View Poll Results: Tesla Model 3 Build Defects - Deal Breaker?
Yes
31
65.96%
No
11
23.40%
Maybe
5
10.64%
Voters: 47. You may not vote on this poll
Tesla Model 3 (merged megathread)
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Probably would.....I'd have to want Model 3 pretty bad to put up with that.
To be honest, though, defect-wise, I've seen lots worse over the years.....particularly on some BMWs and some old Chrysler products I grew up with. Take that scene for instance, in the video, where the pull-down arm rest has a loud squeak when operating. Twice, I've seen new cars where that whole armrest assembly, instead of just squeaking, simply falls down on the rear floor...it was never truly installed or attached in the first place, just pushed into its hole, probably by a factory worker either drunk or high.
To be honest, though, defect-wise, I've seen lots worse over the years.....particularly on some BMWs and some old Chrysler products I grew up with. Take that scene for instance, in the video, where the pull-down arm rest has a loud squeak when operating. Twice, I've seen new cars where that whole armrest assembly, instead of just squeaking, simply falls down on the rear floor...it was never truly installed or attached in the first place, just pushed into its hole, probably by a factory worker either drunk or high.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,951
Likes: 1,575
From: San Diego, CA
I've had a Model S build sat there for a few weeks (Model S Performance with the Ludicrous Mode and Full Self-Driving Capability options) and it's concerns about build quality (plus the middling interior quality in general) that have so far stopped me placing the order - including letting the federal credit reduce this week. I like the car, I don't like the build quality.
Now - Tesla do what most don't and allow a 7 day return after purchase, so if it were delivered with any obvious defects the car can be returned. The concern is that many defects on friends' cars didn't manifest themselves until a few months into ownership. The car as I spec it is over 120K. The kind of issues I'm worried about really should not be things I should have to think about.
With that said, I suspect I will place an order soon - maybe waiting to see what the reported Q3 refresh may bring.
Now - Tesla do what most don't and allow a 7 day return after purchase, so if it were delivered with any obvious defects the car can be returned. The concern is that many defects on friends' cars didn't manifest themselves until a few months into ownership. The car as I spec it is over 120K. The kind of issues I'm worried about really should not be things I should have to think about.
With that said, I suspect I will place an order soon - maybe waiting to see what the reported Q3 refresh may bring.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Saturn did that for years....you could return the vehicle, with clear title and no damage, within 30 days of the delivery date, even if you simply had Buyer's Remorse or decided you didn't like the color, and you got a full refund, minus taxes and tags (which Saturn had no control over...those are state charges). It was one of the things that helped endear the brand to customers.
Trending Topics
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,519
Likes: 214
From: San Francisco, CA
Generally these would bother me, but they dont on a Tesla. I also heard the 3 has much better quality than the X or S (when it first came out), if it makes a difference. With how quickly everyone changes cars nowadays, I dont see anything going wrong enough to drive me away.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,328
Likes: 236
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Generally these would bother me, but they dont on a Tesla. I also heard the 3 has much better quality than the X or S (when it first came out), if it makes a difference. With how quickly everyone changes cars nowadays, I dont see anything going wrong enough to drive me away.
The X has problems with the gull-wing doors. No manufacturer has ever seemed to perfect them.
Thread Starter
The pursuit of F
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,296
Likes: 303
From: Toronto, Canada
Collectively from four new cars on the lot pics below, one was in the showroom. All had multiple defects with the most common one being the buckled rubber door seal and varying external fit issues.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25,962
Likes: 4,290
From: Alberta
I take it you won't be buying one anytime soon. I just saw that Tesla sold a record number of cars this past quarter (95,200, Q2 2018 was 40,000) so it looks like people are willing to put up with some glitches.
it is all about going in knowing exactly what you are looking for. when we got our model 3, i cared about
1) no more gas station run
2) reasonable amount of power
3) fits my infotainment need
with all those 3, we went in and got our car and i have been very happy. i knew with tesla the fit and finish won't be there, and my car isn't perfect but none of these ever bothered me.
if i wanted great fit and finish, i would have gone with lexus or mb. if i wanted luxury i would have gone with mb. so it is all about what your expectation is
1) no more gas station run
2) reasonable amount of power
3) fits my infotainment need
with all those 3, we went in and got our car and i have been very happy. i knew with tesla the fit and finish won't be there, and my car isn't perfect but none of these ever bothered me.
if i wanted great fit and finish, i would have gone with lexus or mb. if i wanted luxury i would have gone with mb. so it is all about what your expectation is
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 232
From: CA
When I got my Model 3 recently, I went straight to my PPF guy and asked them to look it over carefully. I did my inspection when i received the car and the panel gaps were minimal. The PPF guy confirmed it and said I had a great build. He also said that the newer model 3s were higher quality than even a month before (they do a lot of Teslas). From a quality perspective, the car is really great. No squeeks or rattles (yet) however, my friend who got one in May had a ton of panel gaps and issues. Over time, they fixed the panel gaps and now the car is perfect.
