Cars have always had problems. Mechanical quirks, design flaws, and unexpected repairs have been part of ownership since the first horseless carriage rolled onto the road. So when Tesla owners report issues, they’re not venturing into uncharted territory. Yet, every time an electric car has a problem, a certain crowd, often the same folks who swear by the "simplicity" of carburetors, jumps at the chance to declare EVs a failure. The reality is far less dramatic. Yes, Tesla’s early build quality was hit-or-miss, but these cars have proven to be surprisingly reliable in the grand scheme of mass-market vehicles. We have the data to back it up, and when you stack the numbers against comparable gas-powered rivals, the financial case for a Model 3 remains strong, even with the occasional leaky trunk. Tesla Model 3 Safety and Sales Dominance Tesla introduced the Model 3 in 2017 as a more affordable electric sedan, aiming to broaden its market reach. By June 2021, the Model 3 became the first electric vehicle to surpass 1 million units sold globally, highlighting its widespread acceptance. The Tesla Model 3 has consistently earned top safety ratings. In 2023, IIHS awarded it a 'Superior' rating for front crash prevention, noting its effectiveness in both vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-pedestrian crash scenarios. Additionally, the NHTSA granted the 2023 Model 3 an overall five-star safety rating. Every car has its breaking point, and for many owners, that moment comes the day the warranty expires. This reality isn’t unique to Tesla, but it’s something many early adopters of the brand are now facing as their vehicles age. Take Will Woodles, for example, a Model 3 owner who recently took to the Tesla Tips & Tricks Facebook group to share the hard lessons he learned when his warranty ran out. WHAT I WISH I KNEW BEFORE MY 2019 M3 (Model 3) WARRANTY EXPIRED; I strongly suggest that all model 3 owners check these 4 things before their warranty expires: Leaky trunk. In wet climates like Vancouver they leak from the bottom, and top of the trunk (and frunk) area into the trunk (and frunk) leading to a wet trunk that costs min $1200 to fix. Suspension. These cars are heavy and take a toll on suspension. If they make a noise, have it repaired properly. Heating. I had the heating stop working. Try it even during the summer. Set it to high and ensure hot air comes out. Steering. Steering squeaks happened to my car, likely due to poor design and water ingress can pose problems. They are an easier fix (lube?) than the first 3, but is annoying. Wish I knew these before warranty expiration and hope this helps you. Woodles’ story isn’t unique. Tesla’s build quality issues have been well-documented over the years, but with every new iteration, Tesla improves. The latest Model 3, fresh from its facelift, is reportedly quieter and generally more put-together than the one Woodles bought in 2019. That’s great news for new buyers, but if you own an older Tesla, you’re left holding the bag of issues that the previous owner didn’t fix. While newer Tesla buyers can celebrate these improvements, owners of earlier models face a different reality. The situation raises an interesting question about warranty coverage and timing. Don Cattoni, another Tesla owner, shared his perspective commenting, Why wouldn’t you have taken the car in while it was under warranty if you had these issues? No matter what car you bought would have the same issue with problems after the warranty period is up. Car problems rarely announce themselves with clear warning signs. Instead, they often emerge gradually, a trunk that seems slightly damp after rain, suspension that develops a barely noticeable squeak, or climate control that works just well enough to avoid immediate concern. These minor inconveniences can easily be dismissed as normal quirks until they develop into major issues, often conveniently after the warranty period ends. Tesla Model Y Sales Triumph In March 2019, Tesla unveiled the Model Y, a mid-size crossover SUV designed to offer more space and versatility, sharing many components with the Model 3. In the first quarter of 2023, the Model Y became the world's best-selling car, marking the first time an electric vehicle achieved this distinction. Tesla manufactures the Model Y across multiple facilities worldwide, including the Fremont Factory in California, Gigafactory Shanghai in China, Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg in Germany, and Gigafactory Texas in Austin. This extensive production network enables Tesla to meet the high demand for the Model Y in various markets. Cost Comparison with Gas-Powered Rivals Now, is any of this ideal? Of course not. A $1,200 repair bill to fix a leaky trunk isn’t something any car owner wants to stomach. But let’s step back and look at the bigger picture. Despite Tesla’s occasional quality quirks, they’ve shown attempts at improving it significantly. Even then the Model 3 still manages to be one of the most cost-effective cars to own over time. Compare it to a BMW 3 Series, arguably its closest internal combustion rival. A 2019 Model 3 owner, over five years, will likely spend around $2,000 to $3,000 on maintenance and repairs, according to data from real-world owners. Meanwhile, a similarly aged 2019 BMW 330i will likely rack up $5,000 to $7,000 in maintenance and repairs over the same period, thanks to oil changes, brake pad replacements (EVs use regenerative braking, meaning far less wear), and the occasional high-dollar German mystery failure. Even a Honda Accord 2.0T, a much cheaper alternative, will still demand regular timing belt services, transmission fluid changes, and a steady diet of fuel. Sure, Tesla comes with its fair share of headaches, but for every leaky trunk, there’s a number cruncher ready to argue that, in the grand scheme of things. A Tesla Model 3 still makes a compelling financial case. Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.