Tesla Model S Problems: My Experience!

In this video, Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) shares a detailed personal account of serious power steering problems he encountered with a Tesla Model S, specifically the Apollo/P100D. He recounts how, early in ownership, the steering would lock or require extreme effort during left-hand turns, nearly causing dangerous situations in traffic. The issue initially appeared soon after purchase, prompting a tow to the service center where technicians replaced the steering rack, only for the problem to recur a few weeks later in a different driving scenario. Brownlee walks through the sequence of events, including time away from the car for service and the escalation process, such as an engineer flying in from California to assess Apollo. He reflects on how this experience raises questions about early adopter reliability, factory tolerances, and the legal and emotional implications of owning a high-end electric vehicle with recurring faults. As the video progresses, he poses a direct question to viewers about whether it is worth keeping a dream car that intermittently exhibits major mechanical issues, inviting audience input on whether to persist with repairs or consider returning the car for a different model. The narrative is grounded in concrete, real-world driving incidents and outcomes, with an emphasis on how Tesla handles service, loaner cars, and escalation when issues persist, while avoiding definitive conclusions until more information from service feedback is available. Brownlee ties the individual steering incident to broader observations about Tesla's quality control as a relatively young automaker, noting that minor rattles and misalignments are common, but escalating failures on a P100D in the early months of ownership are particularly noteworthy. He explains that the car has accumulated thousands of miles rapidly and that, despite the car’s impressive performance and tech, these safety-critical faults create real concern for drivers. The video ends with an open-ended ask for viewer opinions on the balance between chasing a dream car and accepting ongoing maintenance risks, along with a plan to keep followers updated on Apollo's repair progress and future status. Overall, the piece blends personal narrative, technical detail, and community engagement to explore the tension between innovation and reliability in high-end electric vehicles.

Topics · Automotive · Technology · ElectricVehicles · ProductExperience