Tesla Out of Warranty Repair | In Depth

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[drjml]

If the reason they wanted to replace both upper control arms is because the usually wear out simultaneously, then they should have done that at the previous service when they both would have been under warranty!

[scottstewart]

I have a mid 2018 M3 as well. The squeak was really bad on the driver's side front of the car when going over bumps and through dips. I had to wait forever for an appointment so I ended up looking into it myself. I ended up injecting (yes, injecting, like with a grease pump with a huge needle on it) grease into the boot of the upper control arm and spraying some WD40 into where it attaches in the back. Initially nothing changed. It took a day or two but the grease worked it's way in and I'm and all good now. That was many months ago. Still all good! Saved a ton of money!

[ariip]

This is a long known problem with the earlier model 3. The part had poor seals which caused dirt to get in and wear them prematurely. Tesla has since improved the part. Our model 3 lr awd from late 2018 had a creaking and I took it in which was at 49+k miles when scheduled, the service date was just after 50k. They suggested and replaced both the left and right. They should have done both of yours at the same time under warranty rather than just the one. I also had read from someone who paid out of pocket and only paid around 300- 400 for both to have them done. Our car now has 102k miles on it.

[ciabt]

I had the exact same problem 3 weeks ago on my 2019 model 3 performance. Got appointment within 4 days of booking. They replaced both sides in approx 2 hours. Experience at service was great. All covered under warranty (will run out in a couple of weeks). Seems to be a common problem on model 3’s. Hope the new parts have been improved and will last much longer, as don’t want to replace every 3 years. Other than that love the car and so far my experience with Tesla service x2 has been fantastic both times I’ve needed it.

[ItsKimJava]

Great video as always. Hats off to the editing team for making these so engaging!
One of our 2018 M3 control arms was changed under warranty and the tesla rep literally said just go over speed bumps a few hundred times before you go over 50k miles to get them replaced under warranty. Needless to say, we’re over 50k miles and anxiously waiting for the second arm to go bad. Glad to
hear it’s closer to $300 and not $900.

[freethinker]

There is defiantly a issue with the upper control arms they should last a lot longer the 3 years it should last at least 10 years. You should not have a issue requiring there replacement unless you have had a severe impact or traveled for long distances over corrugated roads. Have you hit a pothole at speeds over 80mph? Was the arm installed correctly at the factory i.e bolts torqued correctly and ball joint lubricated and install correctly? There are so may question to ask to determinant if your driving is the issue or was it a manufacturing issue.

[JRP]

With all the reports of early control arm replacement it's clearly a bad part from the factory. These parts should last 80-100K miles. Tesla should extend the warranty on these parts.

[soucyno]

I bought a 2018 Model 3 AWD with a cracked wind shield. I got a really good deal because of it. When I took it in for repairs, it estimated $1200. I knew it would be expensive. I approved it. It took a week to get it in. They charged my car and had it charged (90%) for free from like 12% and I was out of there in just over 2 hours and ended up costing me like $740. I was happier about it.
I also had a window motor on my Model S repaired (2016 90D) estimated over $400 and actually cost me $280. Plus I hit a pot hole, I guess too hard, and basically the whole front end needed replaced, and estimated just under $2, 000 and cost me under $1, 500. Every time done in less time than estimated and for a smaller cost.
Never really had any issues with Model X, just for the record.

[aldimore]

I have rarely had good experiences with auto service. This result is much better than my typical experience. I have not needed any service in my 2019 Tesla yet.

[sheamurai]

this service story is a lot better than I've had with ICE dealer garage's. I don't mind having to ask questions - that comes with every single service visit no matter the car. a message thru the app asking a question and you getting a call back in a couple hours is fantastic. I've called a dealership garage and not been able to talk to someone who knew about my car, and having to call back myself later. I paid $600 for brake service twice on my ICE car, in the past 2 yrs - and called Tesla mobile service also twice in the past two years - the Tesla service was far more convenient.

[stevefred]

When the right control arm failed under warranty - they should have replaced the left at the same time! When it’s a warranty repair they just change one. When you are paying - they want to charge you to change both (which they should already have done!)

