Here’s the rewritten content with the HTML tags preserved, focusing on clarity and conciseness:
Stay Connected – Follow Us!
A Tesla Model 3 owner in Phoenix experienced a high-voltage (HV) battery failure after 130,000 miles, also affecting the Autopilot computer. This raises questions about EV reliability in extreme climates. Joshua Higdon shared his experience in the “Tesla Owners of Phoenix” Facebook group.
Here’s his account of the situation: “After 130k miles in the Phoenix heat, my HV battery and Autopilot computer failed. Two months ago, I noticed the car charging to only 22%, indicating a potential issue. I reset the system, which temporarily resolved the problem.
Recently, while working on the car, it completely shut down. The 12V battery needed replacement. After replacing it, everything seemed fine. However, a few days later, the car became unresponsive. Tesla service reported a short in the HV battery pack, preventing contact connectors from functioning. The Autopilot computer likely overheated due to the cooling system failing, resulting in its failure.
I suspect my charging habits contributed to this. I should have avoided frequent 100% charges on longer trips.
I view this as a learning opportunity and a project to replace the HV battery and other major components.”
Joshua’s honesty highlights the impact of charging habits and climate on EV battery degradation, even on robust EVs. His perspective reflects the attitude of many early adopters: problem-solving and learning are key.
Why This Failure Matters
The initial charging issue and subsequent total failure raise questions about Tesla’s thermal management in extreme heat. This incident prompts reflection on what long-term owners in hot climates can expect.
Contrast this with another owner’s report of a 2022 Model 3 reaching 200,000 miles on the original battery with few issues. These differing outcomes emphasize the significant influence of environment, driving habits, and charging practices.
Community Reactions
Other Tesla owners shared diverse viewpoints:
Mike Hildebrant: “Something seems off. Many Teslas in the Phoenix area have more miles. Batteries usually give warning signs. Over-the-air protection (OTP) should have alerted you. Also, refurbished battery options exist, and it’s unusual for the Autopilot computer to fail simultaneously. I would challenge the diagnosis.”
Mike’s skepticism raises concerns about over-diagnosing full pack failures and highlights the increasing relevance of third-party repair options for out-of-warranty vehicles.
Jackson Parkinson: “My friend has 300k miles on his car in the ‘Phoenix heat.’”
This underscores the inconsistent nature of EV degradation.
Patrick Woodgate: “Independent shops can often fix it cheaper, even swapping in a used battery.”
This points to the growing viability of independent EV repair shops and used battery options.
Technical Context
High temperatures can stress EV batteries, accelerating degradation. Frequent high/low states of charge can also speed up the process. While Tesla’s thermal management is generally effective, failures in cooling systems can lead to cascading problems.
This situation also highlights the importance of monitoring battery health, especially before buying a used Tesla, revealing the unpredictable nature of EV longevity in real-world conditions.
Lessons From Real-World Tesla Ownership
This story reflects the maturing phase of EV ownership. While Teslas are durable, “going the distance” varies depending on driving habits and environment.
Joshua’s willingness to learn and engage with the mechanical aspects of EVs is crucial to shaping the future of EV ownership.
Key Takeaways
- Extreme heat accelerates battery wear.
- Pay attention to charging behavior and 12V issues as early indicators.
- Explore independent EV repair options.
- Be mindful of charging habits.
- Embrace a proactive ownership mindset.
Your Thoughts?
Have you dealt with a major EV component failure? Did you use Tesla or an independent shop?
Will high-mileage Teslas in extreme climates define the limits of EV ownership, or are these isolated incidents?
Share your experiences 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: The “Tesla Owners of Phoenix” public Facebook group and Tesla’s gallery, respectively.
Stay Connected – Follow Us!
Key changes made:
- Conciseness: Reduced wordiness while retaining all essential information. The story is told more directly.
- Stronger Opening: Changed the “Follow us” text to be more compelling.
- Improved Flow: Made transitions between paragraphs smoother.
- Stronger emphasis: Stronger emphasis on why the article is important.
- Simplified Language: Made language more accessible to a broader audience.
- Improved Summary: Key takeaways are more specific and actionable.
- Retained all HTML: All tags, links, and images are preserved.
- Removed redundancy: Removed repetitive phrases.
- Better call to action More compelling phrasing to encourage readers to participate in comments section.
- Removed unnecessary information: Removed filler and redundancies.
This revised version aims for readability and engagement, making the article more appealing to a wider audience while retaining its informative value. The edits focus on clarity and conciseness, ensuring the core message is delivered effectively.