2015 TESLA MODEL S Complaints

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/28880838/PHOTOS THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE BODYWORK AND IT HAS NOT BEEN IN A COLLISION BUT THE SUSPENSION HAS COLLAPSED JAMMING ALL THE WHEELS UP INTO THE WHEEL WELLS AND CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP SO RAPIDLY THAT THE AIR BAGS HAVE DEPLOYED. IT IS ONLY BY GOOD FORTUNE THAT THIS DID NOT CAUSE A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER CAR. IT IS A PROVEN FACT THAT THE AIR SUSPENSION ON TESLAS DOES NOT HAVE LIMIT STOPS AND IS PRONE TO THIS KIND OF FAILURE. THE AUCTION LISTING FOR THIS CAR NOTES THAT IT HAS SUSPENSION DAMAGE. THIS CAR IS A DANGER TO ROAD USERS. IT IS BADLY DESIGNED, SHODDILY CONSTRUCTED, AND THE CULTURE AT TESLA DISCOURAGES PROBLEMS LIKE THIS FROM BEING REPORTED SO THAT THE ISSUES CAN BE ADDRESSED AT THE SOURCE. PLEASE TAKE ACTION. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN.

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD:HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=27797817&ROWNUMBER=76&LOADRECENT=TRUE IT HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH EXCEPT THAT ANOTHER CAR SEEMS TO HAVE GIVEN IT A VERY SLIGHT BUMP UP THE CLACKER. WHAT IS VERY INTERESTING IS THAT THE LH FRONT WHEEL IS POINTING STRAIGHT AHEAD BUT THE LH WHEEL HAS GONE ALL WHOMPY. THIS PROBABLY CAUSED THE TESLA TO SLOW DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING THE CAR BEHIND TO BOINK IT UP THE REAR QUITE VIGOROUSLY. PLEASE BE SO KIND AS TO INVESTIGATE THIS. THANK YOU

ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/26275078/PHOTOS PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS CLEARLY THAT THE ABSURDLY FRAGILE SUSPENSION LINK HAS SNAPPED APART. IT IS A NEAR CERTAINTY THAT THIS BREAKAGE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH AND NOT MERELY THE RESULT OF IT. THE WHEEL AND TIRE ARE UNDAMAGED. IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT A BLOW TO THE WHEEL WOULD BREAK THE SUSPENSION WITHOUT THE WHEEL BEING DAMAGED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU. PERPLEXED CITIZEN.

WHILE PULLING INTO A PERPENDICULAR PARKING SPOT IN A PARKING GARAGE, AT ~4-5 FEET FROM A WALL, THE CAR EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, SLAMMING INTO THE WALL, RESULTING IN MODERATE BODY DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND DEPLOYING THE DRIVER-SIDE AIRBAGS. THERE WERE NO OTHER PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, AND THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT INJURY OR DAMAGE TO THE GARAGE OR OTHER CARS. THOUGH I RECOGNIZE THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF ACCIDENTS OF THIS TYPE ARE DUE TO DRIVER ERROR, THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT LEAVE ME WITH CONCERN FOR A POSSIBLE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS MALFUNCTION. SPECIFICALLY, ~3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE CAR BEGAN DISPLAYING A CONSTANT ERROR MESSAGE: 'DRIVER ASSISTANCE FEATURES UNAVAILABLE". I NOTIFIED TESLA SERVICE BY PHONE AND EMAIL, AND ON THEIR INSTRUCTIONS, REBOOTED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM, AND FULLY POWERED DOWN AND RESTARTED THE SYSTEM. HOWEVER, THE ERROR MESSAGE PERSISTED. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO SCHEDULE A SERVICE CALL. I HAVE REQUESTED DETAILS FROM THE DATA LOGS FOR THE ACCIDENT FROM TESLA, BUT THEY HAVE PROVIDED ONLY VERY LIMITED INFORMATION, STATING THAT LEGAL ACTION ON MY PART WOULD BE REQUIRED TO OBTAIN MORE DETAIL. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE CAR SPEED WAS 3.6 MPH AT WHICH TIME THE DATA INDICATES THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED TO AS FAR AS 100%, RESULTING IN ACCELERATION OF THE CAR TO 7 MPH AT THE TIME OF IMPACT, WITH THIS ACCELERATION OCCURRING OVER A 2 SECOND TIME PERIOD. THIS INFORMATION SEEMS INCOMPATIBLE WITH THE OTHERWISE RAPID ACCELERATION TYPICALLY EXHIBITED BY THIS CAR WITH A FULLY DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR, AND THE SHORT DISTANCE TRAVELED (ONLY SEVERAL FEET).

