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Vehicle fails shortly after the warranty period ends

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4.2K views 63 replies 29 participants last post by  Mike  
#1 ·
I’m writing to express my deep disappointment with Tesla’s approach to customer service when vehicles experience significant issues immediately after warranty expiration.
When customers invest in a Tesla, they’re not just purchasing a car—they’re buying into a vision of innovation, quality, and responsible manufacturing. However, when a vehicle fails shortly after the warranty period ends, and Tesla offers no goodwill gesture to help cover repair costs, it undermines the trust that customers have placed in your brand.
A car breaking down just days or weeks after warranty expiration suggests a potential manufacturing or design issue that existed during the covered period. In such cases, refusing any goodwill compensation sends a troubling message about Tesla’s commitment to customer satisfaction and product quality.
Many traditional automakers routinely offer goodwill assistance in these situations, recognizing that customer loyalty and brand reputation are worth more than the cost of a single repair. This practice builds long-term relationships and demonstrates confidence in their products.
Tesla’s mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable transport. However, this mission is undermined when early adopters and supporters of electric vehicles feel abandoned when they need support most. These customers took a risk on new technology and deserve better treatment when issues arise.
There is a must to reconsider Tesla’s policies regarding post-warranty goodwill and customer support. The customers’ experiences today will determine not only their future purchases but also their recommendations to others considering the switch to electric vehicles.
The future of sustainable transportation depends on building trust, not just building cars.
 
#4 ·
Many traditional automakers routinely offer goodwill assistance in these situations...
... and many do not.

And usually, automakers are not consistent. it depends on what happened to the vehicle.
 
#5 ·
A car breaking down just days or weeks after warranty expiration suggests a potential manufacturing or design issue that existed during the covered period. In such cases, refusing any goodwill compensation sends a troubling message about Tesla’s commitment to customer satisfaction and product quality
What exactly are you suggesting. If it didn’t fail in the 4 years of the warranty period, the covered period should actually be 4 years and 2 weeks? 4 years and 1 month? 4 years and 6 months? When should it end? Does it need a phase out period where the owner is only 50% responsible for the cost?

I have had no concerns with my Tesla warranties ending. I think 4 years is long enough to flush out manufacturing issues. I don’t think the Tesla engineers are designing to create failures immediately after the warranty ends. I expect to pay for issues at that point. But I have had Tesla take care of some things under goodwill, years after the warranty was over.
 
#7 ·
Every vehicle I've owned before my Teslas had a bumper to bumper warranty of 3 years and 36k miles. The power train varied more between manufacturers, but most are in the 6yrs/72k mi, the longest was a Dodge Minivan that had a powertrain warranty of 7 years and 100k miles. Incidentally that Dodge was the worst POS I've ever owned and single handedly kept me away from any Chrysler vehicle for life. Absolutely EVERYTHING outside the powertrain started to die after 3 years. Power sliding doors, garage opener, built in TV, powered 3rd row, electrical problems, etc. And Dodge offered absolutely ZERO good will.

Logistically, there's a cut off. 4 years and 50k miles. If they "extended" it via good will to, say 4.5 years and 60k miles. What do you think the person who has an issue at 60,001 miles is going to say?
 
#8 ·
Particular case: the guarantee for HV Battery is 120000 miles (192000 km) for model 3 long range perf and I got the famous BMS_079 failure at 123000 miles. The battery must be replaced at my cost. I’ve been a satisfied Tesla owner, but this timing seems more than coincidental. A high-voltage battery should reasonably last longer than the warranty period plus a few months. The battery failed after warranty expiration, which suggests the issue was developing during the warranty period. A complete failure right after warranty suggests a manufacturing defect rather than normal wear. However Tesla service did not find any sign before the warranty expired.
 
#10 ·
Kind of hard to attribute something to manufacturing after putting on 123k miles.
 
#15 ·
I would love to see a picture of the quote from Tesla for the repair cost or screen shots of the back and forth communication with Tesla.

Sorry let me explain. IMHO, another user joins 9 hours ago and posts a cryptic non specific major issue with Tesla and follows up without and level of specificity except a 123K mile battery failure. Sorry to be skeptical but let's see some documentation.
 
