Tesla Model 3 reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 4,348 complaints about the Tesla Model 3 with NHTSA since 2017, most often about automatic emergency braking and collision warning and other or unspecified. Tesla has filed 0 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns for it, and there are 36 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Tesla Model 3? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Model 3 a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2017 on.
- Owner complaints
- 4,348
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 0
- Filed by Tesla
- Service campaigns
- 0
- Filed by Tesla
- Safety recalls
- 36
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Model 3 with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 | Other or unspecified (32%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 117 | Other or unspecified (31%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 | 219 | Other or unspecified (32%) | 5 | 0 |
| 2023 | 427 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (42%) | 12 | 0 |
| 2022 | 766 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (69%) | 18 | 0 |
| 2021 | 667 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (61%) | 22 | 0 |
| 2020 | 451 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (35%) | 21 | 0 |
| 2019 | 617 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (28%) | 22 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1,030 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (20%) | 19 | 0 |
| 2017 | 26 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (31%) | 16 | 0 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Model 3 model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Tesla
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Tesla filed with NHTSA for the Model 3, in its own words. A warranty extension means Tesla pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
No warranty extension or service campaign on file for the Model 3.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Model 3 model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Automatic emergency braking and collision warning1,740 (40%)
- Other or unspecified699 (16%)
- Cruise control and speed control633 (15%)
- Electrical system555 (13%)
- Brakes553 (13%)
- Suspension317 (7%)
- Steering265 (6%)
- Lane keeping250 (6%)
Safety recalls
36 recalls cover at least one Model 3 model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output.
The vehicles were originally built for a foreign market and do not have knee air bags, may not be equipped with certain interior safety countermeasures, and may not have been tested for bumper impact resistance…
The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.
The battery pack contactors may fail, causing a loss of drive power.
The fasteners attaching the seat back to the seat bottom may have been improperly tightened.
The printed circuit board for the electronic power steering assist may experience an overstress condition, causing a loss of power steering assist when the vehicle reaches a stop and then accelerates again.
The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image.
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure.
The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended.
The driver seat side air bag module was assembled without a deflector that directs gas flow during deployment.
A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.
In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective.
And 21 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- PE26006Preliminary evaluation· opened Jul 2026, still open· Suspension· model years 2018–2020, 2023
Lower Lateral Link detachment
- EA26002Engineering analysis· opened Mar 2026, still open· Electrical system· model years 2017–2026
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
- DP25002Defect petition· opened Dec 2025, closed Jul 2026· Body and structure· model years 2022
Emergency egress controls are not readily accessible and clearly identifiable.
- PE25012Preliminary evaluation· opened Oct 2025, still open· Electrical system· model years 2017–2026
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
- AQ25002Audit query· opened Aug 2025, still open· Electrical system· model years 2017–2026
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
- PE24033Preliminary evaluation· opened Jan 2025, closed Apr 2026· Electrical system· model years 2017–2021, 2023–2025
Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
- PE24031Preliminary evaluation· opened Oct 2024, closed Mar 2026· Electrical system· model years 2017–2024
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
- RQ24009Recall query· opened Apr 2024, still open· Electrical system· model years 2017–2024
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness
- EA24001Engineering analysis· opened Feb 2024, closed Jun 2026· Steering· model years 2023
Loss of steering control
Led to recall 25V092.
- PE23014Preliminary evaluation· opened Jul 2023, closed Feb 2024· Steering· model years 2023
Loss of steering control
- DP23002Defect petition· opened Jun 2023, still open· Cruise control and speed control· model years 2017–2023
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
- DP23001Defect petition· opened Apr 2023, closed Mar 2026· Other or unspecified· model years 2017–2023
Defect Petition Interlock Request
- DP22005Defect petition· opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023· Electrical system· model years 2017–2022
Pedestrian alert sounds
Led to recall 22V063000.
- EA22002Engineering analysis· opened Jun 2022, closed Apr 2024· Electrical system· model years 2017–2023
Autopilot System Driver Controls
Led to recall 23V085.
- PE22002Preliminary evaluation· opened Feb 2022, closed Jun 2026· Automatic emergency braking and collision warning· model years 2018, 2020–2024
Unexpected Brake Activation
- PE21023Preliminary evaluation· opened Dec 2021, closed May 2023· Equipment and accessories· model years 2017–2022
Tesla Passenger Play
- PE21020Preliminary evaluation· opened Aug 2021, closed Jun 2022· Electrical system· model years 2017–2022
Autopilot & First Responder Scenes
- DP20001Defect petition· opened Jan 2020, closed Jan 2021· Electrical system· model years 2017–2019
Sudden Unintended Acceleration
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Tesla Model 3 reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2017 on: 4,348 owner complaints, 0 warranty extensions and 0 service campaigns Tesla filed, and 36 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2018 (1,030), 2022 (766), 2021 (667). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Tesla Model 3?
Across every model year since 2017, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name automatic emergency braking and collision warning (40%), other or unspecified (16%), cruise control and speed control (15%). Tesla has filed no warranty extension for the Model 3 with NHTSA.
Which Model 3 model years have the most complaints?
2018 (1,030), 2022 (766), 2021 (667). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Model 3 with each other rather than with other models.
Has Tesla extended the warranty on the Model 3?
Tesla has filed no warranty extension for the Model 3 with NHTSA in the years we hold.
How do I check recalls on a Model 3?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 36 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.