Tesla Roadster 2008-2011
Model Roadster made by Tesla got 2 consumer complains there is 1 recall as well as 38 service bulletins. Consumer complaints with reference, among others things, to traction control system, vehicle speed control. Technical service bulletines regarding digital instrument panel, electrical system and engine and engine cooling. There was one recall concerning wheels .
Car model
Name | Recalls | Bulletins | Consumer Complaints |
---|---|---|---|
Tesla Roadster 2008 | 1 | 38 | 2 |
Tesla Roadster 2009 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
Tesla Roadster 2011 | 0 | 12 | 0 |
Model 2008
Recalls
Campaign | Manufacturer | Manufacturing date | Type | # of units affected | Date Owner notified Mfg | Recall Initiated by | Manufacturers of recalled vehicles/products | Report Recieved Date | Record Creation Date | Regulation Part Number | FMVSS Number | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
WHEELS - CAP/COVER/HUB | ||||||||||||||||
09V178000 | TESLA MOTORS | from 03/01/2008 to 04/22/2009 | V (Vehicle) | 345 | 05/28/2009 | MFR | TESLA MOTORS, INC | 05/26/2009 | 05/26/2009 | |||||||
Defect Summary | Tesla motors, inc. is recalling 345 my 2008 tesla roadster vehicles manufactured between march 2008 and april 22, 2009. the rear hub flange bolts on some of these vehicles may be under-torqued and may become loose. a loose hub could lead to degradation in vehicle handling, and a rubbing noise from the rear of the vehicle. | |||||||||||||||
Consequence Summary | If the problem is not addressed promptly, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could lead to a crash. | |||||||||||||||
Corrective Summary | Tesla will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. the safety recall began on may 28, 2009. owners may contact tesla toll-free at 1-877-888-3752. | |||||||||||||||
Notes | Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov . |
Bulletins
Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL | |||||
SB-09-15-004 | 04/08/2009 | 10030430 | Tesla: potential no start condition or failed heater operation due to faulty components in ptc heater board. some hvac 400v controllers may have incorrect components installed on the ptc controller board. the board controls the heater opera | 10/02/2009 | |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY | |||||
SB-12-46-001 | 01/27/2012 | 10043318 | Tesla motors: during the shipment of battery pack sheets, residual coolant may leak effecting shipping container integrity. *pe | 03/12/2012 | |
TSB-09-16-008 | 10/15/2009 | 10032913 | Tesla: inspection, prevention and repair of battery pack water ingress from the aps grommet. aps cable grommet on battery pack may become dislodged. the weight of the aps cable strains the j3 aps harness such that the pass through gromme | 06/11/2010 | |
SB-09-15-004 | 04/08/2009 | 10030430 | Tesla: potential no start condition or failed heater operation due to faulty components in ptc heater board. some hvac 400v controllers may have incorrect components installed on the ptc controller board. the board controls the heater opera | 10/02/2009 | |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY - CABLES | |||||
SVC-11-16-013 | 11/22/2011 | 10042765 | Tesla: during normal operation of vehicle, aps cable grommet can become dislodged. to improve security against water ingress a new design has been provided. *pe | 01/10/2012 | |
TSB-09-16-008 | 10/15/2009 | 10032913 | Tesla: inspection, prevention and repair of battery pack water ingress from the aps grommet. aps cable grommet on battery pack may become dislodged. the weight of the aps cable strains the j3 aps harness such that the pass through gromme | 06/11/2010 | |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||||
SVC-11-17-011 | 07/25/2011 | 10041204 | Ready | 09/20/2011 | |
SVC-11-17-011 | 07/25/2011 | 10041204 | Tesla motors: roadster 2010-2011. there is water entry through the hood release cable grommet. *rm | 09/20/2011 | |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||||
SVC-08-17-005 | 05/28/2008 | 10026608 | Tesla vehicle: bulkhead grommet dislodged. this grommet is designed to stop the wiring harness from chafing against the impact structure. *pe | 11/18/2008 | |
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - COOLING SYSTEM - FAN | |||||
SVC-11-40-014 | 11/22/2011 | 10042770 | Tesla: information provided in regards to assembling a new sealed bearing dual pem/motor fan that is retrofit dual design to replace two separate fans with a single assembly to improve reliability and function in adverse weather condition | 01/10/2012 | |
SVC-11-40-015 | 11/22/2011 | 10042769 | Tesla: information regarding the motor and pem fans where certain types of weather conditions, such as snow, may accumulate too close and cause adverse affect on the airflow and cooling efficiency. this may shortened the useful life of | 01/10/2012 | |
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING - ENGINE | |||||
SVC-11-40-014 | 11/22/2011 | 10042770 | Tesla: information provided in regards to assembling a new sealed bearing dual pem/motor fan that is retrofit dual design to replace two separate fans with a single assembly to improve reliability and function in adverse weather condition | 01/10/2012 | |
