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Model 3/Y: the '990' rear motor — a sturdy workhorse
By field reports the '990' shows good reliability and longevity. The best pick for a pre-facelift.
Drivetrain · RWD, AWD
Updated · 2025-09-16
By bulk owner reports, the 990 rear motor is less prone to inverter problems and is generally more durable than the early 980. When buying a used pre-facelift, many specifically look for the 990.
Links
- 980 vs 990 discussions: https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/980-vs-990-motor-settled.195999/
- Power/efficiency nuances: https://www.reddit.com/r/teslamotors/comments/ioat3d/rear_motor_efficiency_improvements_980_vs_990/
Sources
- https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/980-vs-990-motor-settled.195999/
- https://www.reddit.com/r/teslamotors/comments/ioat3d/rear_motor_efficiency_improvements_980_vs_990/
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