What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2018 Tesla Model 3

Typical pattern

2% of complaints about the 2018 Tesla Model 3 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2018 vehicle — around the middle of the 182 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is collision avoidance (286 complaints), typically at 4.8 yr or about 27,000 miles.

Complaints
1,715
Median age at failure
5.3 yr
Median mileage
17,000 n=339
Crash / fire / tow
13.6% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Collision avoidance
286 reports · 27,000 mi
4.8 yr
15%
Suspension
182 reports · 20,000 mi
5.8 yr
10.4%
Other
175 reports · 14,300 mi
5.0 yr
14.9%
Electrical system
169 reports · 24,500 mi
5.5 yr
9.5%
Air bags
144 reports · 20,000 mi
6.5 yr
10.4%
Seat belts
104 reports · 60,000 mi
6.4 yr
1%
Speed control
90 reports · 9,999 mi
4.3 yr
33.3%
Service brakes
88 reports · 5,000 mi
4.8 yr
21.6%
Steering
80 reports · 12,000 mi
6.2 yr
10%
Seats
73 reports · 48,000 mi
6.4 yr
0%
Lane departure
61 reports · 60,000 mi
5.3 yr
16.4%
Structure
59 reports · 16,000 mi
3.9 yr
44.1%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

26V507000 2026-08-05
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) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

24V935000 2024-12-17
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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.

24V376000 2024-05-28
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 comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

24V153000 2024-02-27
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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.

24V051000 2024-01-30
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 such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

23V838000 2023-12-12
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 prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

23V235000 2023-03-31
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.

A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.

23V085000 2023-02-15
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, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in pos

FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.

22V798000 2022-10-21
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.

An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

22V702000 2022-09-19
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 of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

In owners’ own words

Service brakes 4,200 mi 1.2 yr in service crash / fire / tow
TESLA MODEL 3 (2018) PROCEEDED TO ACCELERATE WHILE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION CAUSING UNCONTROLLABLE MANEUVER AND VEHICLE CONTROL LOSS. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO PEDAL INPUT AND FAILED TO DEPLOY AIRBAGS UPON IMPACT WITH A TREE AND FENCE CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE THROUGHOUT SUCH INCIDENT. AUTOPILOT WAS ENGAGED PRIOR TO CRASH. NO FORWARD COLLISION WARNING ACTIVATED.
Service brakes 1,255 mi 1.5 yr in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROAD, TRAFFIC STOPPED AHEAD. I PRESSED THE BRAKES, BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND. THE COLLISION WARNING AND EMERGENCY AUTO-STOPPING SYSTEM ALSO DID NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH THE CAR IN FRONT. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE COLLISION, THE TESLA RECEIVED A FIRMWARE UPDATE. I NOTICED THE DRIVING BEHAVIOR WAS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. BRAKE FAILURE LIKE THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE THIS FIRMWARE UPDATE. THE FIRMWARE VERSION WITH THIS ISSUE IS 2019.5.4. 4C3C414
Service brakes 34,000 mi 2.3 yr in service crash / fire / tow
MY TESLA WHEN ON AUTOPILOT ON A FREEWAY RUNNING LESS THAN 5 MPH DUE TO TRAFFIC WAS RIGHT BEHIND A BIG TRUCK AND THE CAR NEVER STOPPED AND BUMPED INTO THE TRUCK. AN ATTEMPT TO BRAKE MANUALLY WAS DONE BUT THE AUTOPILOT WOULDNT DEACTIVATE AND GIVE US BACK THE CONTROL TO STOP THE CAR. I HAVE A VIDEO FROM MY FRONT CAM WITH THE INCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY MY CAR WAS NOT DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED IF THE SAME INCDENT COULD HAPPEN AS LIKE MAY OTHERS WHO GOT KILLED.
Speed control 4,500 mi 8 mo in service crash / fire / tow
DRIVER FELT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE PARKING THE CAR. THE ACCELERATION HAPPENED WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF SECONDS WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNING 90% AT PRETTY NORMAL SPEEDS TO PARK. THE CAR HIT A TREE, AND SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT FRONTAL DAMAGE.

Other Model 3 model years

20252024202320222021202020192018

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