BROKEN FRONT SUSPENSION FORE LINK I NOTICED A CLUNKING SOUND AT SLOW SPEED WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS, SO I STAYED OFF THE EXPRESSWAY AND SLOWLY DROVE HOME ON LOCAL ROADS. AFTER ARRIVING HOME, I BACKED UP WHILE TURNING THE WHEELS TO THE RIGHT AND THE CAR ABRUPTLY STOPPED AS THE BACK OF THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL JAMMED SOLID AGAINST THE INSIDE WHEEL WELL LINING. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS AN INCH OR TWO BACK FROM WHERE IT SHOULD BE. I LOOKED UNDER FROM THE FRONT BUMPER AND SAW THAT I HAD A CRACKED FORE LINK AND A PIECE OF THE FORE LINK WAS LAYING IN MY DRIVEWAY. I STILL HAVE THAT BROKEN PIECE. TESLA SENT A FLAT BED TRUCK TO GET THE CAR AND REPLACED THE FORE LINK. THIS FAILURE SURE LOOKS LIKE IT COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I FEEL VERY LUCKY THIS DIDN'T BREAK AT HIGH SPEED ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN TRAFFIC OR ON A JUG HANDLE. THE ATTACHED PHOTOS SHOW THE FORE LINK BEFORE AND AFTER REPLACEMENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TESLA MODEL S. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AFTER MAKING CONTACT WITH A CURB. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FEATURE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. NO DEALER THE CAR IS PURCHASED DIRECTLY FROM CALIFORNIA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT NO FURTHER COMMUNICATION WAS INITIATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 6,000. *TT *TR

ONE OF THE DOOR HANDLES IS NOT PRESENTING AND THEREFORE THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED. THIS HAPPENED TO A DIFFERENT DOOR HANDLE BUT IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. NOW THAT MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY ARE QUOTING ME $700-$1000 TO FIX THE DOOR HANDLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BECAUSE MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE AS WELL. ANOTHER PROBLEM IS THAT WE NEVER KNOW WHEN EXACTLY THE HANDLES WILL RETURN TO ITS RECESSED POSITION. OUR KIDS HAVE OFTEN GOTTEN THEIR FINGERS CAUGHT IN BETWEEN AS THE HANDLE WAS RETRACTING CAUSING SIGNIFICANT PAIN. TO THE POINT WHERE THEY ARE AFRAID TO OPEN THE DOOR. THERE IS NO SENSOR (LIKE A GARBAGE DOOR OPENER) WHERE IT WILL REVERSE WHEN IT SENSES MOTION OR PRESSURE. THOUGH IT'S A COOL IDEA, BASIC NECESSITY AS A DOOR HANDLE SHOULD NOT CAUSE THIS MANY PROBLEMS.

