Greetings,
My Model Y has experienced significant paint damage reported by other owners to the leading edge and bottom rear bump-out on the rear doors of the car from road debris being kicked up by the tires. Both driver and passenger rear doors appear to be “sandblasted” in these areas. This damage occurred with less than 10,000 miles, and driving exclusively on paved roads. I do live in a snowy winter climate, but we actually use very little sand on the roads where I live. I did not experience similar damage with my previous Model 3 which I drove for more than 30,000 miles. And in more than 40 years of driving dozens of vehicles in similar conditions I’ve never experienced this type of damage.
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I would like to connect with other owners who have experienced similar damage, and specifically I am interested in speaking with owners who have had Tesla Service repair this damage under warranty. I’m aware that Tesla has repaired similar damage under warranty for some owners. But my polite requests to Tesla to repair this damage have so far fallen on deaf ears. If you got Tesla to repair this type of paint damage, please contact me by PM on this site. There is strength in numbers!
In my opinion, this damage results from a design flaw in the Model Y due to the tires protruding more from the wheel wells, and the failure of Tesla to install mud flaps and/or PPF at the factory. Both mud flaps and PPF for the rear door panels are now sold by Tesla as accessories, and recommended by Tesla Service as the “solution” to this problem, but are not installed at the factory on new vehicles. In addition, there have been several reports of testing of paint hardness on Tesla vehicles which reveals Tesla paint is not as hard as other manufacturers. Finnish Tesla Model 3 Inspection Reveals Soft, Thin, Under-Spec Paint
In addition, the damage to the leading edges of the doors was caused by incorrect door installation at the factory. Specifically, the lower edge of the rear doors was installed so the rear door was sitting slightly “proud” of the front doors. This resulted in the leading edge of the rear door protruding into the slip stream, and allowing debris to impact the leading edge of the door. Tesla service actually adjusted the doors to correct that defect under warranty. So I’m not sure why they won’t cover the paint damage that was caused under warranty too.
Finally, if you had similar damage repaired, I would be interested in hearing about what was required and how much it cost to repair the damage.
I’m a Tesla fan and stockholder. I am not looking to create FUD, or asking for anything unreasonable in my opinion. I want Tesla to do the right thing by their owners, and stand behind their product. In general I’m delighted with my car, and Tesla as a brand. This is the one exception to an otherwise excellent owner experience.
Thanks!
My Model Y has experienced significant paint damage reported by other owners to the leading edge and bottom rear bump-out on the rear doors of the car from road debris being kicked up by the tires. Both driver and passenger rear doors appear to be “sandblasted” in these areas. This damage occurred with less than 10,000 miles, and driving exclusively on paved roads. I do live in a snowy winter climate, but we actually use very little sand on the roads where I live. I did not experience similar damage with my previous Model 3 which I drove for more than 30,000 miles. And in more than 40 years of driving dozens of vehicles in similar conditions I’ve never experienced this type of damage.
View attachment 39161View attachment 39162View attachment 39163View attachment 39164
I would like to connect with other owners who have experienced similar damage, and specifically I am interested in speaking with owners who have had Tesla Service repair this damage under warranty. I’m aware that Tesla has repaired similar damage under warranty for some owners. But my polite requests to Tesla to repair this damage have so far fallen on deaf ears. If you got Tesla to repair this type of paint damage, please contact me by PM on this site. There is strength in numbers!
In my opinion, this damage results from a design flaw in the Model Y due to the tires protruding more from the wheel wells, and the failure of Tesla to install mud flaps and/or PPF at the factory. Both mud flaps and PPF for the rear door panels are now sold by Tesla as accessories, and recommended by Tesla Service as the “solution” to this problem, but are not installed at the factory on new vehicles. In addition, there have been several reports of testing of paint hardness on Tesla vehicles which reveals Tesla paint is not as hard as other manufacturers. Finnish Tesla Model 3 Inspection Reveals Soft, Thin, Under-Spec Paint
In addition, the damage to the leading edges of the doors was caused by incorrect door installation at the factory. Specifically, the lower edge of the rear doors was installed so the rear door was sitting slightly “proud” of the front doors. This resulted in the leading edge of the rear door protruding into the slip stream, and allowing debris to impact the leading edge of the door. Tesla service actually adjusted the doors to correct that defect under warranty. So I’m not sure why they won’t cover the paint damage that was caused under warranty too.
Finally, if you had similar damage repaired, I would be interested in hearing about what was required and how much it cost to repair the damage.
I’m a Tesla fan and stockholder. I am not looking to create FUD, or asking for anything unreasonable in my opinion. I want Tesla to do the right thing by their owners, and stand behind their product. In general I’m delighted with my car, and Tesla as a brand. This is the one exception to an otherwise excellent owner experience.
Thanks!
