Nearly one in four Tesla Model 3 vehicles tested in Denmark last year failed safety inspections, according to data from the Danish Road Traffic Authority.
The 23% failure rate for 2020 Model 3s contrasts sharply with the 9% failure rate recorded among other electric vehicles, the Federation of Danish Motorists (FDM) reported.
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Of the 4,668 Model 3s inspected in 2024, 1,051 did not meet safety requirements, with inspectors identifying 1,392 defects—three times the number observed in comparable EVs.
Common issues included faults with lighting, braking, steering, and suspension systems. Similar problems have been highlighted in Germany, where the Model 3 ranked last in the TÜV reliability study in both 2023 and 2024.
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“We have no reason to believe that younger generations of the Tesla Model 3 will differ significantly from the 2020 generation when it comes to defects and the failure rate,” said Lone Otto, manager of FDM’s technical advisory team. “It will be more exciting to see how the Tesla Model Y fares.”
The Model Y, Denmark’s best-selling EV, is expected to undergo extensive testing in 2025, with 62,000 electric cars set to be inspected, including 45,000 first-time tests. The figures underscore the rapid growth of Denmark’s EV market since 2020.
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Last month, Tesla recalled 380,000 vehicles in the United States following reports of some Model 3 and Model Y owners experiencing a loss of steering assistance. The company addressed the issue through an over-the-air software update.