Tesla (Sort Of) Recognizes Model 3 Rear Bumper Has A Design Flaw

Tow hitch access cutout could have solved the matter, but did it? The answer is no.

Gustavo Henrique Ruffo

By: Gustavo Henrique Ruffo

Oct 20, 2020 at 8:36am ET

Add InsideEVs as a preferred source in Google

Comment

InsideEVs reported the first case of a Tesla Model 3 losing its rear bumper on rainy days back on August 13, 2018. Rithesh Nair tweeted that he had his car for half an hour and was bringing it back home when the bumper came off. More cases followed until Tesla decided to recognize the Model 3’s rear bumper had a design flaw in a service bulletin. Well, sort of.

The tone of the document obtained by Electrek is still pretty defensive and unapologetic. It states that those issues occur “in rare instances,” which is not accurate. It is more common than it should be.

Tesla Model 3 Rear Bumper Issue: Check The Stories Of Other Affected Customers

Something else that caught our attention is that the Tesla Service Bulletin SB-20-12-003, published on July 31, 2020, does not inform what is wrong with the Model 3’s rear bumpers. Instead, it blames roads with “poor drainage or pooling water” for that when the “poor drainage” is actually on the rear bumper.

Tesla only says that “the rear fascia might detach from the vehicle and harnesses and/or body fasteners/mounts might also be damaged.” This is what we have seen in all the cases we have reported ever since.

Tesla Model 3 Rear Bumper Issue: Check The Stories Of Other Affected Customers

Another crucial part of the document states “that damage caused during these instances is covered under warranty.” If the issue is with the roads, as the service bulletin implies, why is Tesla willing to pay for the repairs?

This is the good news about the document. As we have reported, most of the people that told us about these issues had to pay for a new rear bumper, such as Troy Bosman, Luís Terceiro, and Mr. B. Will they get a refund? Will all the customers that had to pay for a new bumper get their money back?

Tesla Model 3 Keeps Losing Its Rear Bumper In Rainy Days

The document includes a note stating there is no change for “damage excluded in the New Vehicle Limited Warranty or Used Vehicle Limited Warranty.” That’s understandable while it lists “damage caused by flood or deep water, including flooding of the High Voltage (HV) battery, or accidents, collisions, intentional abuse, road debris, potholes,” and “driving off-road.” At this point, the document also mentions “normal wear and tear, or any other damage unrelated to the specific above condition.”

“Normal wear and tear” was the excuse given to most customers that had to pay for the rear bumper repairs. Tesla specifically denied engineering or design flaws to these clients when they asked it for the warranty repair.

Tesla (Sort Of) Recognizes Model 3 Rear Bumper Has A Design Flaw

The company also stated that all cars made until May 21, 2019, are included in this service bulletin. What changed? According to a Reddit thread, it was the tow hitch access cutout that was added to the rear bumper on that date. The user blake9410 not only pointed this out but also presented the Tesla page that shows it.

The problem is that we have at least one case in which the car was brand new. Luís Terceiro’s Model 3 was bought on May 29, 2020. It was a test drive car, but bought directly from Tesla and still manufactured in 2020. Theoretically, it would not be subject to the problem with the new tow hitch access cutout. Yet, you have already seen with your own eyes that it is. Terceiro is currently suing Tesla to get his $3,800 back.

Tesla Model 3 Rear Bumper Issue: Check The Stories Of Other Affected Customers

If the issue was not solved, why is Tesla replacing the bumpers for new parts that will likely fall off again under heavy rain? Does it hope that few roads have "poor drainage or pooling water?" Is it too expensive to develop a rear bumper that would have proper drainage? If Tesla has to replace all these bumpers again, won't it cost more to the company?

More Recall And Service Bulletin Stories Involving Tesla:

Tesla Is Calling Model Y Owners For Roof Inspection After One Flew Off

Watch This Tesla Model 3 Rear Bumper Fly Off After Driving Through Puddle

We have tried to find the Tesla Service Bulletin at the NHTSA site but it is not there. Isn’t this considered a safety issue? Having such a big part falling off of a car should be a concern not only for the ones driving, who could be scared of the situation. It is also something drivers around that car may be affected by. Yet...

What do you think?

View

Comments

We are still trying to contact NHTSA regarding the glass roof recall-like inspection that Tesla is performing on the Model Y but received no reply so far. Here’s a second thing we would like to learn more about from the agency. Let’s hope it did not adopt Tesla’s strategy regarding the media.

Source: Electrek and Reddit

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Insideevs.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The InsideEVs team

Share this Story

GO TO COMMENTS

(

)

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@insideevs.com

View all comments ( )

Trending

Kia EV3 Lease Deals Are Here, And It’s Cheaper Than The Chevy Bolt And Nissan Leaf

I Let Android Auto Plan My EV Roadtrip. Here’s How It Worked

This Chevy Bolt Has 470,000 Miles. Here’s How Much A New Battery Was

Here's What It's Like To Take Delivery Of A Rivian R2