no report yet
Exterior lighting: headlights
NewRisk. Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
2017 Tesla Model 3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 27 owner complaints about the 2017 Tesla Model 3, most often about the forward collision avoidance. It is covered by 16 safety recalls, and for recall 21V00D000 the manufacturer reports only 79% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 17, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2017 Tesla Model 3 has problems
27 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
8Forward collision avoidance1 crash/fire/injury
7Air bags
6Seats1 crash/fire/injury
6Seat belts
4Vehicle speed control
4Lane departure1 crash/fire/injury
3Visibility/wiper
3Service brakes
2Electrical system
65 other systems
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 8 | 1 |
| Air bags | 7 | 0 |
| Seats | 6 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 6 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 4 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 |
| 5 other systems | 6 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
16 recalls
2017 Tesla Model 3 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Back over prevention: software
NewRisk. A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Risk. Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Front: warning light/devices
Risk. A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Show 12 more recalls
repaired · 2025 Q4
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Risk. Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2025 Q4
Driver monitoring: software
Risk. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as…
repaired · 2025 Q1
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk. FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a…
repaired · 2024 Q3
Rear/other: anchorage
Risk. An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2024 Q4
Visibility: power window devices and controls
Risk. A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q3
Back over prevention: display function
Risk. A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Electrical system: software
Risk. Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q1
Electrical system: software
Risk. The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
repaired · 2022 Q2
Steering: automated/adaptive steering
Risk. Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2024 Q4
Sensing system: camera
Risk. A rearview camera that does not function reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2021 Q4
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
Risk. Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Tesla.
Best & worst years
2017 vs. every other Model 3 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Model 3 median. How we score
'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2017 Tesla Model 3 safety ratings
2017 Tesla Model 3 DR RWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard
- Lane departure warning: Standard
13 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2017 Tesla Model 3, and the recalls they led to.
- Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting RequirementsOpen
- Sudden Unintended AccelerationNo recall
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
- Defect Petition Interlock RequestNo recall
- Sudden Unintended AccelerationOpen
- Autopilot System Driver ControlsLed to recall 23V-838
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsOpen
- Autopilot & First Responder ScenesNo recall
- Tesla Passenger PlayNo recall
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsNo recall
- Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.No recall
- Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engagedOpen
- Recall 23V838 Remedy EffectivenessOpen
In owners' words
What Model 3 owners report
Recent forward collision avoidance complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Within a week of posting a complaint here about phantom braking while in autopilot, my autopilot was disabled. Does the NHTSA share VIN numbers with the manufacturer? Because that sure felt like retaliation by Tesla
Feb 25 around 4pm PT we were driving north on US Hwy 101 using the basic cruise control feature of our Model 3. Based on our settings I believe this would be considered adaptive cruise control, but I'm not sure. Enhanced Auto-Pilot was not in use. On a largely open highway, in particular with no…
The vehicle frequently applies emergency braking when approaching overpasses at night while driving on highways at night at normal speeds. This happens about once per 100 miles or so.
Own a 2017 Model 3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.