Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Vehicle safety record

2008 Tesla Roadster Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2008 Tesla Roadster with NHTSA, most often about the acceleration & cruise control (1). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in May 2009 for the hub.

NHTSA data checked

Rated once enough Roadster years are on file

#440 most complained-about 2008 vehicle

Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Most common 2008 Tesla Roadster problems

Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

2008 Tesla Roadster recalls 1

Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do

Wheels: hub

09V178000345 vehicles affected

The problem
Tesla motors, inc. Is recalling 345 my 2008 tesla roadster vehicles manufactured between march 2008 and april 22, 2009. The rear hub flange bolts on some of these vehicles may be under-torqued and may become loose. A loose hub could lead to degradation in vehicle handling, and a rubbing noise from the rear of the vehicle.
The risk
If the problem is not addressed promptly, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could lead to a crash.
The fix
Tesla will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on may 28, 2009. Owners may contact tesla toll-free at 1-877-888-3752.

What owners say

Be the first Roadster owner to share.

Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now

1 complaints about the 2008 Tesla Roadster

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.

Acceleration & cruise control

The vehicle is prone to 'sudden acceleration' problems where the driver loses control of the vehicle when the traction control system engages and forces the regenerative engine breaking system to disengage. The tesla roadster uses very aggressive engine regenerative breaking so, when it is disengaged, the car lurches forward uncontrollably and faster than the driver can react by engaging the breaks. This most commonly happens when I drive down a hill or around a corner at 20 mph using engine regenerative...

Read the full complaint

breaking to slow the vehicle and hit a bump in the road that engages the traction control system. The car will suddenly double speed (40 mph) for approximately five seconds as the engine regenerative breaking on this vehicle disengages... Faster than I can compensate by breaking. In effect, the car suddenly and unexpectedly lurches forward when the tcs kicks in. I probably see this behavior at least twice a week on one particular stretch of nearly empty road, but have had two near collisions recently, one on that stretch of road following a truck at a distance and one on a different stretch of road making a corner where the car nearly accelerated into an oncoming vehicle. Given how few of these cars are on the road, how aggressive the engine regenerative breaking is, and how little most other owners drive their vehicles relative to my daily commutes, I have to believe that this problem will lead to multiple accidents and potentially fatal accidents over the course of the next year. The issue has been communicated to tesla motors, but they've indicated that this is standard behavior for all vehicles using engine regenerative breaking and should be expected. I don't completely believe that -- or necessarily believe that other cars are as aggressive with their regen breaking as the tesla is -- but the bottom line is that this creatives a very unsafe driving condition that concerns me and should concern all other tesla roadster drivers. *Tr

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Traction control systemNHTSA 10277260

Tesla Roadster: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
20111000Suspension-
20081100Acceleration & cruise control-
All Roadster years

Own a 2008 Tesla Roadster? Share your experience.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Questions about the 2008 Tesla Roadster

Does the 2008 Tesla Roadster have any recalls?

Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2008 Tesla Roadster: hub (May 2009). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.

What are the most common problems with the 2008 Tesla Roadster?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the acceleration & cruise control (1).

How many complaints has the 2008 Tesla Roadster had?

1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on July 18, 2009 and the latest on July 18, 2009. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.

Which Tesla Roadster years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2008 Tesla Roadster has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience