Ongoing Issues Are Making This Car Hard to Enjo

[Scott Schrader]

Review:

I decided to lease the VinFast VF8 primarily due to the promotional incentives being offered at the time. I also had negative equity in my previous vehicle, and the dealership was able to work with me to make the transition possible. I was excited—it was my first EV, and I really wanted to support a newer automaker. Unfortunately, the experience has been frustrating from the start.

Electrical Issues:

I encounter electrical problems almost daily. The blind spot detection sensors frequently stop working, despite the car being garage-kept and cleaned regularly. The indicator stays illuminated in both mirrors with no real reason why.

The SOS system is another ongoing issue—it sends repeated alerts that the service is inactive, then clears itself, only to return a few minutes later. On my 20-mile commute, I’ll hear the notification sound at least 10 times each way. The car also makes random warning chimes throughout the drive, often too briefly for me to catch what’s wrong before the alert disappears. These could be related to the collision sensors or other systems—it’s hard to tell.

The driver-side master window controls also don’t work properly. When I attempt to roll up the windows, most of them don’t respond on the first try. I often need to press the switch three or four times. Using the auto-up feature results in the car acting like something is blocking the window—even when nothing is there.

The comfort access feature (keyless entry via door handle) is extremely inconsistent, working maybe 30% of the time. When it doesn’t work, it defeats the entire purpose of having it.

Charging is another pain point. Instead of simply unlocking the car to stop the charge, I have to enter the vehicle, manually end the charging session, then get out and unplug it. This should be a much smoother process.

VinFast partners with Autel for their wall-mounted chargers, but getting support from them has been frustrating. They take no ownership of the issues I’ve had and often push the problem back to the dealership. It also feels like you’re pressured into buying the Level 2 charger since charging the vehicle from 60% to 80% using a standard outlet can take nearly 24 hours.

Even small things like startup behavior become annoying: the second you tap the brake to power on the car, you’re bombarded with seatbelt alerts. There’s no grace period like in most vehicles.

Apple CarPlay is also unreliable, only working about 70% of the time.

Interior Issues:

The rearview mirror warps and distorts everything behind you. It’s hard to describe, but it makes vehicles look oddly stretched or distorted—almost like funhouse mirrors. I’m not sure if it’s the glass quality or a design flaw.

Mechanical Issues:

The ride quality is very poor. The suspension feels dated—like something from an early 2000s car. It’s stiff, loud, and does a poor job of absorbing road imperfections. It also doesn’t handle corners well at all.

Folding down the rear seats is simple enough, but putting them back up requires a surprising amount of strength. I’m able to manage, but I can see this being a real challenge for older drivers or anyone with limited mobility.

Accessing the front trunk (frunk) is also unnecessarily difficult. You need to pull the lever five times with considerable force just to get it to release—it honestly feels like something might break.

Final Thoughts:

There may be more issues I’m forgetting, but overall, I’d rate this car a 2 out of 10. Communication with my local VinFast dealership has been difficult due to constant staff turnover, and dealing with Autel for charger issues has been equally frustrating.

For a company that had access to the EV landscape and a chance to learn from more established brands, VinFast has released something that feels rushed and unfinished. I understand they’re a young company, but after nearly a decade in development, this vehicle should be much more refined—especially at a price point near $50,000. I wouldn’t choose this car again, and I can’t recommend it in its current state.

Bạn cần đăng nhập để tương tác với nội dung này:
Đăng nhập.

[Kurt Brust]

Open your vinfast app -Go to seetings- then Vehicle software update -What version software does it state you ave it will say FRA 8A.x.x.x

Bạn cần đăng nhập để tương tác với nội dung này: Đăng nhập.