Body panel misalignment
Problem classification: Mild to Severe
Car owner: someone in Australia
Nick Page took this picture in Western Australia and kindly allowed us to use it. It is a good example that many parts on the Model 3 can present misalignment problems, such as headlights, bumpers, charging port cover, and trunk lid. In most of these cases, that is just an appearance concern. In some others, this lack of body panel alignment can lead to leaks when it rains, but there is at least one problem related to this that deserves your full attention.
Left-side body panel misalignment
Problem classification: Severe
Car owner: an anonymous client from Germany
The left side of the Model 3 is especially prone to this alignment issue. One of our readers had this in his car but preferred to remain anonymous. He said this:
“I've seen it at least on four other Model 3. They all have been between 200000 to 240000 VINs. I am not sure if other series were also affected, but all these cars had the same issue: the panel was touching the frame at the driver’s A-pillar, while the passenger side was always fine.”
Left-side body panel misalignment
Problem classification: Severe
Car owner: an anonymous client from Germany
This leads to two other related problems.
“The driver door line of sight is also following the misaligned fender. With that, the left rear door also doesn't fit well, and it rubs on the inside.”
This rubbing may damage the paint, as it does on the Model X, for example. This recent video from Rich Rebuilds shows the damage under the falcon doors.
Left A-Pillar Rust
Problem classification: Severe
Car owner: Brent Chaisson, Miscouche, Canada
The other issue deserved an entire article at InsideEVs. It was related to the superior border of the left front fender touching the body frame close to the A-pillar. That led to rust in many examples of the Model 3, such as Brent Chaisson’s. He is trading his Model 3 on a 2014 Model S. “I’ve heard from numerous Model S and Model X owners that they are treated much better than Model 3 owners.”
To check this, make sure there is enough space between the left A-pillar and the left fender for a card or a thick piece of paper to pass. If these parts touch, return the car to Tesla or make sure it repairs that.
Thin and fragile paint
Problem classification: Severe
Car owner: Joni Savolainen, Finland
Joni Savolainen spend €84,107 for a fully loaded Tesla Model 3 Performance, including FSD (Full Self Driving) and EAP (Early Access Program) on March 29. A month later, he noticed his car had paint issues.
He took it for an inspection and the Finnish Chamber of Commerce told him his car had a thin and fragile paint. His car now presents chips and is starting to rust at some points. Savolainen is one of the more vocal frustrated customers the Model 3 has. Besides trying to get his car repaired, he is also helping customers with similar problems. Tesla says the issues with his car’s paint are none of its concern.
Peeling paint
Problem classification: Severe
Car owner: Marc Bayon, France
Marc Bayon uses a Kärcher pressure washer to clean his cars. He has been doing so for years. His 2014 Ford Fiesta never had a problem with that. His Tesla Model 3 did. At a distance of 15 cm, he saw the paint simply peel.
“When I washed it one week ago, I lost some paint. Then I checked the paint and I noticed some places with deep marks in them. It really confused me. I had a lot of cars and I have never seen that before.”
Afraid of the winter in France, Bayon already repaired that and will talk to Tesla, possibly to see if the company will reimburse him or propose a different repair.
Bolts with different colors
Problem classification: Light
Car owner: Henri Tamminen, Finland
As we mentioned, Joni Savolainen is not only trying to have Tesla repair his car. He is also helping other owners not to have the same issues he has with his Model 3.
When giving a hand to Henri Tamminen at the delivery of his Model 3, Savolainen was impressed by the improvement in quality, but still found weird stuff, such as these different color bolts on the doors.
Although the car is white, the bolts are black, as if they were taken from a black car to ensure this one could be delivered. It may raise just aesthetical concerns, but the reason for these black bolts to be in a white car can be worrying.
Missing lights
Problem classification: Light
Car owner: Nextmove, Germany
There are many Model 3 units that come with missing lights, as Nextmove confirmed with a big order that Tesla canceled.
We have classified this as a light problem because, theoretically, you just have to put a new light in place. But you have to have one available for replacement.
If the Service Center does not have them for immediate installation – and the missing light is one you cannot drive without – we suggest you reject the unit and get your money back. There are reports of parts taking a long time to be delivered at the shops.
Mismatching VINs
Problem classification: Mild
Car owner: This image is just for illustration purposes. It does not belong to an affected car.
This was another issue brought up by Nextmove. Check if the documents of the Model 3 you ordered match the VIN of the car. In case it doesn’t, you will have problems getting the papers to own and drive it. There are stories of clients that wanted to pay for their cars but got someone else’s from Tesla. And of people that had paid for them, but were told by the company the car was delivered to other customers.
Taillight condensation
Problem classification: Mild?
Car owner: GrumpyManUK, obvious location
This is the first report we have from the UK, where the Model 3 recently started its sales.
Tesla is telling customers there that condensation is normal in all vehicles because lighting elements are semi-sealed. When they are lit, they would generate the necessary heat to end the condensation. Will that degrade the taillight? Will it interfere with lighting? We cannot say for sure. Some users at the Tesla Motor Club thread think GrumpyManUK should get that fixed as soon as possible.
Headlight condensation
Problem classification: Severe
Car owner: ts604la, Richmond, Canada
This Tesla Motor Club owner identifies only as ts604la, but he is sure condensation on his car’s left headlight is a serious issue. He reports several problems that started to happen simultaneously to this.
Headlight condensation
Problem classification: Severe
Car owner: ts604la, Richmond, Canada
The affected headlight no longer turns off when the car is parked. Rebooting makes no difference and, on top of that, the app does not locate his car anymore after the condensation started. Are these things related? Only Tesla will be able to answer. What we know is that there are more cars affected by this condensation issue. And not only on headlights or taillights.
Camera condensation
Problem classification: Mild?
Car owner: Kenners, London, UK
What about the windscreen camera? Should it present condensation as well? We have seen at least two topics regarding this same issue at Tesla Motors Club forums. One started by Beardley, in New York, and one from Kenners, in London. That sort of problem can make the camera not work properly, especially on Autopilot. There are reports of malfunctioning rain sensors that could be related to condensation in that area.
Fog light condensation
Problem classification: Mild?
Car owner: No42, Washington, US
For the Tesla Model 3 cars that have fog lights, condensation can also be a problem. Check this image above from No42, a Tesla Motor Club forum user that apparently is facing many issues in his car. He posted this image in a thread about the matter and this is just the better image of the issue we could find there. No42 said that he had his fog lights replaced under warranty but that the problem was not fixed.
Are you aware of any Tesla Model 3 issue that you want to warn other owners about? Tells us about them in the comments section, on Facebook or by email. Remember to take a picture and to tell us when it started, how Tesla addressed it and if you know anyone else dealing with the same problem. Knowing how many clients are affected is what helps to determine if the issue is relevant or if it is just bad luck from a few customers.
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