Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2026 Tesla Model 3. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Seat Assembly Fasteners Improperly Tightened
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- The seat may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- 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. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-13-003.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (26)
26 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The unknown or other is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 26 |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 9 | 34.6% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 7 | 26.9% |
| Steering | 5 | 19.2% |
| Back over prevention | 4 | 15.4% |
| Lane departure | 4 | 15.4% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 7.7% |
| Structure | 2 | 7.7% |
| Suspension | 2 | 7.7% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 7.7% |
| Air bags | 1 | 3.8% |
How 2026 compares with other Model 3 years
Best and worst Model 3 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 26 | 16 |
| 2018 | 1,030 | 19 |
| 2019 | 615 | 22 |
| 2020 | 451 | 21 |
| 2021 | 666 | 22 |
| 2022 | 765 | 18 |
| 2023 | 427 | 12 |
| 2024 | 218 | 5 |
| 2025 | 117 | 3 |
| 2026 | 26 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 139 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- —
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 139 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric · Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 147 / 130 / 139 | $550 | — |
| Electric · Automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 145 / 128 / 137 | $550 | — |
| Electric · Automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 133 / 122 / 128 | $600 | — |
| Electric · Automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 120 / 107 / 114 | $650 | — |
| Electric · Automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 117 / 106 / 111 | $700 | — |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2026 Model 3 for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2026 Tesla Model 3 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2026 Tesla Model 3 have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 25V410000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2026 Tesla Model 3 problems?
Owners filed 26 complaints with NHTSA. Unknown or other (9), Forward collision avoidance (7), Steering (5) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2026 Tesla Model 3 get?
EPA rates the Electric · Automatic version at 147 city, 130 highway and 139 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2026 Model 3 compare with other years?
Among the 2017–2021 Tesla Model 3 model years at least five years old, the 2017 drew the fewest complaints (26) and the 2018 the most (1,030). The 2026 drew 26. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.