Are Teslas Reliable?
Source: Pixabay
Thomas Edison may have beaten the engineer Nikolas Tesla in the battle of electrical engineering in the nineteenth century. Still, in the twenty-first century, no name can come close to Tesla in the battle of electric cars.
The last ten years have shown that the public is ready for electric vehicles and that there is a market for them at several different price points. From the Model S, which brought Tesla into the mainstream and starts at $90,000, down to the Model 3, which starts at around $45,000 before tax rebates for electric vehicles. Plus, there is demand across America and internationally, too.
This success hasn’t resulted in profits for the company, but it has inspired many other startups such as Fisker, Lucid, Rivian, Nikola, and countless others. It has even pushed the big companies to start electrifying their lineups, with everyone from Chevy, Toyota, and Ford to Porsche, Audi, and Lotus getting in on the action. Volvo has even vowed to make their full lineup electric instead of gas-powered by 2030.
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But is Tesla just coasting by on name power alone? Sure, the number of likes on any of Elon Musk’s tweets is reliable, and the sales figures are pretty reliable, but are Teslas reliable? Well, not really. At a time, Tesla cars, mainly the Model S, were considered the pinnacle of reliability. However, with a few more years of wear and tear on them and with production stepping up big time, the flaws in the armor are starting to show, and Teslas are proving to be less reliable than initially thought.
How Reliable is the Tesla Brand?
You would think that the company that holds almost a quarter of the market share for electric vehicles would have to make consistent, quality cars, but this is not the case. According to Consumer Reports, Tesla is one of the most unreliable car manufacturers. Only Lincoln fared worse out of twenty-six brands tracked in their surveys since the turn of the century.
Hopefully, the increased competition will improve future Teslas or provide electric car buyers with more reliable options. Still, for now, you should be careful if you own or plan to buy one. Data from Consumer Reports’ survey indicated that Teslas are typically less reliable than other electric cars, such as the Hyundai Kona or Nissan Leaf, that cost significantly less. Fortunately, Tesla has made some notable exceptions to their warranty programs to address prominent issues with the Model S and Model Y, allowing owners to receive free repairs and refunding to owners who have already paid to fix the problems.
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What Are Common Tesla Problems?
Some of these issues were so bad that the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) is investigating the need for significant recalls, and Tesla has expanded warranty coverage for them.
Main Computer
If you’ve ever seen the interior of a Tesla, one of the biggest things that probably stood out to you was the massive infotainment center in the middle of the dashboard. In addition to the rearview camera, navigation, and media controls, this touchscreen also houses the climate controls in Teslas. While many other manufacturers follow in Tesla’s footsteps with large touch screens in their cabins, few have committed so much importance to this screen.
And in their top-notch Plaid performance version of the Model S, even the gear shifter is controlled by the touchscreen rather than a physical shifter, dial, or buttons. So when several owners reported this screen dying due to an issue with the onboard computer’s memory, it was a big deal. Tesla chose to issue their recall for this problem on the Model S and Model X before the NHTSA could force them to, so hopefully, the issue has been fixed for newly produced models.
Air Suspension
An air suspension can take an already luxurious ride and elevate it into a ride on four clouds, even on the roughest roads. And while it does an excellent job of keeping the Tesla insulated from the asphalt below, it is more prone to failure than a classic spring suspension. This issue can cause the wheels to scrape against the wheel well, possibly damaging the tires and making the car less safe to drive.
Transmission System Issues
The Tesla Model S is among the most popular Tesla models out there, thanks to its sleek design and high-tech features. However, Tesla’s luxury model has its fair share of reliability woes, including the dreaded transmission system problems. Several owners have reported that their Teslas are grinding, slipping, and hesitating while shifting gears. In some cases, the owners had to replace the transmission entirely, which can’t be cheap – especially when transmission issues are generally costly.
Poor Build Quality
Although Tesla’s popularity has skyrocketed over the years, people forget that it’s a tech company first and a car manufacturer second. Therefore, build quality issues are bound to rear their ugly heads for these all-electric vehicles. One disgruntled owner claimed that the Tesla Model Y had several build quality issues, including poor panel and bumper alignments and a shoddy paint job.
Body Integrity Problems
Not many people can stand it if their vehicles keep producing rattling noises. Apparently, many Tesla owners had to deal with rattling noises coming from their Tesla. Owners claimed they took their Teslas to the service center, but only a handful managed to fix the issue. The rattling was so bad that some people had to resort to DIY solutions.
What Are the Most Reliable Tesla Models?
With such a small roster of models offered, Tesla only has one standout performer that is more reliable than the rest.
Tesla Model 3
You might expect the cheapest car in the lineup to be the most poorly made Tesla, but the opposite is actually true. The Model 3 is the only EV from Tesla that Consumer reports would honestly recommend buying. This might come down to the fact that the model is newer, though, as problems often reveal themselves after five years on the market.
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What Are the Least Reliable Tesla Models?
The electric giant’s other three offerings haven’t fared so well.
Tesla Model S
After the success of the Roadster (Tesla’s first car, a Lotus Elise, refitted with electric motors and lithium-ion batteries), the Model S was Tesla’s first foray into the mainstream. It is a midsize sedan that gained popularity thanks to the relative novelty of electric vehicles in the early 2010s, along with its sleek design and luxe features. It helped usher in the current age of electric cars, but over almost a decade, it hasn’t aged too well. Problems with the onboard computer and air suspension system in the Model S have led to voluntary recalls.
Tesla Model Y
Tesla’s newest model sits between the Model S and Model X in size as a small crossover. Unfortunately, it has already had its fair share of issues. In addition to at least one report of the sun roof flying off, this model has had issues with some of its body hardware. It is concerning that such a new vehicle is already having these problems since the exterior of a car typically won’t break down until many years later.
Tesla Model X
Tesla’s largest model offers much more space, excellent performance, and utility. Still, unfortunately, it is also plagued by the central computer problems that afflict the Model S. It might not be the most unreliable vehicle. Still, more and more electric SUVs are coming to the market with lower prices and better-expected reliability.
FAQs: Are Teslas Reliable?
Q: How do Tesla models fare in consumer reliability ratings?
A: Consumer reliability ratings for Tesla have seen fluctuations. While some models have received high marks for performance and innovation, others have faced criticism for issues related to build quality and electronic components. Consumer Reports and other reliability surveys have varied in their recommendations of Tesla models over time. For instance, a recent CR report says that Tesla is in the middle of the pack in terms of reliability.
Q: What kind of maintenance challenges can Tesla owners expect?
A: Tesla EVs generally require less maintenance than traditional gasoline cars. They avoid common issues with engines, transmissions, and exhaust systems. However, owners may face challenges with specific components, such as the touchscreen interface, door handles, and Autopilot sensors.
Q: Are there any recurring themes in Tesla’s reliability issues?
A: Recurring themes in Tesla’s reliability issues include concerns with the build quality, such as panel gaps, paint issues, and electronic glitches within the vehicle’s infotainment and navigation systems.
Q: How does Tesla’s Autopilot system affect perceptions of reliability?
A: Although Autopilot, Tesla’s advanced driver-assistance system, boasts advanced features and capabilities, it has faced significant scrutiny for safety concerns. Incidents and accidents associated with Autopilot have sparked debates over its safety and reliability. Despite this, Tesla aggressively promotes and develops the system’s technology.
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