Most Early Teslas Will Break Down by 60,000 Miles: Report
A new study is suggesting that nearly all early Tesla Model S vehicles will need their electric motors replaced by 60,000 miles.
The American electric automaker has come under fire in recent months following Consumer Reports pulling its recommendation after receiving many claims of poor reliability from Model S owners. Now, a new analysis of data provided to Plug-In America by 327 owners of early Model S sedans suggests that nearly two-thirds of early Model S motors will need to be replaced within 60,000 miles.
In a survey of early Model S owners, respondents provided a variety of data including total miles driven and whether they have had a motor swap done. If any of their drivetrain had been replaced, the survey also asked what the odometer reading was at the time of the replacement.
SEE ALSO: Elon Musk Defends Tesla After Consumer Reports Pulls Recommendation
According to a reliability engineer that used data from 370 respondents, the “characteristic life” of the drivetrain was about 50,000 miles. Now, the results are only valid if the data is correct and had no selection bias. While selection bias is in play since only those customers that knew about the survey could fill it out, the sample covered about one percent of the total population of 2012 and 2013 model year Tesla Model S sedans. Essentially, both selection bias and randomness are acceptably low.
It will be interesting to see if owners come forward with issues on their Tesla motors once the odometer starts clicking near 60,000 miles. The company declined to answer questions related to the report.
[Source: Green Car Reports]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Tesla can do no wrong. Most of their early models are seriously defective, and no one really cares. If this was true of the newest Ford Focus, it would be national news for weeks. But because it's Tesla, I guess we just give them the benefit of the doubt?? I read this and I think there's no *way* I'd buy a Tesla without at least 100k mile powertrain warranty. Even then, I'd be scared...if they didn't design the powertrain to last, what about the rest of the car? This is seriously f'ed up people. Tesla quality is a problem.
My early 2013 Model S drivetrain was replaced at about 18,00 miles and now, at 64,000 miles needs another replacement. BUT it should be noted that it did not break down and the issue has to do with a slight noise that crops up after a period of time. It is a "cosmetic" problem and not indicative of breakdown failures. The noise shouldn't be there and Tesla is being very proactive in dealing with it. A drivetrain swap takes about 20 minutes to do and is nothing like replacing an ICE engine and transmission. It's just easier to swap out and refurbish much like you might do with an ICE car's alternator rather than repair an alternator in the car or on a workbench. I believe that it is very rare for a Tesla drive unit to actually "break down" and so the title of this article is very misleading.