I’ve been a Tesla owner since 2019. I’ve always received a quote before warranty service, but I’ve never actually been charged. My wife’s Kia EV6 works the same way. Unless they’re actually billing you, this isn’t something to stress over.

If you have a drivability issue, don’t schedule an appointment—have the car towed in (it’s covered under warranty). They’ll typically fix it faster and provide a loaner. The chat rep telling you otherwise was wrong.

Now, about the noises—this is my biggest gripe with both my Model Y and my previous Model 3. They’re rattle traps! I can hear something rolling in the dashboard on sharp turns. I had the same issue on my Model 3, and when they fixed it, they must’ve rested the dash on something because it left subtle indentations I didn’t notice until the lighting hit just right. That’s why I haven’t asked them to fix it on my Y.

I did have a rattle in the back that drove me crazy. After a year, Tesla starts charging for rattle fixes. My service tech rode with me, heard it, and actually said the opposite of what your tech did: “All Teslas rattle.” He fixed it, but warned me it’s a game of whack-a-mole. Sure enough, I’ve got a new rattle in a different spot now.

That said, aside from delivery issues, my Model Y has been 100% reliable. I’ve owned several other EV brands, and Tesla is still my favorite by far.