Tesla Model S and Model Y customers are suffering months-long delivery delays, report says

• Customers waiting for Tesla Model S and Model Y cars are experiencing long delays, CNBC reports.
• One Model S Plaid customer was told to expect their car in March, but still doesn't have it.
• A Tesla worker told CNBC that staff are scared to ask for more information on what's causing delays.

Some Tesla customers have been waiting as long as four months to receive their cars as the company repeatedly pushes back delivery dates, CNBC reports.

CNBC said it spoke to five Tesla customers who said they had suffered delivery delays on cars purchased earlier this year. The delays appeared to be affecting a range of Tesla models including its Model Y and its deluxe $124,000 Model S Plaid, CNBC said.

Two customers ordered Model S Plaids in January but were still awaiting delivery of their cars, CNBC said. One of the customers was originally told to expect delivery in March but the date kept getting pushed back and he still hasn't received it, CNBC said.

Complimentary Tech Event

Transform talent with learning that works

Capability development is critical for businesses who want to push the envelope of innovation.Discover how business leaders are strategizing around building talent capabilities and empowering employee transformation.Know More

Musician David Crosby tweeted on Tuesday that he ordered a Tesla car seven months ago and the company has "lied to us 4 times about when we would get it."

-David Crosby (@thedavidcrosby) August 18, 2021

CNBC reported an unnamed Tesla sales employee as saying that delivery staff weren't getting enough information from management to answer questions from customers who were experiencing delays.

The employee was reported as saying that staff were fearful of asking for information. They said that another employee resigned after being threatened with dismissal by managers after he "broke the chain of command" by sending an email directly to CEO Elon Musk asking about the Model S delays, CNBC said.

The employee said staff generally understood that parts shortages and difficulties using new manufacturing equipment at Tesla's Fremont factory in California were behind the delays.

The delays also appear to be affecting the $40,000 Model Y.

CNBC reported a customer as saying that they placed an order in May for a Model Y and was told he would get his car at the latest by July 28. The date then switched to August 10 on his online account, and kept getting pushed later. His expected delivery window was last set at September 4 to September 24, CNBC said.

CNBC reported another customer as saying that they texted a Tesla salesperson to ask whether their delivery date would keep getting pushed back, and asked if there were problems with manufacturing. The Tesla salesperson replied in early August that the global chip shortage was causing manufacturing delays.

Elon Musk said in April that the global chip shortage was causing "insane difficulties" for Tesla. The company briefly stopped production of its Model 3 car in February of this year due to parts shortages.

Two of Tesla's biggest potential rivals Rivian and Lucid Motors have also delayed their debut car models, citing supply chain issues and the impact of the pandemic.

Tesla did not immediately reply when contacted by Insider for comment.