In recent years, Tesla has become one of the most sought-after car brands, especially in the category of electric vehicles. Plenty of us love it for its sleekness, futuristic features, and overall cool vibe.
When you get a car with this kind of reputation, there’s nothing more you’d want than to care for it and keep it in tip-top shape. So what do you do when you notice that your precious electric vehicle is suddenly sprouting leaks all over the place?
Before you panic, just know that we’ve got you. You’re not the first owner who’s been through this, so we’ve written this handy guide which covers everything you should know about Teslas and their relationship with leaks.
Do electric vehicles get leaks?
Yes, electric vehicles get leaks, much like gas-powered cars. Leaks in electric vehicles could either be harmless or a reason to drop by the service center immediately.
Most people assume that the most common source of car leaks is fuel or oil. Even though electric vehicles, including Teslas, don’t need these to run, they still contain other fluid types that may leak.
Is it common for Teslas to leak water?
It is common for Teslas to leak small amounts of water. Most often, it technically isn’t a ‘leak’, but a byproduct of your car’s air conditioning instead. The ‘leak’ is usually just the car flushing out excess condensation from the A/C.
However, it becomes uncommon if you notice that the liquid under your Tesla measures more than a cup. If this happens, it’s better to get your vehicle checked out because it may be another type of car fluid leaking out.
What are other types of fluid that may leak from Teslas?
In the event that your Tesla is leaking fluid that’s not water, there are several potential causes. These may vary in appearance, smell, and the way they affect your car.
Here are the types of fluid that you may encounter and how to identify them.
Transmission Fluid
Teslas use transmission fluid to aid in gear changes. It lubricates the bearings and the gears, creating a smooth driving experience.
Transmission fluid liquid looks red or pink in color. It may also smell like burnt oil.
If left unaddressed, you might notice unnatural noises while driving and have a hard time shifting gears. You might even experience a total failure of the transmission system down the road.
Windshield Wiper Fluid
Windshield wiper fluid is composed of a combination of water, detergents, and antifreeze. This mixture effectively cleans your windshield and helps moderate temperature during the colder seasons.
A windshield wiper fluid leak would usually look vibrant pink, green, or bright blue in color. Its scent is close to glass cleaner.
Not fixing a windshield wiper fluid leak may result in low visibility during harsh conditions, such as heavy rains or snow. Over time, your washer system may also get corroded from this.
Brake Fluid
The brake fluid is an essential part of your Tesla’s braking system. It helps in stopping the car successfully after you’ve stepped on the brake pedal.
A car that’s regularly maintained would likely have new brake fluid. This would appear yellow, close to the color of honey.
On the other hand, old brake fluid looks closer to brown. Its smell is constantly compared to the scent of fish oil.
Ignoring a brake fluid leak is highly dangerous. After a while, you may be unable to stop your vehicle completely, potentially leading to accidents and car damage.
Air Conditioning Coolant
Your car uses coolant to cool the air from your air conditioning system. Without it, your car will blow warm or hot air instead.
Air conditioning coolant leaks are usually invisible, but sometimes they leave an oily residue on the wires and connections of the air conditioning unit. It should have a subtle chemical odor similar to nail polish remover.
Initially, a coolant leak will only affect your air conditioning unit’s cooling properties. But in the long run, it could affect your compressor or evaporator coils, resulting in the need for more expensive repairs.
Shock Absorber Fluid
Shock absorber fluid is used to absorb and control the excess rebound and spring motion of a car. It is directly connected to the performance of your car’s tires.
Shock absorber fluid in Teslas usually looks amber and oily. It’s mostly described as having a moldy smell.
Without enough shock absorber fluid, your car is likely to handle badly in terms of steering and braking. Overall, you’ll have a very unstable and bouncy drive, especially on uneven roads.
LCD Display Gel
Several owners have reported seeing leaks coming out of their car’s infotainment system. This gel-like substance is actually the adhesive used to attach the LCD panel to the protective glass.
The first sign you may notice when this happens is the appearance of bubbles on your screen or a cloudy display. It’s usually clear in color and odorless, but very thick and sticky.
Its placement makes it largely inconvenient, especially because the infotainment system is touchscreen. If you don’t get it fixed, it may damage the display permanently, rendering it useless.
What are the most common places where Teslas experience leaks?
Under the Car
One of the places where owners usually notice a leak is right under their Tesla. It’s usually in the form of a puddle, varying in color.
A colorless and odorless puddle located under your car and below the air conditioning unit is usually just water. This is your Tesla’s way of flushing out condensation after you’ve parked and stopped using your air conditioning.
This is typically harmless as all cars, including non-electric vehicles, experience this regularly.
Near the Front Tires
Several owners have spotted brightly colored puddles near their Tesla’s front tires. These are usually in the colors blue, pink, or green.
If this happens to you, then you’re experiencing a windshield wiper leak.
Besides the color, one way to know if your windshield wiper fluid is leaking is if you get a notification warning you of low wiper fluid levels. This will pop up on the touchscreen display of most Tesla models.
