Ripped Undercarriage Composite from the rain?

[ChrisH]

I doubt it would rip in heavy rain alone. I was being a bit silly on the road and saw a gigantic puddle that was probably 3-4 inches deep. I decided to accelerate hard through the puddle to splash the water to the side of the road (no there was not any pedestrians I was trying to soak ). I think if you go through large puddles carefully you shouldn't have an issue. I'm fairly certain this was a result of me being slightly too reckless. However I do think that this part needs some re-evaluation by Tesla. I've never encountered a problem like this in any other car I've owned.

That’s fair. We can no longer drive through puddles like we did as teens haha

 

[WesC]

I've ripped this same type of material out from the bottom of my leaf. Who uses a felt composite on the underside of a vehicle? Ridiculous that tesla and leaf both have this issue.

 

[MP3Mike]

However I do think that this part needs some re-evaluation by Tesla. I've never encountered a problem like this in any other car I've owned.

I think this is the result of trying to make the cars extra aero dynamic, which most ICE cars haven't cared about so they don't do a total under-body shield.

 

[ChrisH]

I think this is the result of trying to make the cars extra aero dynamic, which most ICE cars haven't cared about so they don't do a total under-body shield.

It doesn’t make sense though. The battery cover is supposedly a titanium shield (at least on the S and then in between the wheels it is freaking cloth/whatever the heck this is)

 

[MP3Mike]

The battery cover is supposedly a titanium shield

The battery cover is not a titanium shield, the battery, at least in the S&X, is aluminum. They did put a titanium shield bar in front of the battery pack on the S&X. (To either break road debris up or to try to kick it to the side before it gets to the battery pack.)

 

[cwerdna]

I’m confused on why we didn’t see any of these reports last fall/winter. Did they switch materials?

Probably mostly due to there only being around 2000-2500 Model 3's on the road at the end of last year. Now there's somewhere around 100,000 Model 3's so there is an increased likelihood of problems surfacing like this.

It looks like non-employee (of Tesla/SpaceX) deliveries of the 3 didn't happen until mid-Dec 2017 per Tesla Model 3 Non-Employee Deliveries To Start Next Week and First Confirmed Non-Employee Delivery Of The Tesla Model 3. Given that, it seems likely the employees might've been under NDA or under pressure/felt obligated/instructed to not post about any problems w/their 3's. IIRC, Tesla (someone correct me on this if I'm wrong) has some policies that discourage employees posting on social media, like this forum.

Per http://ir.tesla.com/static-files/ae336f83-b5ea-4bd0-966d-ee0dd327f44c (for Q4 2017) "In Q4, we delivered 28,425 Model S and Model X vehicles and 1,542 Model 3 vehicles..." For Q3 (http://ir.tesla.com/static-files/d68bddfe-6f2b-4f8f-bed0-94dd7a49cc0f) "In Q3, we delivered 25,915 Model S and Model X vehicles and 222 Model 3 vehicles.,.."

 

[Fishhy]

Keep an eye on it, that's how bumpers start falling off... VINs of cars who lost back bumper cover?

 

[PoitNarf]

Just got my 3 back yesterday and they replaced my ripped aero shield. Cost me $150 plus labor... I’ll be going through puddles at 1mph from now on...

 

[_ACX]

Today I noticed a piece of the undercarriage liner nearly torn free - it was only attached by a few threads. This is a small section, about 6" x 6", and I don't remember running over any debris. Is this anything I need to worry about short term? I'm hoping the service center will be able to repair the area, as they did offer me a two year bumper to bumper warranty for delays related to delivery on my 3.

 

[SMAlset]

Not sure but there's a thread on here somewhere about people finding their undercarriage "fabric" hanging down. Haven't read the thread in a few weeks but recall people saying they thought it might have been exposed to rain water splashing up or somehow getting on the fabric and weighing it down, tearing from the bolts that anchored it to the car. I'll see if I can find the thread and link. Possibly your situation is the same or similar.


Here's the thread: Ripped Undercarriage Composite from the rain?

 

[_ACX]

That is EXACTLY my problem. Same area, and I was driving in heavy rain for an hour yesterday.

 

[SnickySnacks]

I paid to have mine replaced, rather than have a giant hole there.

Looking at it, post-repair, it's easy to see how the design is flawed.

On my car, the front lip of the protector does not sit flush with the car, so no wonder it can potentially catch water.

 

[hanergy]

Wow, what a piss poor design. Go through a carwash with an undercarriage wash and the whole thing will get soaked.

 

[Shizzrock]

When I was checking out my car I noticed the plastic under-cover that attaches to the bumper has a lip around the entire thing. If water gets in there, it acts like a kiddie pool. There's nowhere for the water to go. I think I might drill a couple of holes on the bottom of it.

 

[Kentrock1]

Yeah, we had a huge rainstorm in central NJ last night and I definitely went thru a large "puddle" at speed. That same 6" x 6" section can loose and I'm driving around with it scraping the ground.

Some folks think this could be more than a minor issue; that water can get in there more easily. Should this be a priority appointment at the service center (which isn't that close)? I couldn't schedule until Thursday, 4 days from now.

 

[dbemis]

I get to join the club now too. It doesn't even look like there was much of anything to hold it in place (see the spot that looks like where a screw hole may have been, very close to the corner). It's raining a bit outside with some puddles, but nothing significant at all

Other side:

 

[dbemis]

Update:
Got under the car to tape it up until I can get Tesla out here. Noticed it looks like a screw is missing:

Taped it up with gorilla tape, and the ripped section got gorilla mounting tape between it and the car. I added some to the "good" areas to hopefully prevent those from having trouble, too:

 

[Michel3]

I see a possible aftermarket product here. Made in aluminium with proper attachment and drain holes.
I have Citroën DS cars, which had an almost flat underside, being produced 1955-1975. They have an aluminium underbody part under the engine and transmission, to guide airflow, diminish drag and protect from debris.
Something like this should be put on Model 3, in stead of something weak like they did.

 

[super20g]

Surely Tesla will redesign these composite parts at some point and offer a replacement to those that bring it up... It seems like a lot of vehicles will have an issue with this over the winter.

 

[kmaluo]

What is the fabric for? Seems like a strange design that will eventually lead to headaches for anyone driving in the rain.