Bought a pre-owned 2025 Model Y Performance straight from Tesla, ended up with a dirty, reeky car with misaligned components and lacking quality control checks.
In a world where innovation is king, consistency is queen. This sentiment rings true for Tesla, a company known for pushing boundaries in the automotive industry. However, as Jaywoof94 discovered upon purchasing a used 2025 Model Y Performance (MYP) from Tesla, the company's reputation for quality control leaves much to be desired.
Jaywoof94's new ride was less than pristine upon delivery. The car had an odd smell and was filthy, both inside and out. The car's charger port was misaligned, and glue residue was found on the wood trim. Even a small chip was present in the wood paneling. Light stains above the visor area added to the car's less-than-impressive first impression.
The car's performance was less than ideal as well. Jaywoof94 experienced a violent shake at speeds above 70 mph and a slight pull to the left. These issues, combined with the car's filthy condition, made for a less-than-ideal start to the ownership experience.
The Model Y Performance has been plagued with common reliability issues, particularly related to ride comfort and suspension. Vibrations at highway speeds, steering irregularities, and poor initial quality control are not uncommon among owners. Even with low mileage, the car can present as a "fixer-upper" with symptoms such as shaking at 70+ mph, unbalanced or misaligned wheels, and an off-center steering wheel.
Tesla's attempts to improve suspension and ride comfort result in only modest gains, with the ride still feeling firm and tight due to suspension tuning that favors handling and responsiveness over softness. A known related issue is linked to Tesla's noise-canceling tire inserts, which can cause vibrations.
Jaywoof94 plans to get an ozone treatment to eliminate the lingering smell of the previous owner. Despite the initial setbacks, Jaywoof94 remains hopeful that the car will prove to be a reliable and enjoyable ride in the long run.
However, Tesla's reputation for quality control issues extends beyond the Model Y Performance. The company has faced scrutiny over missing suspension bolts, the use of make-shift adhesives inside the cooling system, steering wheels detaching in rare cases, and unexplained "phantom braking" events tied to its Autopilot system.
As Tesla continues to push the boundaries of innovation, it must also address these quality control challenges to avoid turning fans into frustrated mechanics. For Jaywoof94 and other Model Y Performance owners, the hope is that these issues will be resolved, leading to a more enjoyable and reliable driving experience.
[1] https://teslarati.com/tesla-model-y-shaking-issues-noise-canceling-tire-inserts/ [2] https://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-y/2022/tesla-model-y-long-range-review/ [4] https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/tesla-model-y-performance-review-2022/
- Despite Tesla's efforts to improve car-maintenance aspects like suspension and ride comfort, issues such as vibrations at highway speeds and a firm, tight ride quality remain, suggesting a need for further refinement in the automotive industry's finance and quality control aspects.
- In the realm of lifestyle, owning a Model Y Performance may require more attention to car-maintenance than expected amidst reports of common reliability issues, including a less-than-ideal first impression upon delivery, unexplained shaking at 70+ mph, and steering irregularities.
- As Tesla continues to lead innovation in the transportation sector, heightened attention should be given to finance and quality control issues, such as missing suspension bolts, make-shift adhesives, and unexplained "phantom braking" events tied to the Autopilot system, to ensure a worry-free driving experience for its customers and uphold the company's reputation.
