Should I duct tape the passenger door to keep it closed?

artsci · Jul 31, 2015

I'm not one to gratuitously criticize Tesla but my current situation is cause for real concern. Before I drove to California and back for TMC Connect, the front passenger door was occasionally springing open when I put the car in park and opened the driver's door. Weird. I called Tesla service about the problem, told them I'd be driving to CA, and they told me the Fremont Service Center would contact me about fixing it while I was there. Never heard anything from Fremont (a disappointment) but as the problem did not occur frequently on the 3,600 mile drive I wasn't concerned.

Since I've arrived back in MD the problem has worsened to the point that the passenger door now releases, unlatches, and opens whenever I put the car in park, use the fob to extend the handles, or open any other door. This is an unsafe situation. A few times the passenger door has swung wide open as I drove out of a parking space. Last night it was open the entire evening after I thought I had locked the car.

I recontacted service about the problem today and they seemed not to treat it as a serious problem -- couldn't make arrangements to fix it for more than two weeks. Thinking it might invoke more concern, I said that for safety I'd just have to use duct tape on the outside of the door to prevent it from opening. This comment resulted in no response whatsoever.

I think this is a real safety issue and deserves a more urgent response from Tesla Service. I'm half serious about the duct tape idea even though it will embarrass me and Tesla to have duct tape on the side of my car. Am I over reacting? How do I get a more serious response from Tesla?

jayman · Jul 31, 2015

No, your right. Their response is unacceptable. I suggest you move this up the chain of command.

Sosius · Jul 31, 2015

artsci said:
I think this is a real safety issue and deserves a more urgent response from Tesla Service. I'm half serious about the duct tape idea even though it will embarrass me and Tesla to have duct tape on the side of my car. Am I over reacting? How do I get a more serious response from Tesla?

Totally agree. It is unsafe. And they should damn well know that you are one of the most vocal ambassadors for Tesla. Ignoring you would not be a good idea. IF your door gets ripped off by another car, you would be out a door, and the accident would most likely be your fault.

And sadly, yes, I think you should duct tape it. They do make duct tape in red...

deonb · Jul 31, 2015

Put two very big pieces of duct tape over hit, with the words: "Tesla refuses to fix my door" written on the tape, and post it on Reddit.

JST · Jul 31, 2015

deonb said:
Put two very big pieces of duct tape over hit, with the words: "Tesla refuses to fix my door" written on the tape, and post it on Reddit.

And tweet it to Elon.

bhuwan · Jul 31, 2015

Tesla service has gone down the tubes for one aime reason: they are overwhelmed and can no longer handle the traffic of vehicles.

FlasherZ · Jul 31, 2015

I think what bothers me the most is the varied experience across the different service centers. I'm pretty confident that my local service center would say "if you can bring it by we'll see what we can do today for you".

JST · Jul 31, 2015

FlasherZ said:
I think what bothers me the most is the varied experience across the different service centers. I'm pretty confident that my local service center would say "if you can bring it by we'll see what we can do today for you".

I suspect that this is directly related to bhuwan's comment, above, though I don't know if I would say they've "gone down the tubes."

Skotty · Jul 31, 2015

While some of the service center folks may not care or know how to do anything but follow the standard repair scheduling process, Email Elon and I bet you will get a nearly instantaneous response. If I were him and heard about this, I would personally be loading a team up in a private jet right now to come review and fix the problem, and ascertain how to make sure it never happens to another car (in fact, if I were Elon, I wouldn't want local service techs working on it, I would send a A team from the factory).

This is the kind of thing -- one of the only things -- where traditional car manufactures have an advantage over Tesla. With decades of experience, their car doors don't pop open and they don't have orange ooze that comes out from under the hood (to pick a couple oops items). Embarrassing things for the company that demand an immediate and thorough response if they want to remain a superstar company.

If you seriously want to go straight to the top, Elon actually gave out one of his email addresses at one of the shareholder meetings. Or maybe see if you can post a polite inquiry on his Twitter feed or something. You could probably shoot lower on the totem pole too, as long as you hit someone high enough up such that they feel empowered and care deeply about the success of the company.

andrewket · Jul 31, 2015

FlasherZ said:
I think what bothers me the most is the varied experience across the different service centers. I'm pretty confident that my local service center would say "if you can bring it by we'll see what we can do today for you".

