Tesla Brings Indicator Stalk Retrofit to Model 3 Owners in Australia

Tesla has officially introduced an indicator stalk retrofit for 2024–2025 Model 3 sedans in Australia, marking a partial reversal of one of the brand’s most controversial design decisions.

Priced at $850 including installation, the retrofit allows owners of the latest Model 3, originally sold without stalks, to upgrade to a traditional turn-signal setup. The accessory has quietly appeared on Tesla’s Australian online store, currently listed as “Out of Stock”, suggesting it will be available soon.

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According to Tesla, the upgrade involves fitting a new steering wheel, steering wheel control module, and turn-signal stalk.

Owners can book the retrofit directly through the Tesla app under Upgrades and Accessories → Accessory Installation, selecting the option for the indicator stalk retrofit and arranging service at their nearest Tesla Service Centre.

Reversing a Polarising Design Decision

The refreshed Model 3, launched in late 2023, was the first Tesla to eliminate indicator stalks entirely, opting instead for touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons. While Tesla argued the move created a cleaner and more minimalist cockpit, not everyone was convinced.

Some drivers praised the streamlined look, but others found the button-based indicators unintuitive, especially when cancelling signals after roundabouts or quick lane changes. Feedback quickly mounted, with owners voicing frustration across social media and forums.

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Even Tesla’s senior vice president of engineering, Lars Moravy, later admitted the company may have gone too far. In an interview with Jay Leno earlier this year, Moravy said:

“We always say at Tesla, if you aren’t deleting so much that you have to put something back, you haven’t deleted enough. Well, maybe we deleted too much.”

That rethink began materialising in 2025, when Tesla reintroduced the indicator stalk on the updated Model Y, signalling a shift back toward practicality. The latest 2026 Model 3 update now includes the stalk by default — and the retrofit gives existing owners the same functionality.

A Global Rollout, Now Reaching Australia

Tesla first launched the retrofit in China in August 2025 for approximately 2499 yuan ($540 AUD), later expanding availability to the United States for $US595 ($915 AUD). The Australian rollout follows months later, covering vehicles built in 2024 and 2025 which estimated to be more than 22,000 Model 3s on local roads.

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Tesla says the retrofit should take a minimum of three days to process, including shipment to a service centre. Other key controls, such as gear selection, wipers, and headlights, will still be managed through the vehicle’s central touchscreen interface, keeping Tesla’s signature minimalist interior intact.

zecar's take

Tesla’s decision to reintroduce a turn-signal stalk might appear minor, but it highlights a major shift in the company’s design philosophy. The brand that once prided itself on removing physical controls is now learning that driver familiarity still matters, especially as EVs move from early adopters to mainstream buyers.

This retrofit reflects Tesla’s growing maturity as a carmaker. It shows that innovation doesn’t always mean subtraction, and that listening to customer feedback can strengthen, not dilute, brand identity. For Australian drivers, it’s also a reminder that Tesla’s minimalist future might still have room for a little old-school functionality, and that’s no bad thing.