FSD Stopped, cruise stopped, parking brake degraded…

[Docedward]

What happens next? I mean- my CT is sitting at a service station I don’t know 2.5 hours away. I did get to text with someone to get a tow truck but that’s it. I searched the “suppport” portal and there’s nothing I can find about what happens when your Tesla is towed to a non-local service department.

Do I have to go in the app and schedule there? With Ford and Mercedes- open on Saturdays- they give me a call or text acknowledging the car arrived. Not sure what to expect or who to tell what happened or perhaps it just sits there until they have time?

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[Docedward]

Here’s an update 12 days later:

 

[GmP]

Did you have any dialog with Tesla in those 12 days? Or this was the first information you received?

I just installed 2025.8.7, have not used FSD (13.2.8) since yet. Was your GPS off only while in FSD or also when not in FSD? How do you see GPS is off, the location shown on the map is wrong?

 

[65SoYoLO]

Here’s an update 12 days later:

It takes that long? I hope they designed the truck for the computer to be accessed quickly and easily...

 

[Docedward]

It takes that long? I hope they designed the truck for the computer to be accessed quickly and easily...

I think it is a combo of a drop in tow service on a small sc with a difficult issue that a field tech specialist was called in on. Then they had to drop ship a brain in and then probably had to pressure spray out all the dust and Cheetos from the computer fan. I hope it is done tomorrow as I’m paying for a rental and hotel to get there.

 

[Docedward]

Did you have any dialog with Tesla in those 12 days? Or this was the first information you received?

I just installed 2025.8.7, have not used FSD (13.2.8) since yet. Was your GPS off only while in FSD or also when not in FSD? How do you see GPS is off, the location shown on the map is wrong?

They texted me an update every 3 few days as I begged for them to plug it in. It is still sitting at 10% for a week but I think it’s just frozen now as it is located inside the hangar. They’ve been responsive and very professional but damn I wish I could talk with them. No such luck. All I know that occurred was a tech specialist was called in. And then a treatment was prescribed (no diagnosis shared with me except VOR (vehicle on roadside). Treatment was an updated computer. That would really be awesome if it fixes it!

 

[65SoYoLO]

..as I begged for them to plug it in. It is still sitting at 10% for a week but I think it’s just froze

I guess they were not paying attention?

 

[Crissa]

They texted me an update every 3 few days as I begged for them to plug it in. It is still sitting at 10% for a week but I think it’s just frozen now as it is located inside the hangar. They’ve been responsive and very professional but damn I wish I could talk with them. No such luck. All I know that occurred was a tech specialist was called in. And then a treatment was prescribed (no diagnosis shared with me except VOR (vehicle on roadside). Treatment was an updated computer. That would really be awesome if it fixes it!

If the computer is out of the vehicle, it won't be updating (or using energy).

-Crissa

 

[FarAway]

Wow, that sucks.

A couple of the Grok diagnostic comments are exactly where my head went.

Inspect Recent Repairs:

• Review the air suspension repair to ensure no wiring harnesses or connectors were damaged or left disconnected.
• Check the tailgate panel replacement for any impact on the parking brake or rear steering systems (e.g., wiring near the rear axle)

Recent Repairs: The timing of the issue (24 hours after service) strongly suggests a connection to the air suspension, tailgate panel, or wind noise repairs. It’s possible that a technician inadvertently caused a wiring or software issue during the service.

 

[Docedward]

Yeah. Those were my thoughts as well at first. I have a feeling it’s just been sitting for a week waiting for parts now. The” let’s replace the brain”just don’t add up in my mind to a lot of diagnostic rigor. I thought they were spending time doing diagnostics I thought perhaps it was frozen on 10% but that they actually had it charged up without the computer in as I requested a week ago. I never let out sit below 20%. It now says 9% so I think it’s just sitting in a corner occupying space.

I spent $200 plus a free night of rental from my own rental car points for the first breakdown and getting home. I spent $120 on the second car rental to get back out here and $120 on a hotel room. Forget not having a car in the meantime. I bought the truck the end of February and still none of the extra expenses of this VOR (vehicle on roadside) incident 2.5 hours from home are covered by Tesla. I’m walking over there tomorrow from the hotel room at noon (.5 miles) and just going to sit until it’s ready. I have no back up plans this time other than get a loaner.

 

[Docedward]

Latest update: They have now pushed a Repair Update and the estimated time to finish the repair is April 23 at 5pm. This will be day #20 and the CT is still not running. I already have 5+days from previous service appointments, so the running count is 25+ days without use since purchase on Feb 25, 2025. I tried to go to other threads about buy-backs but they have now been sealed/ no more comments allowed.

If anyone has suggested next steps I should be considering, please DM me here. My goal is to have a reliable CT- that has not panned out thus far. If this goes >30 days unusable in the first ~60 days of purchase, that is well beyond the definition of unreliable. My goal is to get another CT but would like to hear what others have done in this situation.

 

[65SoYoLO]

See if you can get free super charging for a year instead of a buy back. 20 days is not acceptable, IMO.

 

[Docedward]

See if you can get free super charging for a year instead of a buy back. 20 days is not acceptable, IMO.

Never thought of that! The service manager is brand new to Tesla. Who should I reach out to? I’ll search for a Tesla service National team, maybe?

 

[65SoYoLO]

Never thought of that! The service manager is brand new to Tesla. Who should I reach out to? I’ll search for a Tesla service National team, maybe?

I have no idea. But start with a year and you can always go lower! I have only bought 3 new vehicles (with 4 wheels) in my life and have been very lucky, no big issues with any of them. Good luck

 

[Docedward]

Final chapter: they called today and said it was ready- after 19 days. I anxiously drove the 3 hour trip and picked it up after hours. It was cleaned and charged. And it drove as sweet as it ever did on FSD home. Here was the diagnosis and treatment:

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