Dealer visit checklist
2022 Tesla Model 3 checklist
Print it or keep it on your phone. Tick each item as you go so nothing gets missed.
This is a year to avoid
- • 14.2x more owner complaints than other 2022 cars
Inspect the car
- Check every panel gap and look for mismatched paint (signs of past accident repair)
- Look at the tires: even wear, matching brands, at least 4/32" tread
- Check under the car and engine bay for oil, coolant or other leaks
- Start the engine cold; listen for knocks, ticks or squeals and watch for smoke
- Test every window, lock, seat, light, the A/C, heat and infotainment
- Test drive on city streets and highway: straight braking, smooth shifts, no pulling
- Ask for the service records and a vehicle history report
- Have an independent mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection (about $100–$200)
Known 2022 Tesla Model 3 problems to check
- Panel gaps and paint quality inconsistencies remain the most frequently reported build-quality complaints from 2022 model year units
- Suspension components, particularly the front lower control arm bushings, show premature wear on higher-mileage examples and can cost $400-$700 to address
- Phantom braking and false collision warnings have been reported, tied to Autopilot camera calibration issues that may require a service center visit
- 12V lithium battery failures (a design change from the prior lead-acid unit) have caused unexpected no-start situations, with replacement running $120-$200 at Tesla
- Touchscreen UI glitches and occasional infotainment reboots are common, though usually resolved via over-the-air software updates at no cost
Ask: have these recalls been fixed?
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE: Tesla, Inc.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE: Tesla, Inc.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE: Tesla, Inc.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE: Tesla, Inc.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE: Tesla, Inc.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL: Tesla, Inc.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION: Tesla, Inc.
- VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS: Tesla, Inc.
Negotiate the price
- Know the typical price: about $45,000 for this model year
- Negotiate the out-the-door price, not the monthly payment
- Get the full price with every fee listed in writing before you sign
- Bring your own loan pre-approval so the dealer has a rate to beat
- Say no to add-ons you didn't ask for (paint protection, VIN etching, nitrogen tires)
- Negotiate your trade-in separately, after the car's price is agreed
- Be ready to walk away; another listing is usually a click away