Consumer Reports Yanks Tesla Recommendation

Model S has too many maintenance problems
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 20, 2015 6:50 PM CDT
Stocks Fall as Problems Mount for Tesla Model S
Tesla stocks took a plunge Tuesday as "Consumer Reports" failed to give a recommended rating to its Model S.   (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The ultra hip Tesla Model S tests great, but it seems it might not hold up in the long run, according to a new report published Tuesday by Consumer Reports. The publication gave the electric vehicle its best performance rating ever—a seemingly mathematically impossible 103 out of 100—in August. Two months later, and Consumer Reports can't even recommend the Model S because of a "worse-than-average overall problem rate." "We're seeing all types of issues," Consumer Reports' director of auto testing tells CNBC. "Some are annoying issues like squeaks in the hatch or rattles and squeaks in the sunroof, but we're also seeing major issues in terms of the charging systems. We're even seeing people who have to have the entire electric motor replaced."

Consumer Reports heard from approximately 1,400 Model S owners for its annual car-reliability survey, and they reported an "array of detailed and complicated maladies," reports the Washington Post. Most of the problems—which also involved the drivetrain and touchscreen center console—were fixed for free under warranty. And customers reported still being happy overall with the $100,000-and-change vehicle. But despite Consumer Reports standing by its review of the Model S being the best-performing car ever tested, Tesla stocks quickly dropped nearly 7% in the wake of Tuesday's report. According to CNBC, Lexus was at the opposite end of Tesla as this year's most reliable brand. (More Consumer Reports stories.)

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