Certain Standard Range Model 3 and Model Y vehicles that received the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) HV Battery Retrofit did not receive the 2nd row floor reinforcement plate, which provides additional protection for the LFP HV Battery.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Tesla Model 3 body problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
3crashes
3injuries
What stands out
Among the 6 model years of Tesla Model 3 in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may need a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) installed in the front passenger seat before servicing its subcomponents.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may need a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) installed in the front passenger seat before servicing its subcomponents.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may need a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) installed in the front passenger seat before servicing its subcomponents.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗On some Model 3 vehicles, water may have leaked inside the trunk area through the trunk lid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The most widespread complaint is the mid aero shield/undercarriage composite tray failing in heavy rain or water. Tesla issued TSB SB-19-12-001 to swap the original part (1104313-00-A) for a replacement (1104313-00-B), but owners say the new part is just as prone to tearing and water absorption. When soaked, the tray becomes heavy, tears away, and gets dragged on the street with friction sparks. Water then infiltrates the rear bumper area. Some owners just past warranty have been denied replacements despite the known defect.
Glass roofs crack spontaneously—some from tree nuts, others without obvious cause. Repairs run over $2000 each; one owner had three separate incidents totaling thousands.
The retracting door handles have two problems: pushing to open the door can catch and tear fingernails (requiring hospital treatment in one case), and peeling chrome lamination exposes sharp edges that cut fingers. In freezing weather, the handle locks up entirely.
The frunk shroud fastener (part 1131205-00-C/CC) breaks easily because it relies on three thin plastic tabs to hold two parts together. It fails during normal push-pull operation and often breaks during manufacturing installation.
A few owners report troubling events: sudden acceleration with simultaneous brake failure after a software update, and autopilot failing to detect parked vehicles during collision. One low-speed parking-lot bump caused whiplash. The battery casing makes popping sounds during cold-weather charging.
Same Tesla Model 3 body reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2020 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Mid aero shield/undercarriage composite tray water damage
The mid aero shield (undercarriage composite tray) fails and tears when exposed to heavy rain or driving through water-logged roads. Tesla issued TSB SB-19-12-001 replacing original part 1104313-00-A with 1104313-00-B, but the replacement part exhibits the same susceptibility to water damage. Owners report the tray tears, becomes heavy when waterlogged, and can be dragged on the street causing friction sparks. Water ingress can then damage rear bumpers.
When: During or after heavy rain; at 55,000 miles (one owner just past warranty)
Symptoms owners cite: Mid aero shield tears or rips when exposed to rain/water; Undercarriage tray absorbs water and becomes heavy; Panel fasteners fail under water-collection stress; Composite tray drags on street with friction sparks; Water ingress to rear bumper area
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement part 1104313-00-B required; some owners report Tesla denying replacement outside warranty despite known defect. Part also called 1104313-00-A (original) and 1104313-00-B (TSB replacement).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB SB-19-12-001 (September 19, 2019) issued to replace defective mid aero shields; replacement part exhibits same defect. Some service centers refusing warranty coverage at mileage just beyond warranty limit.
Glass roof cracking
Glass roof (and rear glass window) cracks spontaneously without collision or known impact. Owners report major cracks across both front and rear glass panels with multiple impact sites. One owner reports three separate incidents over several years from falling tree nuts (hickory and beechnut). Cost to replace over $2000 per incident.
When: Unprompted; one vehicle experienced three incidents over several years (July 31, August 15, 2024, and prior)
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous cracks in glass roof without collision; Multiple cracks across front and rear glass panels; Visible impact damage on both external surfaces; Glass fragile enough to shatter from falling tree nuts; Rear window shattering from beechnuts
Repairs/costs cited: Full glass roof and rear window replacement required. One owner reported over $2000 per replacement; multiple replacements total thousands of dollars.
