2016-10-30. I see similar language at https://www.tesla.com/sites/default/files/New_Vehicle_Limited_Warranty_North_America_en.pdf today.

Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty

The Tesla lithium-ion battery (the “Battery”) and Drive Unit are extremely sophisticated powertrain components designed to withstand extreme driving conditions. You can rest easy knowing that Tesla’s state-of-the-art Battery and Drive Unit are backed by this Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty, which covers the repair or replacement of any malfunctioning or defective Battery or Drive Unit, subject to the limitations described below. If your Battery or Drive Unit requires warranty service, Tesla will repair the unit, or replace it with a factory reconditioned unit. When replacing a Battery, Tesla will ensure that the energy capacity of the replacement Battery is at least equal to that of the original Battery before the failure occurred. To provide you with even more assurance, this Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty will also cover damage to your Vehicle from a Battery fire even if it is the result of driver error. (Coverage will not extend to damage that had already been sustained before a Battery fire occurred, or to any damage if the Battery fire occurred after your Vehicle had already been totaled.) Your Vehicle’s Battery and Drive Unit are covered under this Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty for a period of 8 years or unlimited miles/km, with the exception of the original 60 kWh battery (manufactured before 2015) that is covered for a period of 8 years or 125,000 miles/200,000 km, whichever comes first.

Despite the breadth of this warranty, damage resulting from intentional actions (including intentionally abusing or destroying your Vehicle or ignoring active Vehicle warnings), a collision or accident (excluding from Battery fires as specified above), or the servicing or opening of the Battery or Drive Unit by non-Tesla personnel, is not covered under this Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty.

In addition, the Drive Unit is subject to the exclusions and limitations described in this New Vehicle Limited Warranty. Damage to the Battery resulting from the following activities is also not covered under this Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty:

• Physically damaging the Battery, or intentionally attempting, either by physical means, programming, or other methods, to extend (other than as specified in your owner documentation) or reduce the life of the Battery;
• Exposing the Battery to direct flame (excluding from Battery fires as specified above); or,
• Flooding of the Battery.

The Battery, like all lithium-ion batteries, will experience gradual energy or power loss with time and use. Loss of Battery energy or power over time or due to or resulting from Battery usage, is NOT covered under this Battery and Drive Unit Limited Warranty. See your owner documentation for important information on how to maximize the life and capacity of the Battery.​

 

[Modeler]

Thank you! I also logged into My Tesla and confirmed that the above language is there. What caused my confusion is this PDF that comes up when you search for "tesla model s warranty":

https://www.tesla.com/sites/default.../model_s_new_vehicle_limited_warranty_2.1.pdf