Updated 06:13 AM EDT, Thu, Mar 28, 2024

Tesla Model S Gets A ‘Worse-Than-Average’ Rating from Consumer Reports, Find Out Why Here

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Consumer Reports gave Tesla's Model S an impressive review in August with a performance rating of 103 out of 100. However, the tables for the vehicle have turned recently.

In its annual report about the predicted reliability of new vehicles, Consumer Reports gave a "worse-than-average" rating to the Model S stemming from interviews conducted with more than 1,400 Model S owners. Users complain of an "array of detailed and complicated maladies," such as the drivetrain; power equipment; charging equipment; its giant iPad-like center console; and body and sunroof squeaks, rattles, and leaks.

The Model S is a premium performance sedan with dual motor all wheel drive and a 265-mile range. It is the most expensive model (about $130,000) of America's youngest car company, which has a $26.5 billion market cap, Tech Crunch wrote.

Tesla's shares dropped nearly 7 percent on Tuesday when news about Consumer Reports' review broke. This is an issue for the company, given that they are "ramping up the car's production, unveiling new vehicles and fighting to compete with its bigger, more established rivals," according to the Washington Post.

The issues raised by Consumer Reports mean that the Model S will not be given the highly coveted "recommended" designation. In order to be recommended, the organization requires a vehicle to "meet stringent testing, reliability, and safety standards, including having average or better predicted reliability," Tech Crunch reported.

When asked for comment, a Tesla spokesperson attested that they still have a high satisfaction rate among their customers.

"Consumer Reports also found that customers rate Tesla service and loyalty as the best in the world. Close communication with our customers enables Tesla to receive input, proactively address issues, and quickly fix problems. Over-the-air software updates allow Tesla to diagnose and fix most bugs without the need to come in for service. In instances when hardware needs to be fixed, we strive to make it painless," Tesla told Tech Crunch via email.

Consumer Reports recognizes the company's good relationship with consumers. 97 percent of owners said that they will buy vehicles from Tesla again.

"It appears that Tesla has been responsive to replacing faulty motors, differentials, brakes, and infotainment systems, all with a minimum of fuss to owners . . . For its early adopters, Tesla has made a practice of overdelivering on service problems under the factory warranty," Consumer Reports stated, as quoted by the news outlet.

Max Zanan, a New York-based automotive retail expert, doesn't think that Consumer Reports' review about the Model S will have a major impact on Tesla. He said that "purchasing decisions aren't guided by Consumer Reports," but by "feel of the car, marketing, and word of mouth," Tech Crunch reported.

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