[xiphias2]

I’m a subscriber to consumer reports, but as it put Tesla Model 3, the most successful car in the past few years on the back as the least reliable, I feel that I can’t trust its results to be 100% independent reviews. I don’t have a Tesla, but if something grows so fast where people pay a significant amount for it, it can’t be that bad.

[tzs]

Are you thinking of the Model Y? CR gives the Model 3 average reliability, and gives it the highest overall score in the electric car $45-55k category. The only other car with average reliability in the category is the BMW i3. The Ford Mustang Mach-E and Polestar 2 get the next tier down for reliability, and then the Model Y brings up the rear getting the bottom tier reliability score.

In the electric cars over $75k category, everything except the Audi E-Tron gets the tier between worse and average, including the Tesla Models S and X. The Audi gets the bottom tier.

This article talks about why the Teslas other than the Model 3 get low reliability ratings [1]:

> Commonly reported issues from Model Y owners included defective sensors that had to be replaced, problems with heat pumps, air conditioning, body panels that didn’t line up and water leaks in the trunk due to missing seals, according to Fisher. Owners also reported a variety of electrical and hardware issues with the higher-priced, and less-popular, Model S sedan and Model X falcon-wing SUV.

> Older models typically fare better in reliability, as companies tend to make tweaks and redesigns to solve known problems, while sticking with the same parts and suppliers.

> But Tesla deviates from this approach, Fisher explained. “At almost random times during the year Tesla will switch major components, suppliers or sensors and other units. The more you change, the greater the chances you’re going to have some problems.”

[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2021/11/18/consumer-reports-2021-auto-r...

[maxdo]

Ford recalled almost all their mach-e cars build until first half of 2021 with unglued roof, so that there was two different risks to roof fly away. As of december 2021 they still didn't fix the keys. Software glitch and a security recall of seatbelt issues. And yet, it is more reliable compares to tesla lol :)

[aix1]

I don't know anything about how reliable or not Model 3 is, but surely reliability != popularity?

[xiphias2]

It’s the growth that’s staggering. What I read is that older car companies changed the rating to include small software bugs in the entertainment system. As Tesla has much more non-essential features, these while these small bugs are not that important for the end user, can bring the ratings down vs other cars that don’t even offer the feature.

[KarlKemp]

Tesla is well known to whip cars with sometimes dozens of minor issues. It’s a new company and these processes need time and experience.

The reliability data also is likely sourced from outside, such as the AAA, insurers, or any other place where car trouble data naturally accumulates.

[xiphias2]

I see...it's interesting that they can get away with it while growing so fast

[maxdo]

Tesla got it's fair share of issues, but they fix them and detect them fast. They adamant about security. Only Tesla and Volvo got their own testing facilities. Last recall of backup camera is actually a positive call. On a very small group of cars they got this issue. They called it a defect and recalled an entire batch ( 500k cars) to fix a potential issue.

[derbOac]

Well, there was just a recall of 500000 Tesla vehicles, including Model 3s, for safety issues:

https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/tesla-recall-model-3-s-fr...

[maxdo]

Yeah, I was also frustrated. Tesla always been in the top. And boom, suddenly it stoped been there. I don't believe in reincarnation. All my peers who owns tesla are the most happy customers every, including me. For 2 years owning Model Y I asked for service twice. Once i damaged the car, they came to my backyard, I found it super convenient.

Second time I request a retrofit a speaker from a newer models and hardware + work cost me $100 usd. Engineers did all the job at my home while i was working. I only clicked from the App open the car . Oh well, consumer report doesn't count this things that makes consumers happy.

Consumer reports also doesn't count that after two years of ownership i received tons of new features and my car still feels fresh. I can put here a huge list. Since I bought the car :

- my range improved

- winter regenerative brakes improved

- automatic blindspot cameras after turn

- improved climate control, especially automatic seat heat

- more music/video sources

- dramatically improved autopilot

- view cameras from phone

- updated for free hardware for temperature measurements during one of the unrelated visits

- improved charging time ( faster)

- charging network doubled

- automatically synced profiles to my second tesla

- better charging scheduling, that works well with my local electricity provider incentives, saved me ~600 usd already

- far better navigation included way points

- better security when backing up ( sound)

- improved auto wipers, that become 100% reliable( more a fix)

- i don't include tons of fun stuff like games, easter eggs etc...

This are only improvements that are useful to me. The actual list is waay bigger.

Oh well... someone paid this journalists to portrait it in a bad way. But that basically shows how vulnerable is the system. You pay 10-20 journalists and boom, you got your marketshare of people who trust to some bs like consumer reports.