Tesla Model 3 recalls and safety
36 recalls · crash ratings 2018-2023 · 4,350 owner complaints
36
recalls
36
recalls
The Tesla Model 3 has 36 recalls covering 12.2 million vehicles as reported; model year 2021 is covered by the most (25). The 2023 Tesla Model 3 earned 5 of 5 stars overall in crash tests (best version). Owners filed 553 safety complaints in the 12 months to Sep 2026; forward collision avoidance is named most over all years.
Updated Oct 11, 2026 · recalls to Oct 6, 2026
Recalls
36
Most for 2021: 25
Units affected
12.2M
As reported
Overall stars
5 of 5
Model year 2023
Complaints, 12 mo
553
+6.8% vs 12 months before
Do-not-drive
0
None
By model year
Which model years are covered by the most recalls, and which get the most complaints
Recalls by model year
How many recalls cover each model year. Hover a year for the count.
Crash test star ratings
14 rated versions, model years 2018 to 2023
Overall stars by model year
The best and lowest overall rating of the versions tested each year (5 is best).
| Year | Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 DR · AWD | 6.6% risk | |||
| 2023 | 4 DR · RWD | 6.6% risk | |||
| 2022 | 4 DR · AWD | 6.6% risk | |||
| 2022 | 4 DR · RWD | 6.6% risk | |||
| 2021 | 4 DR · AWD | 6.6% risk | |||
| 2021 | 4 DR · AWD | 6.6% risk | |||
| 2021 | 4 DR · RWD | 6.6% risk | |||
| 2021 | 4 DR · RWD | 6.6% risk | |||
| 2020 | 4 DR · AWD | 6.6% risk | |||
| 2020 | 4 DR · RWD | 6.6% risk | |||
| 2019 | 4 DR · AWD | 6.6% risk | |||
| 2019 | 4 DR · RWD | 6.6% risk | |||
| 2018 | 4 DR · AWD | Not rated | Not rated | 6.6% risk | |
| 2018 | 4 DR · RWD | 6.6% risk |
5 stars is the best. Ratings before model year 2011 used older tests.
Owner complaints
Safety complaints about the Tesla Model 3, by the month they were received
Complaints per month
553 in the 12 months to Sep 2026.
Components named most
- Forward collision avoidance1,741
- Unknown or other699
- Vehicle speed control633
- Service brakes560
- Electrical system558
- Steering400
- Suspension375
- Complaints
- 4,350
- Crashes reported
- 450
- Fires reported
- 22
- People injured
- 253
Counts only, as reported by owners and not verified.
Parts recalled
Recalls of the Tesla Model 3 by component
- Electrical system8 · 6.40M units
- Forward collision avoidance5 · 1.19M units
- Seat belts4 · 972K units
- Air bags3 · 19 units
- Steering3 · 793K units
- Back over prevention2 · 220K units
- Equipment2 · 130K units
- Exterior lighting2 · 342K units
Tesla Model 3 recalls
The 25 newest of 36
Related pages
Questions and answers
Is the 2026 Tesla Model 3 recalled?
Yes: 3 recalls cover the 2026 Tesla Model 3. Check the recall pages below for what is wrong and the free fix; a dealer can tell if a single vehicle still needs the repair.
How many recalls does the Tesla Model 3 have?
36 recalls cover the Tesla Model 3, for 12.2 million vehicles as reported. The most common problem is electrical system (8 recalls).
What is the safety rating of the 2023 Tesla Model 3?
5 of 5 stars overall (4 DR): frontal crash 5, side crash 5 and rollover 5 stars, with a 6.6% chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
What do owners complain about most on the Tesla Model 3?
Forward collision avoidance: named in 1,741 of the 4,350 safety complaints about the Tesla Model 3, then unknown or other (699). One complaint can name several components.
A recall means the maker found a safety problem and offers a free fix; it does not mean every unit has the problem. Units affected are as reported by the company. Popular models sell more and so have more recalls and complaints. Official public data, updated daily. Models are written as published, so a few versions of one model can be listed under slightly different names.