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#BS-2008-TESROA-5981

2008 Tesla RoadsterProblems, Recalls & Reliability

Based on reports from 2 owners and 1 recall for this exact model.

Data updated ·checked October 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026

Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Recalls
1
TSBs
24
✅

Preliminary Verdict

Green Light

Based on 2 complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 1 recalls.

See full verdict with buy/skip conditions

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Mechanic Inspection Checklist

!Check the Traction Control SystemHIGH

1 owners reported traction control system issues — failures commonly reported around 2K miles.

!Inspect the Speed ControlMED
Look for symptoms of wear and premature failure
+ 3 more items in full checklistUnlock

30,000-Mile Cost Projection

Best Case

$X,XXX

Most Likely

$X,XXX

Worst Case

$X,XXX

Top cost driver: Traction Control System (1 reports).

Includes fuel costs, common repairs, and recall riskUnlock

Also in your report

Owner Intelligence

AI-synthesized themes from real complaints

Buyer Lot Checklist

Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers

Negotiation Talking Points

Data-backed dollar deductions

Buy / Skip Verdict

Final recommendation with conditions

10 sections total in the full reportUnlock all

Where the complaints fall

Traction Control System1 (50%)
Speed Control1 (50%)

2008 Tesla Roadster: Known Issues & Problem Areas

Traction Control System Issues

Traction Control System complaints account for 50% of all reports filed for the 2008 Tesla Roadster, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 1,800 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 2K-mile mark.

Speed Control Issues

Speed Control complaints account for 50% of all reports filed for the 2008 Tesla Roadster, with 1 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to speed control-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.

Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.

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Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict

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Recall History (1 recall)

09V178000May 2009

WHEELS:HUB

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.

Recall severity analysis & seller scripts

The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.

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NHTSA Defect Investigations (1)

All closed. Investigations are how NHTSA decides whether a defect needs a recall.

DP22005ClosedOpened Jan 2023 · closed Aug 2023

Pedestrian alert sounds

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM

About this data

NHTSA Complaints

Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 2 records for this vehicle.

NHTSA Recalls

Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 1 recall found for this vehicle.

Repair Cost Data

Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.

Last updated (checked October 21, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026.

2008 Tesla Roadster: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Tesla Roadster?
The most commonly reported issue with the 2008 Tesla Roadster is related to the traction control system, with 1 complaints filed with NHTSA.
Is the 2008 Tesla Roadster reliable?
The 2008 Tesla Roadster has 2 complaints, 0 crash reports, and 0 fire reports filed with NHTSA. The full report analyzes whether these numbers indicate real risk or are proportional to the vehicle’s popularity.
How much does it cost to fix 2008 Tesla Roadster problems?
Repair costs vary by issue. The full BumperScan report includes detailed repair cost estimates (low/median/high) for every major issue, plus a 30,000-mile total cost of ownership projection.
Does the 2008 Tesla Roadster have any recalls?
Yes, the 2008 Tesla Roadster has 1 recall on record. The full report includes recall severity analysis and scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
What mileage do Tesla Roadster problems start?
Based on 2 complaints with mileage data, the median mileage at time of complaint is 1,800 miles. The highest concentration of reported issues occurs in the 0–30K mile range. The full report breaks down exactly which components fail at each mileage bracket.
When was the 2008 Tesla Roadster data last updated?
BumperScan last checked this vehicle against NHTSA on October 21, 2026, covering owner complaints received through October 19, 2026 plus the latest recalls, investigations and technical service bulletins. Its numbers last changed on October 4, 2026.
What’s in the full report?
10 sections of AI analysis: severity-ranked issues, component scores (0-100), 30K-mile cost projection, failure timeline by mileage, recall details with seller scripts, owner sentiment analysis, mechanic checklist, buyer lot checklist, negotiation ammo with dollar figures, and a buy/skip verdict.
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
NHTSA gives you raw complaint text. BumperScan cross-references 2.1M+ complaints with community repair cost data, EPA fuel data, and recall records — then uses AI to synthesize it into actionable advice with dollar figures.
How is this different from Carfax?
Carfax is VIN-specific history ($45/report). BumperScan is model-level reliability intelligence — what problems this car is known for, what they cost, and whether you should buy it. Complementary, not competing.
What if the report isn’t useful?
100% money-back guarantee. If the report doesn’t help you make a more informed decision, we’ll refund you — no questions asked.
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