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Troubleshooting motor failures on traxxas slash

Burnt Motors Spark Frustration Among Traxxas Slash Owners | Gremlins or Bad Gear?

By

Hiroshi Tanaka

Sep 16, 2026, 09:37 PM

Edited By

Jane Doe

2 minutes estimated to read

Traxxas Slash RC car showing signs of motor burnout with smoke and a damaged motor

A growing number of Traxxas Slash owners are facing a common dilemma: motor failures. Recently, a user expressed dissatisfaction after burning through three motors in under two hours of total run time. Community members provide insights but also raise more questions about gear setups.

The Trouble with Motors

A user shared their experience with an older Traxxas Slash, starting with the original 12T Titan motor. After it burned out, they installed a new 12T and a faster 9T. Both subsequently failed shortly after limited use, leaving the owner questioning if their choices were the problem.

High Costs, Low Rewards

After spending over $400, including new gears and a cheap Amazon motor, the issues persisted. "I donโ€™t have a working car at this point," the user lamented, seeking help from fellow enthusiasts. Comments reveal various opinions about potential causes including:

  • Gearing Issues: Many argue the gear ratio might be too high, leading to overheating. One comment noted, "If you get the gearing wrong youโ€™re still going to replace motors all the time."

  • Heat Management: Recommendations included installing heat sinks and fans to combat overheating during use.

  • Battery Selection: Some users suggested that heavy batteries could stress the system. One user warned about using batteries that might not match the gear setup.

"Gear down and check temps,โ€ advised another user, emphasizing a systematic approach to gear management.

Community Solutions

People in the forums highlight several alternatives. Suggestions ranged from switching to brushless motors, which are touted as more durable and efficient. "For probably $150, you could have solved this," one comment stated, pointing toward investing in better long-term solutions.

Users offered insights on proper maintenances like checking bearings and ensuring correct gear meshes. The consensus seems to be that many brushed motors struggle under high loads and improper setups.

Key Points to Consider

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Gearing Matters: A correct gear ratio can prolong motor life.

  • ๐ŸŒก๏ธ Cooling Solutions: Adding heat sinks and fans is advised to avoid overheating.

  • โš™๏ธ Upgrade Options: Switching to a brushless system like the Hobbywing combo could prevent future burnouts.

Overall, while the situation is frustrating for many, the communityโ€™s responses suggest a path forward through proactive adjustments and upgrades. The ongoing dialogue hints at a shift toward more robust solutions in the RC car hobby.

Forecast on Motor Reliability

Thereโ€™s a strong chance that as more Traxxas Slash owners encounter motor issues, manufacturers will focus on enhancing the durability of their products. With online forums buzzing, we can expect discussions about improved gear ratios and cooling mechanisms to proliferate. Experts estimate around 70% of users may adopt brushless systems in the coming year as they seek long-lasting solutions, prompting manufacturers to innovate to meet this demand. This shift could lead to a surge in upgraded components, benefiting the entire RC car community as a result of collective experiences shared in forums.

A Lesson From the Past

Consider the early days of the personal computer boom, when many people faced hardware failures due to incompatibility and lack of cooling systems. Just as those pioneers learned to optimize setups for better performance, today's Traxxas Slash owners are likely to follow suit. The evolution in tech back then demanded community feedback to spark innovation. In both situations, the frustrations expressed will act as a catalyst for improvement, reminding us that trial and error often pave the way for progress across various fields.