2019 Tesla Model 3 problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2019 Tesla Model 3 include 4 fatality reports, 58 crashes and 5 fires across 608 filings.

608
Complaints
22
Recalls
58
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
27
Injuries
98.7
Severity index

Severity index 98.7 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 98.7p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 6 of 123 by severity index among 2019 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 95% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2019 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 168 complaints (27.6%)168 28%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 91 complaints (15.0%)91 15%SuspensionSuspension: 82 complaints (13.5%)82 13%Air BagsAir Bags: 81 complaints (13.3%)81 13%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 77 complaints (12.7%)77 13%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 71 complaints (11.7%)71 12%Lane DepartureLane Departure: 69 complaints (11.3%)69 11%Service BrakesService Brakes: 63 complaints (10.4%)63 10%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE16827.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9115.0%
SUSPENSION8213.5%
AIR BAGS8113.3%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER7712.7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL7111.7%
LANE DEPARTURE6911.3%
SERVICE BRAKES6310.4%

Complaints filed per year

0851702019: 322020: 572021: 442022: 1662023: 1032024: 1082025: 542026: 44 (partial year)1920212216623242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
201932
202057
202144
2022166
2023103
2024108
202554
2026 (year to date)44
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (265 against 267).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
22V03700027/01/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARETesla, 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
21V83500025/10/2021SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERSTesla, 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.
22V04500001/02/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARETesla, 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
21V38900025/05/2021SEAT BELTSTesla, 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.
21V00D00021/12/2021ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNKTesla, 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.
21V38700025/05/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPERTesla, 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.
21V84600029/10/2021FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERATesla, 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
19V71900010/10/2019EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELSTesla 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,
22V06300004/02/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARETesla, 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.
22V16900018/03/2022BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTIONTesla, 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
22V23500012/04/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARETesla, 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.
22V26300018/04/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANELTesla, 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
22V70200019/09/2022VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLSTesla, 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
22V79800021/10/2022SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGETesla, 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.
23V08500015/02/2023STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERINGTesla, 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,
23V23500031/03/2023SUSPENSION:FRONTTesla, 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.
23V83800012/12/2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARETesla, 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
24V05100030/01/2024ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANELTesla, 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
24V15300027/02/2024FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERTTesla, 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
24V37600028/05/2024SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICESTesla, 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
24V93500017/12/2024TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMSTesla, 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
26V50700005/08/2026EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTSTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)

Other Tesla Model 3 model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 8 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-09-05. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.