Tesla Model 3 loses Consumer Reports recommendation over 'declining reliability'

The Model 3 tops CR's list of "most satisfying cars," though not all owners have apparently been satisfied with reliability.

Consumer Reports has dropped the Tesla Model 3 and several other vehicles from its list of "recommended" vehicles due to declining reliability.

Tesla publicly sparred with CR in 2017 after the magazine predicted "average reliability" for the Model 3 despite having very little survey information since the sedan had just begun shipping. The prediction had been extrapolated from Tesla's historical survey results for the Model S and X.

After CR had collected more survey results the Model 3 was bumped into the recommended list, which also reflects road-test and owner satisfaction scores, however the reliability score has since dropped and disqualified the EV from the latest rankings.

"Tesla Model 3 owners told CR that problem areas included loose body trim and glass defects," the magazine noted.

It is unclear if the survey still lags Tesla's production improvements, as complaints over body fit and other issues appeared to have waned after the Model 3 transitioned from limited production to sustained high-volume output.

Other vehicles to lose the recommended rating include the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Acura RDX, BMW 5 Series and Volkswagen Tiguan, among others.