Consumer Reports might give the Tesla Model 3 another chance if it fixes its braking issues

Earlier today we reported that Consumer Reports would not be recommending Tesla’s first affordable mass-market car, the Tesla Model 3. This is mainly due to the car’s brake test, which it failed miserably. To give you an idea, Consumer Reports claims that in one of its tests, the Model 3 took 152 feet to reach a complete stop from 60 mph.

This caught Elon Musk’s attention, and he addressed the issue by stating that the company would look into the matter. Musk even suggested that Consumer Reports may have tested a very early version of the vehicle, which contributed to the poor rating. However, Musk claims the braking issue can be fixed with something as simple as a firmware update.

If this is the case, Consumer Reports said they would consider retesting the Model 3.

“If Tesla can update the brakes over the air – an industry first – we’d be happy to retest our Model 3,” Consumer Reports’ director of automotive testing, Jake Fisher, explained to Reuters.

Business Insider writes:

That 152-foot stopping distance is far longer than the average of other vehicles in the segment, and worst than that of a Ford F-150 pickup truck. As an example, one of Motor Trend’s 2018 Ford F-150 testers— which has a curb weight of nearly 5,300 pounds — managed to stop from 60 mph in just 119 feet.

If a firmware update is all it takes to fix the Model 3’s braking issues, man, it truly is a time be alive. But if this isn’t the case, Tesla has a big problem on their hands. As GlobalData Retail researcher Neil Saunders says, “it might raise doubts among the more casual buyer.”

It’s been a helluva a week for Tesla news. Earlier, Musk announced the best Model 3 would cost $78,000. He also explained just how fast the car moves, depending on the specs.

Do you think this braking issue with the Tesla Model 3 will be able to be fixed via a firmware update or do you think Musk is blowing smoke? Let us know your thoughts down below. 

Kevin Raposo

Kevin is KnowTechie's founder and executive editor. With over 15 years of blogging experience in the tech industry, Kevin has transformed what was once a passion project into a full-blown tech news publication. Shoot him an email at kevin@knowtechie.com or find him on Mastodon or Post.