Consumer Reports Slams Into Reverse On Tesla

In a legendary flip-flop Consumer Reports last week suspended its recommendation of the Tesla S electric sedan, sending its stock skidding to a 6-month low. The decision was especially noteworthy since six weeks earlier Consumer Reports endorsed the same vehicle saying … “The all-wheel-drive Tesla Model S P85D sedan performed better in our tests than any other car ever has, breaking the Consumer Reports Ratings system.”

The reversal came after 1,400 owner surveys were found to be rife with gripes of engine failures, electronic and mechanical glitches. Consumer Reports demurred on criticism of their evaluation process from within the motor press, saying simply that the previous stellar review was based on short-term test drive performance.

This generated more derision on motor press social media threads; railing that Consumer Reports was well aware of a series of widely reported Tesla S engine failures and fires, including high profile snafus while being reviewed by other automotive journalists.

Company boss and tech guru Elon Musk consistently over-promises and under-delivers without peril … as his company has a history of production and intro delays. Tesla also grapples with criticism that it has abandoned its mission as the vanguard of electric vehicles for the masses as it continues to premiere new cars and SUVs with 6-figure price tags.

Despite the PR quagmire, 97 percent of owners surveyed said they would buy another Tesla.