In October 2020, Tesla discreetly canceled its seven-day return policy on all its vehicles. As of 2023, it is unclear what the updated return policy will be, or if there even will be one at all for new Teslas coming out. Further, Tesla also removed their entire public relations department at the same time, so there's still no option of requesting clarification or commentary. In one case, a customer who took advantage of the Tesla return policy before it was scrapped is still waiting on his refund!
Updated January 2023: We've updated this article with more information on Tesla's no-questions-asked returns policy that was discontinued several years back. As well as what options are available to customers who aren't happy with their Tesla in 2023.
No explanation was given for either the removal of the return policy or the dismantling of the public relations department. While other options are available for drivers who require assistance or would consider a return, none of these options is an official substitute for a return policy. There's also the question of what customers who were put at risk by some of Tesla's questionable quality standards can do. There have been a few accidents where steering wheels on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y have popped off the steering column while the vehicle was in motion, a scary situation any way you cut it.
Further, recent Tesla price cuts, a rarity in the company's history, have some people very upset. The price cuts, even before federal incentives, range from 6-20 percent cheaper than before. Tesla customers who had purchased their cars prior to the price cuts are angry for understandable reasons.
The first being the hit in value their cars have had overnight, ultimately affecting resale prices. The second being that Tesla hasn't addressed these concerns, either in the form of additional incentives, or free software or performance upgrades. Lastly, they have no option but to live with it, as Tesla's famous return policy was quietly removed in 2020.
No Tesla Return Policy On The Cards
Tesla used to tell its customers that their vehicles could be returned after seven days if unsatisfied; that is no longer the case. The previous return policy existed for quite some time. However, it simply vanished without warning in October 2020. The seven-day return policy was introduced in 2019 with the arrival of Tesla's Model 3.
The policy informed owners they could return their Tesla vehicle within seven days of purchase if unsatisfied, as long as the odometer was under 1,000 miles, no damage was visible, and nothing had been done to void the warranty. The former return policy page on Tesla's website is now redirecting visitors to its main support page.
Tesla's Public Relations Department Is No More
Days before the announcement regarding return policy was made, Tesla decided to eliminate its public relations department, thereby making it increasingly difficult to verify both the cancelation of the previous return policy and the existence of a new one.
Of course, with no public relations team, it is ironically difficult to even have a professional contact to verify the news of the department's elimination to the media. In other words, there's no PR person to tell the media that there are no PR people at Tesla anymore!
Will Tesla Have A Return Policy In 2023?
At this point, it is clear there is no Tesla return policy on vehicles anymore. No replacement return policy has been installed once the old one was removed; as mentioned before, the former page on the website has been redirected to the main support page. As of now, returns are only on vehicle accessories and merchandise, purchased using a Tesla gift card. It's of note that Tesla has done a few things to assist drivers that may have considered a return, so those affected at least have other options available.
A Tesla is at least designed for minimal maintenance and service appointments can be scheduled in the Tesla app, both of which are strategies designed to smooth over the lack of overt return policy. Used Teslas that drivers bought directly from Tesla will still have coverage through their extended warranty.
Unfortunately, this does not change the fact that, with the removal of the seven-day return policy, all Tesla sales are now final. This even applies to those customers who were affected by their steering wheels coming off in their hands! Though, it does appear Tesla customer care is trying their hardest to keep customers happy.
Talk To Tesla's Customer Service
Should Tesla customers decide they are unsatisfied, they have been told to contact customer service. New owners seeking returns will now be automatically redirected to Tesla's service department, which is hardly forthcoming, spelled out, or overt about driver's options or resolutions.
With a company like Tesla, which operates their business in a fairly nontraditional way, such as foregoing dealerships and selling directly to consumers, having a streamlined and simple return process was one aspect that gave drivers a sense of safety and security.
Tesla has a tendency to avoid using any traditional channels of communication for marketing and brand promotion, relying mainly on its CEO Elon Musk's Twitter account.
Sources: cnet.com, tesla.com, auto.hindustantimes.com, carsdirect.com