Safety restraint system fault (RCM_a050) [SC says rodent damage]

[pjshah72]

I have Model 3 for 2years almost and seeing this issue in last two months.
It suddenly pop-up one day (in month of May) on the screen so we set an appointment with Tesla Service and they said it is "rodent (or bunny) damage". They replace some harness and it got fixed. We are happy.
In next 10-days, same fault came up and they did exact same thing and got fixed. Charge was $180+Tax.

In 5-days, same issue came and Service team is saying you need to pay every-time $180+tax to fix the issue.

I am parking my car "INSIDE CLOSE Garage" and we are 100% sure that there is NO animal in the garage then how fault is coming again and again (that is within 5days of fix)?
Also, I have two more car and there is NO SIGN for any type of "rodent damage".
FYI: Rodent damage is not cover in Warranty.

Any one facing same/similar issue? If so, what is the solution? or Alternative?
I DO NOT want to spend one more time 180+tax..

Any advise would be Greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

show us the harness that was chewed through. If tesla can't, they are lying. They do everything they can to skip out on warranty.

 

[jjrandorin]

Just because you are parking in a closed garage, that doesnt mean there are no rodents in it. They should be able to show you a chewed harness. Similar type threads about rodent damage:

Rats...[question on preventing rodent damage in model 3]

Hey guys. I saw a video online about a Tesla essentially totaled because of rat infestation. This (on two different cars) has happened to two different cars and boy they can ruin a car and all Teslas are made with the delicious to them sweet vegetable oil wires or something because it’s sweet...

teslamotorsclub.com

A mouse ate my Tesla

My 5-month-old Tesla Y started going haywire when it lost its battery coolant. Turns out that mice had nested behind the Frunk and chewed through the coolant hose. I could drive the car to the Service Center, but non-warranty repair is a twenty dollar hose and more than $700 in labor, plus two...

teslamotorsclub.com

Can we please talk about rodents inside Model Y and Model 3s

Over the past 18 months,, ive had a Model 3 (performance) without any issues with rodents or nest inside the car. Recently, approximately a month ago, i had a bizarre issue where it looked like my washer tank was chewed through from the outside. Paid 300 bucks and went on with my life. about...

teslamotorsclub.com

Maybe one of those threads has some information about deterrents or something. Dont assume because your garage is closed, there are no rodents in it, though. Your other cars not having damage also doesnt mean much. Some newer cars have a covering on wires / harnesses that rodents like.

 

[pjshah72]

show us the harness that was chewed through. If tesla can't, they are lying. They do everything they can to skip out on warranty.

Thanks for your reply. Yes, that is the next plan. I am going to see it physically and exactly where this happening.

 

[pjshah72]

Just because you are parking in a closed garage, that doesnt mean there are no rodents in it. They should be able to show you a chewed harness. Similar type threads about rodent damage:

Rats...[question on preventing rodent damage in model 3]

Hey guys. I saw a video online about a Tesla essentially totaled because of rat infestation. This (on two different cars) has happened to two different cars and boy they can ruin a car and all Teslas are made with the delicious to them sweet vegetable oil wires or something because it’s sweet...

teslamotorsclub.com

A mouse ate my Tesla

My 5-month-old Tesla Y started going haywire when it lost its battery coolant. Turns out that mice had nested behind the Frunk and chewed through the coolant hose. I could drive the car to the Service Center, but non-warranty repair is a twenty dollar hose and more than $700 in labor, plus two...

teslamotorsclub.com

Can we please talk about rodents inside Model Y and Model 3s

Over the past 18 months,, ive had a Model 3 (performance) without any issues with rodents or nest inside the car. Recently, approximately a month ago, i had a bizarre issue where it looked like my washer tank was chewed through from the outside. Paid 300 bucks and went on with my life. about...

teslamotorsclub.com

Maybe one of those threads has some information about deterrents or something. Dont assume because your garage is closed, there are no rodents in it, though. Your other cars not having damage also doesnt mean much. Some newer cars have a covering on wires / harnesses that rodents like.

