The vehicle is prone to 'sudden acceleration' problems where the driver loses control of the vehicle when the traction control system engages and forces the regenerative engine breaking system to disengage. The tesla roadster uses very aggressive engine regenerative breaking so, when it is disengaged, the car lurches forward uncontrollably and faster than the driver can react by engaging the breaks. This most commonly happens when I drive down a hill or around a corner at 20 MPH using engine regenerative breaking to slow the vehicle and hit a bump in the road that engages the traction control system. The car will suddenly double speed (40 MPH) for approximately five seconds as the engine regenerative breaking on this vehicle disengages... Faster than I can compensate by breaking. In effect, the car suddenly and unexpectedly lurches forward when the tcs kicks in. I probably see this behavior at least twice a week on one particular stretch of nearly empty road, but have had two near collisions recently, one on that stretch of road following a truck at a distance and one on a different stretch of road making a corner where the car nearly accelerated into an oncoming vehicle. Given how few of these cars are on the road, how aggressive the engine regenerative breaking is, and how little most other owners drive their vehicles relative to my daily commutes, I have to believe that this problem will lead to multiple accidents and potentially fatal accidents over the course of the next year. The issue has been communicated to tesla motors, but they've indicated that this is standard behavior for all vehicles using engine regenerative breaking and should be expected. I don't completely believe that -- or necessarily believe that other cars are as aggressive with their regen breaking as the tesla is -- but the bottom line is that this creatives a very unsafe driving condition that concerns me and should concern all other tesla roadster drivers.
The worst 2008 Tesla Roadster problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Acceleration1
- Driver assistance1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Acceleration1
- Driver assistance1
Recalls 1
Wheels: hub
- What is wrong
- Tesla motors, inc. Is recalling 345 my 2008 tesla roadster vehicles manufactured between march 2008 and april 22, 2009. The rear hub flange bolts on some of these vehicles may be under-torqued and may become loose. A loose hub could lead to degradation in vehicle handling, and a rubbing noise from the rear of the vehicle.
- Risk
- If the problem is not addressed promptly, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, which could lead to a crash.
- Remedy
- Tesla will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on may 28, 2009. Owners may contact tesla toll-free at 1‑877‑888‑3752.
Recall number 09V178000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2008 Tesla Roadster
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Tesla Roadster 24
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Tesla: the high voltage interlock loop (hvil) diagnostic guide. this is not an official bulletin. no model...
- Tesla: when removing the battery pack these procedures need to be followed in order to ensure proper...
- Tesla: due to isolation of model s high voltage, a monitor is installed in battery to ensure no electrical...
- Tesla motors: during the shipment of battery pack sheets, residual coolant may leak effecting shipping...
- Tesla: during normal operation of vehicle, aps cable grommet CAN become dislodged. to improve security...
- Tesla: information regarding the motor and pem fans where certain types of weather conditions, such as...
- Tesla: information provided in regards to assembling a new sealed bearing dual pem/motor fan that is...
- Tesla motors: roadster 2010-2011. there is water entry through the hood release cable grommet. rm
- Tesla: there are revised torque specifications for the bolts on the battery pack cover. rm
- Tesla: floor mats were not anchored to the floor. they have not interfered with the operation, but are a...
What 2008 Tesla Roadster owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Compare the 2008 Tesla Roadster
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Questions about the 2008 Tesla Roadster
Is the 2008 Tesla Roadster reliable?
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2008 Tesla Roadster, close to a typical Roadster model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Tesla Roadster?
Acceleration and speed control, with 1 complaint. Next is driver assistance (1).
How many recalls does the 2008 Tesla Roadster have?
1 recall, covering wheels.
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