Consumer Reports Discovers Tesla Model S P85D Door Handle Malfunction

Consumer Reports recently bought one of these wondrous electric vehicles to test out, but were disappointed when it broke down. The problem? Not a complex powertrain failure, but a simple door handle issue.

To streamline the outside of the car, Tesla's chromed handles are recessed into the bodywork. When you have your key in the pocket and approach the car, they automatically pop out... at least in theory. The good news is Tesla sent over an employee the following day, and he replaced the damaged parts.

At nearly $130,000, the American EV steps beyond the realm of conventional luxury cars, as it costs as much as a Mercedes-AMG GT S or a Porsche Cayenne Turbo. CR probably broke the bank to buy one of the most interesting pieces of consumer goods right now, so their disappointment is justified.

This problem is not the first they found with the Silicone car, as a while ago the same people found that under certain conditions, a big enough rock going under the car could damage the battery. This in turn could have had catastrophic results, so Tesla jumped into action and installed a new underbody shield.

But what's going on with the handle? People have been having this problem with regular versions of the Model S since the car was launched, while Consumer Reports claims it's the most common malfunction in their database. At the end of the day, all cars are just really big computers and you can expect tedious malfunctions from Jaguars, Porsches or even Bentleys. The company that wins the luxury game is that which treats its customers with respect – that's our two cents.