Through numerous vehicle owners reporting to Consumer Reports, it has been shown that even though electric vehicles do not have as many moving parts as an internal combustion engine (ICE) car, they can be much less reliable. For years the new Tesla EVs being introduced to the market have had below-average reliability and customer satisfaction ratings, except for the Model 3, which has exceptional ratings compared to all the other Tesla models to date. The problems plaguing new Teslas are expected within the EV industry. Let's face it, even though the technology has been around for years, dating back to 1832, when the first crude electric vehicle was built by Robert Anderson, it still has a long way to go. The main reason that Tesla has had so many problems with its models is simply that it is learning as it goes, just like all the other carmakers that have stepped foot into the EV market.

Unlike the classic ICE vehicles, new EVs are a whole new generation of cars without any past models to take notes from. To compare, go back in time to when the first vehicles were being built. They all had problems at first that needed to be worked out. Just like back then, when a Tesla had an issue, it was hard to find help because not many people were even certified to work on it. Thankfully, Tesla does have roadside assistance if a driver should ever break down on the side of the road. However, getting it fixed properly may become a problem, and service wait times can be ridiculous.

With all that in mind, let's take a quick look at some of the top problems that will be run into when owning a Tesla. Keep in mind, however, that as the world moves into the future, all these issues will be solved by the company as well as any new problems that are bound to come up as the technology is perfected.

Updated August 27, 2023: Tesla has been in and out of the news since its first EV was produced in 2008, some good and a lot of bad. Tesla will always have a place in our hearts, so instead of letting this article get buried with the multitudes of other outdated articles, we have decided to update it with some new and refreshing information!

Related: 10 Reasons Why Tesla Is Still The Benchmark Of The EV Movement

1 Tesla Needs A Broader Dealership Support System

Most car dealerships in the country have some type of maintenance shop attached to them, but they also have separate entities around the globe that are certified to work on their vehicles. Since Tesla has taken this task upon itself, it is hard to find a place to have a Tesla repaired. When one is found, the wait to have the vehicle worked on can be extensive because the popularity of the Tesla has shot through the roof, meaning that Tesla issues will spill over and need more shops available to take them to. A more efficient dealership support or maintenance and repair system needs to be set up by Tesla if it wants to continue dominating the world of EVs.

Tesla Repair Location Counts By State

Every new car has a maintenance schedule that needs to be followed, including Teslas that do not have traditional engine issues. Once a certified shop has been located, the owner will have to set up times for routine maintenance checks and repairs, which can cost more than consumers are used to simply because the parts for an EV cost more than ICE parts. They may take a while to get to the shop because many things need to be ordered, which means a rental car until the Tesla is ready. The parts will not be the only inflated expense, though, because since Tesla problems can only be fixed by certified and properly trained technicians, the average bill will be substantially higher than a typical vehicle maintenance schedule. According to RepairPal, Teslas have an average annual repair cost of $832, about 25% higher than most ICE-powered cars.

2 Tesla Warning Lights And Cruise Control Can Be Problem Areas

The more technology a car has, the more the owner relies upon dashboard warning lights to avoid potential Tesla problems. The thing with the warning lights on a Tesla is that sometimes they will come on as an actual warning, while other times they will come on just because the system tells them to. There is also the other side of that coin when the dash lights do not even come on when there is a problem. This has become a significant problem with Tesla's reliability issues because since repair shops are so few and far between, many consumers do not plan to have their vehicle in the shop unless there is a reason, which would generally come through the warning lights built into the dashboard.

Cruise control is much different than Autopilot, which every person who has driven a car is familiar with. For the most part, new vehicles have this setting attached to the steering wheel to ensure the driver can still maintain eyes on the road. Tesla decided to change this up and add it into the console of other features, turning it into a setting that needs to be adjusted through a touchscreen. This idea may seem like a good one because technology has led the world towards touchscreen everything, but the only way to set and adjust it is to take eyes off the road, drastically decreasing the safety of the distracted driver.

Related: 5 Automakers That Will Destroy Tesla (And, 5 That Don't Stand A Chance)

3 Autopilot Failures And Power Steering Issues Can Be Life-Threatening

Every person in the world looks forward to the idea of having a car that can drive itself. At one time, this notion was strictly science fiction. Something that could be seen in cartoons or in a good movie. Over the past decade, this technology has been building up to be a viable option for people buying cars, but Tesla shows that the innovations are not quite there yet. One of the biggest issues that modern cars have is centered on the autopilot systems, causing some serious safety concerns. Tesla is one of the leading companies pushing for a full-driving car, so Tesla recalls can be expected to be higher than the other carmakers that have not gone much above a level 2 self-driving vehicle. Though it should be noted that a recent report showed that Tesla's FSD beta is, in fact, impressively safe.

Most of the Tesla quality issues are found in the actual construction of the car, but one thing that brings up serious safety concerns is the failure of the power steering units. Unlike the average ICE vehicle, Tesla's power steering system is electric, offering a ride similar to a high-end sports car. The system is supposed to do that, anyway, but things do not always go as planned. The power steering system has been known to lock up, hesitate, or even go in and out of sync. These Tesla problems make driving less stable and put the people in the car at serious risk of injury from an accident.

