A Tesla Powerwall owner said one of their two batteries began discharging on its own at 400 watts, drained to zero, and then wouldn't charge again.
After checking, the homeowner found that the unit was affected by a recall, even though the installer later said the unit's error message doesn't appear to be the issue associated with the recall.
The problem is now raising questions for homeowners who expect backup batteries to provide peace of mind during outages, not create new failures.
Here's what to know
In a Reddit thread posted to the site's r/Powerwall community, the owner said one of their two Powerwalls eventually dropped to zero and then wouldn't accept a charge.
They described the issue as beginning when the unit "started discharging at 400 watts and nothing we could do could get it to stop," adding that once it was empty, "nothing we could do could get it to charge."
After the owner's husband searched online, he found that "one of our two Powerwalls have the serial number involved in [a] recall."
Unfortunately, the installer told this original poster that "if I did not have the specific recall message in my app, then it is not a recall issue."
"Did anyone have their message changed from this one to the recall notice here?" OP asked the forum.
Save $10,000 on solar panels without even sharing your phone number Want to go solar but not sure who to trust? EnergySage has your back with free and transparent quotes from fully vetted providers in your area. To get started, just answer a few questions about your home — no phone number required. Within a day or two, EnergySage will email you the best options for your needs, and their expert advisers can help you compare quotes and pick a winner. Solar panels can save you more than $50k over their 25-year lifespan, and EnergySage can help you save as much as $10k on installation. Which begs the question — isn't that worth an email or two? |
In the discussion, a commenter wrote that Tesla might still replace the failed battery.
"Tesla will already know... They will likely offer you a replacement Powerwall 3," they noted, adding that "your warranty doesn't restart with the replacement unit."
The user also recommended that OP "keep track of all additional costs you incur during this time as they are claimable under the recall and warranty of the unit by Tesla."
More background
A home battery can store solar energy or lower-cost electricity for later use, helping reduce peak-hour utility purchases and avoid outage-related costs such as spoiled food, lost work time, or temporary lodging. However, that only happens if everything's functioning properly.
For homeowners dealing with a suspected battery fault, the first step is careful documentation. Save screenshots of error messages, note the battery's serial number, record when the issue began, and keep receipts for any extra costs tied to the failure. If a replacement is offered, it's also worth asking whether the warranty term changes and getting the answer in writing.
If you're comparing backup options for your home, exploring EnergySage can help you get information about battery storage choices and competitive installation estimates. EnergySage has also teamed up with the electrification brand Qmerit to guarantee you get the best price on home battery storage solutions.
For smaller-scale needs, Pila offers plug-and-play batteries priced at a fraction of what a whole-home backup system would cost. Its units can cover individual appliances during blackouts, such as refrigerators.
Where can I learn more?
These articles cover Tesla Powerwall recalls, Powerwall 3 updates, and EcoFlow's competing system.
• Tesla recalled one Powerwall after months of draining two home batteries.
• Tesla confirmed several game-changing details about Powerwall 3, including a higher-output design.
• EcoFlow drops the curtain on a home battery pitched against Tesla.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
