Model 3 on hold: Updated 2024 Tesla Model 3 electric car sales paused due to "compliance matter"

Tesla has paused deliveries of its updated Model 3 electric car after it surfaced earlier this week that the facelifted model may not meet a specific Australian Design Rule (ADR).

The updated 2024 Tesla Model 3 seems to have been sent out for deliveries with a small but significant (as far as regulations are concerned) change - it's now missing access to the rear centre rear child seat top tether point.

The Model 3, prior to the update, was a five-star car in terms of safety according to the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), but its rating was voided after the update with neither ANCAP or Tesla willing to publicly confirm a reason - the former citing "information provided to ANCAP by Tesla".

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In a statement to Australian customers late yesterday, Tesla confirmed deliveries of the Model 3 would be paused while it works to resolve a "compliance matter", and apologised for likely delays.

"We regret to inform you that deliveries of Model 3 in Australia will be paused from close of business 17 January 2024," the statement, shared by owners and customers, said.

The tether point, according to one owner’s photo, is still present and welded into the car, but covered by the rear parcel shelf. (image: user Murphster/via teslamotorsclub.com)

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

"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."

In a post on a Tesla owners’ forum, Teslamotorsclub.com, some owners complain about a lack of rear central child seat tether anchor point. (image: user Murphster/via teslamotorsclub.com)

While Tesla didn't specify what the compliance issue is, the lack of access to a central tether point for the rear central seat does make the car ineligible under ADR 34/02, Child Restraint Anchorages and Child Restraint Anchor Fittings.

For a five-seat passenger car, each seat in the second row of three must have an accessible top tether anchor point. The updated model's rear parcel shelf covers the tether point, which owners have found still exists underneath after some investigation.

The likely next stage is that existing customer-delivered Model 3s are recalled for modifications to make the central tether point accessible. (image: Tom White)

This echoes issues faced by BYD in the early stages of the Atto 3 electric car's time in Australia, which also required a tweak to the anchor points.

The likely next stage is that existing customer-delivered Model 3s are recalled for modifications to make the central tether point accessible, and the Model 3s yet to be delivered will need to be altered before sales and deliveries can resume.