Tesla Model 3Years to avoid, problems & recalls
Based on 4,405 NHTSA owner complaints across 10 model years, no Tesla Model 3 year stands out as one to avoid, and the strongest years are 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2024. The Model 3 has 36 safety recalls on record.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports. Updated daily. How we score years.
Tesla Model 3 years to avoid
Complaints by model year, colored by the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Model 3 median. Tap a year for its full report.
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
Most common Tesla Model 3 problems
All model years combined: 4,405 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 1753 | 137 |
| Vehicle speed control | 638 | 122 |
| Electrical system | 572 | 75 |
| Service brakes | 564 | 91 |
| Steering | 418 | 76 |
| Suspension | 386 | 29 |
| Air bags | 320 | 65 |
| Lane departure | 308 | 52 |
| Seat belts | 231 | 7 |
| 23 other systems | 1099 | 167 |
Tesla Model 3 recalls
Newest first. The ring shows the share of affected vehicles repaired, from the manufacturer's latest report to NHTSA.
Showing the 12 newest of 36 recalls. Each model-year page lists all recalls for that year.
NHTSA investigations of the Model 3
- Lower Lateral Link detachmentOpen
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsOpen
- Emergency egress controls are not readily accessible and clearly identifiable.No recall
- Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engagedOpen
- Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting RequirementsOpen
- Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.No recall
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsNo recall
- Recall 23V838 Remedy EffectivenessOpen
- Loss of steering controlLed to recall 25V-092
- Loss of steering controlNo recall