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

2020 Tesla Model 3

Typical pattern

7% of complaints about the 2020 Tesla Model 3 came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2020 vehicle — around the middle of the 178 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is collision avoidance (215 complaints), typically at 3.2 yr or about 10,000 miles.

Complaints
772
Median age at failure
3.4 yr
Median mileage
3,000 n=127
Crash / fire / tow
14.6% of reports
Safety recalls
10

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Collision avoidance
215 reports · 10,000 mi
3.2 yr
7.9%
Other
81 reports · 1,600 mi
3.3 yr
17.3%
Speed control
69 reports · 1,740 mi
3.1 yr
26.1%
Suspension
46 reports · 2,000 mi
4.6 yr
6.5%
Steering
46 reports · 3,000 mi
4.1 yr
19.6%
Service brakes
46 reports · 1,250 mi
3.0 yr
15.2%
Lane departure
44 reports · 8,500 mi
4.0 yr
15.9%
Electrical system
42 reports · 14,000 mi
3.6 yr
23.8%
Air bags
31 reports · 55,000 mi
4.6 yr
32.3%
Seats
23 reports · 19,000 mi
4.5 yr
8.7%
Structure
22 reports · 600 mi
4.0 yr
18.2%
Visibility / wipers
22 reports · 9,000 mi
3.8 yr
0%

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.

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.

22V263000 2022-04-18
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 number 101, "Control and Displays."

The driver may not know how fast the vehicle is traveling without the mph or km/h unit display, increasing the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Suspension 94 mi 2 mo in service
HERE IS A 2020 MODEL 3 TESLA IN THE SALVAGE YARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS?ITEMID=34632816&ROWNUMBER=4&SIMILARVEHICLEITEMID=&ISNEXT=&LOADRECENT=TRUE THE FRONT WHEEL HAS GONE TOTALLY WHOMPY BECAUSE MOST OF THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS HAVE SNAPPED. THERE IS HARDLY ANY DAMAGE TO THE CAR EXCEPT FOR THE SUSPENSION HAVING SNAPPED OFF. THERE IS NO SIGN OF AN IMPACT SEVERE ENOUGH TO JUSTIFY THIS SUSPENSION FAILURE. THE CAR HAS DONE JUST 94 MILES SINCE LEAVING THE FACTORY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THESE SYSTEMIC FAILURES WITH TESLA SUSPENSIONS. THANK YOU KEEF *JB
Suspension 2,000 mi 10 mo in service
HERE IS A 2020 MODEL 3 IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/37237764?ROWNUMBER=6THE FONT SUSPENSION GIBLETS HAVEALL FALLEN TO BITS. BOTH FRONT WHEELS ARE SPLAYED OUT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS WHICH WOULD PROBABLY MAKE IT A LITTLE HARD TO STEER. IWOULD YOU PLEASE ISSUE AN IMMEDIATE RECALL FOR THESE TENT BUILT DEFECTIVE DEADLY CONTRAPTIONS. THANK YOU. KEEF
Suspension 2,000 mi 1.1 yr in service
MODEL 3 MAKES A VERY HIGH PITCH NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. IT DOES HAPPEN WHEN YOU PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND STAND STILL ON HOLD. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING NOR WHILE IN PARK.
Other 750 mi 4 mo in service
THE AUTO STEER IN MY TESLA MODEL 3 FAILED TODAY WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNING ON A CURVY DOWNHILL ROAD. I BELIEVE IT'S BECAUSE THE LANE MARKINGS ON THE RIGHT SIDE ENDED JUST BEFORE THE CURBING STARTED. THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED RIGHT AND HIT THE CURB BRUSHING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT IF I HADN'T TAKEN OVER. AUTO STEER TECHNOLOGY IS NOT YET READY FOR USE ON ALL THE ROADS AND IT SHOULD NOT BE INCLUDED BY DEFAULT IN ALL THE TESLA MODELS. MY CAR DID NOT BRAKE BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STILL ON. I AM STILL IN SHOCK AND AFRAID TO USE THE AUTO STEER AGAIN.

Other Model 3 model years

20252024202320222021202020192018

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