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.
All those ‘J’s’ that sound like ‘H’s’ would get confusing!..................
Four vehicles in the last 20 years, still have two of them, one is twenty years old.
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Sort of the same thing here. I love cars, but I choose carefully and they tend to last a long time.
Also, surprised about the Subaru thing. To my knowledge the reliable models in their lineup are the Outback and the Forester. Everything else was less than tops in reliability a year ago.
Well, I do own an Audi and have seen the new car, but other than that, not really. No skin in the game and I won’t buy either.
I’ll buy combustion engine until AOC takes it away from me.
Yep, very true. Which is why I’ll stay with combustion and continue to lease every 3 years.
You may certainly be right. I know when your Global Legal Counsel quits on the spot after 2 months on the job, it’s probably not a good sign.
Audi used to be very problematic. I think their quality has improved greatly in the last ten to fifteen years. Although I would never own one based on what my mechanic said about some of their engineering issues.
Leasing every three years means you take the big hit on depreciation.
Yes, but it also means I don’t have to worry about costly repairs. I’ve been in that boat before.
I change the oil and MAYBE have to worry about tires. Then I get a brand new car every 36 months full of the latest tech. When I retire, I’ll buy a truck.
Lol. I keep my cars about eight years and the only costly repair in the 35 years I had was an $65 wiper motor on my Jeep about about 25 years ago.
Audi has made dramatic improvements in reliability. I have a 2017 A4 with nearly 50k miles. It is the best car I have ever owned. It is full of technology. I have had zero problems. What's even more impressive is that 2017 was the first year of a total rebuild of the A4. (I am knocking on wood right now.)
You’re lucky. My one Jeep was a POS. Had the wrong size engine block installed. My Explorer? Hatch fell off because the hinge was the wrong size. really? How long since Henry Ford and we can’t build a friggin hinge?
I’ve been off US cars for a long time. No regrets. The only down side is the German cars - like their tanks - are expensive to maintain when they break. Hence...leasing.
My VW Passat was great for 8 years and 130,000 miles. Then every other month, it was a $500 bill. No reliability.
With the mileage I put on, plus working remotely, I can lease.
Yet again, another taxpayer subsidized POS brought to America by Barack Hussein Obama and the corrupt Federal Government. FUBAR!!!!!!! Kick their ass, President Trump!
I've been a loyal Jeep owner for 20+ years and have had little to no issues with vehicles I've driven hard. They've been a lot kinder to me than I've been to them.
Consumer Reports always rates Jeeps poorly based on rough rides, road and wind noise, etc. In other words, they slam Jeeps simply for being Jeeps.
I dropped CR in the early 90es when they endorsed Hitlery-care.
“This is the first that I’ve ever heard of a ‘Genesis’ car.”
Same here. Had to look it up. “Genesis Motor is the luxury vehicle division of the South Korean vehicle manufacturer Hyundai” (from wikipedia).
Huge difference between value brands like Fiat and prestige brands like Audi. For prestige brands, long-term reliability and repair costs are minor concerns for their purchasers. Buyers of prestige brand new cars almost all own other vehicles. Buyers of Fiats and low-end Jeeps can’t really justify spending for low reliability.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX is scheduled to launch three satellites this evening. One of them, a private Israeli spacecraft, will land on the Moon.
On average, SpaceX has brought down the cost of a government launch by about $75 million.
What have you done lately to qualify as Musk’s judge?
I’ve seen several Genesis autos here in Orange County. In appearance and build quality they look very much like Jaguars and Maseratis, and unless you see the badge you might not know the difference. Hyundai is making a serious play for the luxury car market with this line.
Oh, gee. Can’t imagine why... /s
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