Tesla Recalls Cause the Brand to Hit the Top of a Bottom-Feeding List

How many Tesla recalls should you expect while driving your new EV? If you knew you’d face several recalls would you drive a Tesla?

Recently, iSeeCars conducted a study to learn how often a vehicle is recalled over a 30-year lifespan. Once learned, they applied these figures to many vehicles in the automotive market and what they reported is extremely alarming, especially for Tesla owners? Should Tesla take a few steps back and analyze why these recalls are taking place or push forward with reckless abandon?

How many recalls are expected?

The average number of recalls expected for any vehicle during thirty years on the road is four. That’s right, only four. If you follow recall numbers and notes, it seems like most models are well above that average, but in reality, some vehicles don’t face many recalls at all. In fact, the Lexus IS 300 is projected to have less than one recall during a thirty-year period. The same goes for the Mercedes-Benz GLC. In fact, the vehicle with the fewest projected recalls might be a bit of a surprise. It’s the Mini convertible, which is projected to have 0.2 recalls during 30 years on the road.

How far off the average is Tesla?

Owning a Tesla is like living in a recall factory. There are only four Tesla passenger vehicles on the road right now, and all four of them are listed among the top five models with the most recalls. The Tesla Model Y is the absolute worst with 62.4 projected recalls over 30 years, according the iSeeCars study. This is more than fifteen times the average, which is completely unacceptable. The only non-Tesla in this bottom-feeding list is the Porsche Panamera which is right behind the Model Y as the second-most recalled vehicle.

How many projected recalls do the other Tesla models expect?

The list doesn’t tell a story of success, but one of trouble and worry. Third on this list is the Tesla Model 3 which has an expected recall rate of 56.8. The Model X comes next at 27.3, which is at least a much better number than the Model 3 and Model Y Finally, the Model S is expected to experience 26.4 recalls over thirty years on the road. Should we be ok with these results or expect more from Tesla and its products?

Has Tesla been irresponsible?

Some would immediately answer with a “yes” others with a “no.” It’s a split decision when it comes to Tesla and the polarizing CEO, Elon Musk. Still, knowing that one car brand is responsible for so many recalls is alarming. Should Tesla take a step back and perform more real-world testing or improve its quality control systems? Considering the numbers, it seems this company needs to do something to address the issues found with its vehicles. Unfortunately, walking backward to a time with less technology isn’t an option for Tesla.

Over-the-Air saving grace

One saving grace for Tesla is the ability to address many of the safety issues using over-the-air software updates. If the recall involves a need for software updates, Tesla can get right on that and send it out without owners visiting a certified Tesla service center. It’s a good thing Tesla can do this since there aren’t any Tesla dealerships with service centers where owners could go to get the recalls addressed. Most of the recent recalls for Tesla vehicles only required an update to the software, which makes it much easier to live with these EVs.

Are you alarmed by the recall numbers?

Some might look at this study and wonder why iSeeCars chose thirty years as the timeframe. Many drivers today don’t expect to keep their vehicle for this long. In fact, most owners will trade their vehicle in every three to four years to get the latest model. While this is true, most of the recalls for vehicles take place during the first few years. Typically, once a vehicle passes the manufacturer’s warranty period, fewer recalls take place. This might not be the case with tech-heavy EVs such as we find with Tesla.

Will you choose to drive a Tesla vehicle knowing all four of the passenger vehicles are among the five most-recalled models? Does the recall rate alarm you or seem like it won’t matter? Recalls can be headaches for most owners, but with over-the-air-updates, things could be different in a Tesla.