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Ok so I have a couple buddies with Tesla and then finding out this forum even existed few months, having an EV you hear how much money you save vs drive a ⛽️ vehicle by not having to buy gas and things like service (oil changes, etc).
However I’ve come to learn thru my friends with their Tesla, from this forum and others I’ve come across who drive an EV that it appear they are always going in for some type of service. Seems like most of those EV services are noise related rattles, quality issues. I’ve had people tell me their Tesla “lives in the shop”. My friend who drives an E-tron had to have the entire dash replaced due to moisture getting inside.
Being that this is a Lexus website, it’s safe to say everyone does or at some point prioritize reliability and quality. But it’s to my brief observation that EVs are being “serviced” or at the dealer for some type of service more than ⛽️ vehicles. Brand new EVs at that. Seem like some have come to live with the rattles and/or accept “it’s normal” and it’s the “best vehicle they’ve own” and “they will never own another ICE vehicle”
I have 6 ⛽️ vehicles (3 hybrid) with one as few as 11k miles to one with as many as 227k miles (2008 model) and the biggest service out of all of them is one needing a starter replacement. That was on the vehicle with 227k miles. The others have all been oil changes, tire rotations, fluid checks/top off. None have been in service for any type of quality issue/rattle.
Our first EV, a 2020 Hyundai Ioniq we had for three years and 36,000 miles had only one issue...12v low voltage lead acid battery failed the first year. Hyundai replaced it the next day under warranty. Cost of Maint and servicing over 3 years: $0
Our second EV, my current 2022 Polestar 2 with nearly 25,000 only had one issue, last summer the Battery Disconnect Unit failed. Car was still driveable, just couldn't fast charge it. Due to the global parts shortage, it took 6 weeks to get the part, but once the part came, they repaired the car the same day. No issues since. Cost of Maint and servicing over last 2 years: $0
Our third EV is a 2023 Chevy Bolt EUV owned by my daughter, 12K, so far no issues. Anticipated cost of maint and service over the next 3 years: $0
Our fourth EV, a 2023 Tesla Model Y now has reach over 7000 miles. Three trips to Southern California. The only two issues...had to change a tire due to my son curbing the tire, and I had a nail in one of the tires. Cost: $30. Total anticipated cost of maint and service over the next three years: Cabin filter replacement, $35
Your buddy must have pretty bad luck with cars
Last edited by AMIRZA786; Nov 2, 2023 at 02:19 PM.
Cost of ownership for a Tesla is 50% lower than the average gas car I suspect other EVs are about the same. Personal experiences are fine but at the same time you can't use a small sample size to judge an entire vehicle type or brand.
Cost of ownership for a Tesla is 50% lower than the average gas car I suspect other EVs are about the same. Personal experiences are fine but at the same time you can't use a small sample size to judge an entire vehicle type or brand.
I had our 2020 Ioniq for 3 years, if I compare that to my IS350, which I also had for 3 years, it was 100 percent lower:
total of 9 oil changes ($60 each): $540
Transmission Service: $150
Differential service: $120
Brakes and Rotors: $320 for brakes, $360 for rotors
Bought a pre owned Model Y. I have owned it 11 months, driven 13k miles. Replaced air filter - $120 using Tesla mobile service (came to my house). Also Tesla fixed a loose piece of plastic on driver and passenger seat under warranty, so $0.
When you say that most of your friends say that their tesla's are in the shop for rattles etc, it's an inconvenience for sure but it doesn't cost them any money. So I would still expect maintenance costs to be significantly lower. Air filters, tires, and topping off fluids.
Says out of stock (in Canada at least). I'm sure I need the set likely never been replaced. Air filtration in the Y is superior, no horrible diesel exhaust stink when behind buses.
Says out of stock (in Canada at least). I'm sure I need the set likely never been replaced. Air filtration in the Y is superior, no horrible diesel exhaust stink when behind buses.
There are also third party with charcoal etc on Amazon. There are two of them you need to change
Any recommendation for brand of cabin filter on my Tesla? Parts for this car are totally foreign to me.
Go to YouTube and search for "replace model y air filter" (I think you have a Y). There are videos showing you how to do it and they link to other products other than what Amirza provided.
There’s a gap between his dash and door panel that’s larger on one side than the other. There was a small gap under the steering wheel on right side. And according to him he has a rattle in 3 different places. One spot by the wheel when he turns, they told him it was normal, they other two are inside the vehicle. He got his car back from service and it’s still rattling.
Car is 6 months old.
Edit: you say bad luck because the loaner MY he was given, the AC went out and he had to ride with the windows down. He was happy to get his MY back.
Last edited by BayeauxLex; Nov 2, 2023 at 07:27 PM.
When you say that most of your friends say that their tesla's are in the shop for rattles etc, it's an inconvenience for sure but it doesn't cost them any money. So I would still expect maintenance costs to be significantly lower. Air filters, tires, and topping off fluids.
Initially they told him it would be $368. Then they tried to charge him $205. He was able to get both fees waived. They told him the slight clicking sound he hear when turning the wheels is normal and they compared it to other Teslas and the noise was exactly the same.
Bought a pre owned Model Y. I have owned it 11 months, driven 13k miles. Replaced air filter - $120 using Tesla mobile service (came to my house). Also Tesla fixed a loose piece of plastic on driver and passenger seat under warranty, so $0.
How much is the part and how difficult is it to replace?
There’s a gap between his dash and door panel that’s larger on one side than the other. There was a small gap under the steering wheel on right side. And according to him he has a rattle in 3 different places. One spot by the wheel when he turns, they told him it was normal, they other two are inside the vehicle. He got his car back from service and it’s still rattling.
Car is 6 months old.
Edit: you say bad luck because the loaner MY he was given, the AC went out and he had to ride with the windows down. He was happy to get his MY back.
I don't have any of those issues. No rattles except occasionally the front seatbelt. No panel gaps, or funny sounds. Mine is 6 months old now with over 7k miles. My brother in laws Model 3 is over a year old with nearly 20k, no issues except a recall on the seatbelt which they changed right away.
Tesla has been steadily improving quality. Most of the stuff people complain about, Tesla addresses quickly. Again, it's a brand with the highest customer loyalty
EV service
