My CyberBeast went in for a spa day and came back a newborn — with a lazy eye and a missing limb.

[CheddaTruck]

The original plan

• Install the fancy light-bar.
• Nudge a couple of panel gaps.
• Check an ABS alert (because the truck likes to cosplay as a Christmas tree).

Tesla: “No problem, we’ll have it done by Thursday night!”
Me, foolishly optimistic: “Sweet, what could possibly go wrong?”


The reality show (week-long mini-series)

Day	Tesla’s script	Plot twist
Wed	“Ready by Thursday EOD.”	Foreshadowing.
Thu	“LOL nope — make it Friday.”	Suspense builds.
Fri 3 pm	I text: “Status? I live 100 miles away.” Tesla: “Still replacing the left body controller.”	Cool, just casually swapping the truck’s brain.
Fri 5:30 pm	“Come and get it!”	Finale. Or so I thought.

Pickup checklist (a.k.a. the blooper reel)

1. Phone key forgotten by the truck
   – Had to re-pair it like an ex who blocked my number.
2. Trim under glove box dangling like a loose tooth
   – I pushed it back in. DIY achievement unlocked.
3. Odometer: ZERO.
   – My 26 k-mile CyberBeast is now a CyberBaby. Shot a video while the “count” rolled from 0 → 1 as I left the lot. App and service menu agree — factory-fresh, just ignore the 5 months of road-trip Dorito dust.
4. Light-bar installation by Picasso
   – Passenger side: ½-inch gap. Driver side: snug as a bug. It’s basically smiling sideways at everyone.
5. Tailgate bolt MIA (found lounging inside the tailgate)
   – Bonus: it carved a gouge while surfing around back there. Trim in that corner also half-attached, like the tech ran out of clips and faith at the same time.

Crowd-sourced wisdom needed

• Anyone else have their odometer Thanos-snapped after a controller swap? Can Tesla unsnap it or am I forever “True Mileage Unknown”?
• Light-bar redo: full windshield surgery or can they just yell “Wingardium Leviosa” and level it?
• Tailgate dent + missing bolt: demand a proper repair or accept “free character”?
• At what point do I summon ExecutiveCare / BBB Auto-line / Oregon’s lemon-law Avengers?

Pics, video, and my shredded sanity attached. All advice appreciated before I return Monday with coffee, receipts, and the energy of a disappointed parent at a science fair.

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[mongo]

The original plan

• Install the fancy light-bar.
• Nudge a couple of panel gaps.
• Check an ABS alert (because the truck likes to cosplay as a Christmas tree).

Tesla: “No problem, we’ll have it done by Thursday night!”
Me, foolishly optimistic: “Sweet, what could possibly go wrong?”


The reality show (week-long mini-series)

Day	Tesla’s script	Plot twist
Wed	“Ready by Thursday EOD.”	Foreshadowing.
Thu	“LOL nope — make it Friday.”	Suspense builds.
Fri 3 pm	I text: “Status? I live 100 miles away.” Tesla: “Still replacing the left body controller.”	Cool, just casually swapping the truck’s brain.
Fri 5:30 pm	“Come and get it!”	Finale. Or so I thought.

Pickup checklist (a.k.a. the blooper reel)

1. Phone key forgotten by the truck
   – Had to re-pair it like an ex who blocked my number.
2. Trim under glove box dangling like a loose tooth
   – I pushed it back in. DIY achievement unlocked.
3. Odometer: ZERO.
   – My 26 k-mile CyberBeast is now a CyberBaby. Shot a video while the “count” rolled from 0 → 1 as I left the lot. App and service menu agree — factory-fresh, just ignore the 5 months of road-trip Dorito dust.
4. Light-bar installation by Picasso
   – Passenger side: ½-inch gap. Driver side: snug as a bug. It’s basically smiling sideways at everyone.
5. Tailgate bolt MIA (found lounging inside the tailgate)
   – Bonus: it carved a gouge while surfing around back there. Trim in that corner also half-attached, like the tech ran out of clips and faith at the same time.

