2021 Tesla Model 3 problems and recalls

Owner complaints on the 2021 Tesla Model 3 include 8 fatality reports, 45 crashes and 5 fires across 657 filings.

657
Complaints
22
Recalls
45
Crash reports
5
Fire reports
19
Injuries
98.1
Severity index

Severity index 98.1 High. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 98.1p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 6 of 92 by severity index among 2021 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 93% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2021 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Forward Collision Avoid…Forward Collision Avoidance: 406 complaints (61.8%)406 62%Service BrakesService Brakes: 125 complaints (19.0%)125 19%Vehicle Speed ControlVehicle Speed Control: 123 complaints (18.7%)123 19%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 93 complaints (14.2%)93 14%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 76 complaints (11.6%)76 12%Lane DepartureLane Departure: 31 complaints (4.7%)31 5%Visibility/WiperVisibility/Wiper: 29 complaints (4.4%)29 4%SteeringSteering: 26 complaints (4.0%)26 4%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE40661.8%
SERVICE BRAKES12519.0%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL12318.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER9314.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM7611.6%
LANE DEPARTURE314.7%
VISIBILITY/WIPER294.4%
STEERING264.0%

Complaints filed per year

01703402020: 12021: 712022: 3392023: 932024: 742025: 422026: 37 (partial year)20212233923242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20201
202171
2022339
202393
202474
202542
2026 (year to date)37
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 0.5x those in 2020 to 2022 (209 against 411).

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
21V83400025/10/2021AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAINTesla, 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
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
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
22V05000002/02/2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance
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.
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
22V31700009/05/2022FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKINGTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model 3 and 2021 Model Y vehicles. The fisheye and narrow camera cable terminals were incorrectly installed in the cable harness connector, resulting in swapped camera views.
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,
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
24V55400024/07/2024LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCHTesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
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
26V28300005/05/2026BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARETesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and Model X vehicles operating software version 2026.8.6. The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply
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.