Tesla Roadster problems
The Tesla Roadster is a battery electric sports car, based on the Lotus Elise chassis, produced by Tesla Motors (now Tesla, Inc.) from 2008 to 2012. The Roadster was the first highway legal, serial production, all-electric car to use lithium-ion battery cells, and the first production all-electric car to travel more than 244 miles (393 km) per charge. It is also the first production car to be launched into deep space, carried by a Falcon Heavy rocket in a test flight on February 6, 2018.
Tesla sold about 2,450 Roadsters in over 30 countries, and most of the last Roadsters were sold in Europe and Asia during the fourth quarter of 2012. Tesla produced right-hand-drive Roadsters from early 2010. The Roadster qualified for government incentives in several nations.
According to the U.S. EPA, the Roadster can travel 244 miles (393 km) on a single charge of its lithium-ion battery pack. The vehicle can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) in 3.7 or 3.9 seconds depending on the model. It has a top speed of 125 mph (201 km/h). The Roadster's efficiency, as of September 2008, was reported as 120 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (28 kW⋅h/100 mi) (2.0 L/100 km). It uses 21.7 kWh/100 mi (135 Wh/km) battery-to-wheel, and has an efficiency of 88% on average.
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Tesla Roadster model years
Common Tesla Roadster problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Tesla Roadster, common problems with these cars include:
- Performance Issues: As the batteries age, Roadsters may experience a decrease in performance, with symptoms like being unable to exceed 60 miles per hour, struggling to merge onto highways, or climb hills. Initially subtle, these issues can quickly escalate, rendering the car undriveable.
- Quality Control Problems: Early models of the Tesla Roadster were reported to have various quality control issues, including safety concerns, frequent breakdowns, and overall unreliability. These problems led to a complete overhaul of the production process in 2008 and 2009, with major changes to component suppliers and internal technology.
- Design Flaws: The Roadster faced design challenges, such as the need for expensive crash testing due to modifications that couldn't be applied to existing crash test results. The entire suspension and braking systems had to be redesigned, and the original drivetrain technology assumptions proved to be unfeasible, requiring significant re-engineering efforts.
- Range Concerns: While the Tesla Roadster was initially marketed with over 600 miles of range, there have been conflicting statements regarding the actual range. Elon Musk mentioned that Tesla is not interested in making cars with more than 400 miles of range, citing concerns about carrying unnecessary weight due to large battery packs.
These problems highlight some of the challenges faced by owners of the Tesla Roadster, ranging from battery issues to performance and quality control concerns.
What was the problem with the Tesla Roadster?
Early Tesla Roadster owners reported battery failures, a demon-possessed tire pressure monitor system, water intrusion in the headlamps and a lot of road noise. Despite being the first highway legal lithium-ion battery-powered production car, the original Tesla itself felt pretty crude for the huge price tag.
What's the most common problem with Tesla?
Battery and Charging Related Issues
One of the key components in any Tesla vehicle is its high-capacity battery pack. While Tesla's battery technology has come a long way, issues related to charging and battery life can still arise.
How long does a Tesla Roadster battery last?
According to Tesla's 2021 impact report, its batteries are designed to last the life of the vehicle, which the company estimates as roughly 200,000 miles in the U.S. and 150,000 miles in Europe.
Why did Tesla discontinue the Roadster?
Tesla produced the Roadster until January 2012, when its supply of gliders ran out, as its contract with Lotus Cars for 2,500 gliders expired at the end of 2011. Tesla stopped taking orders for the Roadster in the U.S. market in August 2011.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Tesla Roadster years
We have researched Tesla problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Tesla Roadster cars and compiled the top 2 most problematic Tesla Roadster model years:
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Tesla Roadster model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Tesla Roadster years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Tesla Roadster car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Tesla Roadster , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Suspension problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Traction control system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Tesla Roadster vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Tesla Roadster . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Tesla Roadster vehicles.
List of Tesla Roadster complaints
Tesla Roadster 2011
- Date Of Incident: 2012-06-11
- Date Complaint: 2016-06-13
- VIN: 5YJRE1A19A1
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: LEFT REAR SUSPENSION ROD FAILURE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT LOW SPEED (NO INJURIES OR DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES) IN 2012 ON CITY STREET, RESULTING IN ABRUPT STOPPAGE OF VEHICLE, WHICH COLLAPSED ON LEFT REAR WHEEL- SUSPENSION ROD WAS REPLACED BY TESLA. NOW REPORTING AS HAVE READ RE CONCERNS FOR SUSPENSION RODS ON MODEL S. DATE IMPRECISE, CAN OBTAIN EXACT DATE FROM TESLA IF NECESSARY.
