2018 Tesla Model 3 Tesla Model 3 2018

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2018 Tesla Model 3 repairs by problem area

Engine (11%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (0%)

Brakes and Traction Control (2%)

Suspension and Steering (12%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (36%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (28%)

Other (10%)

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Chart based on 139 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2018 Tesla Model 3.

2018 Tesla Model 3 electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (3%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (9%)

< $100 (88%)

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Chart based on 34 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2018 Tesla Model 3

Engine not specified

37000 mi 12V Battery replaced 

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2018 Tesla Model 3 4dr Sedan

258-horsepower Electric 1-speed automatic RWD

15000 mi Right front repeater camera was at fault and was replaced 
24000 mi Left side DRL wasn't working, so the company replaced the whole headlight unit 
232 mi Major problems with main computer. Frequent crashes to black screen, disabling all instruments, displays, and controls while the car is in motion. Nothing was done and the problem was not fixed. Turn signal stalk failures, where signal could not be canceled. Module was replaced and since then failed again. 
8000 mi Backup camera frequently fails to start. Tesla did not fix. Frequent lockouts or other failures to lock / unlock. Even when sent *photographs* of the problem happening, Tesla denies there is an issue. Still not fixed. Automatic wipers frequently do not work when raining, or start wiping at random times on sunny days. Although I've reported it to Tesla many times and provided photographs, they refuse to take any corrective action. 
(Electric car) charge port wouldn't open, immediately upon taking delivery (discovered after driving home) 
Parking brake sensor was flaking out, preventing the (electric) car from powering off when not in use. 
23000 mi Cellular data modem on Media Control Unit computer stopped working, causing streaming services to cease working if WiFi was unavailable. 
33000 mi

US $1500
Touchscreen cracked and had "dead areas" rendering a number of functions impossible to use. 
15381 mi Defective rear glass defroster, rear glass was replaced. 
54000 mi Issue with autopilot disengaging. Yesterday various reboots. Ended up doing a camera recalibration with software reboot. 
55600 mi

US $123
After 4 years, the small 12V battery died. Normal aging process. Was replaced at home by a Tesla mobile tech who came to my home - great service. 
34000 mi 12v battery failure replaced under warranty 
36925 mi Horn only partially working (intermittent). Wrong part was brought (mobile service) and the shop didn't have the right part in stock, so had to reschedule another service visit. Horn partially working (now constant). Both horn tones replaced (even though only the low tone was not working). 
18000 mi

US $120
Known problem with early Model 3: the cabin air filter gets moldy and needed to be replaced (cause of the mold was fixed by software update). 
16658 mi 12V Battery replaced under warranty after battery warning. 
21000 mi Left driver window rocker switch broken and replaced. 
3000 mi Replace headlight assembly. The daytime running light was not as bright on the driver side as it was on the passenger side. Seems like it was a common problem with the early models as I know a couple other individuals who had the same issue. 
20985 mi Replaced right headlight assembly (DRL broken). 
40888 mi 12V Battery gave a warning for replacement. Tesla replaced the 12V battery. 
42491 mi Trunk lights flickering. Trunk electric harness had to be replaced due to wear. 
5000 mi The LED light strip DRL on the driver's side headlight is no longer working. Parts not in stock, so no repair attempted. 
23000 mi The passenger side headlight accent light failed and was no longer as bright as the driver's side. The driver's side light had been replaced earlier for the same issue. The passenger side headlight was replaced. 
25500 mi The backup camera would intermittently stop and start working. Tesla Mobile Service replaced a wire harness and it's been working great since. 
8920 mi The front, drivers side headlamp was replaced (due to a known flaw with the LED signature [accent] lights) by Tesla Ranger Service at my home. 
26040 mi Ranger service in my garage: made a recommended field modification to the glove box door opening mechanism to cure an issue with the glove box door opening on its own. 
1000 mi Phone key function never worked since day 1. Bluetooth connectivity is sporadic. Sometimes connecting phone function only, other times connect media only, other times no connection at all. 
3000 mi Air conditioner pressure sensor failed. 
100 mi replace ac compressor 
6820 mi Frunk actuator replaced 
5000 mi Tinging sound heard from speakers randomly. Skipping to next song generally clears it up. High rate of failure to unlock doors via phone key via phone. Found issue realistically was on my end. Samsung S9+ power save features were interfering. 
23000 mi Bad mildew smell persists in cabin. Started around middle of July. Evaporator cleaned and Filter - Cabin (Remove & Replace) 
27000 mi Heard loud fan noise in park (Car off, parked). Performed a thermal test, ran ac on high, drove vehicle and inspected fan for possible objects. Everything checks out well at this time. 

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2018 Tesla Model 3 4dr Sedan

21000 mi A/C sensor 
38000 mi 12v battery died & replaced under warranty 
50000 mi Self driving optical camera 
39000 mi replaced noisy AC compressor backup camera intermittent failure. attempted diagnosis, unable to reproduce. 
45900 mi backup / sentry camera intermittently inoperative, triggered by opening trunk. wire harness to camera replaced. 
63000 mi

US $132
12V battery failed @ 61600 miles (just outside 60k mile warranty) 
9500 mi Replaced rear blinker assembly due to water intrusion 
19861 mi Replace 12V battery 
18000 mi Center touch screen freezes from time to time. Harness replaced at Tesla's cost. 
38000 mi 12v battery was dying (indicated by car). Mobile service replaced under warranty. 
700 mi Airbag warning light caused by faulty seatbelt switch. 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Tesla models.

2018 Tesla Model 3 Electrical Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2018 Tesla Model 3 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.