Consumer Reports Withdraws Tesla Recommendation

After Consumer Reports retracted its recommendation on the Tesla Model S following a less than stellar result on its reliability survey, Elon Musk responded to the criticism on Twitter. In fact, after the report came out, Tesla’s stock price dropped from $228 per share to $202, Engadget reported.

“Based on survey responses, Tesla has made a habit of replacing the car’s electric motors”, the report said. Consumer Reports has always given a liking towards the Tesla Model S and this downgrade is a first. The electric sedan was so good it pretty much broke their point system, earning the unheard-of score of 103 out of 100! “Already addressed in new cars”, he tweeted.

One owner is forced to grasp the wheel after the Tesla Model S swerves into the oncoming lane – and traffic – while emitting the warning noise which signals an imminent side impact.

The main problems with the Model S were drivetrain, problems with the power and charging equipment, a huge center screen that is not very appealing, a few body issues including the sunroof and leaks. Others include the BMW X5 and 5 Series, and the Chevrolet Corvette. “To be recommended, a vehicle has to meet stringent testing, reliability, and safety standards, including having average or better predicted reliability”.

This is probably not how Tesla envisioned its new Autopilot feature. “So it’s not surprising to see problems continue to crop up”.

Consumer Reports have previously recommended the Tesla Model S as one of the best cars they have reviewed.

CR had received feedback from 1,400 Tesla drivers on a number of problems with their 2013 Model S models, giving the vehicle a “worse than average reliability rating“. Their website says that the car’s reliability doesn’t match its high performance, and this was shown in their Annual Auto Reliability Survey. Respondents said most problems were related to the climate control, steering and suspension systems.