Overall, I had a solid experience with CPR EV Repair and would recommend them, especially to Tesla owners looking for an alternative to Tesla Service. I can't quite give them five stars because of a few communication issues, but they did a lot extremely well.
Customer service was great. Everyone was friendly, knowledgeable, and willing to actually explain what was happening with my vehicle. The waiting area has free snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi, which was helpful since I was able to work while waiting.
From my first phone conversation with Cameron, the owner, I could tell he knew Teslas. I started explaining the issue with my 2016 Model X and he pretty much knew what I was describing before I could finish. That immediately gave me confidence bringing an older Tesla here.
What impressed me most was how they handled my heating issue. My rear heat wasn't working and Tesla had diagnosed an issue involving the rear PTC heating system, with the repair eventually ballooning to thousands of dollars.
I paid them to purchase the rear PTC heater to install. They installed it, tested the car, and the rear heat still didn't work. Instead of simply charging me for the repair and sending me on my way, they kept diagnosing it. They found an active high-voltage fault, tested the related wiring, and ultimately determined the onboard charger supplying power to the rear PTC heater was the problem.
Here's what really impressed me: CPR removed the PTC heater AND the labor from my bill since replacing it didn't solve the problem. They ate the cost of the part and the work they had already performed, then gave me an estimate for the actual repair. That was extremely fair and not something I expected.
The experience was night and day compared with Tesla Service. Tesla's service model is frustrating, heavily app-based, and can feel like you're dealing with a system instead of actual people. At CPR, I could talk to someone who understands these cars, ask questions, and get real explanations. Having a reputable independent Tesla repair option is a breath of fresh air, especially for owners of older, out-of-warranty vehicles.
Now for why this is four stars instead of five.
They are VERY difficult to reach by phone and email. I sometimes had to call multiple times before getting someone, and voicemail callbacks were hit or miss. I honestly think they need more help. Between Cameron and the woman at the front desk, they seem understaffed for the amount of business they're handling. Being busy is a great problem to have until it starts affecting the customer experience. In addition, I have several emails that remain unanswered.
I also had an issue during my after-hours pickup that almost became an expensive oversight. My Model X uses a physical key fob. When I picked up the car, I couldn't find it. CPR is almost two hours from my house, so I definitely didn't want to make another trip to Cypress. So I used the Tesla app to unlock and remote start the car to get it home.
After several calls, someone called me back and explained that my key fob had been wrapped in aluminum foil and left in the cupholder. Nobody had told me this. I'm a stickler about trash in my car, so I had already thrown the random piece of foil away without realizing MY KEY WAS INSIDE IT! Thankfully, I checked my trash and found it.
The woman apologized profusely and seemed genuinely sorry, but something that important absolutely needs to be communicated before an after-hours pickup.
My last complaint is simply the location. Cypress is extremely far from me. I really hope CPR eventually expands to other parts of the Houston area because Houston desperately needs more alternatives to Tesla Service.
Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives. They know Teslas, treated me fairly when an attempted repair didn't solve the problem, and communicated the actual diagnosis in a way I could understand. Improve the phone/email communication issues and this is easily a five-star shop.
For owners of older Teslas who are tired of dealing exclusively with Tesla Service, CPR EV Repair is absolutely worth knowing about. read more