Tesla Roadster 2008
- Date Of Incident: 2009-07-15
- Date Complaint: 2009-07-18
- VIN: 5YJRE11B381
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
- Summary: THE VEHICLE IS PRONE TO 'SUDDEN ACCELERATION' PROBLEMS WHERE THE DRIVER LOSES CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM ENGAGES AND FORCES THE REGENERATIVE ENGINE BREAKING SYSTEM TO DISENGAGE. THE TESLA ROADSTER USES VERY AGGRESSIVE ENGINE REGENERATIVE BREAKING SO, WHEN IT IS DISENGAGED, THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD UNCONTROLLABLY AND FASTER THAN THE DRIVER CAN REACT BY ENGAGING THE BREAKS. THIS MOST COMMONLY HAPPENS WHEN I DRIVE DOWN A HILL OR AROUND A CORNER AT 20 MPH USING ENGINE REGENERATIVE BREAKING TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THAT ENGAGES THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM. THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY DOUBLE SPEED (40 MPH) FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE SECONDS AS THE ENGINE REGENERATIVE BREAKING ON THIS VEHICLE DISENGAGES... FASTER THAN I CAN COMPENSATE BY BREAKING. IN EFFECT, THE CAR SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY LURCHES FORWARD WHEN THE TCS KICKS IN. I PROBABLY SEE THIS BEHAVIOR AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK ON ONE PARTICULAR STRETCH OF NEARLY EMPTY ROAD, BUT HAVE HAD TWO NEAR COLLISIONS RECENTLY, ONE ON THAT STRETCH OF ROAD FOLLOWING A TRUCK AT A DISTANCE AND ONE ON A DIFFERENT STRETCH OF ROAD MAKING A CORNER WHERE THE CAR NEARLY ACCELERATED INTO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. GIVEN HOW FEW OF THESE CARS ARE ON THE ROAD, HOW AGGRESSIVE THE ENGINE REGENERATIVE BREAKING IS, AND HOW LITTLE MOST OTHER OWNERS DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES RELATIVE TO MY DAILY COMMUTES, I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL LEAD TO MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENTS OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT YEAR. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN COMMUNICATED TO TESLA MOTORS, BUT THEY'VE INDICATED THAT THIS IS STANDARD BEHAVIOR FOR ALL VEHICLES USING ENGINE REGENERATIVE BREAKING AND SHOULD BE EXPECTED. I DON'T COMPLETELY BELIEVE THAT -- OR NECESSARILY BELIEVE THAT OTHER CARS ARE AS AGGRESSIVE WITH THEIR REGEN BREAKING AS THE TESLA IS -- BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THIS CREATIVES A VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION THAT CONCERNS ME AND SHOULD CONCERN ALL OTHER TESLA ROADSTER DRIVERS. *TR
Recalls Tesla Roadster
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the Tesla Roadster.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Tesla Roadster 2008
- Report Received Date: 2009-05-26
- Manufacturer: TESLA MOTORS
- Components: WHEELS:HUB
- Summary: TESLA MOTORS, INC. IS RECALLING 345 MY 2008 TESLA ROADSTER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH 2008 AND APRIL 22, 2009. THE REAR HUB FLANGE BOLTS ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE UNDER-TORQUED AND MAY BECOME LOOSE. A LOOSE HUB COULD LEAD TO DEGRADATION IN VEHICLE HANDLING, AND A RUBBING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.
- Consequence: IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED PROMPTLY, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
- Remedy: TESLA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TESLA TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-888-3752.
Latest positive Tesla Roadster car reviews
Are you having problems with your Tesla Roadster?
Kirk Kuphal 2024-04-02
Vehicle year: 2011
Carol Shelby put a Ford small block into the British-made A/C to create the Cobra, while Elon Musk fitted 6831 laptop batteries into a customized Lotus chassis to produce the first Tesla. Both proved that American ingenuity and performance were still thriving. The Roadster has its quirks, such as the key being inserted at the bottom of the door to unlock it, and the mechanism that operates the rear hatch appearing to have been designed by Rube Goldberg himself. However, the Tesla Roadster is a thrilling car to drive and will undoubtedly go down in history as the vehicle that converted the automotive world from internal combustion engines to batteries.
Edwardo Tillman 2024-02-10
Vehicle year: 2011
I ordered this car two years before delivery and despite a few snafus, the final result is absolutely stunning. The acceleration is incredible and it's so effortless to drive that you won't feel the impulse to go excessively fast. In fact, you can make a 911-owning passenger white-knuckled going from 0 to 45! The regenerative throttle behavior makes rotor wear obsolete, so you can learn to drive without much braking. However, it's worth noting that the car has a very low stance and doesn't handle rough roads well. As for ownership, the company works hard to make its owners happy, but it can be tough if you live far from a company-owned store. Nevertheless, any early bugs and glitches were immediately fixed, even if Tesla had to fly a technician out to the car.