The 2026 lineup
Tesla sells four versions of the Model 3, and the configurator now labels them 2027 model year. The prices below were read from the tesla.com configurator for a Plano delivery address, cash view, before taxes and fees. They are prices as of October 2026; Tesla changes them often, so check before you order.
| Trim | Price (as of October 2026) | EPA range |
|---|---|---|
| Rear-Wheel Drive (Standard) | $36,990 | 321 miles |
| Premium Rear-Wheel Drive | $42,490 | 363 miles |
| Premium All-Wheel Drive | $47,490 | 346 miles |
| Performance All-Wheel Drive | $54,990 | 316 miles (2027) |
The Premium RWD is the long-range pick: it goes farther on a charge than any other Model 3. The Performance gives up some range for speed, and Tesla lists its 0-60 mph time at 2.9 seconds. For most Texas commutes and Texas-triangle trips, the choice is really between the Standard and the Premium RWD, and the deciding factors are range, battery warranty miles and home charging speed, which are covered below.
Warranty
A new Model 3 bought from Tesla comes with these coverages:
- Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty: 4 years or 50,000 miles.
- Airbags and restraints (SRS): 5 years or 60,000 miles.
- Body rust perforation: 12 years, unlimited miles.
- Battery and drive unit: 8 years or 100,000 miles on the Standard RWD, and 8 years or 120,000 miles on the Premium RWD, Premium AWD and Performance. Tesla promises at least 70% battery capacity over that period.
- Emissions performance warranty (2027 model year and later): 8 years or 80,000 miles on the parts that charge, store and deliver battery power. It overlaps the battery warranty, so it mostly matters on the Standard RWD.
Tesla also sells an optional battery extended service agreement for the Model 3 that starts when the factory battery warranty ends. Your own car's remaining coverage is in the Tesla app under Specs & Warranty. Warranty repairs have to be done by Tesla; anything outside the warranty can go to any shop.
If you buy a Certified Pre-Owned Model 3 from Tesla, you get whatever is left of the 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty plus an extra 1 year or 10,000 miles. If the basic warranty has already run out, that extra year starts at delivery.
Maintenance
There are no oil changes and no annual service visit. Tesla's published schedule for the Model 3 is short:
- Tire rotation every 6,250 miles, or sooner if any two tires differ in tread depth by 2/32 inch or more.
- Brake fluid test for contamination every 4 years.
- Cabin air filter every 2 years.
- HEPA and carbon filters every 3 years, if your car has them.
- A/C desiccant bag: no scheduled change on cars with a heat pump. 2017-2023 cars without a heat pump should have it replaced every 6 years.
- Alignment and balancing when you notice pulling, vibration or uneven wear, and after new tires.
Tesla also lists yearly brake caliper cleaning and lubrication, but only where roads are salted in winter, which rarely applies in Texas. To see whether your car has a heat pump, look under Controls > Software > Additional Vehicle Information. The car keeps its own record at Controls > Service > Maintenance (software 2024.44.25 or later), and you or an independent shop can log work there.
Tires are the item most owners spend money on first. Our EV tires guide explains why, and what to buy.
Recalls that need a shop visit
Most Model 3 recalls are fixed with a free over-the-air software update. These are the ones from NHTSA's records that involve parts or are worth checking by VIN:
- Headlights, 2017-2023 (26V507000). Low beams can be too bright; Tesla will replace the headlights. Owner letters were due around October 3, 2026, so many cars still have this open.
- Battery pack contactors, some 2025 cars (25V690000). Contactors can fail and cut drive power; Tesla replaces them.
- Pyrotechnic battery disconnect, some 2023 cars (23V434000). The part is replaced.
- Power steering, some 2023 cars (25V092000). Possible loss of steering assist after a stop; fixed by software.
- Hood latch, 2021-2024 (24V554000). The car may not detect an open hood; software fix.
- 2024 cars built for a foreign market (26V445000). A small number lack the US-required knee airbags, and Tesla is buying them back. Check any used 2024 Model 3 by VIN.
Our recall lookup lists recalls for your model year, pulled from NHTSA. To check whether a specific car has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Charging
Every new Model 3 has the NACS port (standardized by SAE as J3400). At a Supercharger, Tesla says it can add up to 175 miles in 15 minutes.
At home, the trim matters more than most buyers expect:
| Setup | Standard RWD | Premium and Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Wall Connector on a 60 A breaker (48 A) | Limited to 32 A, about 30 miles per hour | Up to 44 miles per hour |
| Mobile Connector on a NEMA 14-50 outlet (32 A) | About 30 miles per hour | About 30 miles per hour |
On a Standard RWD, a properly installed 14-50 outlet charges exactly as fast as a 48 A Wall Connector.
That means a Standard RWD owner can often skip the Wall Connector, though a hardwired unit is still the cleaner long-term install. Either way, the circuit should be sized and installed by a licensed electrician with a permit where your city requires one. Our home charging guide covers installs and local permit rules in Texas, and the charger planning tool helps you plan.
Buying tips
- Pick by commute and warranty, not just price. The Premium RWD costs more but adds range and 20,000 more battery warranty miles.
- Know the generation. Tesla's owner's manual splits the Model 3 into 2017-2023 and 2024-on versions, and parts and accessories differ. Our accessory finder sorts by year.
- On a used car, check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm the headlight replacement on 2017-2023 cars.
- Check Battery Health at Controls > Service > Battery Health. The optional test needs at least 5 kW of AC charging and up to 24 hours plugged in.
- Ask about the desiccant on older cars without a heat pump; the 6-year service is easy to miss.
- Claim a used car in the app (My Products > Add Product). It can take up to 48 hours, and some upgrades, subscriptions and Supercharging credits may not transfer.
Plan for Texas costs too: the yearly EV registration fee is covered in Texas EV fees, and the full pre-purchase list is in buying a used Tesla.
Sources
- Tesla Model 3 configurator (ZIP 75093, cash view) (checked October 2026)
- EPA fueleconomy.gov, Tesla 2026-2027 range (checked October 2026)
- Tesla vehicle warranty (checked October 2026)
- Tesla vehicle maintenance (checked October 2026)
- Tesla Supercharging (checked October 2026)
- Tesla Wall Connector (checked October 2026)
- Tesla Mobile Connector (checked October 2026)
- Tesla Model 3 owner's manual, Battery Health (checked October 2026)
- Tesla, adding a vehicle to the app (checked October 2026)
- NHTSA recalls search: campaigns 26V507000, 25V690000, 23V434000, 25V092000, 24V554000 and 26V445000 (checked October 2026)
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