Tesla Reviews

Then, without any warning, Tesla removed my VIN. My app reverted to saying I was waiting for a VIN assignment again, my insurance upload option disappeared, and I was left with no vehicle attached to my order. When I contacted Tesla, no one could provide a real explanation. Every representative simply read from the same script. No one could tell me why my VIN was removed, when another vehicle would be assigned, or whether my current delivery estimate was even accurate anymore.

To make matters worse, while I was trying to work with Tesla to see if there was another vehicle available, a possible replacement vehicle was purchased by someone else while we were discussing it, costing me what may have been my best chance to get into a Tesla sooner. I understand production issues and delays can happen. What I cannot understand is assigning a customer a VIN, allowing them to prepare for delivery, changing the delivery estimate multiple times, and then taking the VIN away without any proactive communication or meaningful explanation.

Tesla builds vehicles that people are excited to own, but the customer service and delivery experience has been incredibly disappointing. Customers deserve honest communication, realistic delivery estimates, and actual answers instead of scripted responses. Right now I have no VIN, no vehicle assigned, no reliable ETA, and no idea when I’ll actually receive the car I ordered. After everything that’s happened, it’s hard to recommend this buying experience to anyone.

Tesla’s technology may be innovative, but the customer experience at the Fremont, CA location has been exhausting, stressful, and unacceptable. I truly hope Tesla leadership takes customer service as seriously as it takes innovation. Last-minute cancellation for families with higher hopes of a new car cancelled twice that car is still in service. Took day off twice, and they cancelled it twice.

The compressor has never been used even once, yet Tesla refused to repair or replace a product that failed before its first use. This has been an extremely frustrating customer service experience. Between the poor product quality and the lack of support for a clearly defective item, I am very disappointed with Tesla and expected much better from the company.

I then drove home. I have had the car for 2 weeks and 1 day as of today and it not only has self driving mode issues almost constantly, where it will flash on the screen that it is in the mode and then out of the mode, sometimes actually turning it off and sometimes not. It pulls me to the right or left as if self driving mode is turned on when it is not at least 1-2 times per drive in each direction (each direction is usually about 30 min tops). Sometimes it requires me to apply slight turning pressure to the steering wheel while self driving is on, I’m assuming to make sure I’m paying attention, as if staring at the road as it requires and yells at me if I look away for 10 seconds isn’t enough to show I’m paying attention. Can’t apply too much pressure tho because that will turn off the self driving which counts negatively against me for the insurance with Tesla.

The battery will go from 100%-50% in 1 hour and 40 mins, so the battery dies after 3 hours and 20 min and the average in which it decreases in charge varies constantly. At first I thought that would be because Sometimes the amount I am charged at the super charging stations range from ~$8 for 20-25% charge and then $80 for 45% charge, neither during peak hours. Getting ahold of a real person when calling tesla has been a nightmare and the insurance cost being raised after the first 2 months at a 90 safety score due to the car being driving poorly I would assume has made my insurance go from $161-$471 as of today and it’s only been 2 weeks.

This car is not even safe to drive as it pulls itself when self driving is not on which is extremely dangerous and battery doesn’t last, it pretty much stays at a steady decline. Overall I do not feel even a little bit safe in this car, it wasn’t even ready for me to pick it up at the delivery appointment due to the tires and then it wasn’t even cleaned when I picked it up. Oh and when you are buying a car online on the Tesla website you don’t get to see the interior or exterior to know if it has any stains or dings. The real kicker though is that I now have a loan for this piece for ~$20k ($19,847) and the car is only worth ~$15-$16k a difference of what I put down as a deposit…I got totally screwed so all I can say is STAY AWAY FROM TESLA CARS if you don’t want your life to be a headache due to the constant stress when driving this car and the money drained and draining out of your wallet.

It took three calls before anyone would even escalate the issue to a manager. When we finally reached one **, the response was dismissive: we were told the order “processes immediately,” that plenty of customers who ordered at 11:50pm on the 15th got the incentive, and that in their years at Tesla they’d never seen a delayed confirmation. Except our own order confirmation didn’t arrive until three days after we placed the order — directly contradicting what we were told. If there’s a system delay on Tesla’s end, customers shouldn’t be the ones penalized for it. At minimum, Tesla should be upfront that promotions require ordering several days in advance, or through a live person, rather than letting the app accept an order and deposit and then quietly failing to honor the terms.

