Tesla Roadside Assistance: What You Need to Know

Tesla’s roadside assistance program is a notable feature for Tesla vehicle owners, especially when it comes to ensuring peace of mind on the road. With its unique offerings and conditions, understanding Tesla’s roadside assistance can help you make the most of this service. This blog will dive into the specifics of Tesla’s roadside assistance, including its coverage, costs, and how it compares to other plans.

Tesla Roadside Assistance Overview

Availability
Tesla’s roadside assistance is available across all U.S. states and territories where there is a Tesla Store or Service Center. This extensive network ensures that most Tesla owners can access support no matter where they are located.

Annual Pricing
One of the key benefits of Tesla’s roadside assistance is that it comes at no additional cost while your vehicle is under an active warranty. This means that as long as your Tesla is covered by the Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty or an Extended Service Agreement, you won’t need to pay extra for roadside support.

Service Calls per Year
Tesla does not impose a limit on the number of service calls you can make per year. This policy ensures that if you find yourself needing assistance multiple times, you won't be restricted by an annual cap.

Included Services
Tesla’s roadside assistance covers a range of services, including towing and lockout support. For instance, if you experience a mechanical breakdown due to a failure covered by your warranty, Tesla will arrange for your vehicle to be towed to the nearest Tesla Service Center. Additionally, if you lock yourself out of your vehicle, Tesla will help you regain access.

Excluded Services
However, Tesla’s roadside assistance does not cover every possible situation. Services such as winching, battery jump-starts, fuel delivery, and certain other types of support are not included under the complimentary plan.

Our Thoughts on Tesla’s Roadside Assistance

Tesla’s roadside assistance is tailored specifically for Tesla owners, providing services with a focus on Tesla vehicles. This specialization means that, for instance, Tesla will tow your vehicle exclusively to a Tesla Service Center rather than a nearby repair shop. This can be beneficial as it ensures that your car is handled by technicians familiar with Tesla vehicles.

On the flip side, this approach may limit flexibility, as the coverage might not be as comprehensive as that offered by general roadside assistance plans. For example, Tesla’s roadside assistance may lack the depth of services provided by other plans, such as winching or jump-starts.

Tesla Roadside Assistance Cost

Free Coverage
As long as your Tesla is covered by either the Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty or an Extended Service Agreement, roadside assistance is free. The Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty is included with the purchase of a new Tesla, while the Extended Service Agreement, which can cost between $2,000 and $3,500 depending on the model, extends the coverage period.

Post-Warranty Costs
Once your warranty expires, you can still access Tesla’s roadside assistance services, but you will need to pay for repairs and transportation on a per-service basis. This means that while you won’t have a subscription fee, you will be responsible for covering the cost of any roadside assistance you require.

How Does Tesla Roadside Assistance Work?

Coverage Transfer
Tesla’s roadside assistance is linked to the vehicle rather than the driver. This means that if you purchase a used Tesla, the roadside assistance coverage should transfer to you. Conversely, if you sell your Tesla, the new owner will need to contact Tesla to update the ownership details to keep the coverage active.

Warranty Details
The Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty provides coverage for up to four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Extended Service Agreement offers additional coverage for up to two years or 25,000 miles. Consequently, the maximum period for complimentary roadside assistance through Tesla is six years or 75,000 miles, depending on your warranty.

Tesla Roadside Assistance Coverage

What’s Included
Tesla’s roadside assistance covers several key situations:

• Towing: If your vehicle experiences a mechanical breakdown due to an internal failure covered by your warranty, Tesla will arrange for towing to the nearest Tesla Service Center. Towing is free for up to 500 miles. However, if you are more than 500 miles away or if the breakdown is not covered by your warranty, you will need to cover any additional towing costs.

• Flat Tires: If you experience a flat tire within 50 miles of a Tesla Service Center, Tesla will provide assistance. If towing is required, the first 50 miles are free. You will be responsible for the cost of the tire repair or replacement.

• Lockouts: Tesla will first attempt to unlock your vehicle remotely. If this fails, they may send someone to assist you in getting your key or unlock the car manually. Post-lockout tows are free up to 50 miles.

• Limited Out-of-Range Coverage: If your electric vehicle is low on power and unable to reach the nearest charging station, Tesla may provide assistance. However, you will need to pay the full cost of this service.

What’s Not Included
Tesla’s roadside assistance does not cover several situations:

• Post-Repair Transportation: Costs for transporting your vehicle to your home or another location after repairs are not covered.

• Third-Party Repairs: Tesla won’t cover repairs performed by third parties, including those involving aftermarket parts.

• Hazardous Conditions: Assistance is not provided in hazardous conditions where it is dangerous for Tesla workers to operate.

• Vehicle Modifications: Modifications that affect towing or repair requirements are not covered.

• Physical Damage: Damage from collisions or other physical impacts is not covered under roadside assistance.

• Battery Depletion: Roadside assistance does not cover issues related to battery depletion.

• Vehicle Misuse: Damage resulting from misuse, such as off-roading or racing, is not covered.

• Vehicle Extraction: Assistance is not provided for extracting vehicles stuck in mud, snow, or sand.

• Violations of the Law: Any issues arising from legal violations are not covered.

How To Request Roadside Assistance From Tesla

Contact Methods
To request roadside assistance, Tesla owners in the U.S. and Canada can call 877-798-3752. For other regions, contact numbers are available on the Tesla website. Alternatively, you can use the Tesla mobile app by selecting the “Roadside” option, detailing your issue, and requesting help.

How To Add Tesla Roadside Assistance to Your Policy

Roadside assistance coverage is automatically included with new Tesla purchases. If you buy a used Tesla, you only need to inform Tesla of the ownership change to activate the coverage.

Pros and Cons of Tesla Roadside Assistance

Pros

• Major Services Are Free for Warranty Holders: Major services like towing and lockouts are covered at no additional cost while your warranty is active.
• Still Accessible After Warranties Expire: You can still access Tesla’s roadside assistance services after your warranty expires, though you will need to pay per service.
• Extensive Towing Coverage: Tesla may cover towing for up to 500 miles, a significant benefit if you need to transport your vehicle long distances.

Cons

• Some Basic Services Aren’t Covered: Services like winching and jump-starts are not included, which could lead to additional costs.
• Limited Renewal Options for Free Coverage: Once your Extended Service Agreement expires, you cannot renew it, limiting the duration of free coverage.

Tesla vs. The Competition

Tesla’s roadside assistance is designed specifically for Tesla vehicles, which makes it different from general roadside assistance plans. While Tesla offers some unique benefits, such as extensive towing coverage and specialization in Tesla vehicles, other plans might provide broader service coverage or additional benefits. Comparing Tesla’s plan with other roadside assistance options can help you decide which one best suits your needs.

FAQs

1. How do I know if my Tesla warranty is still active?
You can check the status of your Tesla warranty by logging into your Tesla account or contacting Tesla customer service.

2. What should I do if my Tesla is out of warranty but needs roadside assistance?
You can still request assistance from Tesla, but you will need to pay for the services you receive on a per-service basis.

3. Can I use Tesla’s roadside assistance if I’m outside the U.S.?
Tesla offers roadside assistance in various countries. Check the Tesla website or app for regional contact numbers and details.

4. Is there a limit to how far Tesla will tow my vehicle?
Tesla provides free towing for up to 500 miles with an active warranty. Any towing beyond this distance will incur additional charges.