After many failures and disappointments over the years, Tesla has now grown to become one of the best auto manufacturers in the world. But even with its high-tech software – Do Tesla vehicles break down frequently?
Tesla cars do break down. However, unlike internal combustion engine vehicles, your Tesla won’t break down easily. You may drive your Tesla for more than 100,000 miles without having any issues. This is not the case with ICE vehicles that start often to break down after only 30,000 miles.
But even if your Tesla breaks down, you can relax knowing that you’re covered with a 4-year or 50,000-mile standard warranty and 8-year or 100,000 to 150,000-mile warranty that covers the battery and drive unit. Additionally, most Tesla breakdowns are cheaper than gasoline-powered vehicle breakdowns.
What are the common Tesla breakdowns or repairs?
Despite Tesla having fewer repairs and breakdowns than gas-powered vehicles, you will still have to replace some parts after a while. However, these repairs or breakdowns are not very common, and they probably won’t occur until after a few years. They are also cheap to repair.
Common Tesla issues include:
- Oxygen sensor
- Brake caliper
- Wheel bearing
- Window motor regulator
Depending on your Tesla model, you will find that the cost of repairing these parts varies. However, the difference is not that big. For instance, you may have to spend between $270 to $450 for oxygen sensor replacement and $320 to $400 for wheel bearing replacement.
What does a Tesla service include?
Similar to all major car brands, Tesla also recommends a service or maintenance schedule. This helps your car to perform optimally and avoid costly repairs. Unlike most car brands, Tesla does not recommend a yearly maintenance schedule, but it recommends particular services as needed.
Here are the different scheduled services that Tesla recommends:
- Tire rotation – Tesla owners are required to rotate tires and balance the alignment between 10,000 and 12,000 miles.
- Cabin air filter – the filter should be replaced every 2 years, or every 3 years if it’s a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
- Air conditioning service – depending on the Tesla model, this part should be serviced every 2 to 6 years.
- Brake fluid test – every Tesla owner is required to test the brake fluid every 2 years and replace it when need be.
- Winter care – Tesla owners who live in cold climates should clean and lubricate their car’s brake calipers every 12 months or 12,500 miles.
What does the 5-year Tesla service plan look like?
Since Tesla is an EV with fewer moving parts than ICE vehicles, their service plan is affordable and doesn’t entail lots of parts. Here’s the average cost of a Tesla service plan over 5 years:
| Year | Types of service | Cost |
| 1 | Tire rotation | $100 |
| 2 | Full service with air condition service | $520 |
| 3 | Tire rotation | $100 |
| 4 | Full service with brake flush | $580 |
| 5 | Tire rotation | $100 |
What is the average repair cost for different Tesla models?
In addition to knowing which Tesla repair and maintenance costs you’re likely to incur, it’s also crucial to find out what different Tesla models will cost to own over the years. Here is the cost that you should expect with different Tesla models:
- Tesla Model 3 – $80 to $1,200
- Tesla Model X – $80 to $770
- Tesla Model S – $80 to $4,100
From the above information, it’s clear that the Tesla Model X is the cheapest Tesla model to maintain over the years, while Tesla Model S is the most expensive.
FAQ
What does the Tesla 8-year or 100,000 to 150,000-mile warranty cover?
Many people confuse the Tesla’s battery and drive unit warranty of 8 years or 100,000 – 150,000 miles to be their standard warranty. This is not correct. Tesla has a standard warranty that lasts for 4 years or 50,000 miles. Nevertheless, you can still get an extended warranty to cover different car parts in case of a breakdown or failure.
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Is Tesla expensive to repair when it breaks down?
The truth is that Tesla are much cheaper to repair when they break down than other high-end car models like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Audi. For instance, the annual repair cost for Tesla Model S is around $290, while that of the Mercedes-Benz E250 is around $750.
This is a sign that Tesla vehicles are much cheaper to repair in the long run. Since Tesla is an EV, their cars don’t need oil changes or fuel to run. They also have fewer moving parts in their drivetrain, which reduces the cost immensely. However, some repairs can be off the charts.
Why do Tesla owners tap the car before charging?
This is because Tesla cars by default lock their doors as you walk away. At times, they automatically unlock when you walk towards them, but sometimes they don’t. So, if you don’t want to open the charge port from inside your car, you can simply tap it and it will open.
This is also common with non-Tesla branded cables. However, you can easily open the charging port via the screen inside the car, through the app, or by pressing a button on the Tesla supercharger cable that will open the door.
What are some of the complaints of Tesla owners?
If you have owned a Tesla before, then you may have come across one of these challenges. First of all, Tesla supercharger networks have improved a lot but are not present in some areas. So, if you intend to travel a long distance with your Tesla, it can still be a challenge to find somewhere to charge it.
Additionally, Tesla delays producing their next models. For instance, many people waited a long time to get their Tesla Model and Model 3 when they started production. Some Tesla users are synonymous with technical issues such as vibrating inverters on the Model S.
Even though Tesla is a luxurious car brand, its interior fit and finish are not up to the standard of a Mercedes-Benz Maybach or Rolls Royce Phantom. Additionally, the leather, stitching, and other materials on the Model S are not on the same level as these two luxurious vehicles.
Final thoughts
When it comes to breakdowns, Tesla vehicles are some of the most reliable cars that you can find. They rarely break down, but if they do, they are cheaper to maintain. However, they also have low quality and reliability ratings. In the end, the pros of owning a Tesla outweigh the cons.