should I return or keep?

[tesmaniac]

So I grabbed my AWD LR, ordered 07/31, picked up today.

It’s generally in great shape. None of the horror story issues I've been reading about. In fact, no issues at all except for this door alignment one, which I didn’t really notice until after rolling off the lot.

VIN is 36xxx, produced 08/2020.

Again, otherwise the car looks, drives, and works great. Keep and hope SC will fix, or return?

 

[El joe]

Did you notify them yet? Seems like something they should be able to address without you having to return the vehicle.

 

[tesmaniac]

I did. They can't guarantee an SC appointment before the 7-day return window closes, for some reason -- the soonest appointment is a couple weeks out.

 

[glide]

They will not fix it. If it bothers you, return it.

 

[El joe]

I did. They can't guarantee an SC appointment before the 7-day return window closes, for some reason -- the soonest appointment is a couple weeks out.

Wow, yeah, then returning seems like the only option here. That's very frustrating to hear.

 

[kickenandbrian]

Be weary if you return so they don’t pull the you can’t have the same car for a year routine.. point it out and either get confirmation you’ll get it fixed or confirmation you will be allowed a waiver for their policy.

 

[CaliX]

Mine had a 3 inch dent in the door, panel gaps, paint issues, steering wheel off center to the right, some other minor issues and they took care of them all. I took delivery at midnight so was hard to see in the dark.

 

[KyleATMn]

Just rejected a car with the same problem with the front passenger door being like that. Let us know if you decide to keep it, but I couldn't handle that.

 

[Sundiego26]

They will not fix it. If it bothers you, return it.

Why can’t they fix this? From a technical perspective, did you experience this? If so, what was the reasoning for them not fixing it? Genuinely curious

 

[cucubits]

Why can’t they fix this? From a technical perspective, did you experience this? If so, what was the reasoning for them not fixing it? Genuinely curious

It's possible they don't want to create to much precedent and this way they sort of force their view that this is "within spec" on more customers.

Getting a perfectly aligned car with tesla is based purely on luck and I'm sure lots of owners choose to ignore these which means they don't add up to statistics, either because they don't care or they just accept that this is the usual tesla quality.

 

[AKTech.it]

Looks minor, I'd keep it but with the SC, no guarantees. My hood looks like it is slightly 'lower' but it is 'within spec'

 

[Sundiego26]

It's possible they don't want to create to much precedent and this way they sort of force their view that this is "within spec" on more customers.

Getting a perfectly aligned car with tesla is based purely on luck and I'm sure lots of owners choose to ignore these which means they don't add up to statistics, either because they don't care or they just accept that this is the usual tesla quality.

I get that, but door alignment and minor defects (charging door flush) are entirely different in my mind. I haven’t seen anyone on here say they can’t their door aligned.

In fairness, when Tesla brings Germany and China online, I guarantee huge quality improvements. This is the price we pay for being early adopters

 

[Medic]

I had the exact issue you have with door alignments. On delivery day was told it would be fixed 2 days later by mobile service. Once I got home with the car they cancelled the mobile appointment saying it needed to be done in the SC 9 DAYS later (conveniently outside the return window). Now two SC visits later the doors are better, not what I would call acceptable but in their view "in-spec".
I had the SC manager tell me its "not possible" to get the doors perfectly aligned and I should be pleased they are as good as they are now....

Once again. If there's ANYTHING you see before signing for delivery know that you have zero leverage once you drive away.

 

[BlindPass]

They will not fix it. If it bothers you, return it.

This can’t be said enough.
Best to assume Tesla customer service will be poor, if not deceiving, and to think of any Tesla as buying an As-is from a used car broker. Once the sale is done, it’s a crapshoot unrivaled by other manufacturers. I like the cars, so the gamble is worth it.

 

[glide]

Why can’t they fix this? From a technical perspective, did you experience this? If so, what was the reasoning for them not fixing it? Genuinely curious

Because Tesla is full of *sugar*. All they want to do is make the sale and move on.

Any “defect” that doesn’t impact functionality will be deemed “within spec” and you will be told to bugger off by the service center.

I know because I’ve owned a two Tesla’s over the last 5 years and have seen and experienced their shift in sales/service.

 

[ks1972]

I get that, but door alignment and minor defects (charging door flush) are entirely different in my mind. I haven’t seen anyone on here say they can’t their door aligned.

In fairness, when Tesla brings Germany and China online, I guarantee huge quality improvements. This is the price we pay for being early adopters

Those quality improvements won’t be seen here in the US. Even now, cars sold in Europe have better quality, while the US customers are treated like dirt.

 

[NY_Rob]

Without seeing it in person, it may be a malformed door. If that's the case... all the alignment attempts in the world will not remedy that.

Before your 7 day return window slams shut, pop in to a local body shop and get an opinion and maybe even an estimate to get it fixed- then show that to Tesla.