Before you take your Tesla to a service center to get this fixed, you can drain the remaining windshield wiper fluid to prevent any potential damage.
You can do this by finding the hose connected to the wiper reservoir, carefully disconnecting it, and letting the fluid flow out. An alternative method is to use a siphon or a turkey baster to pump the fluid out directly from the reservoir.
Near Any of the Tires
Even though you might not see big puddles around your tires, it’s important to inspect them closely to see any issues. You might notice leakage around your tires and their nearby components.
If it’s amber and oily in appearance, this is likely the shock absorber fluid leaking out.
Usually, when one shock absorber starts leaking, the rest will follow, affecting all your tires. This is why it’s crucial to get your car serviced immediately to avoid further damage.
Tesla will cover this repair under warranty if your car is under 4 years old or has traveled less than 80,000 kilometers.
Through the Glass Roof
Apart from the Model 3, Model Y, and Model X, it’s standard for Tesla cars to have panoramic glass sunroofs. The cars are designed this way to make the interiors feel more bright and spacious and to uphold the modern aesthetics of Tesla.
Unfortunately, there have been reports of water leaks through the glass roof across a variety of Tesla models. This mostly happens during heavy rain.
There are two main reasons behind this. The first is damage right on the glass. Rain water usually seeps through cracks and makes its way into the car.
This could be caused by impact from debris such as stones or rocks or improper installation. Repairs or replacements for the latter would be covered by Tesla’s service center.
The other reason is a damaged seal on the glass roof’s edges. This usually causes water to drip right on the driver or the passenger seat.
If this happens to you, you can take your Tesla to the service center and their technicians should be able to adjust and tighten the seal so it doesn’t happen again.
In the Trunk
The Tesla’s panoramic sunroofs aren’t the only components that have had reported issues regarding faulty seals.
Many owners have noticed water ingress in the trunk area of their Tesla models after heavy rain. In more severe cases, the water leaks reached the interior carpeting and caused mold and rust.
Often, the reason behind this is a misaligned seal around the lift gate. In order to fix this, you would have to visit the service center and have their technicians replace the seal.
At the Edges of the Infotainment System
If you start noticing gooey buildup at the sides of your car’s touchscreen display, this is likely the LCD gel leaking out.
Some owners have figured out that this tends to happen more in cars that are based in areas with hot weather. One of the ways they deal with it is by cleaning up the gooey liquid with a bit of alcohol or acetone.
However, the best course of action is to get it to the service center and have your entire display replaced. Even though this problem is quite common, it’s unfortunately not covered by Tesla’s warranty.
Has Tesla ever issued recalls related to leaks?
Yes, Tesla has recalled one of their car models because of a water leak problem. In April 2023, Tesla issued a recall for their Model Y vehicles regarding a water leak in the trunk. The ones included in this recall were model years 2020 to 2023.
The problem was a space in the assembly of the liftgate that enabled water to leak through. Affected owners had to bring their cars into the service center and have their trunks resealed.
For reference, you can check SB-23-10-003 to learn more about the recall on the Tesla app.
What are the most common causes behind Teslas leaking water?
There are several factors that can lead to your Tesla leaking water.
Hot Weather
Similar to how cold drinks sweat on the outside during a hot day, your Tesla does the same thing.
When you run your air conditioning system, the air inside becomes cool. But when you park your car and switch your engine off, the temperature returns to normal.
This causes condensation, which your car then flushes out underneath. This is usually the cause of why puddles of water form under your car.
Just make sure to pay attention to the appearance and the smell of the puddle to ensure that it’s water and not another type of liquid from your vehicle.
Damaged Components
As much as we try to keep our cars safe, accidents still happen from time to time. As a result, we usually get dents or cracks along the sides of our car.
Some of the most common physical damages on the Tesla are cracks on the panoramic glass roof or dents on the frunk (front trunk). These can cause holes that allow rainwater to pass through.
The best way to address this is to get your Tesla fixed at the service center.
Faulty Seals
Rubber seals are an essential part of Tesla production as they keep the elements out and reduce external noise. They’re usually found all over the car: around the hood, the doors, the roof, the trunk, and more.
When they’re not working properly, they create gaps between different components. Through this, rainwater is able to seep through and make its way into the car.
A faulty seal could either be caused by natural wear and tear over the years or improper installation from when the car was manufactured.
If it’s the latter, Tesla will be able to replace your car’s sealing for free.
How do I know if the leaking from my Tesla needs to be seen by a professional?
You can tell if the leaking from your Tesla needs to be seen by a professional based on its appearance and scent. A clear and odorless liquid is usually water and harmless, but a colorful liquid with a weird scent should be checked out.
How much would it cost to get a Tesla leak repaired?
Getting a Tesla leak repaired usually costs owners upwards of $400. This rate mostly depends on the severity of the leaks and the need for replacement parts.
However, leaks caused by manufacturing errors are covered by Tesla’s warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions
