Will Tesla Service Center replace rear hatch/trunk lid?

[Jack99]

Hello,

I have a 2023 solid black Model Y. Thought I might describe my current situation and get into the nitty gritty of it. But, before doing all that (maybe in a separate thread at a later point), perhaps it is better to simply ask:

-- Can you order a rear hatch/trunk lid from a Tesla Service Center and have them replace it? (I see instances in this forum where people have mentioned Service Centers replacing bumpers.)

I live in Indiana.

Thanks for any insights on this!!

 

[RickCRNA]

I would think if there is a manufacturer defect in the rear hatch and the SC agrees, then it would be replaced or repaired under warranty.

 

[mborkow]

Every exterior panel can be replaced…but there’d have to be something pretty severely wrong with it for me to want them to do that at a service center (or any body shop). What’s the issue that you want them to replace it?

 

[dalmibentto]

When I received delivery of my new model y, there was a big chunk taken out of the paint on the top lip of the trunk. They sent it to the Tesla service center and instead of fixing the paint, they went ahead and replaced the whole part since I think they explained they didn’t have a paint shop but they could easily get the whole trunk hatch.

 

[mborkow]

When I received delivery of my new model y, there was a big chunk taken out of the paint on the top lip of the trunk. They sent it to the Tesla service center and instead of fixing the paint, they went ahead and replaced the whole part since I think they explained they didn’t have a paint shop but they could easily get the whole trunk hatch.

Does it align and fit well now? Does it seal well; Is it water tight? Does the color match? If the answers to those are all yes, I’d drive and enjoy…but I’d scrutinize all those things.

 

[Jack99]

Every exterior panel can be replaced…but there’d have to be something pretty severely wrong with it for me to want them to do that at a service center (or any body shop). What’s the issue that you want them to replace it?

The hatch was damaged in an incident and needs to be replaced -- it is not covered under any kind of warranty. The only question is who will do it. If the Tesla Service Centers can do it, like they replace damaged bumpers apparently (as I gather from the forum) then that would be simpler than going to any kind of a body shop I think.

 

[Jack99]

When I received delivery of my new model y, there was a big chunk taken out of the paint on the top lip of the trunk. They sent it to the Tesla service center and instead of fixing the paint, they went ahead and replaced the whole part since I think they explained they didn’t have a paint shop but they could easily get the whole trunk hatch.

That is encouraging, thank you. I guess SCs have access to pre-painted trunk lids. The only question is if they only do it when it's a warranty issue for them, or in other instances as well.

 

[Milan Djabirov]

Why don’t you just ask your SC Instead of asking the forum? Let us know what they said. Getting a repainted trunk is an expensive but visually attractive solution to trying compared to body shop retouch one.

 

[Jack99]

Why don’t you just ask your SC Instead of asking the forum? Let us know what they said. Getting a repainted trunk is an expensive but visually attractive solution to trying compared to body shop retouch one.

Among other reasons, one doesn't always get a consistent response across SCs. What I have gathered from researching the forum is each SC can be peculiar in its own way. I do mean to call ours. But concurrently or before that, I figured it would be helpful to get a sense of whether this is something a SC does at all. That can influence how I talk to them. Also, if people have had their SCs do it, I can consider contacting other SCs further out with a realistic hope of finding one that might do it.

 

[Leeclanual]

The hatch was damaged in an incident and needs to be replaced -- it is not covered under any kind of warranty. The only question is who will do it. If the Tesla Service Centers can do it, like they replace damaged bumpers apparently (as I gather from the forum) then that would be simpler than going to any kind of a body shop I think.

Tesla body shop will replace it… get in the APP and select “replace rear hatch” (not exact verbiage) and they’ll shoot back a rough quote.

 

[Jack99]

Tesla body shop will replace it… get in the APP and select “replace rear hatch” (not exact verbiage) and they’ll shoot back a rough quote.

Sorry, did you mean Tesla Service Center when you said Tesla body shop? Thanks!

 

[gx9901]

It sounds like the replacement is either going to be paid out of pocket or by insurance? In this case I would say get quotes from the SC and a couple of Tesla certified body shop and decide which one you go with. I'm not sure if this is something an SC does, but certified body shops can do it for sure. I would probably trust a good body shop over Tesla SC for this type of work.

I got rear ended a couple of years ago and the Tesla certified body shop that did the repairs ordered a lift gate and transferred the rear glass from the original lift gate to the new one. The install looked fine to me, and to my naked eye the color match was good.

 

[Milan Djabirov]

Tesla body shops and service centers are not the same but some service centers have Tesla operated body shops. However, that doesn’t mean they are preferred or the best body shops. Search according to location here, pick the top 3 body shops (Tesla owned or not) and call them for a quote. I’m afraid it will be pricey, just the paint job (which they will match) is probably go into be 2-3k

Collision Support | Tesla

Tesla Approved Body Shops have been factory trained and equipped to rebuild Tesla vehicles to the original vehicle specifications for structural integrity and quality of finish.

www.tesla.com

 

[ucmndd]

Generally speaking no - service centers will not due collision / damage repair. That's what collision centers do.