I highly recommend test driving one...the build quality issues are getting resolved and the quality issues can be resolved through service centers. So far, the best car (spaceship) i've ever had.
I highly recommend test driving one...the build quality issues are getting resolved and the quality issues can be resolved through service centers. So far, the best car (spaceship) i've ever had.
Thread Starter
The pursuit of F
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,296
Likes: 303
From: Toronto, Canada
Probably would.....I'd have to want Model 3 pretty bad to put up with that.
To be honest, though, defect-wise, I've seen lots worse over the years.....particularly on some BMWs and some old Chrysler products I grew up with. Take that scene for instance, in the video, where the pull-down arm rest has a loud squeak when operating. Twice, I've seen new cars where that whole armrest assembly, instead of just squeaking, simply falls down on the rear floor...it was never truly installed or attached in the first place, just pushed into its hole, probably by a factory worker either drunk or high.
To be honest, though, defect-wise, I've seen lots worse over the years.....particularly on some BMWs and some old Chrysler products I grew up with. Take that scene for instance, in the video, where the pull-down arm rest has a loud squeak when operating. Twice, I've seen new cars where that whole armrest assembly, instead of just squeaking, simply falls down on the rear floor...it was never truly installed or attached in the first place, just pushed into its hole, probably by a factory worker either drunk or high.
I've had a Model S build sat there for a few weeks (Model S Performance with the Ludicrous Mode and Full Self-Driving Capability options) and it's concerns about build quality (plus the middling interior quality in general) that have so far stopped me placing the order - including letting the federal credit reduce this week. I like the car, I don't like the build quality.
Now - Tesla do what most don't and allow a 7 day return after purchase, so if it were delivered with any obvious defects the car can be returned. The concern is that many defects on friends' cars didn't manifest themselves until a few months into ownership. The car as I spec it is over 120K. The kind of issues I'm worried about really should not be things I should have to think about.
With that said, I suspect I will place an order soon - maybe waiting to see what the reported Q3 refresh may bring.
Now - Tesla do what most don't and allow a 7 day return after purchase, so if it were delivered with any obvious defects the car can be returned. The concern is that many defects on friends' cars didn't manifest themselves until a few months into ownership. The car as I spec it is over 120K. The kind of issues I'm worried about really should not be things I should have to think about.
With that said, I suspect I will place an order soon - maybe waiting to see what the reported Q3 refresh may bring.
Generally these would bother me, but they dont on a Tesla. I also heard the 3 has much better quality than the X or S (when it first came out), if it makes a difference. With how quickly everyone changes cars nowadays, I dont see anything going wrong enough to drive me away.
it is all about going in knowing exactly what you are looking for. when we got our model 3, i cared about
1) no more gas station run
2) reasonable amount of power
3) fits my infotainment need
with all those 3, we went in and got our car and i have been very happy. i knew with tesla the fit and finish won't be there, and my car isn't perfect but none of these ever bothered me.
if i wanted great fit and finish, i would have gone with lexus or mb. if i wanted luxury i would have gone with mb. so it is all about what your expectation is
1) no more gas station run
2) reasonable amount of power
3) fits my infotainment need
with all those 3, we went in and got our car and i have been very happy. i knew with tesla the fit and finish won't be there, and my car isn't perfect but none of these ever bothered me.
if i wanted great fit and finish, i would have gone with lexus or mb. if i wanted luxury i would have gone with mb. so it is all about what your expectation is
When I got my Model 3 recently, I went straight to my PPF guy and asked them to look it over carefully. I did my inspection when i received the car and the panel gaps were minimal. The PPF guy confirmed it and said I had a great build. He also said that the newer model 3s were higher quality than even a month before (they do a lot of Teslas). From a quality perspective, the car is really great. No squeeks or rattles (yet) however, my friend who got one in May had a ton of panel gaps and issues. Over time, they fixed the panel gaps and now the car is perfect.
I highly recommend test driving one...the build quality issues are getting resolved and the quality issues can be resolved through service centers. So far, the best car (spaceship) i've ever had.
I highly recommend test driving one...the build quality issues are getting resolved and the quality issues can be resolved through service centers. So far, the best car (spaceship) i've ever had.
