Posted on 02/21/2019 10:41:46 AM PST by Red Badger
Tesla shares fall nearly 2 percent after a new report, based in part on the reviews of thousands of vehicle owners, raises questions about the reliability of Tesla's Model 3.
Consumer Reports says it will no longer recommend the Model 3 due to the reliability issues.
A Tesla spokesperson said, "The vast majority of these issues have already been corrected through design and manufacturing improvements."
Tesla shares fell after a new report, based in part on the reviews of thousands of vehicle owners, raises questions about the reliability of Tesla's Model 3. Consumer Reports says it will no longer recommend the Model 3 due to the reliability issues.
"When we look at the Model 3 lot of the issues are the electronics," said Jake Fisher, senior director of Automotive Testing at Consumer Reports. "There are some issues replacing the (navigation/infotainment) screens, for instance, but we've seen other issues in terms of the trim breaking and the glass."
Tesla shares were trading down nearly 2 percent after the report was released Thursday.
Consumer Reports recommendation of particular models is based on several factors, including the feedback of vehicle owners, crash test performance and the testing and reviews conducted by the Consumer Reports auto team. While it reached its conclusion after reading reports of Tesla owners complaining about the fit and finish of their vehicles, Fisher points out the Model 3 owned and tested by Consumer Reports had a rear window with a small stress fracture.
This report confirms the concern many analysts have raised about the quality of Tesla models slipping as the automaker ramped up production last year. As Tesla CEO Elon Musk pushed his team to meet ambitious Model 3 production targets, he repeatedly said Tesla was in the midst of "production hell."
At one point, Tesla added an additional Model 3 assembly line by erecting a permanent tent outside its assembly plant in Fremont, California. Reports of production issues ranged from robots on the assembly line not working properly to Tesla employees claiming the company was churning out a high volume of flawed parts that led to the automaker needing to rework and repair new models before being shipped to customers. 2019 Chrysler 300 Source: Fiat Chrysler 2019 Chrysler 300
When asked about Consumer Reports' new opinion of the Model 3, a Tesla spokesperson said, "We're setting an extremely high bar for Model 3. We have already made significant improvements to correct any issues that Model 3 customers may have experienced that are referenced in this report, and our return policy allows any customer who is unhappy with their car to return it for a full refund."
The spokesperson added, "This new data from Consumer Reports comes from their annual Owner Satisfaction survey, which runs from July through September, so the vast majority of these issues have already been corrected through design and manufacturing improvements, and we are already seeing a significant improvement in our field data."
While many Tesla owners may not be happy about the reliability of their car, Consumer Reports says those owners are generally satisfied with their electric vehicles.
"They like their cars, but they still tell us the truth. They tell us the problems they are having with them," said Fisher.
As a brand, Tesla fell 11 spots to number 13 out of 33 brands ranked by Consumer Reports. Tesla is tied with Chrysler for having the biggest drop in brand rankings in this year's auto issue.
By comparison, Subaru has soared to the top of the latest car brand rankings. The Japanese brand climbed six places to become number one in the eyes of Consumer Reports, just ahead of Genesis, Porsche, Audi and Lexus.
"Subaru does almost everything really well," said Fisher. "They make an enjoyable car to drive and great reliability too."
The lowest rated auto brands by Consumer Reports is Fiat, right behind Jaguar and Land Rover.
Tesla’s Model 3 is not the good old Model T
Tesla will be gone in 10 years. That’s my prediction. Unless they find a way to compete with more mainstream producers.
The new Audi electric car will be amazing and cost infinitely less than a Tesla. The main issue with Tesla, even as opposed to normal cars is the potential to have dated technology. You have to be pretty disciplined to buy a Tesla with the idea that you’ll keep it for 20 years.
Think about that Tech that existed in cars 20 year ago vs. now? Think about how many cars you’ve owned over the last 20 years.
Battery operated cars aren’t a good idea!? WHAT!??
Yet Consumer Reports keeps ranking them number one in customer satisfaction.
I believe consumer satisfaction is based on a consumer survey every year. The recommendations are based on the standards of the magazine staff and researchers. Have a half dozen car fires and most likely they won’t recommend you.
Can other cars get over the air updates like Teslas?
Four vehicles in the last 20 years, still have two of them, one is twenty years old.
I'm just not interested in "all that technology".
I don’t know.
What idiots! Model 3? They need a name like “Mustang”.
I’ll take the Toyota Corolla Hybrid when that arrives later this spring.
Thanks Red Badger.
TSLA
295.75
-6.81
meanwhile, Ford:
8.80
-0.14
“Tesla will be gone in 10 years. That’s my prediction. Unless they find a way to compete with more mainstream producers.”
Chinese will buy it. And, will roll it in with Volvo and use it’s already established dealership network to sell and service the brand.
Subaru STI is NOT a car for those who don’t like fixing things.
Fun to drive but not that fun.
“The new Audi electric car will be amazing and cost infinitely less than a Tesla.”
Biased?
I am surprised Honda has fallen down as far as they have.
They used to be consistently in the top 5.
It still amazes me why anybody would buy a Fiat, Jaguar, land Rover, Mitsubishi or Jeep. They are ALWAYS listed in the bottom of customer satisfaction by Consumer Reports or JD Power.
My father in law would always down play the CR scores because he is a Chevy man. These scores are made up by the people who subscribe to their magazine. Every year you get their survey, fill it out and mail it back. It is by far the best thin to look at especially when buying a used car or a new car with a model that has been in production for several years.
CR does not take advertising dollars from anyone. When they do articles on quality like dishwashers. They actually go out and buy 30 different dishwashers and test them for months.
The main issue with Audi e-tron , even as opposed to normal cars is the potential to have dated technology. You have to be pretty disciplined to buy an e-tron with the idea that you’ll keep it for 20 years.
But how many fast-charging stations will they have access to?
Must get awfully confusing, 30 guys named Jose..................
LOL at ‘Fix It Again, Tony’ bringing up the rear. Some things never change.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.