This is unacceptable customer service. When you buy a premium vehicle like a Tesla, you expect prompt and reliable support—not to be left without transportation for days because of poor communication and delays. I regret purchasing a Tesla based on this experience. Tesla needs to improve its roadside assistance and customer service. I hope no other customer has to go through what I have experienced.

2 years in, the back wheel started making a clicking noise. After researching what the problem could have been, I saw that it is common on Teslas and it wasn't anything damaged or damaging. Just needed some lubricant. I wanted to be proactive and keep the car in great shape, so I looked into scheduling a repair. The closest appointment was 2 months out. That made me look at if my car was inoperable. I would be out of a car until that appointment. Big red flag.

The next situation was when I wash my car and happen to look under the back where a gas tank would be on a gas car. I saw that both my rear tires had worn down to the steel bands only on the most inside part of the tire. The rest of the tire had many miles left in tread. I had to replace them at year 2 with 19,000 miles. That was $1200 installed. In order to keep the tires from prematurely aging, I attempted to get a wheel alignment in which I was told only Tesla can perform alignments on Teslas. Another big red flag. I started to think how blessed I was to realized the tire damage before a blowout or flat tires. Because they don't carry spares, that would mean getting towed. Also thankful I never ran out of power on the road, that would have more than likely cost a pretty penny too.

Now comes to the part when I was coming up on my lease termination date. I wanted to research and plot out my next move early so I started viewing the options online and realized that I had a nice trade in value with the lease. Online, I was able to apply the trade-in value to a new model y (PERFORMANCE) and still come out with a lower monthly payment as well as a $7k credit after applying a significant amount down. A representative called and saw that I was interested in getting a new car. I told her that I wanted to wait closer to my termination date. She then told me that there were options for early termination that could be waived due to a new purchase. I decided to wait.

The time came closer and I decided to start the process a month out to ensure the new car could be delivered in time. The numbers looked better considering my balance was paid off. I applied the same information as I did when I first conducted my research. I ordered the new car for $250 (non-refundable) based off the trade in value given on Tesla's app.

Everything went smoothly all the way up to a week out. I received an update stating I needed to pay my final payment from a credit of $7k to a balance of $20k. I thought that meant that once the car was returned, that car would fulfill the balance, plus that app allowed me to complete the onboarding process all the way up to delivery day instructions. The app even told me to find the car and open it from my phone, switch the tags and get familiar with the new car. Luckily I went in to ensure all was good. They told me that there was something wrong with my account and that I would need to come back the next day, so I reluctantly did.

The next day, I was told that I wouldn't be able to use the lease return as a trade in and apply it to the new vehicle. She then told me that the vehicle had a negative equity based off of some calculations she recited. Of course my face hit the floor as she told me to look into getting a co-signer or come up with the $20k. The next steps went from trying to lower the down payment to trying to find another comparable vehicle with low or no money down. It stated becoming disrespectful as if I wasn't a customer that finished their first leasing term with them.

Ultimately, I lost $250, searched and I found another car which offered to use EV tax credit as down payment. That lead me back to Tesla to see about how that tax credit was used to benefit our partnership. Upon reviewing the Lease Agreement, there is no mention of the tax credit. So it looks like they just pocketed the money with no benefit to the customers. Now that I have returned the vehicle, they sent over a final bill of +$2k for wear and tear. This company has too many ways of milking money out of you. I didn't feel like a valued customer. The $500 discounts were laughable and down right disrespectful to one's intellect and career. I wouldn't fight with the bots. Better to look elsewhere for an EV. They are not going to last long with these deceptive business practices.

Advertised price $269 lease price for a base Model 3 but Not available for pick up? Tesla charged me $250 fee right away at the start of the online application before I continue to next page. Advertised vehicle wasn't available but more expensive same model vehicle with extras was available for $369 a month plus losing out $2000 rebate from NYS. Westbury Tesla customer service Jesse refused to refund me $250 doc, fee which I didn't even complete, finalized the application yet. The fee over $175 is now illegal in NYS, Attorney General office will be investigating for overcharging, also regulated by Dept. of Motor Vehicles. The next step will be to file a lawsuit against, put Tesla on Media for public awareness. People stay away from this crooked dealership, don't get robbed by the loser, they don't deserve anyone's business. Thank you for your attention!

