I Had to Return My New Tesla Model S Three Times Just to Fix What Should’ve Been Caught Before Delivery

One of the most interesting parts of writing car stories is seeing just how many car owners are going through the same struggles, especially when it comes to vehicles they were once excited to bring home. That sense of shared experience came through clearly when I came across a comment from Raymond Foster under another one of my articles. His story didn’t just come across as another complaint thought, because it felt more like a determined effort to make his experience known with the amount of detail he provided.

Raymond had just picked up his brand new Tesla Model S, the nicest and most expensive car he has ever owned according to him, and what should’ve been a thrilling milestone quickly unraveled into a weeks-long back-and-forth with Tesla service teams just to fix what should have been caught before delivery. It was raw, detailed, and deeply relatable because it’s the kind of story that reminds us the delivery experience matters just as much as the car itself. Here's his story:

“This story hits very close to home for me. I purchased a Pearl White 2023 Model S (ordered in December 2022 and took delivery in January 2023). I live in a rural area and drove nearly two hours to take delivery. Upon arrival, I was handed a key card (the first time I had ever held a Tesla key card) by the "sales" representative who pointed to my car sitting at the back of the lot under some trees. It was covered in dust and dead leaves; however, despite some initial misgivings and being denied to have the plastic front license bracket removed by Tesla, I drove it home feeling on top of the world in the nicest, sportiest, and most expensive car I had ever purchased.

I made an appointment to have it detailed as quickly as possible. Upon having it detailed, the detailer and myself discovered paint over spray on the windshield, all the windows, and half of the roof. The over spray could also be felt in some body panels. There was also a scratch discovered in the center of the back glass. I immediately made a service appointment for the next available time (about two weeks later). Upon taking it to the service center, they told me it would take a few days to get it fixed and provided me with a loaner vehicle. Note that the service center is 85 miles (one way) from my home.

I picked it up about a week later only to find in bright sunlight that the over spray still existed on parts of the windshield and some parts of the windows. The back glass was still scratched. I was told that I should have shown it to the person when I took delivery 'if it was really there then.' The service representative actually insinuated that I had damaged my brand new car and was trying to get Tesla to fix it. I demanded to speak to a service manager or someone in charge. The service manager assured me they would see what could be done and researched if there was any documentation of the scratch. I was sent back home in a different loaner vehicle.

It was about two weeks later when I was notified that it was ready to be picked up. When I went to pick it up, I was informed that they found the over spray to be so bad that they had to replace all the glass on the vehicle as well as having it buffed at a nearby shop. I was told that they discovered the origin of the scratch to have been caused by a machine that wraps vehicles when leaving the factory as the machine most likely ran out of wrap during the process and an arm fell across the rear glass. I brought the vehicle home thinking the ordeal was finally over.

Within a couple of days, I noticed problems with the climate control and the inside glass fogging up often. I made yet another service appointment (another two weeks out). At the service center they discovered that a wiring harness was broken by the technician when the windshield was replaced and this was not noticed when the replacement was done. A new harness was ordered but wouldn't be available for a few weeks. I was sent home with my third Tesla loaner. It wasn't until the beginning of March that I finally had MY car home with these issues resolved.

There are definitely problems with delivery and customer service with Tesla. I also had to repeatedly request that my car be charged enough for me to get back home after service appointments. I was told this wasn't a regular service that was offered; however, they finally relented and charged the vehicle at the service center while I waited about 20 minutes in the car. Excellent technology, but sub par customer service experience. I have had much better experiences taking delivery of a car at CarMax with pictures taken on a red carpet and a Lexus dealership that washed the car and filled it up with gas at every service appointment. I certainly hope Tesla is able to hear about and learn from these issues at levels of management that are able to make a difference."

Why Stories Like This Matter

Raymond’s story isn’t an isolated case. After all, he was responding to another Tesla delivery issue I had written about not too long ago. Many new buyers have shared similar frustrations in online communities, from owners whose promised delivery dates slipped without explanation to those regretting they didn’t switch to Tesla sooner despite service flaws. What stands out isn’t just that these issues exist, but that they’re becoming increasingly common among buyers who expected more from a brand known for transforming the electric vehicle market.

Tesla has built a reputation on cutting-edge technology, direct-to-consumer sales, and futuristic ownership. But the cracks in the system are sometimes more visible, especially when the delivery of a near six figure vehicle feels less polished than a mass-market dealership handoff. And in Raymond's case, a luxury experience turned into a series of disappointing trips that no one paying that kind of money should have to endure.

My Thoughts Overall

As journalist, I’ve noticed a strange paradox in Tesla ownership. The cars themselves are thrilling. They're fast, quiet, high-tech, and addictive in the best way. But the ownership experience doesn’t always match the innovation under the hood. I’ve spoken with countless owners who love driving their Teslas, yet describe dealing with Tesla like navigating a bureaucracy that doesn’t quite speak the language of luxury.

In this case, it wasn’t just the initial flaw that soured the experience as it was the feeling of not being believed, not being prioritized, and having to push to get the care that should’ve been offered from day one. Tesla is great, but there seems to be a slight disconnect between the brilliance of the product and the reliability of the support network behind it.

That’s not to say this is all about pointing fingers at Tesla. In the end, things were made right for Raymond. He got his glass replaced, the wiring repaired, and Tesla did provide him with loaners and even charged his car before sending him home. But none of that changes the fact that these issues never should’ve made it past delivery in the first place, and that’s where the core concern lies.

Key Takeaways From Raymond's Story

1. Delivery isn’t the finish line, it’s the beginning of ownership: If you're handed a flawed vehicle, don’t assume it’s normal or that it’ll be taken care of later. Always inspect thoroughly at delivery.

2. Tesla's service model has growing pains: While mobile service and over-the-air updates are revolutionary, stories like Raymond’s highlight the risks of distant service centers and inconsistent support.

3. Expectation vs. execution matters in luxury segments: Brands like Lexus and even used-car retailers like CarMax are seemingly outclassing Tesla in customer care, and Tesla changing its style could help it for the future.

4. Customer voices are powerful tools for accountability: Stories like this, shared openly and thoughtfully, help raise the bar for what owners should expect and demand.

What About You?

Have you ever taken delivery of a car that didn’t meet your expectations? What was that moment like, and how did the dealership or brand handle it?

And if you’re a Tesla owner, do you feel the service experience lives up to the car itself? Or have you run into similar delivery or repair frustrations that made you question the brand?

Your experiences matter more than you think. Like Raymond's, they spark deeper conversations that end up shaping our news coverage. I’d love to read yours in the comments below.

Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.

Image Sources: Tesla Gallery