Loose rear passenger-side quarter panel replacement

[AC5]

My wife recently discovered that the rear quarter panel on the passenger's side was loose. I love the pink dress she was wearing BTW. This could explain the rattling that we were hearing on the road. I took it in to the Tesla service center thinking it would be a quick fix. No luck. So they sent me to the Tesla collision center.

Turns out that this issue has no documented fix. I guess my CT is just that special . So the Tesla repair team came up with a plan to replace the whole panel. Here are some pictures:

It's really cool to see the inside of my truck. I am a little surprised to see how dusty the internal frame of my CT after 20,000 miles.

One other note, while dropping the CT off, I noticed that the exterior weather stripping on the rear window came off and fell into the tonneau cover cavity. The repair team was able to fish it out and is reinstalling it, see where the yellow tape is:

So far, the Tesla repair team has been awesome. The tech working on my CT has been quick to answer my questions, and even sent me these pictures. I wish I did not have to take my CT into the shop for repairs, but I am glad that I have a Tesla with their amazing technicians.

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[kdn]

AC, nice to see the photos of the CT. I have heard stories of how terrible an experience people have at repair centers and service centers. I have taken my MS into the approved body shop and had a 'wonderful"experience while it was getting fixed. Better than any body shop I have taken my ICE vehicle to. At the Tesla service centers I have only had superb service and complete consideration for my vehicle and my time. Super loaner vehicles while my CT has been in for recalls and service and total complete satisfaction whenever CT goes in. Cudos to Tesla and their service departments. We do need more of them as the count keeps going up. Let us know how the repair finishes up.

 

[ShockAuto]

Eventually all the panels with the old glue will have issues like this, my truck sadly had this happen as well

 

[TWRAPS]

Eventually all the panels with the old glue will have issues like this, my truck sadly had this happen as well

I must have missed that... did they change the glue all around? Any idea ~ when?

 

[SlegMD]

Glad your experience is relatively positive given the circumstances, regarding customer service.

The amount of dirt inside makes me laugh, after the effort in trying to keep the exterior relatively clean.

@AC5 would you happen to have a pic of the inside of the SS panel. Not super important, just curious what it looks like. Post if you can!

 

[AC5]

@AC5 would you happen to have a pic of the inside of the SS panel. Not super important, just curious what it looks like. Post if you can!

I do not, but I'll ask the repair tech if he could send me one.

 

[getsometom]

I’m surprised the service center sent you to the collision center. My rear quarter panel had to be replaced from delivery and the service center performed the replacement onsite. However my issue was not the same as yours to cause the panel replacement, perhaps that changes the process.

 

[Art138]

I do not, but I'll ask the repair tech if he could send me one.

I would ask them to pressure blow that dirt out while the panel is off. Imagine when that gets wet at some point. It will encrust around the harnesses and wiring.

 

[AC5]

I would ask them to pressure blow that dirt out while the panel is off. Imagine when that gets wet at some point. It will encrust around the harnesses and wiring.

That's a very good point. I will ask.

 

[Coolhandz]

That's pretty cool. I've been putting off starting a ticket on mine just because I don't want a loaner (unless it is another CT). My tailgate SS rattles, the right rear fender rattles, the driver's side door oscillates at highway speed, and the frunk steel crunches when i push down on it. Wish they would have come up with a better option than this glue they are using.

 

[ShockAuto]

I must have missed that... did they change the glue all around? Any idea ~ when?

yep here

 

[TWRAPS]

yep here

Very nice!!! Looking to upgrade to the 2026 model/builds in a few months!

 

[AC5]

That's pretty cool. I've been putting off starting a ticket on mine just because I don't want a loaner (unless it is another CT). My tailgate SS rattles, the right rear fender rattles, the driver's side door oscillates at highway speed, and the frunk steel crunches when i push down on it. Wish they would have come up with a better option than this glue they are using.

Stories like this make me glad I got a lease. Don't get me wrong, I love my CT. It is best truck I have ever driven. But it does have some teething issues. I fully trust that Tesla will figure it out, and it sounds like they did regarding the glue. Time will tell.

Regarding getting pictures of the panel, the tech said that they scrapped the piece before he could get any.

 

[BrockN]

Glad your experience is relatively positive given the circumstances, regarding customer service.

The amount of dirt inside makes me laugh, after the effort in trying to keep the exterior relatively clean.

@AC5 would you happen to have a pic of the inside of the SS panel. Not super important, just curious what it looks like. Post if you can!

My driver side rear panel was swapped out in June. In my case, I detected a bit of movement of the metal at the upper front point. Tesla swapped it out without prompting. Not an easy job - took them the better part of a day.

Photo of the old one lying in the box the new one came in:

 

[SlegMD]

Neat! Thank you for taking the time.

More to it than expected!

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