2015 TESLA MODEL S Complaints

I received an “important safety recall” letter from Tesla, dated July 14, 2021. This is to replace the embedded MultiMediaCard (eMMC) in the media control unit. The instructions were to set up an appointment with Tesla to replace the VCM daughter board with on containing an enhanced eMMC. Yesterday, upon receiving the letter, I created an appointment for this Friday per Tesla’s instructions. I received confirmation of the appointment. Today I received a message from Tesla: “For this recall, unless you are currently experiencing issues with this touchscreen that we are able to verify, we will not be replacing it at this time. Please let us know if you have any other concerns, otherwise we will close this work order.” I wrote back asking for them not to cancel my appointment. I have had the main screen “blank out” with no controls. This also turns off my air conditioner, rear camera, and other controls. This screen has gone out three times over the past year. I’m concerned that they are not going to fulfill their obligation for me and others who have these cars and are experiencing the same problem. I have asked Tesla to remedy the situation and have not heard back.

Today, I encountered what I now know to be a common problem with the U Joint in Steering Rack binding heavily at 45 degree, 90 degree, and 180 degree positions. This resulted in my steering wheel being stuck in position while driving and nearly caused me to crash into another vehicle today as a result. Luckily I was able to unbind the steering but it got really stiff. I drove to a safe area with steering continued to show binding/seizing behavior. I got a profession who inspected the U Joint and found a lot of debris. Teflon lubricant was applied and cleaned to their best ability but the part is really hard to reach and requires removal of the front drive unit for the dual motor cars. The binding is still occurring but not as strongly as before. This is already a flagged item and should be considered a recall. This issue could have killed someone today. The U Joint should have a boot over it and not be exposed to the elements. Posted below is a related bulletin for RWD Model S. I have a dual motor Model S so this issue is not only RWD S. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2020/MC-10177030-9999.pdf The steering U Joint issue is not something to take light hearted. I did not know the steering could potentially bind until it occurred and it was so sudden. With so many occurrences with other owners, there will be an increased chance someone may crash and cause injury to themselves or others. If this happens during a lane change, it can cause the steering to bind and in the wrong situation, a pedestrian can get killed. I beg for the NHTSA to take a deeper look and announce a recall. Please see other owners who have this issue: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/steering-u-joint-lower-shaft-issue-and-my-solution-so-far.212604/ Thank you. Best Regards, James

I was driving at 30 mph on an empty, flat, straight road when the front passenger wheel popped and the car started wobbling and became uncontrollable. I pulled over and this wheel was tilted sideways off-axis. The car needed to be towed. I was told by Tesla that the front passenger wheel’s “control arm” broke. This happened without warning and without any impact or accident on the vehicle. Had there been traffic, or had I been driving at high speed, the vehicle would certainly have collided with other vehicles.

While backing out of the driveway I heard a loud crack and grinding noise when turning the wheel to pull out into the street. Upon stopping a checking where the noise was coming I found that the left lower fore link completely sheared/ cracked off and the wheel was up against the back of the wheel well. ***The area where the wheel was backed up against (Completely tore the liner) has the cooling tubing (now leaking) & a high voltage wireline. This could've resulted in serious issues if we were traveling at higher speeds. Tesla has failed to reach out and call back regarding the issue and the vehicle is rendered completely useless/ undrivable. I've owned many vehicles and this is most certainly NOT NORMAL WARE AND TARE! This is a big safety issue and needs to be addressed ASAP. Thank god my family wasn't on the highway or any road above 5MPH when this happened. The damage would've been catastrophic.

The contact owns a 2015 Tesla Model S. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V035000 (Back Over Prevention, Visibility, Exterior Lighting) however, the dealer informed the contact that the vehicle had to experience the failure for the recall repair to be completed. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

The part that is currently under recall (eMultiMediaCard) has failed for the fourth time. The first three times it failed, it was repaired under warranty and was repaired in a timely manner. This time, it has failed (only a few days after I got my recall letter) and the car is unsafe for me to drive. The turn signals don't even work. Tesla seems to think that is perfectly fine and seems to believe (as they have told me outright) that there is nothing wrong with the car and it is still drivable. However, it is NOT LEGAL for me to drive without working turn signals. They have refused to make a timely appointment for me to get this repair completed. This the FOURTH time I have had to send my car in for THE SAME PROBLEM! They are not taking this issue seriously enough! It is neither legal nor safe for me to drive without turn signals. This is an unacceptable attitude on their part.

Tesla refuses to provide the recall service despite my vehicle VIN being on the recall list

Battery Range diminished and Battery Charging since Software update decrease speed to very slow.

The information that is being provided should be added to a previous submission that was incomplete. - What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection. See attached estimate from TESLA for repairs. At slow speeds, when making a left turn out of the driveway or into a parking space, I noticed something is wobbling in the right front tire suspension. It was not tight. It resembles a loose ball in socket wobble. It was first felt with approximately 98,000 miles on the vehicle. The vehicle was taken in for the last checkup prior to the end of the extended warranty, but the problem was not discovered. I did not understand what was wrong with the vehicle until I took it in to TESLA to have a nail removed from the left rear. There is no excessive wear on my tires. I was informed that the vehicle needs $3660 in repairs to replace the suspension on all four wheels at 106,640 miles. Many of the miles on the vehicle are from interstate driving. The elevated rack inspection also revealed that the rear driver side wheel wobbles back and forth. Now I question the condition of the springs and struts. - Your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A failure in a joint such as a tie rod end or a ball joint, or one of the solid parts, a vehicle with a broken steering linkage part cannot be relied on to turn when you want it to. Experts say, "Suspensions are composed of too many different parts to list, but almost everyone is necessary for safe driving; any broken suspension part will have some negative effect on a car’s handling, steering, or braking, and a car with a broken suspension piece not listed above should not be driven lest you endanger yourself and others. Vehicle does not give any warnings that these parts are failing. I am currently on my 3rd set of tires, Michelin, Goodyear, Michelin all OEM. You would expect all parts designed for a TESLA be of the highest quality.

My vehicle was having issues during 2020 with the eMMC recall. I took the vehicle to the dealership to be repaired and paid for the repair out of pocket. After this repair took place, the NHTSA forced Tesla to do a recall for the part that failed. I subsequently was reached out by Tesla who denied a refund for the repair that I paid out of pocket and did not and has not (3 months of following-up with the company) explained the denial nor offered repayment as directed by the NHTSA. Unfortunately, I am not the only individual who has had this same experience. Many individuals online have ran into the same unfortunate circumstances. See instances linked below. https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/emmc-recall-reimbursement.222189/