When we wrote about the Tesla Model 3 units that lost their rear bumpers in 2018, we expected the company to investigate “the problem to understand what caused it,” as promised. When Tesla used to speak to the press, he also said he would contact his “clients to sort this out and make sure they are satisfied.” That implies that the problem would no longer happen, but it did. Logan Derouanna even had Tesla’s help to film everything, as you can see above.
What the video shows is his 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus, which in March 2019 and with only 14,000 miles on the clock, spontaneously loses its bumper after hitting a puddle. At least he didn’t see water coming out of pillar A.
“I was driving in the rain with my girlfriend and her father, slowing down about to turn right (entering the turning lane) when suddenly we heard a big noise. I thought we were collided from behind. To the nearest parking lot and I got out, and the whole back of my car was off. “
You can see that Derouanna was at the same speed as the cars coming from behind when the accident occurs.
“I was in shock. I took photos and saw the video right away. Then I called Tesla Roadside Assistance and walked to where it happened. I saw dozens of cars driving smoothly through the same place.”
But roadside assistance never came.
“I waited for them for over an hour, so I decided to call. They told me they were sending me a quote on how much it would cost. I asked them if they could cover it, and I kept being transferred and transferred and transferred … One person told me it was a act of God. “
Blaming the Almighty for the bumper that he wanted to be a SpaceX rocket, the Tesla Service said the warranty did not cover that damage. A disappointment for a Tesla shareholder and longtime fan of the brand.
“I love my car and had no problems until Friday. I really love this company, and I’m even a long-term shareholder.”
Fortunately, before we published this article, we learned that the company changed its mind about “acts of God” and performed a miracle: It recognized that the problem was their fault, with a little persuasion.
“My dad had to email the manager with our attorney, and the manager just called my dad and said it was a known problem, and that they are covering everything for me and bringing a trailer to my house. They are ordering parts new for it and fix it. “
We are happy that Tesla has done the right thing with Derouanna and we hope that this is also the case for other customers who had the same problem after the 2018 incident, such as Rahul Nowlahka and Rhenart, whose tweets can be seen embedded below.
Looking at the photos Derouanna sent us, we see no damage to the fixing points under the bumper that should hold it in place. If the car had their respective bolts in place, these recessed niches would separate. The owner of the Model 3 will check them to confirm if they are intact, as the images appear to show.
That information is relevant because there are frequent reports of missing bolts on Tesla vehicles. If that were the case in Derouanna’s Tesla, it could explain this and other situations that continue to happen despite Tesla’s promises to resolve this. There are similar reports in the TMC Forum. Another post there claims that the problem is a design flaw that causes the rear bumper to hold more water than it can handle.
If you have also had this problem with your Model 3, please let us know more about it. In case you have a different explanation for that, you can also share it with us. Remember, Derouanna’s story had a happy ending that should be the rule for everyone who had to face the same situation.