Crowd-sourced wisdom needed

• Anyone else have their odometer Thanos-snapped after a controller swap? Can Tesla unsnap it or am I forever “True Mileage Unknown”?
• Light-bar redo: full windshield surgery or can they just yell “Wingardium Leviosa” and level it?
• Tailgate dent + missing bolt: demand a proper repair or accept “free character”?
• At what point do I summon ExecutiveCare / BBB Auto-line / Oregon’s lemon-law Avengers?

Pics, video, and my shredded sanity attached. All advice appreciated before I return Monday with coffee, receipts, and the energy of a disappointed parent at a science fair.

Sounds like they may not have run all the post install redeploy steps
https://service.tesla.com/docs/Cybe...UID-9BBBE423-ACE1-47E5-8089-552366FF5A1C.html

 

[CyberT]

Sorry for the trouble, but your writing is hilarious. Time to make that sit-com

 

[hemiarch]

Sorry for the trouble, but your writing is hilarious. Time to make that sit-com

Second that. Thanks for the entertainment. Sorry that happened to you.

 

[JCERRN]

The original plan

• Install the fancy light-bar.
• Nudge a couple of panel gaps.
• Check an ABS alert (because the truck likes to cosplay as a Christmas tree).

Tesla: “No problem, we’ll have it done by Thursday night!”
Me, foolishly optimistic: “Sweet, what could possibly go wrong?”


The reality show (week-long mini-series)

Day	Tesla’s script	Plot twist
Wed	“Ready by Thursday EOD.”	Foreshadowing.
Thu	“LOL nope — make it Friday.”	Suspense builds.
Fri 3 pm	I text: “Status? I live 100 miles away.” Tesla: “Still replacing the left body controller.”	Cool, just casually swapping the truck’s brain.
Fri 5:30 pm	“Come and get it!”	Finale. Or so I thought.

Pickup checklist (a.k.a. the blooper reel)

1. Phone key forgotten by the truck
   – Had to re-pair it like an ex who blocked my number.
2. Trim under glove box dangling like a loose tooth
   – I pushed it back in. DIY achievement unlocked.
3. Odometer: ZERO.
   – My 26 k-mile CyberBeast is now a CyberBaby. Shot a video while the “count” rolled from 0 → 1 as I left the lot. App and service menu agree — factory-fresh, just ignore the 5 months of road-trip Dorito dust.
4. Light-bar installation by Picasso
   – Passenger side: ½-inch gap. Driver side: snug as a bug. It’s basically smiling sideways at everyone.
5. Tailgate bolt MIA (found lounging inside the tailgate)
   – Bonus: it carved a gouge while surfing around back there. Trim in that corner also half-attached, like the tech ran out of clips and faith at the same time.

Crowd-sourced wisdom needed

• Anyone else have their odometer Thanos-snapped after a controller swap? Can Tesla unsnap it or am I forever “True Mileage Unknown”?
• Light-bar redo: full windshield surgery or can they just yell “Wingardium Leviosa” and level it?
• Tailgate dent + missing bolt: demand a proper repair or accept “free character”?
• At what point do I summon ExecutiveCare / BBB Auto-line / Oregon’s lemon-law Avengers?

Pics, video, and my shredded sanity attached. All advice appreciated before I return Monday with coffee, receipts, and the energy of a disappointed parent at a science fair.

Also- they should fix any damage they caused, regardless of the severity. Id ask them to repair the tailgate trim and support.

I would also ask them to redo the light bar, whatever the cost to them. it should not be lopsided.

 

[65SoYoLO]

and the award for the worst tesla service center goes to (insert your location here)!
And altering the odometer is a federal crime.

 

[mongo]

And altering the odometer is a federal crime.

Only if the intent is to change it, incompetence itself isn't a violation
"disconnect, reset, alter, or have disconnected, reset, or altered, an odometer of a motor vehicle intending to change the mileage registered by the odometer;"

 

[DoberManPin-Sure]

Sorry to read about your experience, but that was the most entertaining and funny post I've read here. Humor is a great approach relative to alternative reactions.

Not much in the way of crowdsourced guidance from me, although the "smiling" lightbar may take care of itself per some other recent posts. It may "take wing" on its own as you're driving to the SC for any remedial work you end up asking them to undertake.

Seriously though, GL with all of that. My selfish hope that you have more issues so we get more posts from you is tempered by my sincere desire that the rest of your CT experience is smooth sailing (perhaps including your lightbar).

