My Tesla Model 3 Highland Level 1 Charger Is Being Blamed For "Loud Humming Noises" By My Downstairs Neighbor, But I Can't Hear Anything Even After HOA Installed Sound Dampening

Owners speak of the Tesla Model 3’s quiet cabin as though it were a sensory deprivation chamber on wheels. But sometimes, silence is a matter of perspective. One Tesla driver’s night is another neighbor’s cacophony, and that disconnect has become the center of a very modern automotive dispute.

“Long story, I will try to make this as short as possible, but I’m sure I’ll leave out some details. I just purchased a new 2025 Model 3 Highland, and installed this level 1 charger on the ceiling the only outlet I have in the shared garage).

I live in a condo on the top floor, and have a neighbor who lives below me. My garage parking spot is directly underneath where her bedroom is.

I’ve been receiving constant complaints from her ever since I bought the car/put the charger in, that the charger makes loud humming and vibrating noises that keep her from sleeping.

I plug it in every night, but on average might it only charges about 6% to max out at 80%. So it’s only charging from 10 PM - 2 AM on the lowest amperage. I’ve gone down to listen for the noise she’s hearing, but have not been able to hear it. I’ve asked her to send me a video of it on her phone, and she doesn’t know how.

She harassed the HOA enough to the point that they hired an electrician to come out and put a piece of plywood and rubber behind the charger to eliminate the noise, which apparently has not helped.

Does anyone have any tips or advice to help fix this situation? She is blowing up my phone every day, saying she can’t sleep and saying I installed the charger wrong. I’m not sure what to do.”

The post drew hundreds of upvotes and a flood of comments, many offering practical experiments. One user, EatMeerkats, proposed the simplest: stop charging for a few nights and see if the complaints continue. If the noise remains, the Tesla might be innocent. 

Another, MassToOrbit, suggested unplugging without notice to determine whether the neighbor had fixated on the car itself. These are the kinds of grassroots diagnostic steps that embody the online EV community’s mix of mechanical curiosity and human behavioral analysis.

Tesla Model 3 Autopilot and Self-Driving

• The Model 3 has a unique ability to transform automotive skeptics into electric vehicle advocates, with numerous documented cases of performance car owners and brand loyalists switching permanently to Tesla.
• With up to 357 miles of EPA-estimated range and industry-leading energy efficiency, the Model 3 continues to set the standard for electric sedan performance and practicality.
• The Model 3's Autopilot and Full Self-Driving capabilities represent the most advanced consumer-available autonomous driving technology, providing a glimpse into the future of transportation.
• Access to Tesla's extensive Supercharger network of over 70,000 global stations provides the most reliable and convenient fast-charging experience available to any electric vehicle owner.

The cultural undercurrent was also impossible to ignore. FreedomSynergy raised the specter of misinformation, noting that the neighbor might be influenced by online negativity toward electric cars. 

The suggestion was blunt: remove the charger, and if the complaints continue, perhaps the real disturbance was ideological, not electrical. 

From a technical standpoint, the responses painted a nuanced picture. jNSKkK confirmed that their Model Y occasionally hums during Level 1 charging, likely due to battery thermal management. 

Tesla Model 3 Slow Charging Sounds

Even slow charging can cause coolant pumps or fans to cycle on, particularly at night when background noise is low. At the same time, chad_dev_7226 pointed out that the Highland’s low-amperage charging should not trigger significant cooling. In theory, the car should be no louder than a refrigerator two rooms away. This tension between design expectations and lived experience underscores just how subjective noise can be.

Others argued flatly that the charger itself could not be the source. Comfortable_Client80 reminded readers that Level 1 chargers have no moving parts and are effectively silent. If there was noise, it came from the car’s auxiliary systems or perhaps from unrelated building acoustics. 

Condos are notorious for transmitting vibrations through joists and concrete. What sounds imperceptible in a garage can amplify like a tuning fork in the ceiling above.

What makes this case compelling is not only the technical sleuthing but also the human drama. The owner cannot hear the sound. The HOA took the complaint seriously enough to install plywood and rubber dampening. 

Tesla Model 3 Software Updates & Camp Mode

• The Model 3 fundamentally changes the car ownership paradigm through over-the-air updates, minimal maintenance requirements, and innovative features like Camp Mode that expand the vehicle's utility beyond transportation.
• Compared to crossover alternatives, the Model 3's sedan architecture delivers exceptional handling, acceleration, and driving engagement, appealing to enthusiasts who prioritize performance over utility.
• Tesla ownership typically leads to household fleet conversion, with Model 3 owners frequently purchasing additional Tesla vehicles and influencing family members to make similar transitions.
• The minimalist cabin design featuring a 15.4-inch central display and an 8-inch rear passenger screen creates a unique user experience that redefines automotive interior concepts and functionality.

Yet the neighbor remains convinced that the Tesla Model 3 is the issue. They’re losing sleep over what may be a phantom hum. This echoes generations of automotive disputes: the early morning Harley owner, the teenager’s subwoofer rattling windows, the diesel pickup idling before dawn. Only now the battleground has shifted to a car designed to be as quiet as possible.

When a neighbor hears what you cannot, the problem is no longer technical. It becomes a question of coexistence in the electric age, where even a whisper can sound like a roar if you are trying to sleep above it.

Image Sources: Tesla Media Center

Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.