[racing]

Why not just jack the car up in the driveway pull the control arms out and replace the bushes it's not really any different than an ICE car I'm pretty sure unplugged performance has an aftermarket option

[SnowMan]

if it was a noise that kind of sounded like rubbing too latex balloons together, I did that fix myself and didn't worry about taking it to service center. a little bit of Grease injected into that ball joint cured the problem. I think Tesla should have put a grease fitting on top of that ball joint. I too am out of warranty with my 2020 model 3 long range with almost 200, 000 miles on it.

[mikegtgoodtimes]

I have to agree with Zac, customer service is an area they need to improve on. Communication could be a lot better & would make customers feel at ease & a lot better about the process. Otherwise customers will feel frustrated like jesses did in the beginning

[mrbickity]

Known issue with 2018's, I had squeaking in one and Tesla thankfully replaced both a year ago under warranty. I am now relieved my Tesla center was proactive and replaced both!

[theappmakers]

Tesla really needs to fix service. I’m going through the process right now and it is seriously bad. I have a 2017 model s which I purchased 3rd party which had the FSD package, so I took it in to get the computer retro fit in for beta/fsd. After the appointment, it doesn’t work and I find out that I actually also needed a camera upgrade (from forums). I reached back out about it and they apologized and made me a new appointment. At this point we are 1 month in. Now, twice they have cancelled my appointment for not having parts or that they “aren’t ready to do that right now”. The best part: I happened to be supercharging AT the service center when my appointment was cancelled. I couldn’t speak to the advisor but one of the sales reps literally showed me a box of cameras in stock, ready to be put on cars. It amazes me that we have to fight so much for getting simple things fixed on the car

I love the cars, been an owner since 2014 (model s with 115k miles) and I’ve seen service decline. It used to be the best service, not just for free or reduced pricing, but customer service. In 2015 I was on a road trip and 100 miles in I got a flat. With no where to go, I wen to the service center which was 15 minutes away from closing. They still helped me out, gave me a quick tour of the service are, and ended up not charging me for the tire because it took ~45 minutes. At this point we were well after hours and I was expecting to actually pay a premium. THAT is what service used to be.

[paulclementyonkers]

Considering that most automakers have close to a 100-year head start on manufacturing and service, I'm not surprised that the learning curve is steep for Tesla. The key is: will Tesla learn from its experience?

[firstjohn]

Older cars actually had a grease fittings. Newer cars are "permanently lubed", which means that you replace them. Same thing with bearings. Biggest reason is probably weather, not bad roads. Heating/cooling cycles with high moisture. Since these are new car brands (and new technology), it would be reasonable to expect it to take years to develop a broad & robust service system. Remember, we live in an age where many car companies have had decades to refine their service departments. They are actually doing ok for such a new company. That repair price isn't bad compared to some other car companies.
I wonder if there's an aftermarket warranty available for these? 🤔 In our techie world, he learned 1 thing. No amount of texting replaces some 1 on 1, in-person communication.

[KeithandPamBilyeu]

I think once they realized they had replaced the other arm under warranty and did not do both at that time…they rescinded the uncovered repair. Making ‘it right’ ….thus complete ting the full ‘warranty repair’. He got charged for the only non warranty repair. Zack…TAKE A BREATH. When doing communication with text/email usually requires some verbal interchange to clarify things in the “final” summation of things.

[warnerwinborne]

I had the same problem, which appeared only 100 miles out of warranty. I too was pissed since this is a part that should not fail after only three years and 50, 000 miles. Made an appointment at the nearest service center, 100 miles away. Took a day off work and brought the car in at 9:00 am for my appointment. Stayed at the service center until it was repaired, at 4:00 pm. Although it was only 100 miles out of service, I had to go through all this trouble to get it fixed, and the service center failed to honor my appointment, they still charged me full price for the repair.

When I told the tech that this part shouldn't fail (I've replaced control arms on ICE vehicles, but usually when they are at least 10 years old and have at least 100, 000 miles), his response was "Well, the car is heavy." Yeah, no kidding. I know it's heavy, you know it's heavy, so why didn't the engineers who designed the car realize it was heavy? Moreover, with the addition of a simple grease fitting on the control arm, it could have been lubed, rather than replaced. Just ridiculously poor engineering here.

Still love my 2019 Model 3, but this problem with control arms is very well known, and Tesla should have either issued a recall or extended the mileage warranty on it from 50, 000 to 75 or 100, 000 miles.