The Norwegians have been out in force when it comes to rust on Tesla models. – The Tesla Model 3 is rusting in some very strange places, it says.
Tesla has earned a reputation for producing innovative and technologically advanced electric cars. But according to Norwegians, the popular Model 3 has a serious rust problem.
Matti Funderud, who makes a living by rust-proofing cars, claims to have examined the Model 3 and found rust in unexpected and critical places.
Funderud, who runs a workshop in Norway, points out that the Model 3 rusts in ways not seen in traditional cars. The same Matti was also out about the car brand's lack of rust protection last year .
– A new car can start to rust in a way you don't expect. Especially Teslas, which are unconventional, and you have to remember that they are designed in California, where you don't have problems with rust, says Funderud.
Rust problems on the Model 3 appear, among other things, inside the car's ducts.
– The Tesla Model 3 is rusting in places we are not used to. For example, we have seen very serious rust inside the canals, says Funderud.
The rust starts at the bolts holding the battery and spreads from there.
"It starts around the bolts that hold the battery in place. Then the rust spreads through the channels. They are actually treated, but not resistant to rust," explains Funderud.
The bolts that secure the battery are crucial to the function of the car.
– The battery is screwed in with 16 bolts. When the threads are rusty, it becomes very difficult to remove the battery. That is probably the most serious rust, says Funderud.
The rust problems are not limited to the battery bolts.
– It also rusts under the hood and cables have a strong tendency to rust, says Funderud.
While rust is often a cosmetic problem, it can have safety implications on the Model 3. We Bilägere recently reported on how a Tesla that is just 5 years old has serious problems with rust.
– The brake lines are in a different place. But it doesn't rust in the usual places, under the car or in the wheel arches, says Funderud.
"But under the hood by the ABS unit, for some reason there is a lot of rust there. So it's a direct traffic hazard."
The car's paintwork is also a problem area.
– The paint is very weak on the front fender. Especially at the front, when the paint comes off, it starts to rust at the edges. It's not pretty to look at, but it's not dangerous. The paint is one of the weaknesses. Tesla doesn't have wear protection like most other car manufacturers do, says Funderud.
The bolts in the wheel suspension are also exposed.
– Then there is the suspension, both front and rear. The bolts on all the brackets rust a lot and make dismantling difficult. You can put new bolts in, but if there are cables nearby, it will be very difficult, says Funderud.
Compared to the Model Y, the Model 3 appears to have more rust issues.
– It seems that Model 3 is more affected than Model Y, but we don't really know yet, it takes a little more time, because we have results, and then we know whether we will be positively or negatively surprised, says Funderud.
Despite the extensive rust problems, the Model 3 has been praised for its rust protection. However, Funderud believes this is due to inadequate research.
– NAF (the Norwegian answer to FDM) did a study on the Model 3 and concluded that it doesn't rust that much, but then they never looked in the ducts or under the hood, says Funderud.