Bulent

After delivery, I was informed that my vehicle does not qualify for this Supercharging benefit. When I raised the issue, I was told the salesperson “misspoke.” This confirms that incorrect information was provided to me at the point of sale. Within 72 hours of delivery, I have already incurred approximately $63 in Supercharging charges, which would not have occurred had I been properly informed. This is not a minor misunderstanding. It is a material discrepancy between what was represented to me during the sales process and what Tesla is now stating after the transaction has been completed.

* Immediate reinstatement of the one year of Supercharging as originally represented, given the timing of this issue (raised within 72 hours of delivery) and the confirmation that incorrect information was provided, I expect this matter to be escalated to a supervisor or Tesla Customer Relations manager capable of authorizing a resolution. No resolution was made on my behalf.

A rattle in the driver's side dash

As a 20‑year drivability mechanic, I know the difference between a balance issue, a bent rim, and a suspension problem. I also worked at a dealership for years, so I understand how service should be handled — and this was the opposite.

Initial Visit. My advisor, Marco and the technician Joseph, were pleasant enough, though the tech made comments that immediately raised red flags about his diagnostic experience. Still, I trusted the process and even tipped him $20 upfront because I know noise complaints can be tedious. The loaner I received was filthy inside and out, smelled terrible, and clearly had not been detailed despite being described as “off‑gassing from deodorizer.” I let it go — I just wanted my car fixed.

A One‑Week Wait for a Wheel Balance. My car was kept for an entire week for what should have been a straightforward wheel balance and rattle diagnosis. Then I received a call claiming:

I needed $1,600 worth of rims.

And that this was not covered under warranty. This was shocking. My car has no impact marks, no alignment issues, no suspension damage, and has only been driven by me on well‑maintained roads. I know for a fact I never hit anything.

Management Interaction. I asked for a manager and spoke with Joshua, who repeated the same script. No attempt to investigate further, no curiosity, no customer advocacy — just pressure to buy rims. I requested escalation to the GM or district rep. Joshua told me to “expect a no,” which tells you everything about the culture here. The next morning, he called back, saying exactly that — denied.

Printouts from the wheel balancer (runout, measurements, specs).

He agreed, but when I arrived later that day, he had nothing prepared. Not a single document. Not even the balancer results. He claimed the tech “saw a wobble” but the machine was “in the green.” So warranty decisions are being made based on someone’s perception rather than actual data.

Unprofessional Behavior. During the conversation, Joshua made comments about “stealerships,” flat rate, and how Tesla “doesn’t do that.” It was smug, dismissive, and completely unprofessional — especially considering I’m a former dealership tech who knows exactly how this should work.

Independent Verification. I immediately went to Discount Tire, a Tesla‑approved shop, and paid out of pocket for a road‑force balance and rim inspection.

✔ No structural issues whatsoever

Exactly what I suspected from the start.

Final Thoughts. This entire situation could have been avoided if the service team simply balanced my wheels instead of trying to sell me unnecessary rims. Instead, I was met with:

And a complete lack of accountability

I now dread returning to this location and am considering taking all future service to a different Tesla center. I’ve given the service manager’s supervisor 48 hours to respond — no reply. As a new Tesla owner, this experience has genuinely made me regret the purchase. I hope Tesla corporate sees this and addresses the serious issues at this service center.

The most frustrating part is the complete lack of human communication and accountability. Everything is automated texts, delayed responses, and dismissive interactions. Customers deserve consideration for their time, health, and money. Tesla’s technology may be innovative, but the customer experience at the Savannah location has been exhausting, stressful, and unacceptable. I truly hope Tesla leadership takes customer service as seriously as it takes innovation.

They should have immediately sent a replacement and arranged to pick up the damaged item from my home, as any responsible company would. Instead, I’m left without the gift I purchased for my son. It’s been almost a month, and I haven’t even heard back on a proper resolution. As a loyal Tesla customer, this is beyond disappointing. Tesla, step up—send the replacement now, pick up the damaged product from my home, and do right by your customers.

When I got home, I called the Tesla Service Center in Tucson. They couldn’t have been nicer. Jason said I could bring the car in right away or if I couldn’t make it that day, the next day. I vacuumed up the glass dust in the car and nervously drove up to the Tucson Tesla Service Center, about a 35-minute drive. Jason, the service advisor, said he hasn’t seen that before, and he was concerned about it. He said he could replace the damaged window, but he needed to find out what the problem was. He ordered the part and scheduled the following Monday to bring the car back in, and they would work on fixing the problem.

