Are Tesla Model 3 Reliable: A Deep Dive!

Over the years, Tesla has advanced in consistently producing reliable electric vehicles, keeping Tesla owners hooked and attracting new customers. 

Tesla owners have been on this journey of exceptional trim levels and models, from Roadster to Model S, X, 3, and Y, which have boosted sales of Tesla vehicles due to their capacities. 

As a new Tesla customer, you may have your eyes set on the Tesla Model 3 and might be interested in its reliability in the long run. 

Tesla Model 3 is reliable and performs remarkably in many aspects. They contain a battery that’s efficient and durable. Furthermore, they undergo charging cycles, which can last for 1,500, approximately 300,000-500,000 miles. 

In this article, you’ll discover more information about the reliability of the Tesla Model 3, its life expectancy, and other crucial details. 

How Reliable Is the Tesla Model 3?

Tesla Model 3 has won the hearts of many Tesla owners due to its reliability and remarkable features.

Many owners of the Model 3 have vouched for its reliability, drivetrain, and battery. 

However, these positive reviews were given up until 2017.

In 2017, the Tesla Model 3 underwent another production, and after its release, Tesla owners began to complain about several defects. 

For instance, the paint on a newly purchased Tesla Model 3 will be chipped off, and the panels will be misaligned. 

With constant complaints from Tesla owners, Tesla upgraded the Tesla Model 3 in terms of quality, internal components, and much more. 

Hence, the Tesla Model 3 in 2022 and 2023 contain these excellent qualities. Tesla Model 3 is one of the best-selling models of Tesla, garnering a lot of sales every year. 

There are many remarkable features to consider when the Tesla Model 3 is brought to the table. 

This electric vehicle has approximately 1,500 charging cycles and can last roughly 300,000-500,000 miles. 

The new and improved version of the Tesla Model 3 is high-tech and can move from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds.

Plus, it has a firm suspension and provides a comfortable ride. 

The infotainment system is touchscreen and packed with full tech and comes with unique features such as navigation, Spotify, Netflix, web browsing, and lots more. 

Interestingly, it has two wireless phone charging mats; you can find them just below your infotainment screen. 

Plus, you also get high-powered USB-C ports. You can use these ports to charge your device rapidly. 

Unfortunately, Model 3 does not come with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. To turn the tables around, Model 3 has a warranty covering only the vehicle’s essential parts. 

Notwithstanding, you can use your Tesla Model 3 for any event, be it camping, going out for a drive, and much more. 

Tesla Model 3 is reliable, provided you maintain it properly, follow the car battery charging rules, and carry out a routine vehicle check-up. 

What Areas Is the Model 3 Tesla More Reliable than Other Models?

Tesla Model 3 is at the top of the ladder due to its fame among Tesla owners, and it’s one of the most sought-after electric vehicles on the market. 

This indicates that the Tesla Model 3 has unique areas/features that put it above other Tesla models. 

So, what areas make Model 3 more reliable than other Tesla models? Let’s find out! 

Tesla Model 3 has rapid acceleration and can achieve this feat from 0-64 mph at 5.8 seconds, and its handling is top-notch, allowing you to move at an impressive speed. 

In addition, it has a touchscreen infotainment system that allows you to control the wipers, headlights, and more. 

The vehicle has a spacious boot with enough underfloor storage and spacious rear and front seats. 

What Is the Life Expectancy of a Model 3 Tesla?

The life expectancy of a Model 3 battery is around 300,000-500,000 miles. Unlike oil-based automobiles, the Tesla Model 3 has few moving components. 

The reason for this is that Tesla doesn’t possess an engine that is often prone to constant exposure to heat and friction, which causes it to break down over time. 

Hence, your Tesla Model 3 does not need frequent repairs like a vehicle powered by an engine. 

Notwithstanding, the lifespan of the Tesla Model 3 is always a cause of concern to its owners.

The truth is that every charging cycle your Tesla Model 3 undergoes will decrease its capacity. 

Although this reduction is not much, it can increase significantly over time and reduce the life expectancy of your Tesla Model 3. 

Even though the batteries of Tesla Model 3 harbors maximum charge cycles of 1,500, you can effortlessly exceed this limit with consistent care and maintenance of your Tesla Model 3.

Tesla Model 3 is undoubtedly unique and doesn’t require heavy maintenance like other vehicles that depend on their engine.

But that doesn’t mean you should pay little attention to your car. 

Tesla Model 3 owners often think that the vehicle is expensive to maintain. Contrarily, the Tesla Model 3 is quite easy to maintain and costs little for maintenance. 

Unlike engine-powered cars, the electric motors of Tesla Model 3 don’t generate a large amount of heat; thus, it doesn’t require complex cooling systems to reduce the heat. 

The best part is that the Tesla Model 3 has shed off the weight of many mechanical, rubber, and plastic components that are highly susceptible to wear and tear. 

The cherry on the cake is that the Tesla Model 3 doesn’t have a transmission consisting of several gears that require consistent oil changes to keep them running. 

Tesla Model 3 has eliminated all these stressful conditions, so you only need to take your vehicle for maintenance every three months. 

The tires are one of the crucial components of your Tesla Model 3. Hence, it’s vital to check them frequently to avoid unforeseen circumstances. 

Unfortunately, the Tesla Model 3 warranty doesn’t cover the car tires because it falls under the wear and tear components. 

You can repair and replace the components that didn’t catch your attention earlier through consistent maintenance. 

Does Tesla 3 Break Down Easily?

The Tesla Model 3 doesn’t break down easily. In fact, Tesla models seldom break down due to their exceptional and efficient electric motors and batteries. 

