[Ducatista]

Any other owners check this? Unless I am missing something. It seems that when you lock the doors (and you’re not charging), the charge door/flap does not lock. You can still push it open and get to the charging ports. So if someone wants to be malicious they could destroy you charge port. This seems like an issue to me?

EDIT: for reference, every gas car from Subaru, Honda or Acura I have had in the past 15 years all lock the fuel filler door if it’s not a model that has a button or release inside. If it’s a push to open style, like the charge flap is, they lock. My wife’s 23 Forester has a push to open fuel door (they removed the release inside at the drivers door), and it locks when you lock the vehicle. So this is what I would expect the charge door to do.

 

[FelineFreddie]

I tried locking the doors on my Solterra and found the same results… the charging access door does not lock. So far I haven’t found anything in the owner’s manual describing the access flap locking…only the charging cable handle locking… but I didn’t spent a large amount of time searching.

 

[JayEM]

I too would expect the charge port door to lock when the doors are locked, based on my own (limited) EV ownership experience.

Among other EV brands/models, I don't know how many operate the way the Solterra does vs. what I would consider "normal". It does seem like an odd design decision, unless it was just an oversight.

 

[R P]

Well, you can't siphon electricity. Can't remember if the flap locked on my Kona EV. But if someone wanted to damage your car, lots of other ways to do it, if they want.

 

[Ducatista]

Well, you can't siphon electricity. Can't remember if the flap locked on my Kona EV. But if someone wanted to damage your car, lots of other ways to do it, if they want.

Oh I agree. But there is a lot of EV haters out there and this seems like a great target for them cause they know it’s not just a key job, it cripples the owner.

 

[poodlemaster]

How can I put this? A reasonably strong woman could rip that door off with her bare hands. Locking it is not useful.

 

[jayrueck2]

Also noticed that during both times I've taken through the carwash, the charge port door opens and I get notification on dash. Have had to stop after wash to close.

 

[JayEM]

Was that in a touchless or "non-touchless?" car wash?

Also, was the car in Ready state, and was it in D or P? Or N?

 

[jayrueck2]

Was that in a touchless or "non-touchless?" car wash?

Also, was the car in Ready state, and was it in D or P? Or N?

It is a "non-touchless" car wash but not the spinning brushes, just the moving cloth type.
Car was in Ready -- in Neutral.
Just don't feel that those moving brushes should be able to touch-latch open the charging door... Just have to make sure port is dry if I need to change right after a car wash

 

[JayEM]

That is a little disturbing, TBH. I've had at least 3 cars with "push to open" charge port/gas doors (both current cars have that feature) and that has never happened with any of them (though, to be fair, I seldom use that kind of car wash).

At least the flaps over the charging connectors would (I'm pretty sure) stay closed, and they're what keeps the water out.

 

[bspill]

That is a little disturbing, TBH. I've had at least 3 cars with "push to open" charge port/gas doors (both current cars have that feature) and that has never happened with any of them (though, to be fair, I seldom use that kind of car wash).

At least the flaps over the charging connectors would (I'm pretty sure) stay closed, and they're what keeps the water out.

I notice the "hood" does not seal completely when closed as there are little gaps on the side (I assume for cooling). Couldn't water get to the motor in a car wash?

 

[JayEM]

I notice the "hood" does not seal completely when closed as there are little gaps on the side (I assume for cooling). Couldn't water get to the motor in a car wash?

The motors are sealed.

Water can splash up from the ground too.

 

[poodlemaster]

I have a hoodie for my charge adapter on the way: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/615363cieJL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

As well I have discovered Rinseless Washing which is the new Detailer's friend. It works very well on a mostly clean car. I just sprayed the mud off mine and used some Chemical Bros stuff which worked very well.

 

[n6nl]

Is that hoodie attached with magnets?

 

[poodlemaster]

Yes I believe it does.

 

[Borent]

I had the charge compartment door open also in a Touchless Petro Canada SuperWash when it passed the power jet dryer. The hatch itself doesn't lock, just the charge port when connected.

 

[Mt Lemmon AZ Images]

Any other owners check this? Unless I am missing something. It seems that when you lock the doors (and you’re not charging), the charge door/flap does not lock. You can still push it open and get to the charging ports. So if someone wants to be malicious they could destroy you charge port. This seems like an issue to me?

EDIT: for reference, every gas car from Subaru, Honda or Acura I have had in the past 15 years all lock the fuel filler door if it’s not a model that has a button or release inside. If it’s a push to open style, like the charge flap is, they lock. My wife’s 23 Forester has a push to open fuel door (they removed the release inside at the drivers door), and it locks when you lock the vehicle. So this is what I would expect the charge door to do.

My Solterra charging door does not lock when the car is locked. I think this is an important issue. My problem right now is that the charging door pops open when I run the car through a car wash, and to prevent this (water and suds gets all over the AC and DC charging doors) I have to put tape on the door to keep it closed. Also, if something hits the side of the car while driving the door pops open - this has happened once so far. I live in Tucson, Arizona, a dusty environment, hence the car wash visits. Also, if you are driving a car intended for rural/mountain roads and "the wilderness" then things will hit the top and sides.

 

[FelineFreddie]

What exactly is hitting the side of the car while driving?

You've stirred my curiosity…

 

[Mt Lemmon AZ Images]

What exactly is hitting the side of the car while driving?

You've stirred my curiosity…

I am not sure. We were driving slowly in a construction zone and the warning light suddenly came on. I assume something hit it or brushed it. It was disconcerting because I cannot see the door from the driver's seat, and I had to find a place to pull over and click the door shut.

 

[n6nl]

Unless you were driving through brush which was scraping down the side of the car, I wouldn’t expect it to just pop open when driving. Perhaps there’s something wrong with the latch. Have the dealer service department look at it as a warranty item to see if there is something wrong with it.