Summary
- The Tesla Model 3 has fallen behind its competitors in terms of driver assist systems, with accuracy and reliability issues putting drivers at risk. Other brands, like Ford, offer superior systems.
- The Model 3 has had a significant number of recalls, ranking third out of 25. Reliability issues with battery, charging, and electric motors have affected the car's overall performance.
- The Model 3 does not fare well in cold weather, experiencing battery degradation and significant energy drain. This can lead to limited range and potential stranded situations. It is important to consider this if you live in cold climate areas.
There was a time when the Tesla Model 3 was the people's champ in the electric vehicle category. The famous EV made its grand debut in 2017 after months of anticipation. Thousands of people had been standing, and sleeping, for hours in front of Tesla dealerships, hoping to reserve a Model 3 before it was even made available. Back then, the hype was understandable. Tesla had just taken the world by storm with its new offering. The 2017 Model 3 came with driving ranges of 220 and 310 miles, which were staggering numbers six years ago. Moreover, the new electric sedan had a relatively futuristic interior and could sprint to 60 mph in under six seconds. The cherry on top was that it gave you the prestige of driving a Tesla for an MSRP of $36,000; thus, it became one of the best-selling EVs on the market.
Today, however, the Model 3 is the car equivalent of a former MMA world champion who can no longer rival younger competitors. Electric vehicles have since caught up, exceeding the high standards they once set. And, while the alternatives have increased, the cons and imperfections of the Model 3 have gotten increasingly glaring. For the following reasons, what was once an excellent bargain is now a relatively poor purchase in 2023.
Updated on August 6, 2023: No matter how good a carmaker is, there will always be a model that should be avoided for the year. For Tesla, that vehicle for 2023 is the Model 3 for several reasons, but in the end, only you can weigh the pros and cons and make the final decision. We have decided to update this list one more time to ensure you have all the latest information to give you the ability to make a truly informed opinion.
Other Competitors Offer Better Driver Assist Systems Than The Model 3
A few decades ago, the notion of a self-driving vehicle seemed as ludicrous and futuristic as the idea of flying cars. And, while such a feature has yet to be fully implemented, a decent panoply of vehicles offers active driver assist systems in helping you cruise more safely. In 2020, Tesla's Autopilot enjoyed the title of second-best on the Consumer Report rankings. In 2023, the American EV company was relegated to seventh place, amid a total of twelve, in terms of ADAS quality. The main issues presented by the Model 3 in this regard are its lack of accuracy and reliability, which can, and has, put drivers at risk.
The American EV company has struggled to properly optimize its once-innovative autopilot mode. Even the add-on Full-Self Driving Beta poses some issues. Namely, it causes events of phantom breaking, during which the car stops for no valid reason. In other instances, drivers of the Model 3 have witnessed the FSD take sharp turns at high speeds, prompting an urgent intervention at the last second.
Furthermore, the Autopilot doesn't clearly indicate when it's safe to use and can lead you to resort to it when you clearly shouldn't. The Ford BlueCruise System far exceeds Tesla's system in almost every area, which is why you might be better off with a Ford Mustang Mach-E. While these issues are not exclusive to the Model 3 in particular, they make it less of a bargain when you add the other cons to the mix.
Out Of 25 Vehicles, The Model 3 Is The Third Most Recalled
In 2022, Tesla's Model Y, Model 3, Model X, and Model S scored four of the top five entries on the list of most recalled cars. The Model 3, in particular, came in a fitting third place out of 25 models. with an estimated 568 recalls during a theoretical 30-year lifetime. While the "over-the-air" updates offered by Tesla can save a few trips to the service center, reliability remains an issue.
Despite being the second most reliable EV of 2022, with a score of 58/100 according to Consumer Reports, the electric sedan still poses some issues related to battery, charging, and electric motors. Furthermore, the score was a noticeable decrease from the 79/100 of 2021. In this area, we recommend you take a look at the promising Kia EV6, which far surpassed its American rival with a total score of 84/100.
The Tesla Model 3 And Cold Weather Do Not Mix Well
It is relatively common knowledge by now that electric vehicles do not get as much range from a charge in cold weather as they would during a lovely spring or fall day. So, in this case, the Tesla Model 3 is not being pointed out to be the only offending EV in the segment. Still, when it comes to looking at the cons of the car, it is definitely something that you need to consider, especially if you live in any of the sections of the country that gets cold weather during the winter months.
