2020 Tesla Model 3 problems and recalls
Owner complaints on the 2020 Tesla Model 3 include 2 fatality reports, 53 crashes and 2 fires across 447 filings.
447
Complaints
21
Recalls
53
Crash reports
2
Fire reports
31
Injuries
112.1
Severity index
Severity index 112.1 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.
Ranked 7 of 103 by severity index among 2020 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 93% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2020 ranking.
Components cited in complaints
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints citing it |
|---|---|---|
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 156 | 34.9% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 81 | 18.1% |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 69 | 15.4% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 47 | 10.5% |
| STEERING | 45 | 10.1% |
| SUSPENSION | 44 | 9.8% |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 42 | 9.4% |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 35 | 7.8% |
Complaints filed per year
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 33 |
| 2021 | 35 |
| 2022 | 115 |
| 2023 | 94 |
| 2024 | 85 |
| 2025 | 44 |
| 2026 (year to date) | 38 |
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (223 against 183).
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 |
| 21V834000 | 25/10/2021 | AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fede |
| 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 |
| 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, |
| 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 |
| 26V507000 | 05/08/2026 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | Tesla, 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.