Tesla may be thriving despite chip shortages, but those flaws appear to be affecting the cars people buy. Many Model 3 and Model Y buyers, according to Electrek, are receiving their electric vehicles without USB-C ports in the center console or rear seating areas. Some customers said they were notified ahead of time, while others said they only found out when they took their EVs home.
Tesla delivery specialists and others have blamed the missing USB ports on chip shortages. Some customers have heard that Tesla will replace the missing connectors in December, but it’s unclear whether this applies to all affected owners. Tesla has long stopped responding to requests for comment and is thought to have disbanded its public relations team.
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This isn’t the first time a company, including Tesla, has shipped a car without parts. BMW recently removed touchscreen features from some models, and both that company and Tesla have removed passenger lumbar support options. And there aren’t many good alternatives — automakers have delayed orders, halted production, and otherwise asked customers to wait longer than usual.
Even so, this may irritate a number of Tesla customers. The lack of USB ports disrupts not only connectivity but also wireless charging. To be sure, that’s a luxury, but it’s one you’d expect given Tesla’s prices. It may also irritate customers who are concerned that Tesla is sacrificing quality in order to meet its quarterly delivery targets.
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