When Tesla first entered the car market, the headlines were rife with reports of build quality issues, and despite a concerted effort by the EV manufacturing giant, it seems that these issues remain. Earlier this year, we reported that Tesla's quality woes had followed it all the way to China, one of its biggest and most important markets, and in September, the J.D. Power Initial Quality Study (IQS) found that Tesla's perceived reliability and quality had dipped to 231 problems per 100 vehicles, compared to brands like Ram, which only had 128 PP100. To illustrate Tesla's issue, YouTube user Legend17 posted a video comparing the differences between his 2021 Tesla Model 3 and a new 2022 model.

The comparison takes place between a 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, and a 2022 Model 3 in Performance guise. Legend17 states that the only reason he is selling the 2021 model is due to the fact that he got such a good deal on it. Legend 17 bought his Model 3 for $47,000 last year and is selling it to Vroom for an astonishing $55,000. From the outside, you can't tell the two cars apart (except for the different colors and wheels, of course) and the quality of each seems on par, but upon closer inspection, it is clear that the panel gaps on the new car are much wider. Both the front and rear bumpers on the 2022 model show significant gaps, whereas the 2021 model is tight as a drum. Butt's on the inside where things get really interesting.

Legend17 starts off by pointing out that the 2022 model features slightly different door cards, with this variant featuring a hard plastic lower half, which on the 2021 model used to be covered in soft-touch material. He then points out that the center armrest doesn't properly close and requires some motivation to completely seal. The driver's side sun visor also keeps getting detached due to an issue with the magnetic clasp which looks like it can be super annoying. These issues might not seem like a big deal to most, but living with these issues on a daily basis can become infuriating, especially considering it's a brand new car. Tesla needs to shake this image if it wants to run with the big dogs.