The Tesla Model 3 is a midsize car built from 2017 to 2026 over 2 generations. Most were assembled in the United States — 100% of those on record. Between 2018 and 2026 it grew 3 cm longer and gained 107 kg. Engines offered: Electric. Worth buying? It holds up well, with the usual caveat about model years at 4.0/5 — and the year you pick matters far more than the badge (best and worst years →).
What the Model 3 is
The Tesla Model 3 is a midsize car that Tesla built from 2017 to 2026 — 10 model years. Our measurements put it at 2 generations, the current one starting in 2024. It has been offered with Electric power. Its closest siblings in the Tesla range: Model Y, Cybertruck, Model X.
Where the Model 3 is built
A badge says where the company is registered; the VIN says where the car was bolted together. We counted the first three characters — the manufacturer identifier — across 4,169 Model 3s on record.
| Assembled in | Share | VIN starts with | Years seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| the United States | 5YJ | 2017-2024 |
Check your own: the first three characters of a Tesla VIN decide which of these 2 lines your Model 3 belongs to. What every character in a Model 3 VIN means →
Got the full 17 characters? A free VIN check on a Tesla Model 3 adds what the decoder can't see: open recalls, theft and total-loss records, and the safety ratings for that exact build.
Model 3 generations, and what changed
These boundaries are not copied from a brochure — they fall out of the measurements. Where the Model 3's length or wheelbase jumps between consecutive model years the platform changed: a facelift moves a bumper by centimetres, a new generation moves the whole car — for the Model 3 that gives 2 distinct generations below.
| Generation | Length | Wheelbase | Weight | vs previous | Weight change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2023 | 469 cm | 288 cm | 1670 kg | - | - |
| 2024-2026 | 472 cm | 288 cm | 1777 kg | +3 cm | +107 kg |
Between 2018 and 2026 the Model 3 gained 3 cm in length (+0.6%) and 107 kg in weight (+6.4%). Cars did not so much grow as thicken — crash structures, airbags and equipment weigh more than the metal they replaced, and on the Model 3 that is 107 kg against 3 cm. Full dimensions by year →
Tesla Model 3 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment Model 3 owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What engines does the Tesla Model 3 have? Power & range
The Tesla Model 3 is offered with 1 powertrain — Electric. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain — 1 for the Tesla Model 3, against one or two on most rivals.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | Electric motor | Single-speed | RWD | Electricity |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
The Model 3 by the numbers
What the federal and market records say about the Tesla Model 3. Each line opens the full breakdown by year.
| Topic | Model 3 | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Recalls | 142 campaigns | NHTSA, all years |
| Owner complaints | 4,207 filed | What breaks and when |
| Reliability | 4.0 / 5 | Best and worst years |
| Crash safety | ★★★★★ NHTSA | Frontal, side, rollover |
| Insurance | $1,563/yr | Estimated full coverage |
| Used value | 2,177 listings | What it sells for now |
Frequently asked questions
What kind of car is the Tesla Model 3?
The Model 3 is a midsize car, built from 2017 to 2026 across 2 generations. Engines offered: Electric.
Where is the Tesla Model 3 made?
Across 4,169 cars in our records the split is: the United States (100%). The first three characters of a VIN identify the plant's manufacturer and country — that is where these shares come from, not from a press release.
How many generations does the Model 3 have?
2 by our measurements, the latest starting in 2024. We draw the boundaries where length or wheelbase jumps between model years — a facelift moves a bumper, a new generation moves the whole car. Over its life the Model 3 grew 3 cm longer and gained 107 kg.
What is the Tesla Model 3 warranty?
New models carry 4 years / 50,000 miles basic cover and 8 years / 100,000–150,000 miles (battery & drive unit) on the powertrain. Worth knowing: across our complaint records the typical car reaches the halfway point of its faults at five years, so most repairs land after the basic warranty ends.
Is the Model 3 reliable?
It scores 4.0/5 in our data. The honest answer depends on the year far more than the model — see the best and worst years, and when this car starts to break.
How do I check a specific Model 3?
This page describes the model; it cannot tell you whether that car has an open recall or a branded title. Run its VIN against the records — free, and matched to the exact production run.
More in Tesla
| Model | Years | Recalls | Best MPG | ForCar score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model Y | 2020–2026 | 100 | 138 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Tesla Cybertruck | 2024–2026 | 16 | 82 mpg | 4.0/5 |
| Tesla Model X | 2016–2026 | 124 | 105 mpg | 4.5/5 |
| Tesla Roadster | 2008–2012 | 2 | — | 4.5/5 |
| Tesla Model S | 2012–2026 | 164 | 124 mpg | 4.0/5 |
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