Model 3 highland build quality

[Technokrat]

There are alot of well built products from China. From high end hi-fi systems to computers. Lest we forget the iProducts are from there too. I am perplexed at the generalization. Overall sentiment thus far from RoW is that Giga Shanghai produced Teslas are off better grade than Stateside. YMMV.
Perhaps it's a Made in America biasedness?

I have owned a few US built cars and while generally problem free, they are never as well put together compared to Japanese ones of the same brand.

I think there is a major difference between made in China vs designed/developed in China. Former’s quality (Apple, Volvo etc) was always dependent on designers quality control standards while the latter was the one with quality issues which again off late seems to be getting better

 

[StellarRat]

What happens if you wear sunglasses?

I worn them while I was driving her car and it did have any effect on the AP as far as I could tell. Like I said, the problem seems to be specific to something about her height or eyes.

 

[Tslylr]

I'm going to guess that blocking that camera will result in AP not being available.

It is available and it works with less warnings. Works same as with sunglasses.

 

[dhrivnak]

I just picked up my Model 3 Highland AWD and neither I nor my wife could detect or find any flaws. The build quality both inside and out is great, no complaints. I had a 2018 Model 3 as well and was pleased with it as well. I hope to take it to a big car show in 2 weeks and will see if anyone can find a flaw anywhere. I may even offer a prize. So this is one happy owner. Or at least I am with a week and 900 miles under my belt.

One thing I do not like is the lack of stalks. I will give it more time but I suspect it will be like my 2008 Roadster than had thumb buttons for the horn, different from the center button in my 12 or so other cars. One day someone was backing into me for some minor scuffing as I was pounding the center of the wheel to warn him but no horn as in a panic i forgot the side buttons.

 

[EvInfo]

I test drove a new M3 Highland for an hour (twice) and looked it over thoroughly and didn’t see any issues. Living with my 2021 build for awhile now I knew what to look for. It’s really solid - at least the one I was able to look at. The bottom door latches are a real nice touch and it has a nice thunk when closing the doors. It’s really fun to compare them and see the iterative changes. The door seals are a better design, something I randomly noticed as well. April 2024 build date, RWD model.

 

[EvInfo]

I test drove a new M3 Highland for an hour (twice) and looked it over thoroughly and didn’t see any issues. Living with my 2021 build for awhile now I knew what to look for. It’s really solid - at least the one I was able to look at. The bottom door latches are a real nice touch and it has a nice thunk when closing the doors. It’s really fun to compare them and see the iterative changes. The door seals are a better design, something I randomly noticed as well. April 2024 build date, RWD model.

How can you find build date?

 

[Jeremy3292]

How can you find build date?

Door jamb sticker

 

[EvInfo]

Door jamb sticker

Not on my car. China build.

 

[3sr+buyer]

I think there is a major difference between made in China vs designed/developed in China

For what it is worth, Americans have been driving these Chinese-built cars for years — and Biden's tariffs likely won't impact them lists the following US market cars made in China:

• Buick Envision
• Lincoln Nautilus
• Polestar 2
• Polestar 3
• Volvo S90

Note that Polestar and Volvo are part of China-based parent company Geely (Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd.).

 

[E90alex]

For what it is worth, Americans have been driving these Chinese-built cars for years — and Biden's tariffs likely won't impact them lists the following US market cars made in China:

• Buick Envision
• Lincoln Nautilus
• Polestar 2
• Polestar 3
• Volvo S90

Note that Polestar and Volvo are part of China-based parent company Geely (Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co., Ltd.).

They only affect Chinese made EVs, not ICE or hybrids.

Polestar and Volvo are indeed subject to this and has thus far Volvo has delayed the US introduction of the EX30 to move production to Belgium. Polestar 3 production will be moved to South Carolina and Polestar 4 is slated to be build in Korea.

Jury is out on Polestar 2 and Polestar hasn’t announced any price changes yet (on the contrary, there are lots of incentives for it right now). Maybe they already had a healthy profit margin on it absorb the tariffs and/or are just eating the cost for now.

 

[primedive]

We recently picked one up and the build quality is solid. The paint needed a minor buffing in front, and one minor interior trim adjustment with the light bar that I want to ask them to do, but it’s minor.

 

[pikeman]

So Tesla is not a quality car then? I’m not talking about Chinese brand cars.

There’s many non-Chinese branded cars made in China that are sold in the US and especially Europe.

