Tesla Model 3 recalls and problems by year
NHTSA lists 36 recalls and 4,380 owner complaints for the Tesla Model 3 (model years 2017–2026). The most reported problem area is forward collision avoidance (1,749 complaints), followed by vehicle speed control (635 complaints). The 2021 model year has the most recalls (22).
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 29 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2025 | 3 | 122 | 26 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 5 | 222 | 28 | 1 | |
| 2023 | 12 | 428 | 73 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 18 | 773 | 57 | 4 | |
| 2021 | 22 | 673 | 46 | 5 | |
| 2020 | 21 | 452 | 54 | 2 | |
| 2019 | 22 | 620 | 60 | 5 | |
| 2018 | 19 | 1,034 | 103 | 4 | |
| 2017 | 16 | 27 | 1 | 0 |
By complaints filed, the peak model years are 2018 (1,034), 2022 (773) and 2021 (673). Among model years at least two years old, the 2017 has the fewest complaints on file (27).
Most reported problem areas
What owners name in their complaints across all Tesla Model 3 model years. A complaint can name more than one area.
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 1,749 | 10 of 10 | |
| Vehicle speed control | 635 | 10 of 10 | |
| Electrical system | 565 | 10 of 10 | |
| Service brakes | 558 | 9 of 10 | |
| Steering | 410 | 9 of 10 |
Latest 8 of 36 recalls
| Recall | Date | Problem area | Model years | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V507000 | Aug 4, 2026 | Exterior lighting: headlights | 2017–2023 | 20,349 |
| 26V445000 | Jul 7, 2026 | Air bags: knee bolster | 2024 | 15 |
| 26V283000 | May 4, 2026 | Back over prevention: software | 2017, 2021–2023 | 218,868 |
| 25V690000 | Oct 10, 2025 | Electrical system: propulsion system, fuses, relays, contacts, and shunts | 2025 | 12,963 |
| 25V410000 | Jun 18, 2025 | Seats: critical fasteners | 2026 | 48 |
| 25V092000 | Feb 14, 2025 | Steering: electric power assist system | 2023 | 376,241 |
| 25V002000 | Jan 6, 2025 | Back over prevention: software | 2024–2025 | 239,382 |
| 24V935000 | Dec 17, 2024 | Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems | 2017–2025 | 696,281 |
Vehicles: the manufacturer's estimate of all vehicles potentially affected by the recall, across every model it covers. Each model-year page lists what its recalls fix.
Owners reported a crash in 457 complaints and a fire in 22 complaints; 256 people injured and 17 deaths are recorded in these reports. These are the owners' accounts, not findings of cause.
Complaint counts grow with how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road; compare years with that in mind. Complaints are unverified owner reports.