 

[Jack99]

Generally speaking no - service centers will not due collision / damage repair. That's what collision centers do.

I see. So when I see references in the forum to an app request to the Service Center for a bumper replacement, and the Centers quoting parts/labor and then doing the replacement with a pre-painted bumper which is only available to them (Tesla sends out unpainted stuff to third party body shops I gather), what is that about? Are those instances of Service Centers that just have some additional capability to do a limited amount of body part replacement? Which I imagine is what Milan is referring to in his comment when he talks about some SCs operating a body shop?

@Leeclanual suggested I make an app request for a rear hatch replacement. I am assuming the app request will go to our nearest SC? Based on this discussion, are we saying that the SC will respond with a quote only if they have the body work capability, or will they still shoot back a quote, take possession of the car, and work with one of their certified third party shops to handle the request?

 

[Milan Djabirov]

The Tesla app allows you to do collision service appointment too but you have more options browsing their website’s list of certified body shops. The collision request will go to a body shop. The app is not a service center affiliated channel, it’s a central portal for proper dispatch and gets reviewed prior to being routed to a SC or collision shop.

We don’t know if the prepainted hatches are offered - wasn’t the purpose to find out, but what better way than “can you give me a quote for a prepainted hatch”. Why would this straightforward question be any different than if someone here said before you can do it - worst case they tell you no, you have to get the body shop to paint it, and you won’t change the answer based on what someone said here.

 

[Leeclanual]

I see. So when I see references in the forum to an app request to the Service Center for a bumper replacement, and the Centers quoting parts/labor and then doing the replacement with a pre-painted bumper which is only available to them (Tesla sends out unpainted stuff to third party body shops I gather), what is that about? Are those instances of Service Centers that just have some additional capability to do a limited amount of body part replacement? Which I imagine is what Milan is referring to in his comment when he talks about some SCs operating a body shop?

@Leeclanual suggested I make an app request for a rear hatch replacement. I am assuming the app request will go to our nearest SC? Based on this discussion, are we saying that the SC will respond with a quote only if they have the body work capability, or will they still shoot back a quote, take possession of the car, and work with one of their certified third party shops to handle the request?

Yes… the app will identify the nearest Tesla Owned Collision Center and after a few days they’ll send you a rough estimate… they’ll then ask you to bring it in and they’ll take a closer look. Only problem is that the body shops weren’t working directly with insurance providers a few years ago… hopefully that has changed. Service centers can replace bumpers, trim pieces, mirrors, glass, etc… but not doors/hatches/trunks.

 

[RandyS]

I've had bumper replacements done on two cars at the local Tesla service center. Like you mentioned, they ordered it in the matching color, and installed it pretty quickly on my appointment day. I loved it, no risk of overspray from a body shop on other parts of the car (and who knows if a repair to the bumper would really look that good). The paint on the new cover matched very well on the new bumpers. I would highly recommend it anbd would do it again if necessary.

A family member was rear ended in her Tesla Model Y not too long ago and she took it to the local Tesla Collision Center near San Diego. They replaced the bumper cover, the rear hatch and the rear hatch glass (the hatch and glass were separate parts and you can't easily remove the undamaged glass and reinstall it in the new hatch). She didn't try to ask the service center to do that work. In case there was underlying damage, the collision center was probably the best choice (just in case more work was necessary. I think the service center would probably decline that type of a job since that's not their jam.

 

[ucmndd]

I see. So when I see references in the forum to an app request to the Service Center for a bumper replacement, and the Centers quoting parts/labor and then doing the replacement with a pre-painted bumper which is only available to them (Tesla sends out unpainted stuff to third party body shops I gather), what is that about? Are those instances of Service Centers that just have some additional capability to do a limited amount of body part replacement? Which I imagine is what Milan is referring to in his comment when he talks about some SCs operating a body shop?

@Leeclanual suggested I make an app request for a rear hatch replacement. I am assuming the app request will go to our nearest SC? Based on this discussion, are we saying that the SC will respond with a quote only if they have the body work capability, or will they still shoot back a quote, take possession of the car, and work with one of their certified third party shops to handle the request?

Low stakes to open a service request and see what they say, so go ahead and give it a try.

I'd say a liftgate replacement is fundamentally different and more complex than replacing a bumper cover, and something they're more likely to refer out to a specialist.

 

[ForTheHalibut]

I had my trunk replaced under warranty for paint corrosion. The 2 service centers near me both don’t do any kind of body work. Instead they outsource to nearby certified body shops