Seems a bit racist that you think nothing of quality can come from China.

It has nothing to do with racism. Quality is a deliberate decision. If the Chinese were interested in quality they would bury the rest of the world. Their aerospace program has to be quality focused or it would have failed.
My company rushed to China over cost and it was a terrible decision. There was no quality from the new suppliers, just empty promises. Oh, and hijacked IP.

 

[MikeChicago]

It has nothing to do with racism. Quality is a deliberate decision. If the Chinese were interested in quality they would bury the rest of the world. Their aerospace program has to be quality focused or it would have failed.
My company rushed to China over cost and it was a terrible decision. There was no quality from the new suppliers, just empty promises. Oh, and hijacked IP.

You probably typed this on a state-of-the-arts smartphone build to industry-leading tolerances… in China. Sounds like your company mishandled their sourcing and manufacturing shift to China. I’ll be happy to consult for them, because I do this every single day with great success, supporting some of the many well known brands in the States. It’s not where you make it. It’s how you make it. It has always been this way.

 

[Macb00kemdanno]

You probably typed this on a state-of-the-arts smartphone build to industry-leading tolerances… in China. Sounds like your company mishandled their sourcing and manufacturing shift to China. I’ll be happy to consult for them, because I do this every single day with great success, supporting some of the many well known brands in the States. It’s not where you make it. It’s how you make it. It has always been this way.

Or laptop, or tablet… Apple has built a trillion dollar company on the manufacturing prowess of the Chinese. You input , you get . You spend the money on R&D and the processes to develop a quality product, and that’s what you get.

 

[3sr+buyer]

My company rushed to China over cost and it was a terrible decision.

Companies that rush to China primarily to cut costs usually do not get top quality.

 

[OmeJan]

Own a Model 3 Highland now for 2 months, but I'm happy with the build quality.

Could it be better? Absolutely! I think the panel gaps are quite large, the gap between the panorama glass roof and the frame especially scare the living daylight out of me. But overall no creaks, cracks, or weird noise sounds. Even when driving 160km/h it is good enough. Is it on the same level as my previous car (BMW 5 series)? Nope, but overall good enough.

I'm quite impressed with the quality of this Chinese made car; it feels at the same level as my Hyundai Ioniq from a few years back (my first EV), and I remember when Korean cars were crappy too (second gen Kia Sportage, looking at you).

 

[AndyWrightUK]

I had a 2019 Model 3 LR thrown together in the US factory, and the interior quality sucked. It probably weighed a few pounds more by the time I replaced it due to all the double-sided sticky-foam strips I fitted to stop rattles. Despite all that, I still loved that car!

I've now got a 2024 LR 'Highland' and the difference in quality is very noticeably better. I do however notice a small but constant knocking noise from the passenger-side B pillar. Due to the car being generally so much quieter inside you notice these even more so it'll be going back to Tesla to be looked at. Again, despite that tiny niggle I do think this is a fantastic car.

 

[dhrivnak]

I am quite pleased with the build quality on my Highland AWD. If Tesla would have just kept the stalks and offer a hitch as they do in Europe it would be PERFECT.

 

[m33porsche]

That is some biased feedback. To be honest, NOBODY has access to BOTH Fremont and Shanghai cars. PERIOD. I love that CONUS people "know" the standard. And to seal the deal, you found an employee oversees that coroborated your notion? Do you really think that there is a single meeting at Tesla where the Quality of both factories is discussed? China isn't known for car quality. All of these cars are made using TESLA processes. NONE of them use the "local" know how. The real difference is the weak battery that is for everyone outside of the States.

Check out Oit of Soec reviews for comparative quality assessments

That is some biased feedback. To be honest, NOBODY has access to BOTH Fremont and Shanghai cars. PERIOD. I love that CONUS people "know" the standard. And to seal the deal, you found an employee oversees that coroborated your notion? Do you really think that there is a single meeting at Tesla where the Quality of both factories is discussed? China isn't known for car quality. All of these cars are made using TESLA processes. NONE of them use the "local" know how. The real difference is the weak battery that is for everyone outside of the States.

Lots of comparison now showing shanghai built cars to be better quality bs Fremont although the latter still way better than popular misconception

 

[m33porsche]

So Tesla is not a quality car then? I’m not talking about Chinese brand cars.

There’s many non-Chinese branded cars made in China that are sold in the US and especially Europe.

Seems a bit racist that you think nothing of quality can come from China.

I think just