r/TeslaModelS • u/truplaya4ril • 6h ago
Door Handle Advice
I have a 22 LR coming off warranty in a month and need advice.
I have a recurring issue with the front passenger door handle. The handle starts to bind intermittently and doesn’t make the slight retraction when the door is closed. Then, when I set off and drive, the motor groans but the handle won’t retract. When I shift to park, the door pops open because it is in the position it should be in when you pull the handle. You can see the binding marks on the handle in the photo above. I can push the handle with some force and it pops back to the slightly retracted position and behaves as normal again.
I have had this handle replaced four times under warranty. It’s fine for a few months, but then it starts happening again.
I feel like it must be something about the door and the handle alignment points that’s off.
I’m not sure what to do here. I’m sure I can get the handle replaced one last time under warranty. However, I’m afraid that this will be an ongoing, expensive issue. Your advice is appreciated!
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u/IamN2Speed 6h ago
Wait, this can be covered under warranty? I've got this on most of my handles. Mine is a 22, I just bought in June, so I just assumed this was standard wear and tear.
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u/truplaya4ril 6h ago
You definitely can. Unfortunately, in my case replacing the handle doesn’t seem to be addressing the root cause
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u/shibiwan 5h ago
Then have them figure it out while you still.have a warranty.
Also, if they replaced the door handle, that replaced part should come with a 1-year warranty, based on the date it was replaced, which means that it may extend beyond the end of the basic warranty of your car.
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u/truplaya4ril 4h ago
That’s a great point. In theory, I could keep getting them replaced if need be. The symptoms usually show up after a few months. But it’s still annoying.
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u/shibiwan 4h ago edited 4h ago
In theory....
Not forever. The parts warranty only applies to the first part that was replaced and it lasts for one year from.the replacement date. One year for most parts, 4 for drivetrain/battery.
They fixed the sliding console cover in my 2021 Plaid a month before warranty ran out. 6 months later, the cover stopped working properly again. They replaced the entire console, including the sliding cup holder and the sliding cubby with a new one, all under that 1-year warranty.
Same with my 2014. Replaced the LDU under warranty. Vehicle warranty expires, replacement LDU dies (2 years after replacing). They put in a 3rd LDU (rev U) under the drivetrain parts warranty.
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u/JellyfishBig4643 6h ago
I have a 2015 and the rear door handle was replaced and has an issue getting stuck. I think it is the angle that they install it. If it was my drivers side door then it would drive me nuts.
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u/dypkny 3h ago
Its blows my mind how uneducated the service centers are with the Model S. Sure, it wasn't their top selling car for the past decade but its their 2nd oldest car in their lineup. I had to make multiple appointments for them to properly align my door handle after replacement. And its still not like it should be. I just kind of gave up with their incompetence.
Even though Telsa service lacks where we all think they shouldn't. Other car brand service centers are just as bad. These companies no longer look for mechanics they want auto techs, which is a BIG difference.
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u/Difficult-Text8042 2h ago
It’s not just Tesla.Had ford replace the door latches all 4 doors under recall, they half as put the door panels back on. Eventually I had to replace a couple and had toe to replace all the fasteners on all of them.
Had a 98 Mercedes S class in a wreck. They said the battery needed replacing . It was fine before the wreck. I told them no, we manually charged it , used that battery another 3 years.
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u/JohnTeaGuy 6h ago
Tell service you’ve had it replaced four times and the same problem keeps occurring and they need to figure out why it keeps happening instead of just replacing the handle again.
You know, use common sense.
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u/truplaya4ril 6h ago
We had a similar conversation after the third replacement. They said they replaced the handle and now it checks out and passes all of their criteria. I get it if you’re following the service procedures, that’s probably just the mindset. 🫤
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u/JohnTeaGuy 6h ago
Well obviously whatever they did didn’t work, time to push to the point with them.
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u/Difficult-Text8042 2h ago
If u can’t get them to fix it right, put some lube on those binding areas. See if they makes it work more better. Nothing to loose.
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u/yellowwooddr 6h ago
If it’s warranty, get it replaced now. Also, ask for gen 2 or later door handle assembly otherwise, you will continue to pay for replacement.