Unresolved front drive unit noise, guidance or suggestions?

[HaulingAss]

A senior and normal service tech have come with me on ride alongs where the noise was clearly present. Seems to kick in just after it hits 33-34mph. In one of these service visits the senior tech took me on a drive to see if one of their own trucks produced this same noise. It did not. Night and day difference. For some reason that same senior tech recorded my service notes as having been “normal” and ‘within spec’ essentially. Im just confused why they would do that? Clearly the noise wasnt present in their own truck he took me on. There was no question about that, he had verbally acknowledged the difference with me, but the notes said otherwise

All manufactured mechanical systems produce sounds when operating and they will not all be identical in volume or character, they will fall into a range of variations. What matters is whether the sound indicates a problem that would lead to accelerated failure. The tech is saying the sound falls into the normal range and doesn't indicate an early failure.

I thought he did a very good job of communicating that in the Service Notes. Of course, if he is wrong and something fails within the Powertrain Warranty, it would be covered regardless of whether you had documented the sound or not.

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[wheatbread]

All manufactured mechanical systems produce sounds when operating and they will not all be identical in volume or character, they will fall into a range of variations. What matters is whether the sound indicates a problem that would lead to accelerated failure. The tech is saying the sound falls into the normal range and doesn't indicate an early failure.

I thought he did a very good job of communicating that in the Service Notes. Of course, if he is wrong and something fails within the Powertrain Warranty, it would be covered regardless of whether you had documented the sound or not.

I mean had I noticed that sound before i purchased it personally its not something i would have moved forward with. Just from my experience with other ev’s including teslas ive owned, that noise is a deal breaker for me. Whether or not it proves to be a safety risk later on down the line is also not something id want to take my chances on.

Im not made of money so for me to spend $100k on a vehicle im going to expect a little more then my other ev’s. Good note taking would aslo mean they dont leave out parts they did. Acknowledging the noise not being present in the test drive truck we did was a big red flag for me once I read it.

 

[Rippin1Gear]

Mines in right now for the 4th visit and pushed for a manager. Said 10 day lead time on repair… not sure what motor they will put in but fingers crossed it’s not the original F code.

 

[wheatbread]

Mines in right now for the 4th visit and pushed for a manager. Said 10 day lead time on repair… not sure what motor they will put in but fingers crossed it’s not the original F code.

I decided to pay my initial service center a visit in hope's they take my concern more seriously. Will see how this goes.

 

[OldDirtyRobot]

The noise was much louder on my '24 AWD. They gave me a hard time on it as well. Bought a '26, no noise at all.

 

[wheatbread]

The noise was much louder on my '24 AWD. They gave me a hard time on it as well. Bought a '26, no noise at all.

What you do with your 24? Really hoping this other service center actually gets this taken care of for me. Waiting to hear back if they can get approval from some engineers or field techs? Cant remember exactly the title.

 

[Joshwaa]

Pretty much same noise from mine. Took it in many times and they have done nothing about it. Much worse in colder temps. Noise kicks in at about 32-35mph and can hear it up past 55 when the wind noise starts to drown it out. First time I took it in they replaced the half-shafts and the noise was worse. So now I am stuck with a really aggravating noise that my vehicle did not have when I purchased it. If it did I would not have bought the truck.

 

[wheatbread]

Pretty much same noise from mine. Took it in many times and they have done nothing about it. Much worse in colder temps. Noise kicks in at about 32-35mph and can hear it up past 55 when the wind noise starts to drown it out. First time I took it in they replaced the half-shafts and the noise was worse. So now I am stuck with a really aggravating noise that my vehicle did not have when I purchased it. If it did I would not have bought the truck.

Some folks have been kind enough to share their envoices where Tesla repaired it for them. May be worth a trip and showing it to a local service center.

 

[Joshwaa]

Some folks have been kind enough to share their envoices where Tesla repaired it for them. May be worth a trip and showing it to a local service center.

I may try that. However I was told unless it gets much worse or they get a bulletin on it there is nothing they can do.

 

[wheatbread]

I may try that. However I was told unless it gets much worse or they get a bulletin on it there is nothing they can do.

Doesn’t seem like all locations are as willing to help so maybe try a different service center if thats an option. Heres a quick YouTube video i did on another awd model where it doesn’t make that noise, a clear difference.

 

[DMSTR]

It totally doesn’t pass the smell test for me either haha

My theory: it’s a non mechanical issue and since Tesla quieted it down in future revisions they kick the can as much as possible for us older revs

I agree. I just took delivery in early June and my PAWD is extremely quiet. I currently have a loaner from Tesla while they knock out a few small issues that I turned in. This loaner is a 2025 PAWD and it is noticeably louder than my new 2026. I could hear the difference immediately and this 2025 loaner only has 22,000 miles on it. They've definitely make improvements.

 

[Known-Background]

I only get the grinding when in regen between 40-47 mph terrible. They replace the FDU

 

[Known-Background]

I only get the grinding when in regen between 40-47 mph terrible. They replaced the FDU but it stills made the noise now they say it’s normal!! But newer truck don’t make the noise!!!

 

[wheatbread]

I only get the grinding when in regen between 40-47 mph terrible. They replaced the FDU but it stills made the noise now they say it’s normal!! But newer truck don’t make the noise!!!

I did see another video on YouTube who gets it right around the same mph.

 

[wheatbread]

I only get the grinding when in regen between 40-47 mph terrible. They replaced the FDU but it stills made the noise now they say it’s normal!! But newer truck don’t make the noise!!!

You may be able to request a buyback.

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