Got alert, brought it to service and was told I may be charged?

[Psychtruck]

I got this alert which prompted me to take it into Tesla service. They are saying since I only got one alert and it didn’t show up again, I may be charged the hourly diagnostic fee if they don’t find anything? I’ve never had this happen with my other Tesla vehicle. Is this common practice?

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[CyberZephyr]

Under warranty?

 

[That Beast Mode]

I'd argue that one if they try and charge you for a service visit. You literally have a picture of the alert telling you to make a service appointment.

 

[Psychtruck]

Under warranty?

Yes under warranty

 

[Psychtruck]

I'd argue that one if they try and charge you for a service visit. You literally have a picture of the alert telling you to make a service appointment.

I definitely did. I explained I was prompted to do so. They requested that it would only be relevant if it came up multiple times within a two week period.

 

[AlphaG]

I definitely did. I explained I was prompted to do so. They requested that it would only be relevant if it came up multiple times within a two week period.

And my reply would be:

"That is not what the alert stated. I suggest you make the alerts more specific otherwise I should be charging you for my time."

 

[Psychtruck]

I like it! Mind you every service appointment prior has been more than accommodating. Seems like the service center has been prompted to deter people from even checking in. Sign of the times perhaps

 

[Zane Edwards]

I got this alert which prompted me to take it into Tesla service. They are saying since I only got one alert and it didn’t show up again, I may be charged the hourly diagnostic fee if they don’t find anything? I’ve never had this happen with my other Tesla vehicle. Is this common practice?

They can see the ALERT in service mode, it will be date and time stamped. I think any alert or issue would be covered 100% under the warranty. Interested to hear conclusion

 

[65SoYoLO]

I definitely did. I explained I was prompted to do so. They requested that it would only be relevant if it came up multiple times within a two week period.

We all know what that sounds like and the initials are B.S.

 

[CyberGus]

I definitely did. I explained I was prompted to do so. They requested that it would only be relevant if it came up multiple times within a two week period.

Malarkey.

You opened a ticket as directed. If you're supposed to wait "multiple times" then they should have said so when the ticket was opened.

 

[mahdir35]

I got this alert which prompted me to take it into Tesla service. They are saying since I only got one alert and it didn’t show up again, I may be charged the hourly diagnostic fee if they don’t find anything? I’ve never had this happen with my other Tesla vehicle. Is this common practice?

Of course it’s covered

 

[That Beast Mode]

At no point did it say please perform a reset - if the message persists make a service appointment. And I'd also ask them then if something catastrophic happened from ignoring the make service appointment message are you going to say it's my fault too for ignoring the message? Can't have it both ways.

 

[REM]

Regarding Tesla's service centers, they have several elements built into the process to deter people from whipping up in the parking lot over things that can be resolved by the customer.

I have witnessed for several years that more than 50% of all service appointments are clogging up the system with the most petty, pedantic nonsense I have ever heard.

 

[HaulingAss]

I got this alert which prompted me to take it into Tesla service. They are saying since I only got one alert and it didn’t show up again, I may be charged the hourly diagnostic fee if they don’t find anything? I’ve never had this happen with my other Tesla vehicle. Is this common practice?

In my experience with 5 Tesla over 7 years, the Service App always asks me to approve an estimate before accepting the vehicle to service, even when it's obviously covered by warranty. I have always approved the $ amount of the estimate, but I have never been charged. If the issue was found to be caused by something other than a defect, then they might charge me (and I would have already approved it). But often they don't even charge me then. I've been let off with no payment a number of times when I know it shouldn't have been a warranty claim, I've only paid Tesla Service a couple of times, both times I was asking them to perform a service that obviously would not be a warranty claim, like performing a four wheel alignment on a Model 3 I bought used from a 3rd party that obviously had an alignment issue when I bought it as evidenced by the tire wear. I'm pretty sure the previous owner hit a curb or something.

It's possible it varies from state to state because different states have laws protecting consumers from auto repair shops and dealerships jacking up the bill, adding repair items, etc., without prior approval. By getting your consent beforehand they don't have to call you if the service tech finds the problem was caused by impact, collision, vandalism, etc. They can just fix it and they already have the consent required by law. Less dinking around trying to contact you when the car is already taking up a service bay.

This would only be a problem if Tesla Service started taking advantage of customers with valid warranty issues, and I don't believe they will ever start doing that. If the customer and Tesla disagree on whether it should have been covered under warranty, the customer can still contest it. But Tesla has historically been quite generous on warranty and goodwill repairs. The problem is that most customers have been trained to be wary of all service shops and dealerships and they may have a hard time agreeing to the dollar amount of repairs when they know it should be covered under warranty, especially when the car is brand new.

My advice? Always agree to the charges and, if they charge you, and you honestly think they shouldn't have, take it up with the service manager. If you take one thing away from this, it should be the fact that Tesla does not view their Service Centers as profit centers. I've never experienced this with any other auto shop or dealership (even the honest ones).

 

[Beamerino]

Jeep did that to me. Charged a “diagnostic fee” for a recall issue. Sold it that week. Any service charge under warranty is definitely B.S.for a car alert. This isn’t a rattle you hear after driving off road.

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