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Emergency

Before you buy a used Tesla Model 3.

2019–2026 · Electric · 3 engines

Taken only from Testigo's sourced sheets. Use it to question the seller and on the test drive: it does not confirm that any particular car is affected.

The essentials.

Typical faults by engine

The period and mileage are those mentioned by each sheet's sources. They are not a maintenance interval and do not predict that any particular car will fail.

All versions

Sheets the catalogue links to all 3 of its engines.

Standard Range / RWD · Long Range · Performance

Electric

We have no faults specific to this engine, only those common to every version.

Which engine has the fewest documented faults?

Documented faults and recalls by engine for the Tesla Model 3
EngineDocumented faultsRecalls
Standard Range / RWDElectric88 with conditions12
Long RangeElectric88 with conditions12
PerformanceElectric88 with conditions12

According to the data we have, all its engines have the same number of documented faults.

We only count the sourced sheets we have. An engine with fewer is not guaranteed to be more reliable: it may have been studied less or sold in smaller numbers.

Official recalls: ask before you pay

A recall existing does not mean this car is affected or that it is still outstanding: it depends on the chassis number, the market and the production date.

  1. Ask the seller for the chassis number (VIN): it has 17 characters, appears in the car's documents and can usually also be seen at the base of the windscreen.
  2. Ask an official Tesla dealer, or the brand's official website if it lets you check by chassis number, whether each recall has been done or is still outstanding for that VIN.
  3. Manufacturer recalls are normally carried out free of charge by the official service network. If one is outstanding, ask for it to be done before you close the sale.
Power steering that stops assisting once the car stops after an overvoltage warning (Model 3 and Model Y of 2022–2023, recall SB-25-00-004)Steering

How to check it: Check that the car has software version 2023.38.4 or later: the fix is a free over-the-air (OTA) update. If you see the steering warning, stop somewhere safe and book Tesla service with the VIN: without assistance the wheel is very heavy, especially when manoeuvring.

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Stiff, notchy steering at low temperatures (Model 3 and Model Y, recall SB-24-32-001)Steering

How to check it: Ask Tesla service, with the VIN, whether this recall is outstanding on your car. If the steering is stiff or notchy in the cold, do not treat it as normal and have it checked.

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Rear-view camera with no picture on the centre screen because its wiring fails (Model 3 of 2017–2020, recall SB-21-17-008)Electrical and electronic systems

How to check it: Ask Tesla service, with the VIN, whether the recall is outstanding: they fit a harness guide protector and, if needed, a new harness. In the meantime, reverse using the mirrors and looking over your shoulder.

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Rear-view camera that stops working when the car powers up because of a short in the car computer (Model 3 and Model Y of 2024, recall SB-25-00-001)Electrical and electronic systems

How to check it: The fix is an over-the-air software update or, if needed, a new car computer. Ask Tesla service, with the VIN, whether it is outstanding.

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Centre screen that lags or restarts while preparing for or during fast charging because the processor overheats (Model 3 and Model Y of 2022)Electrical and electronic systems

How to check it: The fix is a free over-the-air software update that improves processor temperature management; ask Tesla service, with the VIN, whether it has been applied. If the screen restarts, do not move the car until it shows the gear and the camera again.

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The tyre pressure monitoring fault warning is lost when the car goes to sleep (Model 3 and Model Y, recall SB-24-00-018)Electrical and electronic systems

How to check it: The fix is an over-the-air (OTA) software update. In the meantime, check the tyre pressures with a gauge, with the tyres cold.

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Front suspension lateral link fasteners that may work loose (Model 3 and Model Y of 2019–2021, recall SB-21-31-003)Suspension and steering

How to check it: Ask Tesla service, with the VIN, whether the recall is outstanding: they inspect both links where they join the subframe, replace anything damaged and tighten the bolts to the correct torque. If the car feels unstable, do not drive on and have it checked.

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Brake caliper bolts not tightened to the correct torque (Model 3 and Model Y of 2018–2021, recall SB-21-33-002)Brakes

How to check it: Ask Tesla service, with the VIN, whether the recall is outstanding: they check the caliper bolts and tighten them to the correct torque.

