2013 Tesla Model S Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

2013 Tesla Model S Long-Term Road Test

We brought our 2013 Tesla Model S in for service to have them look at a few nagging complaints.

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mercedesfan

I can't speak for all Tesla repair centers, but they have always been really great to me and I don't have your clout. I have gotten a number of "goodwill" repairs on my car with no questions asked. Then again, I usually go in with a laundry list of items (mine also has had lots of issues) so they know me well by now. To be honest, my admiration for this car is waning. It's still a blast to drive, but it has spent more time in the shop in the 1.5 years I've owned it than my W221 did in 7 seven years (and I was driving that car twice as many miles per year). I definitely will not be keeping this car past warranty expiration.

greenpony

In defense of Tesla, it's still a rather new company, with one low-volume model. It's understandable that, even at this price point, the designers would overlook some problems that other automakers have solved. They just don’t have the experience, and it’s refreshing that they have given you so many goodwill repairs, regardless of reason. You also bought an electric car for a couple reasons: to be on the cutting edge of technology and to support something new. Would you rather drive a Leaf, iMiev, or Mini E? Seems to me range and charge rates were big deals with those vehicles when they were in your fleet. And the absence of luxury appointments, mostly. The Model S is a cutting edge powertrain with a luxury car wrapper. It’s not perfect (what car is?), but it shows what can be done.

fordson1

Not sure I understand...are they saying that in the absence of goodwill, these items would not have been covered under warranty? If only one visor had been bad, you could argue that it was owner carelessness or abuse, but when both of them go, it's pretty obvious the issue is with the part itself. And the compressor NVH cover...I mean, they went to the trouble of designing this part and giving it a SKU, so it seems clear they think the cars should have it. And the tire feathering...I though you folks were going to monitor the alignment settings on this car by using telltale paint after they did the TSB on the rear toe link bolts, or some such - so, did it maintain the settings, or not? Your original set of rear tires was down to the cords on the inboard edge after what, 9500 miles - and now after an additional not quite 13,000 miles, lots of which were highway miles, you're looking at another set soon - ? Something's not adding up with that. Chopped or feathered tires will make noise all the time, not just under acceleration, so that's BS, anyway. I have heard of this hum before and what it indicates, and I still think drivetrain #4 is in your future...I think by now, they are very loth to have it known this car needs another one, and will do anything to avoid that being done. Lastly, the "Edmunds VIP" notation...and you're wondering if all Tesla owners get that same treatment as you? Well, let me ask you - can you think of ANOTHER reason to write that on there, besides making sure that car gets VIP treatment?

gslippy

Dan - thanks for the quick update and honesty in your post. It is a step toward restoring my faith in this site (but the mysterious departure of the Dart still haunts us). I suspect - as fordson1 does - that drivetrain #4 is in this car's future. In truth, your ownership experience with this car has been extraordinarily bad, and I think it's worse than other Model S owners. I've been driving a Leaf every day for 20 months (15k miles), with no issues, except the dealer reflashed the ECU once (their choice), and replaced a tire valve for free when they broke it. My only complaint is its awful nav system. The mythical Model Y is at the top of my list when the Leaf lease expires, but I'm wary of replacing the most reliable car I've ever had with one that could go the way this S has. The 21" tires on this car appear to be a very poor choice, but I'm curious as to how Teslas with smaller tires fare.

mercedesfan

@gslippy, I have the 19" Cyclone wheels on mine and have had none of the tires issues that Edmunds has had.

nameirrelevant

Thank you, Edmunds, for your long-term review of the Tesla Model S. I was planning to buy a Model S. After discovering your reviews, I researched and found that many people are having a variety of problems with the Tesla Model S. Your review and the supporting info on other sites convinced me to save my money. I hope that in the not so distant future, someone will create an electric car worth buying. The Model S is close to that ideal car; perhaps someone will create and sell a good electric car soon.

blueprint1

Dan:

You're probably following Motor Trend's long-term Tesla S adventures. They had issues, and they too had the entire battery pack replaced. Their car eats tires too, and they consulted with Tire Rack who gave a technical opinion to the effect that powerful electric cars such as this one will eat tires by design, because of the max torque at low rpm, even in non-sporting use.

In other words, a Tesla will use up 3x as many tires as a gas sedan.

Trolls in other forums still talk of "zero maintenance" EVs...

fordson1

To clarify, the Motor Trend car had the powertrain replaced, not the battery pack. I am thinking that regardless of what Tire Rack said, these cars eat tires because of issues with maintaining their rear alignment setting and issues with their rear alignment settings themselves.

darthbimmer

I hesitate to condemn this car's awful reliability as it's a model still in its infancy and packs some bleeding edge technology. But Edmunds' ownership experience is making it clear that one has to make a lot of sacrifices to own this example of bleeding edge tech. For example, you can't rely on this car as your daily driver. You need a reliable backup, and you need time in your schedule to make sidetrips to the dealer. Remember, most of us do not work for an automotive publication where we get to count trips to the shop as working hours.

drcomputer

As an early Model S owner (car #272) and a Roadster owner, I have first hand experience with the issues of this new car company. Like Edmunds I have had a laundry list of issues with my Model S but the LA service center has always addressed them very quickly (usually in less than a day). They offer free valet pickup and drop-off service and will give a loaner if needed. Also like Edmunds most of the issues have been minor and have not affected the drivability of the car at any point.

As a technology person, I understand that "early adopter" means beta tester and purchased my car(s) with this in mind. Tesla has been nothing but stellar in listening to customers and addressing issues as they arise. People are welcome to draw their own conclusions about the car and the company, but I for one have never owned a car that was more fun to drive from a company that has bent over backwards to keep its customers happy. What else could you ask for?

gslippy

@drcomputer: To answer your question, I could ask for a reliable car whose CarFax won't show multiple major dealer repairs when I trade it, and for which I don't have to make excuses. I've had unreliable (even lemon) cars in the past. My Leaf is NOT one

bankerdanny

The basic tech is the same (battery powered electric drivetrain), but the Model S has far more of it than the Leaf and in total is a far more complex vehicle, and Tesla is a MUCH smaller company than Nissan with far fewer resoureces available to it. I'm not sure that the reliability of your Leaf has much bearing on that of the Tesla.

mercedesfan

@drcomputer: I completely agree with you. No one can accuse Tesla of not caring about its customers. I have never dealt with another automaker that comes close to Tesla with regards to customer service. They really seem to care about making things right a