Original Tesla Model 3 2017–2023

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

What buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Avoid: Early build quality 2017–2018 Less sought after

Edmunds' test car, one of the first 1,200 built, had a hood seam that was not flush, a broken vanity mirror and a loose seatback cover, and Edmunds listed questionable durability among its cons. Consumer Reports withdrew its recommendation in February 2019 over loose body trim and glass defects, and gave it back in November.^1,2
Avoid: The older Autopilot computer Built before the Full Self-Driving computer, HW3 Less sought after

Electrek reported in March 2019 that only cars bought with Full Self-Driving get the newer computer free. A recall covering 2017 to 2020 cars names the 2.5 Autopilot computer.^3,4

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.