 

[DoberManPin-Sure]

Only if the intent is to change it, incompetence itself isn't a violation
"disconnect, reset, alter, or have disconnected, reset, or altered, an odometer of a motor vehicle intending to change the mileage registered by the odometer;"

I'm not providing legal advice and this response from my ChatGPT paid subscription should be--as with all AI-generated responses--taken with a grain of salt and be supplemented with your own research. That said, it seems to ring true from a logical and social policy perspective. In short, make sure you get written documentation from Tesla that the odometer reset was their doing (and how/why), see if Oregon has an odometer reset form like the cited Texas version, and make sure that you disclose the discrepancy on sale of the CT.

The response:

"If a Tesla Service Center replaced a component that reset your odometer to zero — especially if your vehicle had 30,000 miles previously — the issue could carry serious legal and financial implications, though your personal liability will depend on your involvement, knowledge, and subsequent actions.


Here’s a breakdown of potential liability and responsibilities:


1. Federal and State Odometer Laws

• Federal Law (49 U.S. Code § 32703) prohibits odometer tampering or misrepresentation. However:
  • If the reset was due to a legitimate repair or part replacement (e.g., instrument cluster), and
  • The change is disclosed in writing to the owner (you),
  • Then the repair facility, not you, bears primary responsibility.
• Texas law (if applicable) mirrors federal rules under the Texas Transportation Code, requiring written disclosure of odometer discrepancies, especially on title transfers.

2. Your Liability as the Owner

You could face liability if any of the following are true:

• You knew or should have known about the odometer change and sold or represented the vehicle as having lower mileage without disclosure.
• You fail to disclose the mileage discrepancy when selling, leasing, or trading in the car.

If you keep the car for personal use, you’re not automatically liable for the reset, assuming:

• You didn’t request the reset or misrepresent anything.
• You were not involved in any fraud.
• You retain or request documentation from Tesla explaining the reason and nature of the odometer change.

3. Best Practices to Protect Yourself

• Obtain written documentation from Tesla explaining why the odometer was reset (e.g., instrument cluster replacement, software issue).
• If the odometer no longer reflects the actual mileage, file an odometer disclosure statement (like Form VTR-40 in Texas) and retain it for your records.
• When selling or transferring ownership, clearly disclose the actual mileage and explain the reset with supporting documentation.

Summary

• You're not liable for the reset if it was done without your request and due to necessary repairs, as long as you do not misrepresent mileage later.
• Tesla may have an obligation to document and disclose the reset.
• Your only liability arises if you knowingly fail to disclose the discrepancy when selling or transferring the vehicle.

Would you like help drafting a disclosure letter or getting Tesla to confirm the mileage change in writing?"

 

[OUTLAW]

Every time I bring the truck in for service I come out with something else that’s broken or not working….

 

[Outdoors]

Every time I bring the truck in for service I come out with something else that’s broken or not working….

So true. Had my winter swap to the Duratrac wheel offering. Tesla rolled the hundred pound wheels into the truck and let them hit the back of the tonoue cover track. Bending it. Not discovered till 230 miles away from Service Center. My solution. Buy a camper cover rather than let them wreck something else.

The things I ofter read about are just careless items from people that must be high or just not bright.

 

[Beetlebug62]

And I thought it was bad that my lifetime efficiency was wiped by my SC. I didn't even know they could rollback your digital odometer. I guess that'd be one way to fix your efficiency, just start over.

 

[CybertruckWraps]

People used to pay a guy good money to turn back those odometers I wonder if there is a secret combo button press like on PlayStation to reset the mileage

That sucks tho! Hope you get resolved!

 

[hemiarch]

Classic classic scene

 

[mongo]

People used to pay a guy good money to turn back those odometers I wonder if there is a secret combo button press like on PlayStation to reset the mileage

That sucks tho! Hope you get resolved!

On other vehicle platforms, the odometer and VIN are stored in three different modules. Normally you only replace one at a time at it automatically updates from the other two. Tesla may have had it a manual step which was skipped, or they swapped too many modules at once, (or they failed to consider this issue, but others have had the left controller swapped without zeroing it out).
Given the key pairing was missing also, I think the tech missed the steps at the end...

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