My 2021 Tesla Model 3 Door Won't Open, Tesla Tried To Open Remotely, Says, It’s Offline, the Tow Truck Driver Said, It’s the 6th Tesla With the Same Issue

It's only July 2nd, and the relentless heat is taking a toll on this Tesla Model 3 owner, who finds himself in a challenging situation.

A scorching heatwave gripping the Eastern U.S. has seemingly claimed another victim, this time a 2021 Tesla Model 3, leaving its owner stranded. Should Tesla Model 3 owners be concerned about the 12V battery's reliability in extreme conditions, or is this an issue stemming from the owner's lack of understanding of the car's technology? 

What started as a routine attempt to return home from a sweltering day in Georgia quickly turned into an unexpected and frustrating ordeal for Anthony and his Tesla Model 3.

Despite a healthy 76% charge in the main battery and a connected, updated Tesla app, Anthony was locked out of his car. 

Attempts to unlock via the app were met with a stark "Command timeout. Please try again" error message. Even a second attempt from a different device, belonging to one of his children, yielded the same result.

A call to Tesla technical support confirmed the gravity of the situation: Anthony's Model 3 was offline and unreachable by remote diagnostics.

The diagnosis, according to the Tesla service center, pointed to a failed 12V battery, likely a casualty of the prolonged and intense heat. 

Anthony's concern is the complete absence of any prior warning or notification from the Tesla app regarding the impending demise of the 12V battery.

If that weren't enough problems to deal with, the Model 3's 3-year/50,000-mile warranty is set to expire at the end of the month.  

Now, Anthony anxiously awaits confirmation of warranty coverage and an explanation from Tesla regarding the unexpected failure.

Anthony Peralta, on the Tesla Model 3 Owners Facebook page, recounted the unfortunate sequence of events.

I had a bad experience with my 2021 Tesla Model 3 today.  When I tried to open the door to drive back home, it wouldn't open; the app was updated, and Bluetooth was connected. 

The charge was 76% when I left it this morning. From the app, if I try to unlock the door, an error shows: "Command timeout. Please try again.

I asked one of my kids to try it from his app, and I got the same error. I called Tesla technical support, and they attempted to open it remotely but stated that my Model 3 appeared to be offline. 

They sent a tow truck to bring it to the nearest Tesla service center, and the tow truck driver told me it was his sixth Tesla he'd towed that day, and all had the same issue. 

My 12V battery died while I was parked outside on an unusually hot day (a heat wave since last Friday here in Georgia). There was no alert or warning from the app about my 12V battery before this issue today.  

Hopefully, these are all covered by the warranty (my 3-year warranty / 50K miles expires at the end of the month).  

I'm curious about why it happened, if the problem is more than just a dead battery, and if it will happen again even after replacing the battery.

Has anyone else experienced the same issue in the last few days on the East Coast, which is currently suffering from a heatwave?  

Hopefully, Tesla will compensate me for the inconvenience it has caused. My Model 3 had to spend the night at the Service Center, and I have yet to hear from them. Hopefully, I will tomorrow morning.

Anthony's dilemma raises a crucial question: 

Is this merely an isolated incident of a battery succumbing to extreme temperatures, or does it point to a broader design flaw that could lead to recurring issues? And is this a widespread problem affecting other Tesla owners in the sweltering East Coast region?

What Are Other Tesla Owners Saying?

Baim Inthavong says, I'm in Georgia also, and it hasn't happened to me yet. I've had mine for two months now, from the same year as yours, and I bought it used.

Scott Falcon - I heard they are standard car batteries. If so, they only have a 3-5 year life in the Florida heat. I will be switching mine in 3 years.

Batteries Don't Like Heat

Anthony's 12V battery is likely the culprit, as the Tesla Model 3's 12V battery typically lasts  3-4 years. However, this can vary based on driving habits and environmental conditions. Some owners have reported replacements occurring as early as 1-2 years, while others have successfully used their original battery for 4-5 years. 

Factors Affecting Lifespan:

• Driving Frequency: Frequent driving can lead to quicker depletion of the 12V battery.
• Climate: Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can significantly impact battery lifespan. 
• Usage: Extensive use of features like Sentry Mode can drain the battery faster.
• Individual Battery Quality: There can be variations in the quality and lifespan of individual batteries. 

Signs of a Failing 12V Battery:

• Control panel messages: The car may display a message indicating the 12V battery is failing.
• Car unresponsive: The car may not unlock with the key fob or phone app, or the doors may not open.
• Reduced range or performance: The high-voltage battery may need to work harder to compensate for a weak 12V battery. 

Important Notes:

Tesla does not have a built-in system to proactively notify owners about the health of their 12V battery. Anthony would not have received a message letting him know his 12V battery was about to fail.

A Reddit user, sendnewt_s, says, Friendly reminder: your 12V will need replacing every 3-4 years. By the time you receive the warning (if you receive one, some people won't), it will be crunch time to obtain a replacement. It can definitely be done at home, but if you're not familiar with these types of things, proactively get it replaced before you're at risk of being bricked.

It is recommended to replace the 12V battery proactively before it completely fails, as this can lead to various inconveniences. 

While some owners replace the battery themselves, it is recommended to have a Tesla technician handle the replacement, especially if you are not comfortable working with car electrical systems. 

Conclusion:

Anthony's 12V battery in his 2021 Tesla Model 3 is four and a half years old and has reached the end of its life. He should have replaced it a year ago and could have avoided being locked out of his car. It's a good reminder for all Tesla and EV owners to replace their batteries before they die in the heat. 

Please share your experience with the Tesla Model 3 battery in the heat. Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

Check out my Tesla Model 3 story: No One Believes Me, But It’s True, I Parked My Tesla Model 3 In the Front Of the Restaurant, and When I Came Out, It Had Driven Itself To the Back

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

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