Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 29 | −55% | 1 | Collision Avoidance | Good |
| 2025 | 121 | typical | 3 | Collision Avoidance | Average |
| 2024 | 221 | 1.4× | 5 | Collision Avoidance | Caution |
| 2023 | 428 | 1.9× | 12 | Collision Avoidance | Caution |
| 2022 | 770 | 2.1× | 18 | Collision Avoidance | Avoid |
| 2021 | 671 | 1.5× | 22 | Collision Avoidance | Caution |
| 2020 | 452 | −19% | 21 | Collision Avoidance | Average |
| 2019 | 619 | 1.3× | 22 | Collision Avoidance | Average |
| 2018 | 1,032 | — | 19 | Collision Avoidance | Limited data |
| 2017 | 27 | — | 16 | Collision Avoidance | Limited data |
* Complaints compared with the median Model 3 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Tesla Model 3 problems
Latest Tesla Model 3 recalls
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…
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the headlights, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were be mailed October 3, 2026. Another notice will be sent once the repair becomes available.
Air bags › Knee bolster
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y and 2024 Model 3 vehicles. The vehicles were originally built for a foreign market and do not have knee air bags, may not be equipped with certain interior safety countermeasures, and may not have been tested for bumper impact resistance procedures.
Remedy: Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026.
Back over prevention › Software
Tesla, 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.
Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Fuses, relays, contacts, and shunts
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles. The battery pack contactors may fail, causing a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the battery pack contactors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752.
Seats › Critical fasteners
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The fasteners attaching the seat back to the seat bottom may have been improperly tightened.
Remedy: Tesla Service Centers will inspect and tighten or replace the seat assembly fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2025.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Tesla Model 3 should you avoid?
2022, 2023, 2021 and 2024 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Model 3 years at the same age, led by driver assistance problems in the 2022.
What is the best year for the Tesla Model 3?
2020 has the fewest complaints compared with other Model 3 years at the same age. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Tesla Model 3 problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the driver assistance (1,961), speed control & acceleration (634) and brakes (571). Collision Avoidance complaints peak in the 2022 model year.
How many recalls has the Tesla Model 3 had?
36 recalls across 2017–2026. The model year with the most is 2019. See all Tesla Model 3 recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.