Why would a Tesla Model 3 battery fail two times in four years? Ashley Vaughn Capri lives in Columbia, South Carolina, and owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3, which only has 20,000 miles on it. She drives 5,000 per year, and the car should be in excellent condition. However, she has had to replace two batteries in four years. Here is what Ashley says on a Tesla Model 3 Owners Club Facebook post. Then, I'll explain what likely happened to her Model 3's battery. Ashley says, "I own a 2020 Model 3 with 20,000 miles. The main battery failed at 15,000 miles in April 2024, and I recently encountered error code BMS_a079, leading to another battery failure." First, imagine buying a Tesla Model 3; you only drive 5,000 miles yearly. That's less than 100 miles per week. Your Tesla Model 3's standard range plus battery range is about 250 miles. So you only charge the car's battery once every two weeks. You like that it doesn't cost much, so you leave it unplugged until it's less than 50%. After 3 Years, the Battery Fails Your Tesla Model 3 still feels new, but now, after owning the car for only three years, you need a new battery at 15,000 miles. It's disappointing, and you start to question the vehicle's reliability. Then, after another 5,000 miles, the battery fails again. Now you're thinking there is definitely something wrong with your car. Ashley says, "This is now two times in one year, and my car is at the service center receiving a new battery again. In South Carolina, the Lemon Law applies only to vehicles less than a year old with under 12,000 miles, so that route isn't available. Given these repeated issues, I no longer trust the vehicle's reliability." "Has anyone experienced similar problems or have advice? I'm interested in exploring options for obtaining a new car for safety and reliability reasons. I've heard that Tesla may offer buybacks or other solutions in certain situations. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated." Does not charging a Tesla Model 3 battery affect its life? According to Tesla, regularly keeping a Model 3 battery or other model at very low or very high charge levels for extended periods can negatively impact its lifespan and overall health. Here's a more detailed explanation: Following these recommendations can provide reassurance that you're taking the right steps to maintain your battery's health and extend its life. Optimal Charging Range: Tesla recommends keeping the battery charge between 20% and 80% for daily use to maximize battery life. Avoid Extended Periods at 100%: Storing the battery at 100% for extended periods can cause accelerated capacity loss and stress the battery. Avoid Extended Periods at 0%: Allowing the battery to discharge to 0% for extended periods can also damage the battery and other components. Tesla's Recommendations: Tesla advises against keeping the battery below 20% for extended periods and recommends charging to 90% before long trips, but rarely above 80% on those trips. Additional Battery Information Battery Degradation: Battery degradation is a normal part of owning an EV, but following these tips can help maintain as much range as possible over the years. Fast Charging: While fast charging doesn't significantly impact battery health, avoiding doing it in extreme heat or cold is best. Thermal Management: Batteries operate best in moderate temperatures, so avoid exposing your EV to extreme heat or cold for long periods. Tesla's Data: Tesla's data shows that even after 200,000 miles of usage, their batteries lose only about 12% of their capacity on average. What Do Tesla Model 3 Owners Say? ScuffedBalata, a top 1% commenter on Tesla Model 3 Reddit, says, "The battery life is positively impacted (better longevity) by "microcycles." This means you charge whenever a charger is available. But if it means going to some off-site location to do it, don't bother. But it's better for the battery to charge it 10 times at 5% each time rather than do 50% all at once." Suitable_Switch5242 says, "Personally, after 4 years of having an EV, I find it much easier to keep the habit of plugging in every time I park at home. Sure, I could pick and choose, but really, that's more to think about." "I literally have no memory of plugging the car on most days at this point. I park and plug it in on the way past the back of the car. No "well am I down to 30% yet?" I just do it. Just like plugging in your phone at night." "I barely even look at my battery percentage unless I go on a longer trip. With nightly charging, any in-town driving will always be easily covered." Conclusion: Likely, Ashley rarely charged her battery until it was on the low side. She likely did not plug it in daily. Thus, it adversely affected her Model 3's battery life. With that said, Tesla owners should keep their battery full and plug it in daily to extend its life. It's Your Turn What is your experience with your Tesla Model 3 battery? Do you charge it in "microcycles"? Click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know. Check out my Tesla Model 3 story: I Sold a 2022 Tesla Model 3 With a Clean Title, Now Tesla Says It’s Salvage and It’ll Easily Go Over $12,000 For My Customer to Fix It I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram. Photo credit: Denis Flierl