16 Things Tesla Is Doing Wrong

Tesla has revolutionized the electric vehicle industry, but even industry leaders make mistakes. Despite their groundbreaking technology and devoted fan base, the company has developed some concerning habits and strategies.

Let’s explore the missteps that might be holding Tesla back from reaching its full potential.

1. Customer Service Desert

Reaching Tesla’s customer service feels like sending signals to deep space. Owners frequently complain about unresponsive communication channels and frustratingly long wait times for simple issues.

The company’s direct-to-consumer model eliminated traditional dealerships but failed to replace their service infrastructure adequately. Many customers feel abandoned after spending $50,000+ on their vehicles.

2. Phantom Braking Frights

Suddenly, your Tesla slams on the brakes for no apparent reason! This terrifying phenomenon, known as phantom braking, has plagued Autopilot users for years.

The car’s sensors misinterpret shadows, overpasses, or road markings as obstacles. Beyond the heart-stopping moment, it creates genuine danger when following traffic nearly rear-ends the unexpectedly stopping vehicle.

3. Repair Price Gouging

Crashed your Tesla? Prepare for financial pain. Repair costs for these vehicles often reach astronomical figures, even for minor damage.

Limited repair networks, expensive proprietary parts, and Tesla’s tight control over who can fix their cars create a perfect storm for your wallet.

Insurance companies have taken notice too, with premiums rising to match these inflated repair bills.

4. Overpromising and Underdelivering

Remember full self-driving by 2018? How about the Cybertruck’s original 2021 release date? Tesla’s habit of announcing ambitious timelines then missing them by years has become a running joke.

Elon Musk’s enthusiastic predictions repeatedly crash into manufacturing reality. This pattern damages credibility and leaves customers who made purchasing decisions based on these promises feeling misled.

5. Spare Parts Scarcity

Broken something on your Tesla? Good luck finding replacement parts. The company’s notoriously tight control of its supply chain creates painful waiting periods for even basic components.

Some owners report waiting months for simple parts that would be readily available for other vehicle brands.

This approach leaves cars unusable for extended periods and creates unnecessary financial hardship for customers.

6. Autopilot Ambiguity

Marketing “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” for systems that require constant driver supervision is dangerously misleading. These names suggest capabilities the technology simply doesn’t have.

Numerous accidents have occurred when drivers overestimated what their Tesla could do. The disconnect between marketing terminology and actual functionality creates safety risks that could be avoided with more transparent naming.

7. Interior Quality Shortcuts

Luxury price tag, economy cabin materials. Despite their premium positioning, Teslas often feature interior components that wouldn’t pass muster in much cheaper vehicles.

Flimsy sun visors, easily scratched plastics, and seats that wear prematurely disappoint owners expecting quality throughout.

The stark contrast between cutting-edge technology and budget-feeling touch points creates a jarring ownership experience.

8. Service Center Deserts

Living outside major metropolitan areas? Your Tesla service experience might involve hundreds of miles of driving. The company’s sparse service network leaves vast regions underserved.

While mobile service helps with minor issues, major repairs require facility visits. This infrastructure gap creates significant inconvenience for rural owners and limits Tesla’s appeal beyond urban centers.

9. Battery Degradation Transparency

Battery health information remains frustratingly opaque for Tesla owners. Unlike competitors who provide detailed battery degradation data, Tesla offers minimal visibility into this crucial aspect of electric vehicle ownership.

This lack of transparency makes it difficult to assess long-term value and creates anxiety around the most expensive component in the vehicle.

For a company built on battery technology, this information gap is particularly disappointing.

10. Cold Weather Complications

Winter turns Teslas into range-anxiety machines. The dramatic battery performance drop in cold weather catches many owners by surprise.

Door handles that freeze shut, inefficient heating systems that drain power, and charging speeds that slow to a crawl make these California-designed vehicles less practical in colder climates.

These issues remain insufficiently addressed despite years of customer complaints.

11. Communication Blackouts

Radio silence during crises has become Tesla’s standard operating procedure. When serious issues arise – from recalls to safety concerns – the company often fails to communicate clearly with affected owners.

Without a PR department since 2020, Tesla relies on Elon Musk’s Twitter account for major announcements.

This approach leaves customers in the dark about critical information that directly impacts their vehicles and safety.

12. Minimalism Gone Too Far

Moving every control to the touchscreen wasn’t the ergonomic revolution Tesla thought it was. Basic functions like windshield wipers and climate controls require diverting attention from the road to navigate menus.

This design philosophy prioritizes aesthetics over usability and safety. Physical controls exist in traditional cars for good reason – they can be operated by feel while keeping eyes on the road.

13. Price Hike Whiplash

Tesla’s pricing strategy resembles a roller coaster that leaves customers dizzy and frustrated. Vehicles regularly experience four-figure price swings without warning.

These unpredictable fluctuations make financial planning difficult for potential buyers. Worse, they create resentment among recent purchasers who may see their identical model selling for thousands less just weeks after their purchase.

14. Supercharger Congestion

Once a key advantage, Tesla’s charging network now suffers from growing pains. Popular Supercharger stations experience significant wait times during peak travel periods.

The company’s rapid vehicle sales have outpaced charging infrastructure expansion in many regions. This imbalance creates frustrating experiences that undermine one of Tesla’s historical selling points.

15. Feature Removal Without Notice

Purchased a Tesla with specific features? Don’t be surprised if they disappear overnight. The company has repeatedly removed or restricted capabilities that owners had already paid for.

From limiting charging speeds to removing promised functionalities, these retroactive changes feel like changing the terms after the sale.

This approach damages trust and raises questions about what exactly customers own when they purchase a Tesla.

16. Erratic Corporate Leadership

Elon Musk’s unpredictable public behavior creates unnecessary business risk for Tesla. His controversial statements, market-moving tweets, and attention divided across multiple companies generate instability.

From smoking marijuana on podcasts to feuding with regulators, these distractions impact Tesla’s stock volatility and brand perception.

For a company still establishing itself, this leadership style adds avoidable complications.