I completely understand what you said but we have two more cars and no sign on that. Also, I don't see any other sign (foot-steps, poop etc)..Thanks for providing other threads. Will sure check it.

 

[pjshah72]

Thanks for your reply. Yes, that is the next plan. I am going to see it physically and exactly where this happening.

I mean when they fix the problem at service center.

 

[android04]

I agree that you should ask for the old harness so you can see it. If true, this could be your fix Honda's Chili-Flavored Wire Wrap Could Save Your Car From a Rodent Invasion

 

[Shelburne]

I have Model 3 for 2years almost and seeing this issue in last two months.
It suddenly pop-up one day (in month of May) on the screen so we set an appointment with Tesla Service and they said it is "rodent (or bunny) damage". They replace some harness and it got fixed. We are happy.
In next 10-days, same fault came up and they did exact same thing and got fixed. Charge was $180+Tax.

In 5-days, same issue came and Service team is saying you need to pay every-time $180+tax to fix the issue.

I am parking my car "INSIDE CLOSE Garage" and we are 100% sure that there is NO animal in the garage then how fault is coming again and again (that is within 5days of fix)?
Also, I have two more car and there is NO SIGN for any type of "rodent damage".
FYI: Rodent damage is not cover in Warranty.

Any one facing same/similar issue? If so, what is the solution? or Alternative?
I DO NOT want to spend one more time 180+tax..

Any advise would be Greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!

Because you've had the same problem so many times, I doubt it's rodents. But having said that, parking a car in a garage is no guarantee that rodents, especially mice won't get at your car. They can squeeze thru the tiniest cracks in masonry or wooden walls. But it's usually warmth that draws them. And since there is virtually no generation of heat from a Tesla motor, that's another reason I doubt that rodents are doing this.

 

[BaconAWD3LR]

My 23 month old Model 3 AWD displayed a Safety Restraint System Fault warning last week. The local Tesla tech told me they ran a remote diagnostic and let me know that there was a fault in the front air bag wiring harness and that it may be rodent damaged. I took it in to the local service center and the chewed wiring harness was removed and replaced in about 90 minutes and $175 later. I was also able to retrieve the old harness before I left the service center and yes, it was definitely chewed through by a rat or some other critter. As this forum notes that this has been an issue with other Tesla owners, Tesla should develop a longer solution to prevent this issue from re-occuring.

 

[Shelburne]

Putting some rodent traps around your car and checking them regularly would also be a good idea.

 

[BaconAWD3LR]

Putting some rodent traps around your car and checking them regularly would also be a good idea.

Thanks and agreed. I now have two Rat Zappers placed under the car when parked at night!

 

[Cardcleaner]

My 23 month old Model 3 AWD displayed a Safety Restraint System Fault warning last week. The local Tesla tech told me they ran a remote diagnostic and let me know that there was a fault in the front air bag wiring harness and that it may be rodent damaged. I took it in to the local service center and the chewed wiring harness was removed and replaced in about 90 minutes and $175 later. I was also able to retrieve the old harness before I left the service center and yes, it was definitely chewed through by a rat or some other critter. As this forum notes that this has been an issue with other Tesla owners, Tesla should develop a longer solution to prevent this issue from re-occuring.

Where is this harness located? I am getting the same error (RCM_a050) and would like to inspect it before opening a service ticket.

 

[SabrToothSqrl]

wife's car has this, and after putting it off for a long time, now they want to install some type of 'filter' on it. It's cheaper than replacing the harness. I'm guessing it's the real fix, and should be applied free even post warranty...

 

[BaconAWD3LR]

Where is this harness located? I am getting the same error (RCM_a050) and would like to inspect it before opening a service ticket.

This harness is located in the front of the car. The Tesla tech had to remove the Frunk liner and entire front bumper to remove and replace it.