Do Teslas Break Down A Lot?
Brandon Moore
· 3 min read
As Tesla and the electric vehicle industry grow in popularity, some drivers have questions about their reliability. Concerns about mechanical and electrical problems arise for drivers unfamiliar with EV technology.
Currently, four
Tesla
model cars are available – the model S, Y, X, and 3. Elon Musk's company regularly updates its vehicle technology.There’s lots of conflicting information online about whether Teslas
break down
a lot, so it can be difficult to find clear answers. That’s why Jerry
is turning to Tesla’s actual vehicle history to give you answers.Advantages of owning a Tesla
Electric cars are known for their ability to pile on the mileage and continue to run well. According to
Electrek
, the Tesla Model S can continue to function well after passing 400,000 miles. This is because electric vehicles don’t rely on the same mechanical functions of a normal car, so they aren’t subject to as much wear and tear
. Tesla cars do not need to undergo the traditional maintenance of a gas-powered vehicle. Because EVs use a battery, there’s never any need to change oil or replace spark plugs. And when problems do arise for Tesla models, many of them can be fixed remotely via updates from the car’s onboarding computer.
Another source,
Motor1
, also reports that Tesla maintenance "remains on the affordable end" in terms of vehicle maintenance. This is due to the reasons stated above as well as the owner app’s easy maintenance tracking, so the user only gets maintenance done when necessary.What commonly breaks on a Tesla?
Though Tesla owners don’t need to worry about some major mechanical issues, there are still problems that any electric car will share with a gas-powered car. For instance, they still use brakes and tires, which will eventually require maintenance.
According to
Vehicle History
, Tesla drivers do need to replace the suspension components since their electric design weighs more than an internal combustion engine vehicle. Its brake pads frequently show wear and must be replaced periodically as well. Vehicle History also has a section featuring real owner reviews. Tesla drivers tend to give their cars glowing reviews, describing their vehicles as the epitome of luxury and performance. However, they also note some electrical problems.
One user says their car has electrical problems that can only be solved by resetting the car, while another noted that the battery does not last as long as advertised.
The issue with Tesla batteries
Since EVs use an electric battery, they are subject to battery degradation. If they aren’t replaced, owners may find that their electric batteries can’t hold as many miles-per-charge as they did when they first bought the vehicle.
Currently, Tesla batteries can last from 300,000 - 500,000 miles before needing replacement. Thankfully, that gives Tesla drivers plenty of time before they need to buy a replacement battery, which can range from $3,000 to $7,000 for the Model 3.
