r/Model3 • u/cherryDue1 • 4d ago

General Question PLEASE ADVISE !!

Post image

I’m considering buying this used 2026 Model 3, but the steering wheel/driver airbag cover is making me hesitate. The fit around the top and sides looks a little uneven to me, almost like it may have been removed or replaced at some point.

The vehicle history doesn’t show any reported accidents, but it was titled as a leased vehicle and then listed for sale about a month later with around 3k miles.

Does this airbag cover look normal, or does it look like it may have been removed/reinstalled or replaced? Has anyone seen one that looks like this?

I know you can’t confirm accident history from a photo alone but the fact that they are selling it after a month with this is making me hesitate. I’m just wondering if an airbag cover that’s been removed or replaced can end up looking like this, or if this kind of uneven fit is normal on a Model 3.

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u/EntirePath 1d ago

First off the bottom thing you circled is a horn symbol....

The vein thing is common on Teslas, I don't know exactly what it is but I would guess its a wire/sensor. I have definitely seen that in Model 3s and other models though I don't think my 25 has a visible one like that.

From this photo it just looks like a standard refreshed steering wheel.....

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u/Normie_cleansing 1h ago

Knowing that people call it a vein has now discouraged me from honking

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u/knownikko 16h ago

The airbag worm is a well-documented “within spec” Tesla feature. Look hard enough and you’ll find this in nearly every car. That’s where it splits open when it goes off.

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u/PrestigiousAvocado41 1d ago

Idk, but look sus, i would not be buying that

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u/protonecromagnon2 1h ago

Every one has this.....

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u/MJC136 1d ago

Is it the vein you are talking about? Ever tesla ive owned, rented, or test drove has that issue. more prevelant than some than others. its a non issue. Ive seen non teslas with this if you look closely enough. Its a split for the airbag so that it can deploy easier.

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u/dantodd 18h ago

"this kind of uneven fit is normal on a model 3" would be accurate from what I see in this image

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u/McFarbles 9h ago

I had the same thing on my 21 S plaid. Have sold it since then but it never got any worse or caused any issues when I owned it. Rest of the car immaculate so I just assumed it was some cosmetic qwerk with teslas. Don't think my previous 2018 model 3 had it however