Vehicle quality

[Merrill]

I wonder if anyone knows what the level of quality is on the Model S now that they have ramped up production to the 400 a week level. Has anyone taken delivery after the production increase. Are they paying attention to fit and finish as well as squeaks and rattles.

 

[eelton]

I have some body panel fit issues--mostly minor, although the front edge of my hood sticks up about 5 mm higher than the adjacent panel (just medial to the passenger side headlight), which does bug me. The interior is well put-together. No squeaks or rattles.

 

[DriverOne]

VIN > 5000 here, no issues. A couple of loose fabric strands that will get trimmed down.

Came with a full supply of grins

 

[pete8314]

I have some body panel fit issues--mostly minor, although the front edge of my hood sticks up about 5 mm higher than the adjacent panel (just medial to the passenger side headlight), which does bug me. The interior is well put-together. No squeaks or rattles.

Same here. Small kick up on the front edge of the hood on the passenger side, and on the wing where it meets the A pillar. The dash over the top of the instrument panel seems to have too much play in it as well. I'd give them an 8/10 for build quality, it's generally good, and completely squeak free.

 

[Merrill]

Thanks for the info, are you going to be able to get the hood adjusted. Interested in the feed back on fit and finish from Tesla.

 

[pete8314]

Probably...on past cars, the 'adjustment' was really just brute force, bending it around until it was right....it's not pretty to watch (as the owner of the car!). I'm planning on sealing the paint tomorrow so will look for any other imperfections, then email my service rep to get it on record. I've attached a couple of pics below, but they're taken at angles that exaggerate the problem, it's really not that obvious, and so far these are the only faults I've found with the car, period, so please don't think for one second that I'm disappointed - it's great!

 

[eelton]

My car has exactly those same body panel issues, so I expect they're common if not universal.

Probably...on past cars, the 'adjustment' was really just brute force, bending it around until it was right....it's not pretty to watch (as the owner of the car!). I'm planning on sealing the paint tomorrow so will look for any other imperfections, then email my service rep to get it on record. I've attached a couple of pics below, but they're taken at angles that exaggerate the problem, it's really not that obvious, and so far these are the only faults I've found with the car, period, so please don't think for one second that I'm disappointed - it's great!

 

[jp158]

Not sure if would that happy if my vehicle is delivered that way. My question is HOW could they allow a car to leave the factory that way. The Tesla smile is only so good. Sorry

 

[Kaivball]

If my car shows that gap I will not accept delivery at the Fremont factory.

That's unacceptable for a $100k car and today's available technology. Start up or not.

If you want to play with the big dogs you at least have to match their body fit quality.

 

[jhs_7645]

If my car shows that gap I will not accept delivery at the Fremont factory.

That's unacceptable for a $100k car and today's available technology. Start up or not.

If you want to play with the big dogs you at least have to match their body fit quality.

Those pictures are very close up and angled to accentuate the gap, in all practicality they are not visible or noticeable.

 

[pete8314]

Those pictures are very close up and angled to accentuate the gap, in all practicality they are not visible or noticeable.

Correct. They're minor issues, at best, I'll wait for my first 'service' to get them taken care of, nobody else thats seen the car has noticed, we (on this forum) are just keyed into these kinds of details.

 

[eelton]

As another data point, here is the front right edge of my hood. My fear about waiting until the first service (which, assuming no major issues, will be in a year, since I don't put many miles on the car) is that Tesla might say it's not a manufacturing defect. I e-mailed Ownership Experience to at least document the issue.

 

[Kaivball]

As another data point, here is the front right edge of my hood. My fear about waiting until the first service (which, assuming no major issues, will be in a year, since I don't put many miles on the car) is that Tesla might say it's not a manufacturing defect. I e-mailed Ownership Experience to at least document the issue.

I hope this is just a hood alignment problem but makes me question Teslas outgoing quality control...

 

[pete8314]

I hope this is just a hood alignment problem but makes me question Teslas outgoing quality control...

I assume I'll be visiting the service center before a year, either to pick up the parcel shelf, maybe to get new sun visors or something else like that. Either way, this really is not a big deal, personally I don't think it's grounds to refuse delivery of a car. I used to run a high-end car cleaning company, and saw many cars, much more expensive than an S, with far more significant body defects. I've spend today cleaning mine, and sealing with Opti Coat, so I've been up close to every exterior part of the car. Aside from the 2 alignment issues noted above, the body work is perfect; the paint quality is excellent, and the panel alignment is good. Lets not forget, this is Tesla's first production vehicle (the Roadster doesn't count), so a few issues are to be expected. If you have trouble accepting that, then go for an Audi or Mercedes...my wife just got a Q5, and the car is absolutely faultless. But, they've been building cars a lot longer, and the Q5 has just had a refresh to correct any know issues. Unfortunately it has this big noisy lump of metal in the frunk, so there's pros and cons with any car.

 

[toto_48313]

Probably...on past cars, the 'adjustment' was really just brute force, bending it around until it was right....it's not pretty to watch (as the owner of the car!). I'm planning on sealing the paint tomorrow so will look for any other imperfections, then email my service rep to get it on record. I've attached a couple of pics below, but they're taken at angles that exaggerate the problem, it's really not that obvious, and so far these are the only faults I've found with the car, period, so please don't think for one second that I'm disappointed - it's great!

View attachment 16596

View attachment 16595

I also have a grey car, and have the exact same gap.

My delivery specialist told me that all cars have the same gap for the hood...seems to be by tool design.
The car is still great!

 

[loganss]

Another over 5000 owner here to report no major flaws. Due bill items but nothing I would reject taking delivery for. I'm extremely satisfied with the build quality. It's amazing to think this is Tesla's first mass produced vehicle.