It's definitely inconsistent, and likely caused by scaling (or lack thereof). Rick, my guess is you ended up talking to a fairly inexperienced employee. A door popping open is a major risk. I'd escalate, but of course in a professional and courteous manner.

AnOutsider · Jul 31, 2015

Strange they didn't treat it with more urgency... Especially since this isn't exactly an isolated incident:

Door Handles: Auto Presenting *AND* Auto Opening Doors?

Right front door popped open while driving

vdiv · Jul 31, 2015

Maybe you can use a transparent shipping tape instead to keep the looks

Agree with everyone, the response is not acceptable.

nkohlimd · Jul 31, 2015

Rick, Completely agree - unacceptable-I would contact the 1-800 number and ask for someone higher up.......the SC need to be able to prioritize/triage existing customers......best of luck!

artsci · Jul 31, 2015

That's a good temp solution. I'll also try to push this further up the chain of command.

markb1 · Jul 31, 2015

Skotty said:
While some of the service center folks may not care or know how to do anything but follow the standard repair scheduling process, Email Elon and I bet you will get a nearly instantaneous response. If I were him and heard about this, I would personally be loading a team up in a private jet right now to come review and fix the problem, and ascertain how to make sure it never happens to another car (in fact, if I were Elon, I wouldn't want local service techs working on it, I would send a A team from the factory).

This is the kind of thing -- one of the only things -- where traditional car manufactures have an advantage over Tesla. With decades of experience, their car doors don't pop open and they don't have orange ooze that comes out from under the hood (to pick a couple oops items). Embarrassing things for the company that demand an immediate and thorough response if they want to remain a superstar company.

If you seriously want to go straight to the top, Elon actually gave out one of his email addresses at one of the shareholder meetings. Or maybe see if you can post a polite inquiry on his Twitter feed or something. You could probably shoot lower on the totem pole too, as long as you hit someone high enough up such that they feel empowered and care deeply about the success of the company.

Tesla already knows all about this problem, because it is so common in the early builds, and they have a fix. The problem seems to be that they are not treating it with enough urgency.

Lanny · Jul 31, 2015

I met some nice folks when I was at the Rockville Service Center in February, 2013 who were there to have the spontaneous door opening problem fixed in their car. They were not amused. It is a safety issue and seems to have been known about for a long time. There should be a priority assigned when a customer calls and reports this particular symptom.

Lanny

AMPUP · Jul 31, 2015

Lanny said:
I met some nice folks when I was at the Rockville Service Center in February, 2013 who were there to have the spontaneous door opening problem fixed in their car. They were not amused. It is a safety issue and seems to have been known about for a long time. There should be a priority assigned when a customer calls and reports this particular symptom.

Lanny

I think Ricks SC is also Rockville and as it is my first choice (even though Tyson's is closer) I'm surprised by the response, these guys have always been the best I have dealt with. (One reason for not being pushed to Tyson's all the time).

An escalation should do the trick...

sickfox · Jul 31, 2015

That is dangerous.

I wonder if you lock your car from the inside (same place where you control the lights), will it still pop open?

Johan · Jul 31, 2015

No but you should duct tape the passenger to the passenger seat.

~

Larry93428 · Jul 31, 2015

I hope you get your door latch corrected. This incident shakes my confidence in Tesla Service. Do escalate.
Try to secure the door from the inside, do not put tape on that paint. Try a rope or bungee.
Go Tesla, fix this!
~Larry

Should I duct tape the passenger door to keep it closed?

Sponsor

Member

a.k.a. Uptown Frunk

Active Member

Active Member

Active Member

Sig Model S + Sig Model X + Model 3 Resv

Active Member

2014 S P85 | 2023 F-150L

Well-Known Member

S532 # XS27

Chief Grump

Member

Sponsor

Active Member

Active Member

Member

Member

Ex got M3 in the divorce, waiting for EU Model Y!

Attachments

Member

Similar threads