Image: User CalligrapherNo4617 on Reddit
After picking up their 2022 Model 3, Reddit user CalligrapherNo4617 made a peculiar discovery — the car had no wireless charging functionality, and the two USB-C ports in the front center console were outright missing.
Upon calling Tesla support, CalligrapherNo4617 was informed that Tesla is aware of the problem. Both wireless charging and the front center console USB-C ports had to be pulled from newer Tesla units due to a shortage of USB chips, explained support.
Support told CalligrapherNo4617 that the required parts will become available sometime in the middle of December. As soon as parts become available, Tesla will offer to retrofit the front USB-C ports and front console wireless charging for owners of units that shipped without them.
Another Reddit user commenting on the post said they contacted Tesla support and were able to confirm that the retrofit will be offered for free to customers affected by this problem. In the meantime, newer Tesla vehicles are still shipping with rear console USB-C ports, which work just fine.
CalligrapherNo4617 had the issue with their 2022 Model 3, but the Model 3 isn’t the only Tesla vehicle shipping without front USB-C ports and wireless charging. Commenting on the original post, Reddit user rd2jon said multiple 2022 Model Y units they picked up this week were also affected.
There is currently no word on whether the issue extends beyond newer Model 3 and Model Y units.
While electric endeavors like Ford’s Mustang Mach-E had production scaled back notably due to the chip shortage, Tesla was piping out complete electric cars relatively unscathed and showcased excellent growth during the (still ongoing) supply constraints.
However, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said back in July that the global chip shortage “remains quite serious,” and it looks like it’s finally starting to show. Musk expects the global chip shortage for the automotive industry to end sometime in 2022.
As one Reddit commentor put it, “I would bet that the overwhelming majority of people would rather receive a car missing a few USB plugs than not receive their car at all.”
While that is likely true, a bit of communication goes a long way — customers deserve to know of missing parts or potentially out-of-order functionality before they take delivery of their vehicle.
