PSA: check for rust at this point

[BrakeDome]

First, it's the stupid, unsafe steering wheel...

This.

To each his own, but that steering wheel is fugly as hell.

 

[XLR82XS]

I will be checking my second 3 at delivery when it gets here and report if there are issues with this.

 

[Vegas m3d]

Small point of correction here. This rub spot is not the "frame." The frame of these vehicles is aluminum and is under the floor. This is the steel skin of the uniside and it is fixable, but a proper paint repair would need the fender and door removed for access. Touch up paint probably wont prevent long term rust issues, so push the issue until they fix it right.

 

[focher]

12 year rust warranty will handle this for those who experience it,

 

[Billyk24]

12 year rust warranty will handle this for those who experience it, I hope one doesn't wait until it is real rusty and then ask for a fix.

 

[DRice311]

Wow - just checked mine and sure enough, panels touching and saw some of what some of you are seeing (VN 117xxx). I was actually able to wipe most of it off with a q-tip where I could reach it (weird), seems like it is on top of the clear coat. I scheduled a service appt to have them look at it. I am not going to try to pull that corner of the fender panel away, they can do that.

 

[DRice311]

Before & after some still there where I couldn’t reach

 

[Piwacet]

Mine has this too. On the driver's side but not the passenger side. June 2019 build.

I assume this would be covered under warranty?

Thanks very much to the original poster!

 

[Brnn]

Just checked mine, plenty of gap. 9/19 build.

 

[DJVoorhees]

Now there's some talk accusing him of not mentioning that he's been in a couple of fender-benders which is surely why this is happening. However, I have not had any body work done and have not had any car to car encounters with my car and I have the exact problem in in the exact same place. Several other people said the same on this video which now has had the comments taken down by Matt. Here's a pic of my problem:

So you have the same issue in the same place, yet his can only be due to an accident? See the irony here?

 

[Runt8]

So you have the same issue in the same place, yet his can only be due to an accident? See the irony here?

Reading comprehension fail...

 

[SJC3]

Just checked our dec18 build and it touches on the drivers side only.

 

[KenC]

Waiting for someone to use a little coke-cola on a Q-tip to remove the rust.

 

[Eno Deb]

Just checked our dec18 build and it touches on the drivers side only.

From your picture it's hard to tell. The best way to check for it is to open the door and look at the corner from the driver seat against some light in front. Also, see if you can slide a business card or similar into the gap.

 

[DBeckwith]

I have the same issue with my 9/18 delivered Model 3.

 

[nvx1977]

I have an early build 0068xx and while my driver's side fender is not touching, it's much closer than the passenger side. I have less than 1/16" on the driver side and almost 1/8" on passenger. I was able to pull on the fender panel and wiggle it quite a bit.

 

[astrowunder]

12 year rust warranty will handle this for those who experience it,

Where is this rust warranty documented? I just read their body repair and it specifically excludes rust from what I can see.

 

[focher]

Where is this rust warranty documented? I just read their body repair and it specifically excludes rust from what I can see.

Warranty - Page 6

 

[Vegas m3d]

If its touching, use a 10mm socket and long extension to loosen the bolt at the top of the fender jamb (with the door open) and pull the fender out by the edge at the top. Retighten the bolt. Might make the fender slightly over flush to the door, but it will stop the rubbing.

 

[DBeckwith]

The metal seems pliable enough to bend it by hand but I think I'll have Tesla service look at it.

Passenger side has a gap.