2021 Tesla Model 3 problems
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 was sold with an engine that we have documented: the Tesla Model 3 / Model Y. The Tesla Model 3 / Model Y has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2021 cars, such as recall for insufficient front suspension arm mounting (built 2019-2021).
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2021 Tesla Model 3 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 6 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Electric motor7.63 faults
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension6.31 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes7.5Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.0 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels8.91 fault
- Steering7.9Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system10.0No documented faults
- Headlights and lights4.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 2.2 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.21 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 2020 Tesla Model 3
- Score: 6.2 → 6.4
- No longer affected by: recall for possible seat belt anchorage defect (built 2018-2020) (rest of the car)
Tesla Model 3 / Model Y engine in the 2021 Tesla Model 3
Names: Model 3 Propulsión · Model 3 Gran Autonomía · Model 3 Performance
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Rear-wheel drive (Model 3 276–325 hp, Model Y 275–347 hp)
275–347 hp
No widespread serious faults documented; only isolated cases of charger, charging port and battery.[1][3][4]
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Long Range dual motor (441 hp)
441 hp
The serious faults documented are isolated cases; before buying, get a battery state-of-health report, which according to Aviloo varies widely between units.[1][5]
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Performance dual motor (513 hp)
513 hp
No widespread faults documented for this version; the 2022 traction unit report has not been confirmed by Tesla.[1][6]
Faults that affect 2021 cars
- Critical severityFrequency: RareTraction batteryTotal failure of the traction battery in the Tesla Model 3 and Model YThere are isolated cases of a traction battery being beyond repair in the Model 3: fiches-auto.fr cites a Long Range with 70,000 km and a little over four years old whose battery, valued at around €14,000, was replaced under warranty. Aviloo's measurements show normal degradation in the vast majority of units.Repair: €14,000
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalChargingFailure of the on-board charger or charging port on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Yfiches-auto.fr records owners of the Model 3 and Model Y reporting on-board AC charger faults, mobile charging cable faults or port locking that prevent charging, sometimes from the day the car was delivered. It is a minority problem, not a widespread one.
- High severityFrequency: RareElectric motor and reduction gearFailure of the electric motor or traction unit on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y that immobilises the carElectric motor faults on the Model 3 and Model Y are rare: fiches-auto.fr records one case of a motor defect that left a dual-motor Model 3 Long Range immobilised, and ADAC places the Model 3 among the electric cars with the fewest faults.
Faults outside the engine in the 2021 Tesla Model 3
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionRecall for insufficient front suspension arm mounting (built 2019-2021)In December 2021 Tesla recalled the Model 3 and Model Y built between January 2019 and June 2021 because the mounting of the front suspension arms could be insufficient, with a risk of losing control of the vehicle.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalBodywork and interiorRecall for possible bonnet latch breakage at high speed (2022 European alert)In April 2022, an alert in the European product safety system (Safety Gate), submitted by France and also confirmed by the Netherlands, warned that the bonnet latch bolt on the Tesla Model 3 and Model S could fracture through vibration at high speed, letting the bonnet open while driving and block the driver's view.
- Low severityFrequency: CommonTyres and wheelsTyre wear faster than usualThe weight and torque of the electric motors make the Tesla Model 3 wear its tyres faster than a comparable combustion car: in a km77 long-term test the original tyres reached the legal limit in the inner grooves at 46,963 km, and Kwik Fit ranks the Model 3 first in its tyre wear ranking in the UK.Repair (garage): €650–€750Appears at around 46,963 km
Buying a 2021 Tesla Model 3?
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Tesla Model 3 reliable?
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 was sold with an engine that we have documented: the Tesla Model 3 / Model Y. The Tesla Model 3 / Model Y has serious faults that affect the cars of that year. Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2021 cars, such as recall for insufficient front suspension arm mounting (built 2019-2021).
Is the 2021 Tesla Model 3 better than the 2020?
Our score goes from 6.2 in 2020 to 6.4 in 2021. No longer affected by: recall for possible seat belt anchorage defect (built 2018-2020) (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the Tesla Model 3?
According to our score, the best are 2026, 2025, 2024 and 2 other years with the same score (7.7/10). The year with the worst score is 2019 (6.2/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2021 Tesla Model 3 have?
The most important ones documented for 2021 cars are: total failure of the traction battery in the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y (Tesla Model 3 / Model Y, critical severity), recall for insufficient front suspension arm mounting (built 2019-2021) (suspension, critical severity), recall for possible bonnet latch breakage at high speed (2022 European alert) (bodywork and interior, critical severity), failure of the electric motor or traction unit on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y that immobilises the car (Tesla Model 3 / Model Y, high severity) and failure of the on-board charger or charging port on the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y (Tesla Model 3 / Model Y, medium severity).
Own a 2021 Tesla Model 3? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Fiabilité Tesla Model 3 (2018-2023): 63 témoignages, problèmes connus et rappelsfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
- Tesla Model 3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
- Fiabilité Tesla Model Y (2021-2025): 19 témoignages, problèmes connus et rappelsfiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
- ADAC-Pannenstatistik 2026: Die Patienten werden immer älterMotor1 Deutschland · Motoring press · published 23 April 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
- Tesla Model 3 und Model Y: Akku-Degradation nach 150.000 kmelektroquatsch.de · Motoring press · published 25 September 2026 · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
- Tesla delaying Model Y Performance deliveries from Giga Berlin over drive unit issuesDrive Tesla Canada · Motoring press · published 25 June 2022 · consulted 30 October 2026