2019 Tesla Model 3: owner complaints and recalls
Analysis of 594 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 21 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.
594
Complaints
21
Recalls
58
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
26
Injuries
106.1
Severity index
Severity index 106.1 - High. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.
Among the 123 2019 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2019 Tesla Model 3 ranks 15 of 123 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 88% of its model-year peers. See the full 2019 ranking.
What actually fails
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 167 | 28.1% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 90 | 15.2% |
| AIR BAGS | 77 | 13.0% |
| SUSPENSION | 76 | 12.8% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 76 | 12.8% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 71 | 12.0% |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 68 | 11.4% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 62 | 10.4% |
The single most-reported system is FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, cited in 167 of 594 complaints (28.1%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 32 |
| 2020 | 57 |
| 2021 | 44 |
| 2022 | 166 |
| 2023 | 103 |
| 2024 | 108 |
| 2025 | 54 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 30 |
Complaint volume is broadly steady year over year.
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 |
| 21V835000 | 25/10/2021 | SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame. |
| 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. |
| 21V387000 | 25/05/2021 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim. |
| 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 |
| 19V719000 | 10/10/2019 | EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS | Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019 Tesla Model 3 vehicles. The driver-side sun visor may not have the required air bag warning information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, |
| 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.