Early Tesla Model X Owners Experiencing Quality Issues
Early Tesla Model X owners are finding a variety of quality issues with their new crossovers.
After numerous delays, the Tesla Model X began deliveries late last year and not every owner has been completely satisfied. The majority of the first vehicles delivered were priced in the $100,000 range.
Consumer Reports has released a detailed story about Michael Karpf, who flew earlier this month to Tesla’s factory in Fremont, California to take delivery of his $138,000 P90D Model X. The 75-year-old retiree was looking forward to driving the all-new Model X across the country with his wife and son to their home in New York but ran into numerous issues.
For starters, one of the Falcon Wing rear doors refused to close while the other door failed to open, except from the inside. In another instance, one of the doors didn’t sense an overhang and bashed into it, leaving a dent on the door. In addition, the driver’s door window wouldn’t motor down properly until it dislodged a piece of chrome trim that was restricting it from lowering.
SEE ALSO: Tesla Model X Recalled Over Rear Seat Crash Safety Concern
Beyond manufacturing issues, Consumer Reports also notes that the Model X’s uniquely curved windshield is causing “double vision” distortion of headlights, tail lights and street lights at night. Karpf ran into an issue with the AutoPilot feature when the road’s shoulder fell away, causing the vehicle to get confused and Karpf having to take control. The Model X owner also noted that the crossover’s heating system had issues keeping the vehicle warm.
This isn’t the only instance of issues from Model X owners. One user on Tesla Motors Club documented dozens of problems after taking delivery, ranging from molding issues to paint problems and misalignment of body panels.
Despite all these issues, Karpf does commend Tesla for quickly addressing and fixing all the problems in a timely fashion.
[Source: Consumer Reports & Tesla Motors Club]
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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An all-new model from an essentially brand-new automaker is having quality issues? I'M SHOCKED! I saw a Model X "in the flesh" last weekend and the panel gaps between the rear hatch and body sides were gargantuan! There are even quality issues you can see from 10 feet away.
$138,000????? Who is the fool!!!! Here I come GM.