Tesla Service is unique. However, if you are coming from a BMW, Audi or another luxury brand manufacturer, prepare to be disappointed.
Tesla App – The Good
The Tesla App is pretty intuitive. I also like that you can use your phone to pretty much control everything on the vehicle. Most importantly you can also use the app to book and setup service appointments.
Upon booking a service appointment, you have to convey the concerns that you have and then a Tesla advisor will reach out to you on the app shortly.
Tesla App – Booking Appointments – The Bad
While it is great that you can use the Tesla app to initiate a Service appointment, sometimes it would just be easier to speak with someone in person. As well, depending on the issue, the advisor from the app will change your appointment type.
For example, after a Third Party Inspection, it was found that my Model 3 had several issues:
1. The Rear window occasionally sticks and won’t always short drop. This has damaged the chrome.
2. All door handles had the chrome peeling off
3. Front doors creak when opening and closing (“Check-Straps” – again)
4. Squeaks going over road bumps as well as when turning right/left in the front and back of the car
So when I used the Tesla App to book an appointment, the only option I was given was a Mobile Tech option. So I booked it.
After the Advisor on the App reviewed by concerns, it was determined that the mobile tech would be unable to fix these problems and I would have to bring my vehicle into the dealership. While this is what i wanted in the first place (didn’t get the option to select the dealership for whatever reason), why would the Service advisor randomly schedule a date for me without even asking me about my schedule?
Tesla also estimated the concerns to be worth approximately $2500 in repairs. Wasn’t this supposed to be under warranty tho?
Service Center & Experience – The Ugly
The Service Center seems like a massive factory. Imagine basically a Costco sized building with cars on air jacks. You walk into basically a make-shift desk to address your concerns with the Service advisor.
Again, coming from a BMW or Audi perspective, this was unexpected.
The Tesla Advisor didn’t believe me that I had squeaking noises because they don’t cover those types of noises so I would have to drive around with a Technician.
Naturally, the Technician couldn’t hear the sounds as it is intermittent.
Fortunately, I had some pictures of what my control arm/link bushings looked like from when my winter tires were changed.
Turns out, all 4 of my bushings, lateral links and compliance links had to be changed. However, if i had not had the pictures, they would not have even looked at it.
On the positive side, they did provide a free Tesla Model S loaner to get around for a few days while they fixed the issues. This was a great experience to try an Model S however I was sad to find out that the Model S had less features than my Model 3. It didn’t even have Autopilot!
I guess my main issue is that for the price of these cars, which is basically in the luxury segment of prices, I would sort of expect a more “luxury” experience especially with Service.
They also don’t generally charge your car. So I left the dealer with only 30% left.
