Earlier this week, my family and I returned from a road trip with my 2018 P3D (which has about 22K miles on it). The car was great - no issues, no error codes, no signs of any problems. At 10pm the night after we got home, I tried to start charging the car through the Tesla app but the app could not connect to the car. I thought perhaps the server was down or perhaps the car needed a reboot. I woke up the next morning to go reboot the car and the car would not turn on. The screen was completely dark. I tried a reboot by placing my foot on the brake pedal and holding down the scroll wheels, but nothing would happen.
I called Tesla roadside assistance and they sent out a tow truck. The driver and I both thought that the 12volt battery was the culprit. He gave the 12volt battery a jump and although the screen was still dark, after the jump, I could put the car in drive. With the screen still completely out, I managed to drive my P3D to my local service center. I have to say the service center staff were awesome. They were super helpful even though I did not have an appointment. They took the car and gave me Uber credits to get home. I thought they would call me later to tell me that my 12 volt battery was replaced and I could come pick up the car.
I was surprised to get a call from the service center rep that they diagnosed the problem as a faulty MCU and that the MCU had to be replaced. They did not have this MCU in stock and had to order the part. They arranged for me to have a rental car through my local Enterprise on their dime.
The purpose of this post is not to complain about Tesla service. In fact, I was quite impressed with how prompt and smooth their service was. The tow truck arrived in a timely fashion, the SC rep gave me timely updates and had great communication with me, they took in my car even though I did not have an appointment, and they gave me a rental car on a Friday afternoon. I already got two email updates on the status of the MCU part that has been ordered.
My concern has to do with the fact that the MCU needs to be replaced in a car that is only 2.5 years old and only has 22K miles. How often does this happen? Has anyone else had this problem? Are MCU's made today more reliable than the original MCU from my 2018 car? How likely am I going to have to replace the MCU in another 22K miles?
I welcome your comments and answers.
Thank you,
joebruin77
I called Tesla roadside assistance and they sent out a tow truck. The driver and I both thought that the 12volt battery was the culprit. He gave the 12volt battery a jump and although the screen was still dark, after the jump, I could put the car in drive. With the screen still completely out, I managed to drive my P3D to my local service center. I have to say the service center staff were awesome. They were super helpful even though I did not have an appointment. They took the car and gave me Uber credits to get home. I thought they would call me later to tell me that my 12 volt battery was replaced and I could come pick up the car.
I was surprised to get a call from the service center rep that they diagnosed the problem as a faulty MCU and that the MCU had to be replaced. They did not have this MCU in stock and had to order the part. They arranged for me to have a rental car through my local Enterprise on their dime.
The purpose of this post is not to complain about Tesla service. In fact, I was quite impressed with how prompt and smooth their service was. The tow truck arrived in a timely fashion, the SC rep gave me timely updates and had great communication with me, they took in my car even though I did not have an appointment, and they gave me a rental car on a Friday afternoon. I already got two email updates on the status of the MCU part that has been ordered.
My concern has to do with the fact that the MCU needs to be replaced in a car that is only 2.5 years old and only has 22K miles. How often does this happen? Has anyone else had this problem? Are MCU's made today more reliable than the original MCU from my 2018 car? How likely am I going to have to replace the MCU in another 22K miles?
I welcome your comments and answers.
Thank you,
joebruin77