SVC-11-40-015 | 11/22/2011 | 10042769 | Tesla: information regarding the motor and pem fans where certain types of weather conditions, such as snow, may accumulate too close and cause adverse affect on the airflow and cooling efficiency. this may shortened the useful life of | 01/10/2012 | |
SVC-11-17-011 | 07/25/2011 | 10041204 | Tesla motors: roadster 2010-2011. there is water entry through the hood release cable grommet. *rm | 09/20/2011 | |
SVC-11-17-011 | 07/25/2011 | 10041204 | Ready | 09/20/2011 | |
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE | |||||
TSB-09-15-007 | 12/22/2009 | 10037822 | Ready | 06/06/2011 | |
TSB-09-15-007 | 12/22/2009 | 10037822 | Tesla: floor mats were not anchored to the floor. they have not interfered with the operation, but are a nuisance. *rm | 06/06/2011 | |
EQUIPMENT - ELECTRICAL - AIR CONDITIONER | |||||
SB-09-15-004 | 04/08/2009 | 10030430 | Tesla: potential no start condition or failed heater operation due to faulty components in ptc heater board. some hvac 400v controllers may have incorrect components installed on the ptc controller board. the board controls the heater opera | 10/02/2009 | |
SVC-08-18-012 | 12/22/2008 | 10028325 | Tesla: bent pins on the compressor controller connector of hvac 400v controller. the misaligned pins bent during installation of connector on assembly line. *pe | 03/24/2009 | |
TSB-08-16-003 | 10/15/2008 | 10027744 | Tesla vehicle: isolation failures inside hvac heater module. the ptc heater inside the hvac has the potential to develop an isolation fault. this failure arises when operating the a/c in humid conditions. *pe | 02/02/2009 | |
EQUIPMENT - OTHER - OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL | |||||
SVC-08-18-012 | 12/22/2008 | 10028325 | Tesla: bent pins on the compressor controller connector of hvac 400v controller. the misaligned pins bent during installation of connector on assembly line. *pe | 03/24/2009 | |
SVC-08-17-005 | 05/28/2008 | 10026608 | Tesla vehicle: bulkhead grommet dislodged. this grommet is designed to stop the wiring harness from chafing against the impact structure. *pe | 11/18/2008 | |
POWER TRAIN | |||||
SVC-09-17-003 | 06/05/2009 | 10030364 | Tesla: upgrade for all vehicles equipped with 1.5 power trains. *pe | 09/25/2009 | |
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | |||||
SVC-09-47-006 | 07/24/2009 | 10030934 | Tesla: different transmission fill procedure for transmissions with low fill plug levels. early g1bw transmissions come with a fill plug that is cast lower than the fill level. this requires a different procedure when filling transmissio | 12/23/2009 | |
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) | |||||
SVC-08-47-003 | 05/14/2008 | 10026610 | Tesla vehicle: tolerances to 14 pin connector on the tcm could cause a faulty connection and water ingress. *pe | 11/18/2008 | |
POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION - COOLING UNIT AND LINES | |||||
TSB-09-47-005 | 06/02/2009 | 10030985 | Tesla motors: transmission vent retrofit. early transmission vents equipped with snorkel type vents may leak transmission oil. snorkel type vents were installed on the first 200 transmissions in production. an improved vent has been des | 12/29/2009 | |
POWER TRAIN - MANUAL TRANSMISSION | |||||
SVC-09-47-006 | 07/24/2009 | 10030934 | Tesla: different transmission fill procedure for transmissions with low fill plug levels. early g1bw transmissions come with a fill plug that is cast lower than the fill level. this requires a different procedure when filling transmissio | 12/23/2009 | |
SVC-09-17-003 | 06/05/2009 | 10030364 | Tesla: upgrade for all vehicles equipped with 1.5 power trains. *pe | 09/25/2009 | |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC - ANTILOCK - WHEEL SPEED SENSOR | |||||
RCL-09-31-001 | 05/28/2009 | 10030363 | Tesla: some vehicles have been identified where the rear hub flange bolts have been undertorqued. this issue applies only to the rear hub assembly. the rear hub flange bolts on some of these vehicles are under torqued and may become loose. | 09/25/2009 | |
STRUCTURE | |||||
SVC-08-10-001 | 12/16/2008 | 10028248 | Tesla: water ingress inspection. there may be potential water ingress points along body and chassis structures. inspect and repair as required. *pe | 03/18/2009 | |
STRUCTURE - BODY | |||||
SVC-08-10-001 | 12/16/2008 | 10028248 | Tesla: water ingress inspection. there may be potential water ingress points along body and chassis structures. inspect and repair as required. *pe | 03/18/2009 | |
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR | |||||
TSB-09-10-001 | 02/20/2009 | 10028824 | Tesla: leak point around door hinge. there is potential for water to ingress into the forward sill cavity of the body side panel. *pe | 06/01/2009 | |
SVC-08-10-006 | 06/13/2008 | 10026609 | Tesla vehicle: incorrect bonding process may cause some painted charge doors to separate from mounting plate. *pe | 11/18/2008 | |
STRUCTURE - BODY - DOOR - HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | |||||
