2018 Tesla Model 3: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 984 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 18 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
984
Complaints
18
Recalls
100
Crash reports
4
Fire reports
42
Injuries
77.2
Severity index
Severity index 77.2 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 121 2018 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2018 Tesla Model 3 ranks 35 of 121 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 71% of its model-year peers. See the full 2018 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 199 | 20.2% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 171 | 17.4% |
| SUSPENSION | 167 | 17.0% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 166 | 16.9% |
| AIR BAGS | 134 | 13.6% |
| SEAT BELTS | 100 | 10.2% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 89 | 9.0% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 87 | 8.8% |
The single most-reported system is FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, cited in 199 of 984 complaints (20.2%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 30 |
| 2019 | 63 |
| 2020 | 64 |
| 2021 | 71 |
| 2022 | 223 |
| 2023 | 219 |
| 2024 | 185 |
| 2025 | 85 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 44 |
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 1.4x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.
Recall campaigns
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22V037000 | 27/01/2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersec |
| 22V045000 | 01/02/2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the |
| 21V389000 | 25/05/2021 | SEAT BELTS | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached. |
| 21V00D000 | 21/12/2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying. |
| 21V846000 | 29/10/2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (A |
| 22V063000 | 04/02/2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. |
| 22V169000 | 18/03/2022 | BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these ve |
| 22V235000 | 12/04/2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. |
| 22V263000 | 18/04/2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Model 3 Performance vehicles. The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedometer while in Track Mode. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard num |
| 22V702000 | 19/09/2022 | VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements o |
| 22V798000 | 21/10/2022 | SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The second-row left seat belt buckle and second-row center seat belt anchor may have been incorrectly reassembled during vehicle service. |
| 23V085000 | 15/02/2023 | STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, |
| 23V235000 | 31/03/2023 | SUSPENSION:FRONT | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame. |
| 23V838000 | 12/12/2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the |
| 24V051000 | 30/01/2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As |
| 24V153000 | 27/02/2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Moto |
| 24V376000 | 28/05/2024 | SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comp |
| 24V935000 | 17/12/2024 | TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. As such, these |
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.