EVs were sold as more reliable. The problem is that sales pitch came from people with no understanding of electro-mechanical engineering, battery technology, or electronics. Tesla makes the least reliable used cars … but who ranks first?
Well, Tesla’s reliability issues are nothing new: suspension, electronics, and build quality problems are some of the most common woes experienced by Tesla owners. But on closer examination, you realize what’s happened here. In the study, the Teslas assessed were primarily early Model S and Model X production runs, both models that were manufactured during the company's "production hell" phase between 2014 and 2019. Teslas from these batches were notorious for suspension issues, niggles with the temperature systems, to odd build-quality problems like broken door handles.
But don't worry, the authors say, that has nothing to do with current Tesla models. Really? Build quality isn't an engineering problem; it is a management issue. Manufacturing has been around for a very long time. We know how to build consistently to a spec. You just have to want to do that.
This list was generated by Consumer Reports. I'm never sure how to judge them. Are the biased against US automakers? Sometimes I feel that way. My last Ford went to well over 280,000 miles. (I have a photo of the odometer somewhere.) I was hoping for 300,000 but I just decided it wasn't worth it. And I am certain that LARGE portions of the population - even in consumer reports - has hated Elon and Co. since he endorsed President Trump.
Now CR doesn't let you have a peek at their data, unless you sign up for a year's membership. I understand completely, they have to make a living, which is probably harder today than it was 40 years ago, before the internet age become insane.
CR focuses on 20 possible "trouble areas" and compares "a car's number of problems to the average number of problems for cars of that model year" to measure reliability and generate a ranking. The magazine’s experts subsequently determine a score by weighing the reported issues based on their severity.
What are those problem areas? Your guess is as good as mine.
Click thru.
I've read stuff by people who bought Teslas and were amazed at how differently things were done on Teslas compared to the big name car companies. As a result, they're harder to work on for people who have maintained cars for years. It's practically the case that the more experienced the mechanic is the harder the Teslas are to work on. (Naturally, I can't think of any examples.)
ReplyDeleteYou'll read 90 bazillion management book arguments against saying, "we've always done it that way." This is the case where it's not that bad. Especially when it's really, "everyone has always done it that way."
I was in my local Firestone dealer last year, or 2024 listening to them explain to a Tesla owner that while they could sell you new tires (Teslas chew up tires) they could not align them, and you would have to go to Tesla. Which was no where close.
DeleteThe car literally would not fit in their alignment stand.
Until Tesla goes to all mechanical door locks in their product I will never ride in one.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely. That design is the stupidest thing ever concocted
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