Tesla is a brand that needs no introduction. Launching in 2008 with the original Tesla Roadster, the brand has gone from strength to strength, launching both critically acclaimed and controversial models since. Its second most popular car, the Model 3, was launched in 2017, catapulting the brand into a household brand. It came with a lot of praise from the automotive press and the public alike, but also became a punching bag for being a badly built car with poor quality control. With one of the touted benefits of electric vehicles being that they have fewer moving parts and therefore have fewer associated maintenance costs, does the average maintenance cost for a Tesla Model 3 prove this theory correct or do the stories of panal gaps and software issues counter any saving?
We will explore that very question in this article while also looking at Tesla Model 3 repair costs, some common issues that can plague the Model 3, and how the Model 3 maintenance/service schedule compares to an equivalent rival in this segment.
- Base Trim Engine
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Electric
- Base Trim Transmission
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Automatic
- Base Trim Drivetrain
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Rear-Wheel Drive
This article explores the common problems, maintenance costs, and more regarding every generation of the Tesla Model 3. Specifications have been gathered from the manufacturer; other reliable sources are listed at the bottom of the article.
Tesla Model 3 Overview
The Model 3 was really the car that helped get the electric car into the mainstream zeitgeist. The Model S and X that came before were too expensive for the average consumer, but when it launched, the Model 3 had a base MSRP of $36,200, it became the gold standard for range per dollar. To most, this reputation is still true today, but the rest of the auto industry has since caught up with the Model 3. Cars such as the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Hyundai Ioniq 5/6, and Volvo EX30 are all vying to eat into Tesla’s market lead. And what a market share lead it is, with Tesla reporting it sold a total of 1,679,338 units of the Model 3 and its crossover variant, Model Y, in 2024.
Currently, the Model 3 is sold in three trim levels. The base Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive starts at $42,490 and offers 363 miles of range. Next is the Long Range All-Wheel Drive at $47,490, offering a lower range of 346 miles. Lastly, there is the Performance All-Wheel Drive that sacrifices even more range, now being able to do 298 miles on a single charge, in exchange for over 500 hp and a 0-60 mph time of 2.9 seconds. It is also the most expensive, starting at $54,990.
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Common Tesla Model 3 Problems
Being an electric vehicle, you needn’t worry about things like timing chains or turbo failures, but with the Model 3 being such a tech-heavy car and this being Teslas first mainstream car, there are some issues that can crop up if you plan on owning one.
Audio Firmware Issues
On Model 3s running the 2022.8 firmware, a glitch in the code can create an issue that affects the audio system. A failure in the car’s low-voltage system can cause the audio system to shut down and all audio will be cut off, including when trying to make phone cars or, more worryingly, Tesla’s emergency service calling system, eCall.
The Backup Camera Can Fail
A circuit on the back camera’s wiring harness can short circuit, causing the camera to fail. This was so prominent on all Tesla models that Tesla introduced a recall with an estimated 239,382 Model cars affected.
Suspension Can Clunk
Being a heavy electric car, the wear and tear on the Model 3’s suspension components can be higher than on a regular sedan. Owners in early or higher mileage cars report a lot of clunking from the suspension, especially up front. Some of this can be written off age or use, but there are some issues with the suspension and braking components from the factory that can cause play and clunking. From the factory, the front suspension lateral link may not have been torqued to spec, and bolts on the brake calipers have also been found to lack the correct torquing specifications.
General Build Quality
This is the most well-known issue, but Tesla’s build quality is not known to be up to the highest of quality. It is the early Model 3s that really cemented this issue, with many owners suffering from large and inconsistent panal gaps all around the car, poor trim piece quality control and creaky dashboards. Tesla has gotten better in this regard, but the reputation has stuck, so be mindful to watch out for any cosmetic issues when buying used.
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How Much Does The Tesla Model 3 Cost To Maintain?
The reliability and ownership costs of the Model 3 can sometimes be hard to measure. To some, the Tesla brand has become a mainstream brand, be it because of the less expensive markets they have expanded into since the Model S and X or due to the controversy that has surrounded the brand hurting their reputation. To others, Tesla is very much still, at least a premium brand with mystique. For this reason, some websites will place it at the top of luxury car brand reliability, or place it middling in mainstream brands. Like other EVs, the model 3 is a fast depreciator, something to take into consideration.
- Annual maintenance cost over five years: $2,085
- Average sedan maintenance cost over five years: $2,545
- Model repair costs for the first five years: $1,780
- Edmunds true cost to own over ten years: $6,723
According to sources including Repair Pal, CarEdge, and Edmunds, the Model 3 comes out ahead of the industry average for maintenance cost. This isn’t surprising, with the Model 3’s lack of an engine being the main help. This maintenance is lower than even some close rivals, with the Ford Mach-E costing an average of $3,723 in maintenance over five years. Sadly, the Tesla’s poor build quality comes back to bite it with that same Mach-E scoring a much lower $782 in repairs over five years, almost exactly $1,000 less than the Tesla.
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The Worst Tesla Model 3 Year And Generation
Generally, the rule of buying as new as you can applies to the Model 3. The early Model 3s suffer the most from the problems listed in the previous section. More recent models are more of a refresh than a whole new generation, not succumbing to the usual pains of a generation change that other cars struggle with. The main benefit of buying as new as you can is you have a better chance of having improved build quality, something that was not fixed until early 2019.
The latest Model 3 has only been out for a short time, but suffers from the back-up camera issue mentioned in the previous section, and as such, it is to be seen if it can hold a better reputation than its predecessor.
Summary: Still The Best Bang For Your Buck
Since its inception, the Model 3 has stood as a bastion of great value in the EV space, offering a near unrivaled amount of mileage per charge. Some rivals might be better built, carry a better brand or be more enthusiast-orientated, but the Model 3 is still the high watermark, especially with the lease offers that are being offered as of the time of writing. If you are in the market for one, the recommendation is to buy as new of a Model 3 as possible on the newest firmware update. Even with this said, early Model 3s offer a great deal, just so long as you are fine with the odd technical hiccup or misaligned body panel.
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FAQs
Is a Tesla Model 3 expensive to maintain?
Over a five-year period, the average Model 3 will cost you $6,723.
Is Tesla expensive to repair?
It can depend on what needs repairing. A lot of the Model 3’s issues can be solved with over-the-air software updates, but if something with the drivetrain goes wrong, it can be very expensive.
How much does it cost to replace a Tesla Model 3 battery?
A battery replacement, which is an incredibly rare thing to have done but can happen, can cost between $10,000 to $20,000.
How much does it cost to replace a Tesla 3 tire?
From our research, Tesla can quote anywhere from $1,700 a set for a standard Model 3, up to $2,500 a set for a Model 3 Performance. Unlike alot of maintenance and repair items in the Model 3, ou don’t have to go directly to Tesla for a tire replacement, with owners reporting they saved hundreds of dollars by buying their own tires and replacing them using normal mechanics.