Battery degradation is further exacerbated during cold weather, and the MPGe is prone to drop by almost 50 percent in wintry conditions. Turning the heater on can speed the draining process even further while simply keeping the car parked on a cold night consumes around five-percent of the car's energy. A heated garage can help when the Tesla is parked for the night, but it can potentially leave you stranded during the day if you have to park it for any length of time when it has not had time to get a full charge.
The True Cost To Own A Tesla Model 3 Is Higher Than You May Think
The 'True Cost To Own,' according to Edmunds, is at $59,934 for five years with an estimated 15,000 miles driven yearly. To understand how high that is, let's look at your average five years 'True Cost To Own' of one of the most popular cars on the market today, the Honda Civic. Once again, according to Edmunds, the estimated five-year cost to own a 2023 Honda Civic will be around $32,793.
It is almost $30,000 less than what it will cost to own a Tesla Model 3, and that does not include some of the other repairs you may have to deal with. For example, the battery replacement in the Model 3 is notably expensive, with an approximate price of $9,500 for the standard range and a whopping $16,000 for the extended one, which is more than enough to buy a used car.
The Model 3 And Reliability Don't See Eye-To-Eye
Okay, the steering wheel falling off might have only happened a couple of times, but picture this frightening scenario occurring in the middle of the highway or during any delicate maneuver, for that matter. And while the Model 3 is not the only one with this issue, it doesn't make it any less concerning. Suspension problems also report for duty quite prematurely in some cases. Model Y and Model 3 owners have reportedly dealt with air suspension failure, which in turn can damage other parts of the car and result in some heavy repair bills.
Noisy rides and sub-par handling can also be expected if the control arms start to give in, which happens often enough. In short, it is better to look elsewhere if you plan on buying an EV in 2023. Namely, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is a cheaper, bigger, and more practical alternative that offers a better range than the Tesla Model 3.
Tesla Model 3 Has Poor Build Quality
A more recurring problem is the overall poor build of the vehicle. These fit-and-finish imperfections are nothing new to the Tesla connoisseurs, who have gotten used to them by now. For instance, the interior is filled with hard plastics and sub-par materials.
Owners have also complained about unfinished painting, scratches, and bumps all over the body of the car due to the manufacturer being overwhelmed by high demand. On top of that, the door handles can be a pain in the neck, and glitches might sometimes prevent you from unlocking the very car you paid for.
The Model 3 Relies Too Heavily On Touchscreen Technology
At one time, not even too long ago, touchscreen technology was something that we all wanted on our phones, laptops, tablets, and now in our smart vehicles. But problems occur when touchscreens become relied on too heavily because many things can disrupt that technology. Two things, in particular, come to mind that humans have no control over, and no matter how advanced the AI systems become within the smart car industry, they will still never be able to control the weather.
The two major factors that can affect any touchscreen are the cold of winter and the sunshine we all love to soak in. Sun that reflects on the screen will not only make it hard to see what is going on with the screen and the controls, but it can also fade out the buttons within the screen to make you hit the wrong areas, causing serious misjudgments. The cold can have the same effects, especially if you must wear gloves during the winter to keep your fingers usable.
New Updates Coming Soon To The 2024 Model Year
2023 is almost a wrap, which means the new model year of vehicles will soon hit the lots. With all the latest innovative technology coming out each year, it is always a good idea to wait and see what the next year has in store for the car you are interested in. Rumor has it that Tesla has some changes coming to the 2024 Tesla Model 3. Here is what is expected to be new for the upcoming model year:
- More modern lines and curves
- More linear front bumper
- Sleeker headlights
- Better overall aerodynamic styling
- Touch button controls for everything
- F1 style steering wheel
- Ventilated front seats
- Ambient LED lights
- Lithium magnesium phosphate ion batteries
- Hardware 4 integration
- A 4-D high-resolution radar system
That is just to list some things that Tesla has let slip out to the media. If the choice was up to me, waiting for the new 2024 Model 3 would be the only choice, but of course, that is your call because some of the sales going on to clear out the 2023 models might simply be too much for you to pass up. The one thing that is for sure is that the 2023 Tesla Model 3 is an EV with a few problems. To be honest, it is not anything that cannot be expected from a company willing to lead the rest of the pack into the future of electric vehicles.