Tesla owners share some of the unexpected headaches of owning the EV

Grace KayJul 24, 2023, 16:03 IST

Tesla owners shared unexpected headaches of owning an EV in conversations with Insider.Getty Images

Over a dozen Tesla owners told Insider about some of the headaches of switching to the EV.
Issues they described included dealing with slow Tesla service centers and quality-control fixes.

It's sometimes not easy being an early adopter — especially when it comes to electric cars.

More than a dozen Tesla owners detailed some of the biggest headaches, or surprise expenses they faced, when switching to owning the electric car.

They shared their thoughts in a series of conversations with Insider — including adapting to range anxiety, higher insurance rates, and dealing with issues at Tesla service centers. While many of the issues could apply to any electric car, some of them point to potential challenges with Tesla's business model.

Here are some of the issues Tesla owners say they've faced when they ditched their gas-powered vehicle for an electric one:

The tires on electric cars wear out faster.

Some Tesla owners say their tires wear out a lot faster than previous gas-powered cars.Getty stock

EV owners can also face higher insurance rates.

Auto insurance for Teslas can be more expensive.Getty stock

Some Tesla owners have horror stories about the company's service centers.

Over the years, some Tesla owners have complained about issues with the carmaker's service centers, including long wait times, poor repairs, and exorbitant prices.Tesla

Tesla door handles can be finicky.

Tesla door handles can be finicky and prone to breaking, owners say.Getty stock

At-home chargers can add to the initial cost of buying an EV.

Depending on the electrical setup at the house, setting up a fast-charging home charger can cost anywhere from $250 to thousands of dollars.ChargePoint

Some Tesla owners say they've noticed quality-control issues over the years.

For Tesla owners, it's apparently not uncommon for new vehicles to be returned to local service centers for small fixes.Quinn Nelson

Tesla owners say they're disappointed with the company's Full Self-Driving software.

Some Tesla owners who shelled out about $15,000, or $199 per month, for the Autopilot add-on say they wish they hadn't.Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images

Teslas have been known to have apparent issues with phantom braking.

The Tesla Model X is one of the longest-range electric cars on the market.Tesla

On the other hand, some FSD enthusiasts say they wish the carmaker would allow FSD transfers.

Some Tesla owners don't understand why the carmaker won't allow them to transfer the software to another Tesla.Mark Matousek / Business Insider

When you buy a Tesla, you might actually want to read the instruction manual, owners say.

There's a learning curve when it comes to owning a Tesla.Business Insider

Range anxiety can be an issue for Tesla owners — though it's the best EV when it comes to charging.

Even Tesla owners can experience a bit of range anxiety every now and then.Thomson Reuters

All hiccups aside, many Tesla owners love their cars in spite — or in some cases even because – of the vehicle's quirks.

Elon Musk in front of a TeslaGetty

I sailed on the Margaritaville at Sea cruise for $330. I wouldn't do it again, but you might like it if you go in with low expectations.

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