Technology Tesla owner says he’s locked out after battery died, replacement costs $26K

[The Helper]

A Tesla owner in Canada claimed he is locked out of his $140,000 vehicle after the battery died, and that the electric automaker told him a replacement would cost $26,000.

Mario Zelaya posted a video on TikTok saying his "piece of trash" Model S died and that the car is locked, preventing him from being able to get inside. The caption on the video reads: "$26K for a new battery. Locked out of car. Recalls are needed."

He said he purchased the car in 2013 but said models from that year and 2014 have issues with fluid from the air conditioning system leaking onto the battery.

"I got Transport Canada involved, and they actually did an investigation on the car. Not only did they do an investigation on this car, they're gonna be doing one that Tesla doesn't realize is coming up."

Tesla owner says he’s locked out after battery died, replacement costs $26K

A Canadian Tesla owner claimed his electric vehicle died and that a new battery would cost $26,000. He said the vehicle was locked and he could not access ownership papers.

www.foxbusiness.com

 

[Ghan]

Teslas typically have two batteries - the main "big" battery that powers the drivetrain, but they also have a small 12V battery that charges off the large battery. That battery should be the one that controls the door locks and other system-level features, so it might be that both batteries have failed. I have definitely heard stories about the 12V battery dying early in its lifecycle and needing to be replaced but that certainly wouldn't be the $26k cost cited here.

If the failure of the main battery was caused by a manufacturing defect then there might be a way to get a recall done and have it taken care of that way, but if it's just a failure from normal usage then yeah, going to suck but not much the guy can do. Car is almost 10 years old at this point.

 

[Blackveiled]

Teslas typically have two batteries - the main "big" battery that powers the drivetrain, but they also have a small 12V battery that charges off the large battery. That battery should be the one that controls the door locks and other system-level features, so it might be that both batteries have failed. I have definitely heard stories about the 12V battery dying early in its lifecycle and needing to be replaced but that certainly wouldn't be the $26k cost cited here.

If the failure of the main battery was caused by a manufacturing defect then there might be a way to get a recall done and have it taken care of that way, but if it's just a failure from normal usage then yeah, going to suck but not much the guy can do. Car is almost 10 years old at this point.

I'm gonna guess the latter that it's more than likely normal usage. He gets cheaper fuel economy and probably pays less regularly for maintenance, especially on a $140,000 vehicle. Unless it's a manufacturing defect, then well...$26k for a repair sounds crazy but it could be worth fixing and selling the car if he really has a problem with it. Unless the car isn't worth much anymore, then hes SOL and could probably just part it out for a good chunk of cash since its a Tesla.