#17 ·
@Wotata sorry to hear about this. Curious, did you happen to do the battery test (either quickly via the app or long version with discharge and full charge) to see what the health and degradation was at? I wonder if it was below some threshold if there would have been some recourse. Does anyone know? if there is, it may be a good reminder to those who get close to batter warranty ending to check and follow up in case they can get it repaired/replaced before the warranty expires.
 
#18 ·
it may be a good reminder to those who get close to batter warranty ending to check and follow up in case they can get it repaired/replaced before the warranty expires.
I have seen a bit of this proactive checkup prior to warranty expiration across car makes. Seems like a sensible thing to do.
 
#21 ·
Did you pay extra to extend warranty? Did you accept car with warranty effective 4 and 8 years for car and battery? Or did you accept warranty for 4 years 1 month and 8 years 1 month? When you bought car did you ask if warranty can be extended to 4 years 1 month or more? It’s time to accept your responsibility for after warranty repairs. Our Tesla is 5 years old, we have accepted responsibility for repair after warranty expired. Volvo never offered repair after warranty, we paid for after warranty repairs. Sorry to hear your upset.
 
#24 ·
I've bought from a dealer who would have taken a 101 mile diagnostic test drive and then claim outside warranty.

Had one they deny warranty on a 2 day old new vehicle. Manufacturer installed different suspensions on diagonal corners. So basically two diagonal tires had much smaller contact patches than the others and it handled very poorly. Claimed was not warrantable because I accepted the car that way. They lost.

Another new 4x4 pickup on first tank of gas blew a power steering hose miles from any road. Was before serpentine belts, so I cut the belt for the pump to keep it from destroying itself running dry. Dealer wanted me to pay for a new belt. They lost.
 
#23 ·
My fav was an instance where I brought in a vehicle for an issue ( failed third gear ) two weeks before the time limit on the original warranty and it took the dealer 3 months to get a replacement gearbox to repair the car.

By the time I got the vehicle back, the warranty had expired and they wanted me to pay the full price for the repair.

Fun Times Indeed.
 
#25 ·
My fav was an instance where I brought in a vehicle for an issue ( failed third gear ) two weeks before the time limit on the original warranty and it took the dealer 3 months to get a replacement gearbox to repair the car.

By the time I got the vehicle back, the warranty had expired and they wanted me to pay the full price for the repair.

Fun Times Indeed.
The best part is they most likely got paid for the warranty work by that time too.
 
#39 ·
re: #37

Sensationalistic and irrational first posts generate a lot of views, with strong words doing more damage to the brand's reputation than millions of satisfied customers. This is the internet after all. :(

Our super moderator tempers his response and tries to be positive. In that spirit, how about some pictures of the damage and what it took ($$) to repair it? That would be helpful.
 
#40 ·
I can see both sides, if it’s the first experience and it’s as shocking as outlined, I can see myself posting it that way. So empathy all around. I’m guessing “hood glass” means that the rear window was shattered/broken when the trunk slammed down - is that correct? Could this occur with cars with a power trunk?

Hopefully insurance covers this . . .
 
#52 · (Edited)
@Lisa Johnson, run your vin through the nhtsa or Tesla.



Here are some existing recalls per Tesla.



Add:
I reread that you already researched this so never mind... However, if you believe this is recall worthy, please report it to the nhtsa. With enough complaints, who knows?

My Tesla is a 3 year old vehicle with a previous trunk alignment repair just 5 months ago.
That sounds like relevant information we didn't know. I would think you have a leg to stand on with that service history, to have the service manager escalate.
 
#54 ·
We are all entitled to our opinions. Recalls are not solely for safety issues
The NHTSA disagrees with your opinion. Recalls are for safety issues.
and regardless, glass breakage alone and a trunk support malfunction is a safety issue.
You can file a complaint with the NHTSA and see if they agree. They'll also require multiple reports for the same issue before they'll enforce a recall, even if they agree that it's a safety issue.
My Tesla is a 3 year old vehicle with a previous trunk alignment repair just 5 months ago.
:oops:
Lisa, why didn't you say that in the first place?
This isn't a "design defect". This issue was most likely created by the body shop employees who tried to realign your trunk.

How did your car develop a trunk alignment issue after three years? Was it in an accident?