TSB-09-10-001 | 02/20/2009 | 10028824 | Tesla: leak point around door hinge. there is potential for water to ingress into the forward sill cavity of the body side panel. *pe | 06/01/2009 | |
SUSPENSION - FRONT - HUB | |||||
SB-09-31-002 | 04/08/2009 | 10030429 | Tesla: front/rear hub upright assembly. inspect both the front/rear-left and right hub-upright assemblies for torque mark alignment. *pe | 10/02/2009 | |
UNKNOWN OR OTHER | |||||
TSB-10-16-010 | 08/18/2010 | 10037053 | Ready | 04/29/2011 | |
TSB-10-16-010 | 08/18/2010 | 10037053 | Tesla: there are revised torque specifications for the bolts on the battery pack cover. *rm | 04/29/2011 | |
WHEELS - CAP/COVER/HUB | |||||
RCL-09-31-001 | 05/28/2009 | 10030363 | Tesla: some vehicles have been identified where the rear hub flange bolts have been undertorqued. this issue applies only to the rear hub assembly. the rear hub flange bolts on some of these vehicles are under torqued and may become loose. | 09/25/2009 |
Consumer Complaints
Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
---|---|---|---|
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM | |||
07/15/2009 | 1800 | 1 | |
The vehicle is prone to 'sudden acceleration' problems where the driver loses control of the vehicle when the traction control system engages and forces the regenerative engine breaking system to disengage. the tesla roadster uses very aggressive engine regenerative breaking so, when it is disengaged, the car lurches forward uncontrollably and faster than the driver can react by engaging the breaks. this most commonly happens when i drive down a hill or around a corner at 20 mph using engine regenerative breaking to slow the vehicle and hit a bump in the road that engages the traction control system. the car will suddenly double speed (40 mph) for approximately five seconds as the engine regenerative breaking on this vehicle disengages... faster than i can compensate by breaking. in effect, the car suddenly and unexpectedly lurches forward when the tcs kicks in. i probably see this behavior at least twice a week on one particular stretch of nearly empty road, but have had two near collisions recently, one on that stretch of road following a truck at a distance and one on a different stretch of road making a corner where the car nearly accelerated into an oncoming vehicle. given how few of these cars are on the road, how aggressive the engine regenerative breaking is, and how little most other owners drive their vehicles relative to my daily commutes, i have to believe that this problem will lead to multiple accidents and potentially fatal accidents over the course of the next year. the issue has been communicated to tesla motors, but they've indicated that this is standard behavior for all vehicles using engine regenerative breaking and should be expected. i don't completely believe that -- or necessarily believe that other cars are as aggressive with their regen breaking as the tesla is -- but the bottom line is that this creatives a very unsafe driving condition that concerns me and should concern all other tesla roadster drivers. *tr | |||
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | |||
07/15/2009 | 1800 | 1 | |
The vehicle is prone to 'sudden acceleration' problems where the driver loses control of the vehicle when the traction control system engages and forces the regenerative engine breaking system to disengage. the tesla roadster uses very aggressive engine regenerative breaking so, when it is disengaged, the car lurches forward uncontrollably and faster than the driver can react by engaging the breaks. this most commonly happens when i drive down a hill or around a corner at 20 mph using engine regenerative breaking to slow the vehicle and hit a bump in the road that engages the traction control system. the car will suddenly double speed (40 mph) for approximately five seconds as the engine regenerative breaking on this vehicle disengages... faster than i can compensate by breaking. in effect, the car suddenly and unexpectedly lurches forward when the tcs kicks in. i probably see this behavior at least twice a week on one particular stretch of nearly empty road, but have had two near collisions recently, one on that stretch of road following a truck at a distance and one on a different stretch of road making a corner where the car nearly accelerated into an oncoming vehicle. given how few of these cars are on the road, how aggressive the engine regenerative breaking is, and how little most other owners drive their vehicles relative to my daily commutes, i have to believe that this problem will lead to multiple accidents and potentially fatal accidents over the course of the next year. the issue has been communicated to tesla motors, but they've indicated that this is standard behavior for all vehicles using engine regenerative breaking and should be expected. i don't completely believe that -- or necessarily believe that other cars are as aggressive with their regen breaking as the tesla is -- but the bottom line is that this creatives a very unsafe driving condition that concerns me and should concern all other tesla roadster drivers. *tr |