4 Tesla Updates Make Things Worse

Many Tesla problems can be fixed with a software update because most of the car is based on technology. Just like when updating a computer, though, the update may cause more issues. More glitches and more frustration. If the owner of the problem car calls the service center, they will turn around and say that the update needs to be downloaded. But of course, since that caused the current issues, the bugs must be dealt with until the next update comes out. An update that may fix the current problem but cause something else to come up, starting the circle all over again.

Related: 10 Things Ford And Chevy Could Learn From Tesla

5 Batteries And Tires Will Cost You A Pretty Penny

For decades, changing a battery, except for cars like the classic Dodge Stratus, was as simple as popping the hood and removing two battery cables. That was all that there was to it other than pulling the old battery out and putting the new one in. That is no longer true with Tesla brands because the battery is no longer found at the top of the front engine compartment. Most EV batteries are under the floorboard between the front tires along the axle. It is not even suggested that you attempt to switch the EV battery out without the proper training. So, unless you are a Tesla mechanic or engineer, you may want to take it to a shop when it is time for a replacement.

Tire wear is expected out of every vehicle, some more than others. As a general rule, the cheaper the tire is, the faster it will wear. Another general rule that can be allowed is that the heavier the car or truck is, the more wear and tear the tire will have to handle. The tires on the Tesla will wear down faster than you are used to unless you have had other EVs. The reason for this is not because of bad quality tires or because of the lack of enough rubber. What causes the excessive wear and tear on the Tesla tires is the vehicle's weight and the excess amount of torque that the electric car has. Even changing the brand of tires cannot help, so until a new type of tire is designed, tire replacement is something you will need to allow for when you own a Tesla.

6 Tesla Has Large Blind Spots And Unwanted Braking

Every driver has undergone training before attempting to get out on the road. One of the main things that every driver is taught is to use mirrors at all times, not just when turning or stopping. It is a great way to increase driver awareness, reducing the number of road accidents. Modern cars have sensors that watch for hidden objects in blind spots, letting the driver know through a message on the side mirror. Tesla changed this up and decided to put the notifications on the touchscreen in the console, which means that since the driver is watching the mirrors, as they should be, they do not see the warning pop up telling them that something is in the blind spot.

Automatic braking is handy when a child jumps off the curb in front of you or a car suddenly slams on its brakes, and you only have seconds to react. That is what automatic braking is all about, which is activated through the sensors and cameras placed around the vehicle in strategic locations. However, when things go wrong like they have been known to do in the Tesla, the brakes can activate for no apparent reason. This may be funny the first time or two that it happens, as long as it does not cause an accident, but eventually, it will be a serious problem that will need to be addressed by the company and each individual Tesla owner.

Related: Is Tesla's Autopilot Really The Best ADAS Currently?

7 Tesla Cannot Haul As Many Passengers As You May Think

The maximum payload of Tesla may be a little misleading because most of you look at how many people can comfortably ride in the car. For example, if the spec sheet claims that the Tesla Model Y will hold up to seven people, that is the only number considered. But the important thing that needs to be factored in is the weight of those people because the equations used to figure this out assume that each adult weighs less than 150 pounds.

• 2023 Tesla Model Y: 747 to 1,157 pounds, holds up to 7 adults
• 2023 Tesla Model X: 1,065 pounds, holds up to 7 adults
• 2023 Tesla Model 3: 679 to 1,024 pounds, holds up to 5 adults

Do the math with any model and add a couple of adults that are the average weight, which in the United States currently averages around 200 pounds for men and 170 pounds for women. You can see how easy it is to exceed the maximum safe payload amounts. When that happens, the safety of everyone in the car is at risk, as well as everyone else on the roads that you may pass by. So, before climbing into your Tesla, do the math for the sake of everyone involved.

8 Tesla Is High In Class, Low In Build Quality

It may be hard for most people to understand why Tesla's quality issues have been debated for some time. It all boils down to that because of the sticker price, and the idea that they are high-end luxury cars, things do not match up. The interior is constructed of cheaper materials that should only be found in entry-level vehicles. The exterior parts and pieces seem to come loose or get out of alignment as soon as the Tesla is driven off the lot. That is not to mention that many owners have stated that the paint peels long before it should.

Related: 15 Solid Alternatives To The Tesla Model 3

9 Tesla Models Are Not Great In The Snow

Ignore the fact that the electric battery cells degrade in cold weather. Ignore the fact that Tesla is built and tested in the warmer climates found in California. What cannot be ignored is that the average Tesla model is not good in the snow or on icy roads. The tires that come stock on the car are meant for clear and dry roads. Of course, there is always the option available to put new tires on the Tesla that are more suited to the environment that it is driven in, but since the tires wear down faster due to the weight of the vehicle, it may get beyond the budget more quickly than you realize.

10 Tesla Owners Have Privacy... Or Do They?

Technology can do some amazing things but can also infringe on your right to privacy, especially when people take advantage of pictures and videos taken through in-car cameras. When designing their EVs, the company wanted to ensure that the people inside the vehicle were as safe as possible. If something should happen, Tesla wanted its consumers to know that the company had their backs. In-car cameras would take pictures and record the accidents, or even movements when the vehicle is parked, to get footage of any wrongdoing that can not be disputed. It's a great idea, but the employees at Tesla took the technology a little too far and used the images they collected from cars for personal use, including posting on social media sites.