THERE IS A THREAD RUNNING ON TESLA MOTORS CLUB FORUM IN WHICH AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT OWNERS REPORT THAT THEIR STEERING BOX HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN APART. HTTPS://TESLAMOTORSCLUB.COM/TMC/THREADS/POWER-STEERING-FALLING-APART.100951/PAGE-3 THE LATEST COMPLAINT FROM AN OWNER PROVIDES DETAILED PICTURES THAT SHOW SNAPPED BOLTS AND DAMAGE TO THE STEERING BOX MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THIS PARTICULAR OWNER LIVES IN CANADA AND HAS TRIED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE CANADIAN AUTHORITIES. HERE IS A LINK TO MORE PHOTOGRAPHS POSTED BY THAT OWNER. HTTP://WWW.TESLAZOOM.COM/POWER_STEERING.HTM - MESSAGE: POWER STEERING REDUCED FUNCTION WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL IT MADE AN AWFUL GRINDING NOISE AND NO POWER ASSIST AVAILABLE. ALL THEY COULD DO FOR ME IS TO PATCH ME IN TO SERVICE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE NEXT DAY. I DECIDED TO TAKE A LOOK FOR MYSELF AND REMOVED THE FRUNK TUB. VOILA!, THE ELECTRIC STEERING MOTOR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE STEERING RACK. ALL 3 ALUMINUM BOLTS HOLDING THIS MOTOR TO THE STEERING RACK HAD SHEARED OFF. HERE IS ONE THAT I FOUND. THERE WAS MASSIVE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT GETTING INTO IT WEB RESEARCH SHOWS AT LEAST FIVE OTHER INSTANCES OF THE SAME FAILURE ON A PRE FACELIFT CAR. POST FACE LIFT CARS HAVE A REDESIGNED STEERING MOTOR WITH COATED STEEL BOLTS HOLDING IT. ** MANY OWNERS ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT ELECTRIC CARS ARE ALMOST MAINTENANCE FREE AND THEY CAN SAVE MONEY BY SKIPPING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE OWNERS ON THE POWER STEERING FAILURE THREAD STATE THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE STEERING FAILED COMPLETELY. THE NUMBER OF WRECKED TESLAS SHOWING UP IN SALVAGE CAR AUCTIONS IS EXTREMELY HIGH IN PROPORTION TO THE NUMBER OF TESLAS SOLD. IT IS TIME FOR THESE CARS TO UNDERGO A MANDATORY SAFETY INSPECTION BY A QUALIFIED NON-TESLA AUTHORITY. PLEASE TAKE URGENT ACTION. SNIP**

HERE IS A TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=27048301&ROWNUMBER=13&LOADRECENT=TRUE IT HAS BEEN IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND IS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. THE RH BACK WHEEL HAS GONE WHOMPY. THE TREAD ON THAT TIRE IS COMPLETELY WORN DOWN TO THE CANVAS. THE CAR MUST HAVE BEEN DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL MILES WITH THE TREAD RUBBING AGAINST THE BODYWORK UNTIL EVENTUALLY THE SUSPENSION BROKE OFF COMPLETELY. THIS EXACT SAME FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES. A HIGH QUALITY PHOTOGRAPH OF AN INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN CHINA IS ALSO ATTACHED FOR PURPOSE OF COMPARISON. THE SAME RESULT, DRIVER IS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE WHEEL FINALLY SNAPS OFF. THIS IS A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING FAILURE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. CONCERNED CITIZEN ETC.

HERE IS ANOTHER TESLA IN THE JUNKYARD: HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/46307367/PHOTOS THE SUSPENSION ON THE FRONT LH SIDE HAS BROKEN. THE WHEEL IS JAMMED UP AND BACK IN THE WHEEL ARCH. THE TREAD ON THE TIRE HAS BEEN BADLY WORN AWAY WHICH MEANS THAT THE WHEEL HAS ROTATED MANY TIMES WHILST THE TIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE BODYWORK. THIS CAN ONLY HAVE HAPPENED IF THE SUSPENSION BROKE BEFORE ANY COLLISION OCCURRED. THE HEADLIGHT ON THAT SIDE IS NOT EVEN BROKEN. IT LOOKS AS THOUGH ALL THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IS SELF-INFLICTED DUE TO SUSPENSION FAILURE. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS A REAR WHEEL DRIVE ONLY MODEL SO THAT IT WAS NOT THE POWER OF THE DRIVE MOTOR THAT WORE THE TREAD AWAY. THE CAR MUST HAVE DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL MILES WITH THE TIRE RUBBING BEFORE THE SUSPENSION FAILED COMPLETELY. THE EVIDENCE POINTING TO A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING FAILURE IN THESE TESLAS IS OVERWHELMING. IF NO ACTION IS TAKEN IT IS A CERTAINTY THAT MORE DEATHS AND INJURIES WILL OCCUR DUE TO SUSPENSION FAILURES. PLEASE TAKE ACTION URGENTLY. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN ETC. DATE OF INCIDENT IS AN APPROXIMATION.