Owning an electric vehicle can pose challenges. Mario Zelaya, a Tesla owner residing in Canada, recently expressed his frustration after encountering a situation where he was locked out of his car due to a dead battery. Upon inquiry at the dealership, he was informed that a replacement battery would cost $26,000. Zelaya took to social media, sharing a video where he exclaimed, “$26k for a new battery. Locked out of a car. Recalls are necessary.”
Zelaya found himself in a predicament where he desired to sell his Tesla but faced difficulty accessing essential documents trapped inside the vehicle. Resorting to a solution, he paid $30 for replacement papers. Having purchased the Tesla in 2013, Zelaya pointed out a design flaw that led to fluid leaks onto the batteries, ultimately causing their deterioration over time. He mentioned involving Transport Canada in addressing the issue, indicating an ongoing investigation. Zelaya criticized Tesla for its inadequate handling of battery-related problems, firmly stating, “I’ll never purchase another Tesla again.”
Tesla, as a company, has encountered a plethora of complaints and legal challenges. In July, a German court ruled against Tesla due to concerns over the reliability of its driver assistance systems. Additionally, in February 2022, Tesla issued a recall affecting 578,000 vehicles due to failure to meet safety standards. Complaints regarding the high cost of battery replacements are widespread; for instance, a Finnish Tesla owner opted to destroy his car rather than pay $23,000 for a new battery.
The viral TikTok video elicited sympathy from viewers. One user shared, “I’ve faced nothing but issues with mine.” Another commented, “A well-maintained 2005 Honda Civic would still be running smoothly.” Eventually, Zelaya sold his Tesla, concluding, “That marks the conclusion of my Tesla journey. It’s now out of my life. Proceed with caution if considering one.”
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