Skip to main content

A fleet of Teslas drove 300,000 miles. Here’s what broke and what didn’t

 

How reliable is a Tesla? Tesloop, a shuttle service based in California, found out by pushing Tesla electric cars to the breaking point. The company’s fleet of seven Teslas has racked up a collective 2.5 million miles, with individual cars surpassing 300,000 miles, according to Quartz. That makes these cars among the highest-mileage Teslas on the road — and shows what issues crop up after hard use.

Recommended Videos

The Tesloop fleet includes a mix of Model S, Model 3, and Model X electric cars. They typically operate between San Diego, Los Angeles, and destinations in between. Cars can accumulate 17,000 miles a month, and sometimes need to be charged twice a day, according to Quartz. While the sample size is small, it’s a rare opportunity to evaluate high-mileage Tesla electric cars, Quartz noted.

The good news is that every vehicles Tesloop has purchased except one, which was retired after a collision with a drunk driver, is still running. None of the cars have “died of old age,” Tesloop founder Haydn Sonnad said in an interview with Quartz. But the car’s haven’t been problem-free.

About six battery packs have been replaced, all under warranty, according to Quartz. The replacements were done due to “factory or installation issues,” Sonnad told Quartz. As with all electric cars, Tesloop has seen some decreases in range as battery packs have aged. The range of one Tesla Model X dropped from 260 miles to 200 miles after 330,000 miles in service, according to Quartz.

Tesla Model 3
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Tesloop has also had to replace two axles ($2,557.12) and a row of seats ($5,375.90), according to Quartz. A replacement windshield for one car reportedly took three months to arrive. Retractable door handles on the Model S have caused problems as well, and cost $1,500 to replace, according to Quartz. A flash memory chip is a common weak point, and costs $1,800 to replace. Early cars would also develop a software glitch that shut off the battery pack, stranding drivers on the road, according to Quartz. Tesla has reportedly fixed that problem.

Many issues were related to earlier iterations of Tesla hardware and software, Sonnad told Quartz, claiming that “they all are remedied by the Model 3.” Thanks to greater anticipated reliability, Sonnad expects Model 3 ownership costs to be half those of the Model S or Model X.

When it comes to running costs, electric cars also have an inherent advantage over internal-combustion models. While certain items — such as tires and brakes — need to be replaced, regular maintenance needs are much lower. Electric cars don’t need oil changes, after all. Electricity is also much cheaper than gasoline or diesel.

Stephen Edelstein
Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…
Tesla Model S vs. Lucid Air
Lucid Air electric car

Nothing lasts forever, and the reign of the Tesla Model S is no exception. It’s been the best all-around, all-electric large sedan since its debut in 2012, but that's mostly because it was the only one in its class until the Taycan came racing out of Porsche’s production line last year. But now, there's an American rival: The Lucid Air.

If the Air is as good as it looks on paper, the Model S will have to take a knee to the new king. We won’t know until the Air hits the production line and is tested next year, though. Until then, we can only speculate based on the information we received from its September 9 reveal. Below, we compare both electric vehicles (EVs) with the information we have on the Lucid Air so far. Will Tesla continue its dominance? Decide for yourself.
Tech features
Lucid Air

Read more
Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?
jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii  4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Read more
Tesla just scrapped the Cybertruck range extender
Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

The writing was pretty much on the wall for the Cybertruck range extender last month when Tesla removed the option from its website. Now, it’s officially scrapped it and is refunding the $2,000 deposits that customers put down for the $16,000 battery pack. 

“We are no longer planning to sell the range extender for Cybertruck," Tesla said in a message to customers on Wednesday, adding, "As a result, we will be refunding your deposit in full.”

Read more