On Monday I arrived at the Tucson Tesla Service Center a little before 8AM. Jason wasn’t sure how long it would take to discover the problem, but knew it wouldn’t take long to actually replace the broken window. He gave me an estimated date & time for the next day, Tuesday at 5:30 PM. In the meantime, he arranged to get me a loaner car. (Wow, it was a Model X.) As it turned out Jason and team had discovered the problem, replaced the damaged window, and texted me around 1PM, that everything was good to go. The problem was that the window was not “calibrated” properly. In other word the car didn’t know if the window was up or down. So, when the door was closed it must have smashed into the rolled-up window.

Nobody likes to have a problem like this. Especially when taking delivery of a new car. This was my 3rd Tesla. 3years of a Model 3, and 4 years of a Model Y. Never had any major problems in all that time. Great cars. So, I knew this was a fluke, and just went with it. I knew the Tesla would do the right thing. They did. Great job Tesla Service Center!

When I contacted Tesla support, I was transferred to service, where they remotely diagnosed a hardware failure. It is honestly unacceptable that a brand-new car would require service for a hardware issue within just 10 days of ownership. To make matters worse, the nearest Tesla service center is 250 miles away from me, adding significant inconvenience to an already frustrating situation. This has been a very poor ownership experience so far, and far from what I expected from Tesla.

**Range & Driving Experience** Tesla advertises a 320‑mile range, but in real‑world conditions I consistently averaged around **220 miles**. This limited my driving radius to about 50 miles if I wanted to avoid range anxiety. I frequently worried about getting stranded late at night due to the lack of reliable charging stations. On multiple occasions, I arrived at chargers only to find them out of order.

**Interior Quality & Noise* For a vehicle priced above $65,000, the interior quality is disappointing. The cabin is **very noisy**, with noticeable road noise, wind noise, and rattles — especially on highways. It does not deliver the quiet, refined ride you would expect at this price point.

**Tire & Service Issues** The Model Y has **no spare tire**, which led to several towing situations at my own expense. Tesla’s tire services are extremely expensive — often double what traditional shops charge — and you have no option to go elsewhere. Service appointments are limited, repairs are costly, and Tesla does not offer the kind of customer experience you get from brands like Acura or Mercedes, where dealerships provide comfortable waiting areas, snacks, and attentive service.

**Cargo & Practicality** Despite being marketed as an SUV, the Model Y’s cargo space is limited. You cannot fit four suitcases unless you fold the rear seats, which defeats the purpose of an SUV. Coming from the ML350 and MDX, the difference in practicality is significant.

**Resale Value** The most disappointing part has been the resale value. The vehicle has lost nearly **70%** of its original value in just three years. I reached out to Tesla multiple times regarding the pricing and depreciation concerns, but every request for assistance or adjustment was denied.

**Final Thoughts** The Tesla Model Y may appeal to some drivers, but based on my three‑year ownership experience, it did not meet expectations in range, comfort, service, or long‑term value. For the price paid, I expected a far better overall experience.

I have called, emailed, and texted various contacts for nearly 2 months the and all they do is send me the automated messages to pay in full or say they are making a support ticket. I recently contacted my state departments and filed a formal complaint. It’s not a surprise a company as large as Tesla would be like this, but the literally refusal to respond to a legitimate dispute is truly criminal. I highly recommend buying a car from a company that actually values its customers and isn’t trying to run bare bones with AI bots running all interactions.

The interaction was rude, abrupt, and condescending. It is almost like Tesla is not interested in any service revenue. I switched back to Safelite. I am coming up to a time in which I will change my vehicle for a more current model - I am really wondering if I want to continue with Tesla as the vehicle purchase process and customer service has gone straight into the toilet over the last few years. I wonder if Mr. Musk even cares or pays any attention to how pathetic the company's customer care has gotten.

On top of that, my customer service adviser, Alex Carballo, has been extremely unresponsive. I was told my call would be returned within an hour. It has now been three days with no return call. I also tried the 1-800 customer service line and waited over an hour with no one answering. This level of service is unacceptable. Tesla’s customer service has been the worst I’ve dealt with. If you’re considering buying or leasing, keep in mind that the car may be fine, but the support and communication are not.

This company is not correct and not honest. By the way they will tell you if you want to charge the car at normal charge at home it will take you 8 hours until full, the model 3, 2026 that I already bought and deeply regretted, I kept this Tesla 24 hours my home normal charge, it ONLY CHARGED ABOUT 30%. Sorry but this company and their sales are selling dreams and never telling you the truth.