Tesla Changes Free Color Option, Pearl White Gets the Boot for the Model 3 and Y

July 5, 2023

By Kevin Armstrong

Midnight Silver is the new free color option for the Model 3 and Model Y in North America

Tesla

There are a lot of white Teslas, says Captain Obvious. The free color of white mixed with record-high sales figures has produced a whiteout on many Tesla lots and several highways around North America. The stormtrooper paint job, also known as Pearl White Multi-Coat, will now cost you as the company has made Midnight Silver the free color option for the Model 3 and Model Y in North America.

The History of Tesla's Free Color Options

Tesla's history with color options tells a tale of evolution. Pearl White Multi-Coat has been the default color for the Model 3 since June 2019, taking the baton from Solid Black. The company's choice of free color heavily influences the vehicle's road presence, leading to waves of monochromatic Teslas. This new change to Midnight Silver promises to bring a touch of diversity to Tesla's presence on our streets.

In late 2021, a tweet from a Tesla owner to Elon Musk sparked a conversation around the abundance of white Teslas on the roads. The user suggested a change in the free color option, favoring silver over white. Musk must've taken this to heart, stating that he would discuss it with his team. Fast forward to today, and the team's decision is clear — Midnight Silver now reigns as the no-cost color choice.

Other Available Colors and Their Costs

Despite the change, customers can still opt for the Pearl White Multi-Coat, albeit for an additional fee. Other paid color options include Deep Blue Metallic for $1,000, Solid Black for $1,500, and Red Multi-Coat for a hefty $2,000. The color palette varies in different regions globally, adding to Tesla's distinctive and localized charm.

Model S and Model X Remain Unaffected

Importantly, this change in color options only applies to the Model 3 and Model Y. The Model S and Model X continue to offer Pearl White as the free color choice. Midnight Silver Metallic still comes as a $1,500 upgrade for these models.

A Colorful Future

This modification in Tesla's color offering is a fresh move that signifies the company's willingness to listen to its customers and adapt accordingly. However, there is no news on additional colors. We have seen Midnight Cherry Red and Quicksilver in other jurisdictions and Ultra Red offered for the Model S and Model X. While some may bemoan the additional cost of the previously free Pearl White Multi-Coat, others may rejoice in the change, adding a new hue to the Tesla family on the road.

Tesla Issues Physical Recall for Some Model 3 & Model Y Vehicles Over Seat Fasteners

June 27, 2025

By Karan Singh

Not a Tesla App

Tesla has issued a new, voluntary safety recall for a small batch of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles due to an issue with improperly tightened fasteners in the first-row seats.

The recall impacts only about 48 vehicles and will require a Tesla service visit to resolve.

Improperly Tightened Fasteners

According to the recall notice, the issue stems from the first-row seating that may have been manufactured with improperly torqued fasteners that attach the seat back to the seat bottom. In some cases, the fasteners may be loose or missing, which could cause a rattle or the seat to detach.

This is a critical safety issue, as a seat back that is not properly anchored could detach, leaving the driver or passenger unsupported and increasing the risk of an accident.

According to Tesla’s investigation, this issue originated from a production change made for vehicles manufactured between April 3rd and May 7th of 2025. However, not all vehicles built within that date are impacted by the recall. The issue impacts 30 2026 Model Ys and 18 2025 Model 3s, across all variants, including RWD, AWD, and Performance (for the Model 3).

Thankfully, there have been no incidents related to this issue to date.

The Fix

Since this is a physical recall, Tesla will have to inspect impacted vehicles and replace and properly retorque the seat fasteners as needed, free of charge.

Owners of vehicles who have been impacted have already been contacted under the voluntary recall, and most vehicles should have been repaired by the time this notice is formally issued.

You can also check if your VIN is impacted by a recall using Tesla’s Recall Tool.

Tesla has noted the repair should take approximately one hour of work at a Service Center, and up to two hours if a Mobile Ranger addresses the recall.

Tesla Robotaxi Sends Out More Invites: Next Phases of Robotaxi

June 27, 2025

By Karan Singh

@TerrapinTerpene

Following the successful launch of Robotaxi on Sunday, June 22nd, Tesla has begun moving to the next phase of its Robotaxi rollout. They have finally begun sending out a second, larger wave of invites, expanding the early access program to more members of the Tesla community across the United States.

This has moved them past the initial 20 or so users that were offered access on Sunday. That also means Tesla is on the hunt for something crucial: more real-world data.

More Riders ASAP

The initial launch was a tightly controlled event, with access granted to a small and curated group of influencers. While this approach was ideal for generating initial buzz for the launch and collecting feedback from high-quality testers, it also presented logistical challenges.

With only a handful of authorized riders and vehicles, the demand for rides would inevitably dry up as influencers begin their journeys back home. Without a public release, that would leave Tesla’s Robotaxi fleet idle, unable to gather additional data.

To rapidly improve on Robotaxi’s FSD, Tesla needs its vehicles to be constantly navigating real-world scenarios, encountering edge cases, and logging miles. The second round of invites is needed to keep Robotaxis learning and on the road.

Austin Users Next?

This new wave of invites isn’t an open door for members of the public quite yet. By continuing to send invites to trusted community members, Tesla is executing a slow and deliberate rollout by inviting members who know and love Tesla. This allows them to scale the program gradually, increasing the number of users and the diversity of ride requests without overwhelming the relatively small initial fleet of about 10 cars.

Future phases will likely involve opening access to Tesla owners within Austin, which would open up a regular flow of rides. Once that’s done, Robotaxi will likely open up to the public.

Sign of Confidence

The expansion of the early access program is a sign that Tesla is happy and confident with the rollout so far. While Tesla can gather plenty of data around Austin from Tesla owners using FSD, they also need to continue testing features that are exclusive to the Robotaxi, such as the Robotaxi app, support, and remotely control the vehicles when needed.

We expect a full launch to potentially still be months out, but this methodical expansion will likely see more users gradually gain access to the Robotaxi network in the coming weeks.