Tesla Model 3 is usually manufactured from strong, high-quality components that help it survive in many conditions. 

However, if your Tesla Model 3 begins to malfunction or break down easily, it could be due to the lack of maintenance, an accident, and age.

Let’s look at these reasons properly. 

#1. Lack of Maintenance 

Although Tesla has made life easy for Tesla owners through the Model 3 electric vehicles, it’s imperative to have a proper maintenance routine. 

Most times, Tesla Model 3 owners feel reluctant to maintain their vehicles and leave them for months without maintenance. 

This causes problems inside the vehicle. Some components, such as the electric motors, might start malfunctioning, and the battery’s lifespan may decrease and will be prone to degradation. 

Due to these factors, your Tesla Model 3 will break down easily, and you might spend a lot on repairs and replacements of many components within your vehicle. 

#2. An Accident 

Accidents are unfortunate circumstances that could threaten your life; the same principle applies to your Tesla Model 3. 

An accident could damage the electric motors, battery, and other internal components of your Tesla Model 3.

However, the extent of the damage solely depends on the accident’s severity. 

Nevertheless, you can easily pick up the pieces and move on. If the damage is severe, you’ll have a lot of repairs and replacements to do. 

On the other hand, if the damage is mild, you can easily repair it at little cost. 

#3. Age 

Tesla Model 3 comes with fantastic features and components that keep the vehicle up and running in the long run. 

However, the Tesla Model 3 doesn’t last forever and deteriorates over time, especially when it exceeds 500,000 miles. 

When this happens, the vehicle begins to break down easily, and the problem might be coming from the electric motors and battery. 

Thus, it’s best to replace them to get your Tesla Model 3 up to speed. 

10 Common Problems of the Model 3 Tesla 

Tesla Model 3 is an exceptional electric vehicle that grabs every customer’s attention and sets their eyes on them. 

However, it’s normal to encounter some problems with the Tesla Model 3 now and then.

But what are these problems? Let’s look at some common issues of the Tesla Model 3. 

#1. Poor Paint Finish 

Tesla Model 3 paint isn’t durable and comes off easily, with detectable sanding marks appearing on the finish.

However, this problem stems from the increasing demand for Tesla Model 3. 

Due to this, there were a few blockages during the manufacturing process of the Tesla Model 3. 

Nonetheless, Tesla recognizes this flaw and provides mud flaps to Tesla owners to cover up the poor paint finish. 

The best part is that your warranty will cover major problems with the paint finish of your Tesla Model 3. 

#2. Rusted Bodywork 

Admittedly, receiving a Tesla Model 3 with rusted bodywork is frustrating.

This usually happens when the paint comes off the vehicle’s body, exposing the metalwork/body. 

This will make the metal body highly susceptible to rust and give a rough appearance/finish. 

#3. Missing Bolts and Nuts 

This problem also comes from the high market demand for the Tesla Model 3. 

Due to this, the vehicles might be rushed out immediately and may not have nuts in the steering wheel and other parts. 

Plus, the vehicle produces an annoying rattling sound that indicates missing bolts. You can seek the assistance of a certified mechanic if this happens.

#4. Shutdown While Driving

Unfortunately, some Tesla Model 3s tend to shut down when you’re driving.

When this is about to happen, the vehicle suddenly displays an alert on the screen warning you to pull over. 

Some Tesla Model 3 owners have reported that rebooting the vehicle doesn’t help, as the same error occurs. 

This can be a terrifying experience, especially if it’s the first time you’re encountering the problem. 

It’s best to contact your Tesla service center immediately if it starts malfunctioning. 

#5. Locked Out 

Since the Tesla Model 3 is an electric vehicle, it uses an electronic key card, and you can unlock the car with the app on your phone. 

Sometimes, Tesla Model 3 owners find themselves in a sticky situation when they are stuck inside or outside their vehicles. 

The worst part is that the vehicles fail to unlock with the electronic card key. You can contact a Tesla service center to help you out. 

#6. Charging Problems 

This problem is quite common among Tesla Model 3. The fault could be from your superchargers, charging ports, and software glitches.  

Hence, it’s best to identify the source of the problem before fixing it. 

#7. Bluetooth 

Tesla Model 3 owners often complain about the Bluetooth going off and failing to reconnect immediately. 

However, you can fix this by updating your software. 

#8. Won’t Sleep 

Tesla Model 3 owners experience this problem once in a while. This occurs when the vehicle fails to stay in sleep mode even when inactive. 

This adversely affects the vehicle as it drains the battery. You can update your software to fix the problem. Alternatively, you can take it to your Tesla service center.

#9. Frozen Touchscreen 

This usually happens when your touchscreen freezes while it’s active. Although it may restart later, it’s safe to take it for repairs or replacement if it happens constantly. 

#10. Leaks 

Some Model 3s have leaks that affect the vehicle terribly. This makes the vehicle susceptible to rust. Once you notice leaks, it’s advisable to take it to your service center. 

Which Tesla Mode 3 Model Is Most Reliable and Which Should I Avoid? 

Tesla Model 3 is the most reliable Tesla vehicle in the market.

Alternatively, the Model S is another exceptional Tesla vehicle that keeps many Tesla owners and new customers on the hook. 

On the other hand, the 2021 Tesla Model Y is among the worst Tesla vehicles to avoid.

The table below summarizes the most reliable Tesla models and the ones to avoid.

Reliable Tesla Model	Tesla Models to Avoid
2022 Model 3	2020 Model Y
2022 Model S	2021 Model Y
2022 Model Y	2013 Model S