Not really, older car companies just make the same cars over and over again with slightly changed designs. They have decades of iteration on their designs and any major changes always end up having problems. Even then they have iterated into cheap junk for the most part aside from a few automakers. Plus, anything software related on these cars is horrible stinking garbage. Check any car older than 5 years and there will be 1-2 recalls on them.

Tesla is pretty much going through the same thing all automakers go through except it's "Tesla." Sure if they hired a few engineers out of retirement to consult they could have identified a few of these issues, but then they wouldn't have released before the balloon went up and the bulls gored them.

Generally, this isn't Tesla's biggest problem. Delivery, support, and maintenance are the big ones they are losing out on. That's what's making this recall such a big issue for them. They didn't have enough dealers to make repairs or spare parts which is why they are dragging their heels on recalls. But they are catching up there as well in typical Tesla fashion.

Sure they will piss off a few car owners, but people tend to be REALLY loyal to car brands. Just ask any Porsche owner who spends more time at the mechanic than on the road.