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Front seat belt upper anchorage that may not be secured correctly (Model 3 and Model Y of 2018–2021, recall SB-21-20-001)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Ask Tesla service, with the VIN, whether the recall is outstanding: they check the top anchorage and secure it if needed.

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Insufficient shoulder protection in a side impact against a pole (Model 3 of 2024–2026, recall SB-26-00-006)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Ask Tesla service, with the VIN, whether the recall is outstanding and when they can carry it out.

View full entry
eCall emergency call without audio after a loss of low-voltage power on software 2022.8 (Model 3 and Model Y, recall SB-22-00-010)Electrical and electronic systems

How to check it: Check that you have software version 2022.12.3 or later (it installs over the air). If the audio does not work after a 12 V battery warning, book Tesla service.

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Incorrectly fitted curtain airbag that may not deploy properly (Model 3 of late 2020, recall SB-21-20-006)Airbags and seat belts

How to check it: Ask Tesla service, with the VIN, whether the recall is outstanding.

View full entry

On the test drive: what to look and listen for

Taken from each sheet's symptoms and checks. You can tick off what you have already looked at: it is saved only in this browser.

0 of 8 checked

Suspension and steering

  • Look out for: Creaking from the front suspension when turning the wheel at low speed under load, for example when parking; auto motor und sport mentions squeaks and creaks after about two or three years. At the German roadworthiness test, ball joints with play are found.

    Ask them to check: If it creaks when turning, ask Tesla service to check the upper control arm ball joints: the bulletin provides for sealing the area around both ball joints with urethane so that water cannot get in. Before the MOT or periodic inspection, and when buying one second-hand, have the front ball joints checked for play.

Brakes

  • Look out for: Usually nothing is felt while driving: it shows up at the inspection, with rusty discs or a poor contact pattern. The TÜV warns that braking performance can drop.

    Ask them to check: The head of the TÜV association advises using the brake pedal deliberately on a regular basis. Before the MOT or periodic inspection, and when buying one second-hand, have the discs and pads checked.

  • Look out for: Low brake fluid warning, signs of a brake fluid leak or corroded lines that fail the MOT.

    Ask them to check: With a low brake fluid warning, a leak or an MOT failure for the lines, have all the brake lines inspected: if any is corroded, the bulletin says to replace them all with corrosion-resistant ones in a single repair. With the brake fluid warning on, do not drive on until it has been checked.

  • Look out for: In rare cases, braking and stability control alerts appear on the instrument cluster and screen at power-on; they usually clear and everything works again after switching the car off and on.

    Ask them to check: If the brake or stability alerts appear at power-on and clear after a restart, ask Tesla service to check whether the bulletin applies: they retrofit that wire. If a brake warning does not clear, do not drive the car.

Climate control

  • Look out for: Cabin heating or cooling does not work properly, with refrigerant sensor alerts (for example VCFRONT_a136 to a139, a279, a280 or a452).

    Ask them to check: If the climate control fails and one of those alerts appears, ask Tesla service to apply the bulletin: they replace all three refrigerant pressure/temperature sensors.

Electrical and electronic systems

  • Look out for: An alert appears on the screen asking you to restart the car, or the car will not start.

    Ask them to check: Ask Tesla service, with the VIN, to check whether the bulletin applies to your car: they inspect the insulation of those wires and repair them if needed.

Bodywork

  • Look out for: Water or damp in the boot; on the Model Y, AUTO BILD also mentions water at the rear seats and in the passenger footwell.

    Ask them to check: Look under the boot floor and the mats after rain or a car wash. If there is water, ask Tesla service to find where it gets in and seal it.

Known weak points

  • Look out for: Dipped beam out of alignment on cars four or five years old and front lighting faults, especially the fog lights; chipped paint and rust on the sills of early cars.

    Ask them to check: Before the MOT or periodic inspection, have the headlight aim and all the front lights checked. When buying one second-hand, look under the sills for rust or chipped paint.

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these Testigo sheets and their original sources. Sources are not checked in real time.

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