Used Tesla Model 3 2019-present reliability
Category: Electric car
The Tesla Model 3 is a terrific executive car with lots of tech and a great electric range. It's a brilliant used buy.
What should I look for in a used Tesla Model 3 hatchback?
When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.
A used Tesla Model 3 should feel solid, quiet and well put together, so any warning signs tend to stand out quickly. Start with the basics: make sure the car comes with all the charging cables and accessories it should have, then check that all the interior electrics work properly, including the touchscreen, climate controls and seat adjustment mechanisms. Inspect the wheels carefully for kerb damage, and take a close look around the bodywork for scratches, dents or signs of poor repair work. It’s also worth checking the paperwork thoroughly – there should be evidence of routine maintenance, software updates and any warranty or recall work having been carried out.
During your test drive, pay close attention to how the car copes with rough roads, potholes and speed bumps. Earlier Model 3s can suffer from front suspension arms and bushes developing squeaks, knocks or clonks as mileage increases, so listen carefully for any noises from the front end, particularly when manoeuvring at low speed or driving over uneven surfaces. Check the tyres closely, too – uneven wear, especially along the inner edges, can point to poor alignment or suspension issues that could lead to costly repairs.
It’s also worth making sure the charging system and onboard electronics work exactly as they should, as so much of the Model 3 ownership experience depends on them. Open and close the charge port several times to make sure it locks and releases properly, and if possible plug the car in to confirm it begins charging without displaying any warning messages. Inside, check the touchscreen for lag, dead spots or unexpected reboots, and test key features such as Bluetooth, reversing cameras, climate control and driver assistance functions.
Finally, inspect the car’s build quality carefully. Check panel gaps, door seals, boot seals and light units for any signs of poor fit or previous repair work. Some early cars were known for inconsistent panel alignment, paint defects and occasional water ingress, so look around the boot floor and door shuts for signs of dampness, and inspect the glass roof and windscreen closely for chips or cracks, as replacement costs can be high.
What are the most common problems with a used Tesla Model 3 hatchback?
At the time of writing, the Tesla Model 3 has 11 recalls listed. To check whether a car has been affected, you can contact your local Tesla dealer. You will not need to pay for anything involving the recall.
Reason for recall
The upper steering column bolt may not have been fitted.
How the manufacturer will repair: Inspect the upper steering column bolt fitment and replace where necessary.
Number of affected vehicles: 5
Date of recall: 07/05/2020
Reason for recall
The brake calliper bolts may not be secured to the correct specification.
How the manufacturer will repair: Check and secure the brake calliper bolts to correct specification.
Number of affected vehicles: 565
Date of recall: 26/05/2021
Reason for recall
The front seat belt top loop may not be secured correctly.
How the manufacturer will repair: Check and secure the top loop as necessary.
Number of affected vehicles: 599
Date of recall: 26/05/2021
Reason for recall
The front suspension lateral link may be insufficiently torqued.
How the manufacturer will repair: Inspect the connection of both front suspension lateral links to the sub-frame. Replace any related damaged components and ensure correct torque of fastening bolts.
Number of affected vehicles: 127
Date of recall: 24/12/2021
Reason for recall
The curtain side airbags may not deploy correctly.
How the manufacturer will repair: Inspect for proper alignment and orientation of the left and right curtain side airbag. Re-align as necessary.
Number of affected vehicles: 1
Date of recall: 24/12/2021
Reason for recall
The rear-view camera harness may fail causing no image in the centre display.
How the manufacturer will repair: Fit a harness guide protector and if necessary install a new harness.
Number of affected vehicles: 26,618
Date of recall: 18/02/2022
Reason for recall
On certain vehicles that are running firmware release 2022.8 and that experience a loss of low voltage, the audio subsystem may become unavailable including the use of eCall functionality.
How the manufacturer will repair: Firmware release 2022.12.3 or later reverses the power management process introduced in firmware release 2022.8 and maintains eCall audio functionality.
Number of affected vehicles: 9471
Date of recall: 19/04/2022
Reason for recall
In certain conditions, the user interface on affected vehicles displays vehicle speed but not a unit of speed (i.e. mph or km/h).
How the manufacturer will repair: Tesla will deploy an over-the-air (OTA) firmware update that will reintroduce the display of the speed unit when using Track Mode.
Number of affected vehicles: 10,927
Date of recall: 20/04/2022
Reason for recall
Upon detection of a malfunction with the tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), the TPMS tell tale does not persist between drive cycles where the vehicle is off or asleep between the drive cycles. Therefore the driver may not be adequately warned of potential under-inflation of the tyres increasing the risk of a collision.
How the manufacturer will repair: Install modified software via an OTA wireless update.
Number of affected vehicles: 45, 929
Date of recall: 31/12/2024
Reason for recall
On affected vehicles operating with a software release prior to 2023.38.4, an over-voltage breakdown in the steering rack may stress motor drive components on the printed circuit board. If the stress condition occurs while the vehicle is driving, steering assistance will not be affected and a visual alert will illuminate. Once the vehicle speed comes to a standstill, a loss of steering assistance may occur and loss of steering assistance will persist when the vehicle is driven again. Manual steering without steering assistance remains available to the driver.
How the manufacturer will repair: Install modified software via an OTA wireless update.
Number of affected vehicles: 30,864
Date of recall: 14/03/2025
Reason for recall
Upon vehicle power up, the car computer board may experience a short resulting in the loss of rear view camera functionality .
How the manufacturer will repair: OTA software update or car computer replacement if necessary.
Number of affected vehicles: 5619
Date of recall: 28/03/2025
Click here for more information. Contact your nearest Tesla centre if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.
Is a used Tesla Model 3 hatchback reliable?
The Model 3 finished in ninth place out of 20 electric cars in the latest What Car? Reliability Survey, with a score of 92.8%. That's not bad, finishing above the MG4 and Polestar 2 but below the BMW i4 and Hyundai Ioniq 6.
As a brand, Tesla finished in a respectable seventh place out of 30 manufacturers. That places it above Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen, but below BMW and Honda.
Used Tesla Model 3: owners' reliability data
In our latest reliability survey, owners said the Tesla Model 3 provides a complex ownership experience. While the core electric drivetrain remains exceptionally reliable, the surrounding build quality frequently draws criticism. Owners identified a recurring trend of bodywork faults, specifically uneven panel gaps and thin paint that chips easily.
The interior is not immune to issues, with many readers reporting irritating rattles from the dashboard and seats. Additionally, software glitches in the central infotainment screen – the car's primary control hub – can lead to frozen displays and faulty warning lights.
Interactions with Tesla’s dealer network remain a point of contention. While many admire the convenience of mobile service technicians, others describe long waits for repairs and expensive out-of-warranty fixes. Some owners expressed frustration over a lack of communication from service centres, noting that finding a specialist body shop for major repairs can be both difficult and costly.
