For all the initial PR they got, they've always had quality issues that rarely plague other manufacturers. Elon has just done a great job of creating a reality distortion field around the cars. Once he started getting into politics and the veneer started wearing off, people started asking questions.
I think people forget the Model 3 literally had the bumper falling off from driving in rain. And it took Tesla a LONG time to admit to it being their fault.
Fit and finish is wildly variable. Panel gaps on the 3 and Y can be huge! I can tell which model in my office parking lot is mine solely based on the trunk and rear quarterpanel gaps.
Only for US made Tesla's. I live in Australia. We get Chinese made Tesla's here, and they have better fit and finish than the BYD's (as good as most other cars you care to name).
It's odd. The USA can make quality cars. Not Lexus quality, but cars you would be happy to own if they weren't so expensive. USA Tesla is the counter example. It makes you wonder about those self promoting stories from Elon about he saved the USA Tesla manufacturing operation by roving the manufacturing plants, making tweaks here and there. Maybe his tweaks wasn't the great boon he made them out to be.
I think people forget the Model 3 literally had the bumper falling off from driving in rain. And it took Tesla a LONG time to admit to it being their fault.
https://www.jalopnik.com/tesla-finally-admits-model-3-bumper...