repaired · 2026 Q2
Propulsion system: fuses, relays, contacts, and shunts
Risk. A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
2025 Tesla Model 3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 127 owner complaints about the 2025 Tesla Model 3, most often about the forward collision avoidance. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 25V-690 the manufacturer reports only 60% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 6, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2025 Tesla Model 3 has problems
127 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
30Forward collision avoidance8 crash/fire/injury
27Steering8 crash/fire/injury
25Electrical system8 crash/fire/injury
18Lane departure6 crash/fire/injury
15Vehicle speed control4 crash/fire/injury
13Service brakes7 crash/fire/injury
7Exterior lighting
6Structure
5Back over prevention
2912 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 30 | 8 |
| Steering | 27 | 8 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 8 |
| Lane departure | 18 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 15 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 7 |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 2 |
| Back over prevention | 5 | 3 |
| 12 other systems | 29 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2025 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.
repaired · 2026 Q2
Back over prevention: software
Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, 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.
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
2025 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
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2025 Tesla Model 3, and the recalls they led to.
- Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting RequirementsOpen
- FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility ConditionsOpen
- Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.No recall
- Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engagedOpen
In owners' words
What Model 3 owners report
Recent forward collision avoidance complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
while waiting on left signal i changed my destination address when signal turned green car take straight on red signal.car is on fsd mode. happend on sep-19 at south ridding junction
Most recently, on or about 09/05/2026, driving on the freeway at about 65 mph with the sun directly in the windshield, the car suddenly issued an urgent take-over-immediately alert and Autosteer disengaged with no advance warning. My 2025 Tesla Model 3 uses a camera-only driver assistance system…
I am filing a formal safety complaint regarding a severe braking and stability control failure that resulted in unpredictable, highly dangerous vehicle behavior. While driving, the vehicle displayed a cascade of critical system failures, throwing error codes APP_w009 (AEB disabled), DI_a222…
Own a 2025 Model 3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.