Tesla Model 3 deliveries halted due to Australian Design Rules breach

Olek Novak

Journalist

Deliveries have paused for Tesla’s newly facelifted Model 3 electric sedan following the discovery of a breach of Australian motor vehicle regulations

Tesla has stopped deliveries for its recently facelifted Model 3 electric sedan due to a compliance issue with Australian Design Rules (ADRs).

A notification sent to Tesla customers read: “We regret to inform you that deliveries of Model 3 in Australia will be paused from close of business 17 January 2024.”

“This pause is related to a technical compliance matter that we are working closely with the relevant authorities to resolve.”

Tesla has halted deliveries for its newly facelifted Model 3 sedan (pictured)

Chasing Cars understands the compliance issue regards the inaccessibility of a rear centre top-tether point for securing child seats on the new Model 3, a necessary feature in order to adhere to ADR requirements for its five-seater classification.

In their customer notice, Tesla said: “We understand that these changes may lead to a delay in the delivery and want to assure you that resolving this matter is our top priority.”

“We expect to recommence deliveries within the coming weeks.”

It’s understood the new Model 3 doesn’t comply with ADR requirements for a rear centre top-tether point for securing child seats

It’s not yet clear as to what this means for vehicles already delivered, with the facelifted car hitting Australian roads in December last year.

Aside from impact on deliveries, the ADR breach may have had further impact on the Model 3 in terms of its ANCAP safety rating which has been withheld for the facelifted model, although it hasn’t explicitly been stated that this was the reason.

The Model 3 has previously had a full five-star ANCAP safety rating until December last year.

ANCAP has also released a statement that the Model 3’s previous five-star safety rating will be withheld for the facelifted car

ANCAP said in a media release earlier this week that “information provided to ANCAP by Tesla [confirmed] the five-star safety rating for the Tesla Model 3 cannot be applied to the facelifted vehicles at this time”.

While it’s second to the Model Y – Australia’s most popular EV – the Model 3 had its most successful year of reported deliveries yet in Australia last year, shifting 17,347 units – up 59 percent on 2022.

That was enough to make it the second-most popular EV in Australia, the 14th most popular vehicle overall, and the clear segment leader in the medium car over $60K segment – far in front of the second-best selling BMW 3 Series, which delivered 3,147 units.