Frunk shroud panel fastener breakage
The frunk shroud panel fastener (part 1131205-00-C or 1131205-00-CC, PP-GF20) breaks due to poor design with only three very thin attachment tabs/slivers joining two parts. The part fails during normal push/pull operation when removing or installing the panel. Defect often originates during manufacturing installation.
When: During normal panel operation; often present from manufacturing
Symptoms owners cite: Visible play (up/down motion) in panel fastener; Partial breakage of attachment tabs; Panel not properly held up by fastener; Excessive breakage on thin tabs during normal push/pull
Repairs/costs cited: Part 1131205-00-C or 1131205-00-CC replacement; design appears inherently weak with only three thin tabs.
Door handle gap and sharp edge hazard
The retracting door handle design creates a hidden gap between the handle and car body. When pushing the handle to open the door, the gap can catch fingers or fingernails and cause injury. Additionally, chrome lamination or sticker on the underside of door handles peels, exposing extremely sharp edges that cut fingers. Both issues are noted widely on the internet.
When: During normal door opening operation
Symptoms owners cite: Fingernails caught and torn off in gap between handle and car body; Finger lacerations requiring hospital treatment; Chrome lamination peeling from underside of handle; Sharp exposed edge hidden by retracting mechanism; Cuts on fingers when grabbing handle
Repairs/costs cited: One owner required hospital treatment with two injections, wrapping, and splint after nail was torn off and skin was ripped.
Door handle freezing and window malfunction
In cold conditions, the retracting door handle becomes frozen and difficult to open due to design. Once forced open, the windows will not roll down far enough for the driver to close the door, requiring the driver to operate the vehicle with the door open.
When: Cold weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Door handle frozen and difficult to open; Window cannot roll down far enough to close door; Driver forced to operate vehicle with door open
Battery casing popping during charging/preconditioning
The battery casing (owner suspects aluminum) pops or makes a popping sound during charging or preconditioning in cold weather. Owner theorizes temperature expansion during cold conditions causes the popping and may lead to high-cycle fatigue in colder climates with frequent charging.
When: During charging or preconditioning in cold weather
Symptoms owners cite: Popping sound from battery casing during charging; Popping during preconditioning on cold days; Suspected temperature-related expansion
Sudden acceleration and brake failure (unverified)
Owner reports sudden spontaneous acceleration at low speed (5 mph) in school drop-off zone with simultaneous brake failure. Forward collision warning did not sound. A software update had been applied one week prior; another software update screen appeared 2 hours after the accident. Owner notes difficulty reaching Tesla support.
When: After recent software update; incident occurred at school drop-off
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden spontaneous acceleration at low speed; Brake pedal did not respond/stop vehicle; Forward collision warning system failed to alert; Vehicle collided with parked vehicle and fence
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required body shop repair. Tesla service filed complaint and stated they would review vehicle data.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tesla service center reviewing data; owner unsure of timeline.
Autopilot sensor and collision avoidance failure
With autopilot engaged, the vehicle sensors failed to detect two parked vehicles on the right side of the street. The anti-collision mechanism and auto-braking system failed to activate, resulting in collision.
When: During autopilot operation
Symptoms owners cite: Sensor failure to recognize parked vehicles; Autopilot did not avoid collision; Anti-collision/auto-braking system did not engage
Body panel fragility and whiplash injury risk
A low-speed bumper tap in a parking lot (very slow speed) resulted in passenger claiming whiplash injury. Owner asserts the vehicle body/bumper is not sufficiently robust to handle minor parking-lot contact.
When: Low-speed parking lot contact
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger whiplash injury from low-speed bump; Apparent body/bumper insufficient for minor contact
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The accident happened in a parking lot. There was a tap of the bumpers going really slow. The passenger in the Tesla is claiming whiplash. The car is not safe if it cannot take a slight bump on the fender in a parking lot.
Had body trouble with your 2019 Tesla Model 3?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2019 Tesla Model 3?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, body issues most often appear around 7,795 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2019/Tesla/Model 3.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.