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Tesla Model 3 I faults

4 faults documented by at least two sources, listed by version then by mileage at onset when known.

Good choice, check first
Reliability
4.0/5

4 known faults

Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021)

  1. From 40,000 km

    Premature wear of the front wishbones and bushes

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    The bushes built into the suspension arms, especially at the front, are judged undersized: their wear creates play in the running gear, accelerates tyre and other component wear and can degrade handling. The typical symptom is squeaking or creaking when turning or over a speed bump. According to Car Verif, the problem can appear around 40,000 km, but many serious repairs take place between 70,000 and 120,000 km. Owners have obtained replacement of complete upper wishbones.

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Propulsion 275 ch (Highland 2023-), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    between 40,000 km and 120,000 km
    Repair
    not documented

  2. Front suspension link-arm fixings loosely tightened (recall)

    Manufacturer recall

    On some examples, the bolts fixing the lateral suspension link arms to the subframe may not have been tightened enough. They can loosen over time until the link arm separates, causing a sudden change in wheel geometry and a loss of stability. Tesla recalled Model 3s built between January 2019 and June 2021 to inspect and retighten or replace these bolts free of charge. Owners of affected cars have reported creaking or cracking from the front end.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  3. Faults found at the MOT: brakes, lighting, axles

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    The Model 3 is ranked last in the German TÜV report, with a failure rate of 14.7% when it entered the ranking, then 14.2% at the first three-year inspection in the 2025 report; the faults relate mainly to brakes, lighting and axles. The TÜV attributes the braking faults to regenerative braking, which puts little strain on the discs and lets them degrade.

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  4. Water ingress (rear lights, seals, side cameras)

    Severity 1/3 · Annoying

    Model 3s are fairly often affected by water ingress: rear lights filling with water, condensation on the glazing and inside the lamps, side cameras fogging up (with loss of driver assistance), or even water under the mats. Ingress through the door and window seals is also reported in heavy rain.

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

Propulsion 275 ch (Highland 2023-)

  1. From 40,000 km

    Premature wear of the front wishbones and bushes

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    The bushes built into the suspension arms, especially at the front, are judged undersized: their wear creates play in the running gear, accelerates tyre and other component wear and can degrade handling. The typical symptom is squeaking or creaking when turning or over a speed bump. According to Car Verif, the problem can appear around 40,000 km, but many serious repairs take place between 70,000 and 120,000 km. Owners have obtained replacement of complete upper wishbones.

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Propulsion 275 ch (Highland 2023-), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    between 40,000 km and 120,000 km
    Repair
    not documented

Grande Autonomie 441 ch

  1. From 40,000 km

    Premature wear of the front wishbones and bushes

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    The bushes built into the suspension arms, especially at the front, are judged undersized: their wear creates play in the running gear, accelerates tyre and other component wear and can degrade handling. The typical symptom is squeaking or creaking when turning or over a speed bump. According to Car Verif, the problem can appear around 40,000 km, but many serious repairs take place between 70,000 and 120,000 km. Owners have obtained replacement of complete upper wishbones.

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Propulsion 275 ch (Highland 2023-), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    between 40,000 km and 120,000 km
    Repair
    not documented

  2. Front suspension link-arm fixings loosely tightened (recall)

    Manufacturer recall

    On some examples, the bolts fixing the lateral suspension link arms to the subframe may not have been tightened enough. They can loosen over time until the link arm separates, causing a sudden change in wheel geometry and a loss of stability. Tesla recalled Model 3s built between January 2019 and June 2021 to inspect and retighten or replace these bolts free of charge. Owners of affected cars have reported creaking or cracking from the front end.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  3. Faults found at the MOT: brakes, lighting, axles

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    The Model 3 is ranked last in the German TÜV report, with a failure rate of 14.7% when it entered the ranking, then 14.2% at the first three-year inspection in the 2025 report; the faults relate mainly to brakes, lighting and axles. The TÜV attributes the braking faults to regenerative braking, which puts little strain on the discs and lets them degrade.

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  4. Water ingress (rear lights, seals, side cameras)

    Severity 1/3 · Annoying

    Model 3s are fairly often affected by water ingress: rear lights filling with water, condensation on the glazing and inside the lamps, side cameras fogging up (with loss of driver assistance), or even water under the mats. Ingress through the door and window seals is also reported in heavy rain.

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)

  1. From 40,000 km

    Premature wear of the front wishbones and bushes

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    The bushes built into the suspension arms, especially at the front, are judged undersized: their wear creates play in the running gear, accelerates tyre and other component wear and can degrade handling. The typical symptom is squeaking or creaking when turning or over a speed bump. According to Car Verif, the problem can appear around 40,000 km, but many serious repairs take place between 70,000 and 120,000 km. Owners have obtained replacement of complete upper wishbones.

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Propulsion 275 ch (Highland 2023-), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    between 40,000 km and 120,000 km
    Repair
    not documented

  2. Front suspension link-arm fixings loosely tightened (recall)

    Manufacturer recall

    On some examples, the bolts fixing the lateral suspension link arms to the subframe may not have been tightened enough. They can loosen over time until the link arm separates, causing a sudden change in wheel geometry and a loss of stability. Tesla recalled Model 3s built between January 2019 and June 2021 to inspect and retighten or replace these bolts free of charge. Owners of affected cars have reported creaking or cracking from the front end.

    Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  3. Faults found at the MOT: brakes, lighting, axles

    Severity 2/3 · Costly

    The Model 3 is ranked last in the German TÜV report, with a failure rate of 14.7% when it entered the ranking, then 14.2% at the first three-year inspection in the 2025 report; the faults relate mainly to brakes, lighting and axles. The TÜV attributes the braking faults to regenerative braking, which puts little strain on the discs and lets them degrade.

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

  4. Water ingress (rear lights, seals, side cameras)

    Severity 1/3 · Annoying

    Model 3s are fairly often affected by water ingress: rear lights filling with water, condensation on the glazing and inside the lamps, side cameras fogging up (with loss of driver assistance), or even water under the mats. Ingress through the door and window seals is also reported in heavy rain.

    Versions
    Standard Range Plus 325 ch (2019-2021), Grande Autonomie 441 ch, Performance 513 ch (2019-2023)
    Onset
    not documented
    Repair
    not documented

Price and diagnose repairs

Read fault codes

An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.

Parts and maintenance

Compare prices of parts for the Tesla Model 3 I (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.

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