— A report from Consumer Reports magazine apparently got the attention of electric automaker Tesla after the magazine said the Tesla Model S had more than its share of problems.
The magazine purchased a Model S anonymously in 2013 at a cost of $89,650. That same year Consumer Reports talked highly of the Model S, but recently complained the car experienced problems with the outside door handles, trunk latch and it had a few electrical problems.
The problematic door handles are flush with the body of the car until the handles are touched, then they are supposed to extend outward. Consumer Reports says that didn't always happen. Further, the all-important center screen went out at about 12,000 miles.
Tesla fixed all the problems with remote over-the-air updates and the repairs were covered under warranty.
Even though the magazine described the problems as minor, Tesla increased the drive unit warranty coverage on the Model S to eight years and "infinite" miles, the same coverage offered on the battery pack.
Known as the automaker attempting to be different (and better) than all others, Tesla says the upgraded warranty applies on every Model S manufactured since 2012. There is also no limit on the number of owners during the warranty period.
"In hindsight, this should have been our policy from the beginning of the Model S program. If we truly believe that electric motors are fundamentally more reliable than gasoline engines, with far fewer moving parts and no oily residue or combustion byproducts to gum up the works, then our warranty policy should reflect that." - Tesla CEO, Elon Musk
Tesla has warned investors the upgraded warranty will have a "moderately negative effect on Tesla earnings" in the short term, especially considering the new coverage will apply retroactively on the cars.
