repaired · 2026 Q2
Seats: critical fasteners
Risk. The seat may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
2026 Tesla Model 3Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 31 owner complaints about the 2026 Tesla Model 3, most often about the forward collision avoidance. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 25V-410 the manufacturer reports only 54% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 4, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Chanokchon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2026 Tesla Model 3 has problems
31 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
8Forward collision avoidance4 crash/fire/injury
7Steering3 crash/fire/injury
5Back over prevention5 crash/fire/injury
4Lane departure3 crash/fire/injury
3Electrical system
2Structure
2Vehicle speed control
2Suspension
1Wheels
55 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 8 | 4 |
| Steering | 7 | 3 |
| Back over prevention | 5 | 5 |
| Lane departure | 4 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| 5 other systems | 5 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2026 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.
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
2026 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
2026 Tesla Model 3 safety ratings
2026 TESLA MODEL 3 4 DR BEV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side barrier★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
- Rollover: 5 stars (6.8% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: Standard
- Lane departure warning: Standard
3 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2026 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
- 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.
• forward collision warning and automatic emergency breaking failed to work and are still currently an ongoing problem and not functioning. They are and have always Been enabled and can be inspected upon request. • my safety and those in my car and around me put at risk, by the system and software…
My Tesla was operating under FSD at 9pm on a dark country road. I was traveling at 45mph and vehicle randomly applied hard emergency braking and I had to take over. It appeared that the vehicle may have been responding to a dark oil stain or possibly a mailbox. Had another vehicle been closely…
Driving on a 2 lane road going 65 with Traffic-Aware Cruise Control enabled at 65 MPH with a car behind and no car in front of us. the car phantom braked for no reason going from 65 to 40 mph in a matter of seconds. Luckily we were able to accelerate to avoid being rear ended
Own a 2026 Model 3?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.