Lightbar flew off while driving on highway!!

[moefren2000]

Need advice. My factory OEM Lightbar just flew off my truck while driving on the highway. Luckily no one behind was injured nor did it cause any damage to any vehicles behind me but the Lightbar is pieces across the highway. In addition, where the harness feeds into the car on the driver side, the plastic rail broke into pieces. I was able to “snap” into place. The Lightbar was installed in February of this year.

Question? Is this a Tesla responsibility as the adhesive didn’t work? Or is this an insurance claim?

If Tesla responsibility, do I set up service through the app and explain details there? Or do I pay a visit to service center. The service center that installed was Springfield, NJ SC.

This sucks!!!

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[AO-Pete]

oof, that's rough. I'd certainly point the finger at Tesla, this is no different than a sail trim or cantrails flying off - they installed it, so they are responsible. Might be helpful to grab any footage from Sentry, but I assume they'd be able to see in the logs when the harness disconnected, and correlate that to your location/speed (not that it should ever fly off).

 

[rixos]

Tesla is responsible make an appointment with SC

 

[dalton108]

Need advice. My factory OEM Lightbar just flew off my truck while driving on the highway. Luckily no one behind was injured nor did it cause any damage to any vehicles behind me but the Lightbar is pieces across the highway. In addition, where the harness feeds into the car on the driver side, the plastic rail broke into pieces. I was able to “snap” into place. The Lightbar was installed in February of this year.

Question? Is this a Tesla responsibility as the adhesive didn’t work? Or is this an insurance claim?

If Tesla responsibility, do I set up service through the app and explain details there? Or do I pay a visit to service center. The service center that installed was Springfield, NJ SC.

This sucks!!!

You are at least the third known user on this forum to report this happening. Mine started lifting but I (rather my detailer) caught it before it came loose and I was able to get it reattached about a month ago. So mine stayed fine for about, what … four months or so?

@Redfire did a whole video concerning his experience. Everything that’s happened with regard to your incident is in the control and responsibility of Tesla. So, absolutely, you’ll want to be sure that they take responsibility in whatever solution is offered to you.

With yours, we know - for sure - of 3 reports of complete detachment and, including mine, at least two with photographic evidence of lifting.

Not good. Add the overall abysmal handling of the rollout and you have just another unforced error creating headwinds for this poor damn truck. Honestly, this is all starting to feel like a real-life version of the “Producers” with this thing! “Springtime for Hitler” vibes and all! ??‍

Does somebody make money if this thing tanks?

 

[AO-Pete]

Sounds like another recall is needed. I think about ~10% of owners are active on this forum, so that 3 becomes 30 across the fleet (in theory, basic math, I know).

It's so odd, I know they're using VHB tape for this (which is obviously inferior to a true mechanical interface), but that stuff normally sticks like crazy. Not the same, but I had a couple of laser jammers under the front valance on a Model S stuck with VHB tape, and they did not budge in years, and, obviously, they took a lot of abuse in that location.

They are using a Primer for the installation, although the procedure was last updated a couple of days ago, so they know something's up.

 

[dalton108]

It's so odd, I know they're using VHB tape for this (which is obviously inferior to a true mechanical interface), but that stuff normally sticks like crazy.

Actually, that’s not what they used, at least not on my vehicle. I’m not very well-versed on the topic, but some sort of black foam epoxy looking substance? Basically, looks like tar and is applied with the best I can describe, like a caulk gun?

When mine started lifting, it was completely detached from the bottom of the lightbar like it never adhered and the bottom is smooth as glass - just like the outer surfaces. No scoring or texture whatsoever.

 

[UberNoob]

Guess that’s why they havnt given me my lightbar yet. Waiting on the guinni pigs to finish testing I guess. Prolly see a headline soon, discontinued range ex…. I mean lightbar.

 

[AO-Pete]

Actually, that’s not what they used, at least not on my vehicle. I’m not very well-versed on the topic, but some sort of black foam epoxy looking substance? Basically, looks like tar and is applied with the best I can describe, like a caulk gun?

When mine started lifting, it was completely detached from the bottom of the lightbar like it never adhered and the bottom is smooth as glass - just like the outer surfaces. No scoring or texture whatsoever.

Thanks, interesting! The install process looks so error-prone, or at least, overly-complex for an OEM part that should have been part of the core CT design from day one.

 

[Cyberus]

 

[neights]

These should definitely have a mechanical connection, pretty dissapointing but the Tesla methodology is eliminate parts until proven necessary. Hopefully they make it right and at least no one got hurt!

 

[ABILISK]

Another one bites the dust. I’m gonna go with the Mars lightbar when I’m ready to buy one, even if Tesla opens up sales to us NFS folks.

 

[txtravwill]

Using glue for stuff just doesn't work well.

 

[65SoYoLO]

Need advice. My factory OEM Lightbar just flew off my truck while driving on the highway. Luckily no one behind was injured nor did it cause any damage to any vehicles behind me but the Lightbar is pieces across the highway. In addition, where the harness feeds into the car on the driver side, the plastic rail broke into pieces. I was able to “snap” into place. The Lightbar was installed in February of this year.

Question? Is this a Tesla responsibility as the adhesive didn’t work? Or is this an insurance claim?

If Tesla responsibility, do I set up service through the app and explain details there? Or do I pay a visit to service center. The service center that installed was Springfield, NJ SC.

This sucks!!!

I say teslas fault.

 

[moefren2000]

OP here, pictures attached.

 

[65SoYoLO]

OP here, pictures attached.

Unacceptable.

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