Tesla Model 3 Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Tesla Model 3 model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2017 drew the fewest (26) and the 2018 the most (1,030).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Among the fewest complaints |
26 | 16 | Forward collision avoidance | — | 126 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
26 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | 111–139 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
117 | 3 | Unknown or other | — | 109–137 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
218 | 5 | Unknown or other | — | 112–137 |
| 2023 | 427 | 12 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 113–132 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
451 | 21 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 113–141 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
615 | 22 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 116–133 |
| 2021 Among the most complaints |
666 | 22 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 113–142 |
| 2022 | 765 | 18 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 113–132 |
| 2018 Among the most complaints |
1,030 | 19 | Forward collision avoidance | 5★ | 116–130 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Tesla Model 3 years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2018 Tesla Model 3: 1,030 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 202 (20%); Suspension 188 (18%); Electrical system 168 (16%).
Reports mention 102 crashes, 4 fires, 44 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 17,000 miles. 19 recall campaigns listed.
2021 Tesla Model 3: 666 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 408 (61%); Service brakes 126 (19%); Vehicle speed control 123 (18%).
Reports mention 46 crashes, 5 fires, 19 injuries, 8 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,000 miles. 22 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Tesla Model 3: 615 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 170 (28%); Electrical system 91 (15%); Air bags 85 (14%).
Reports mention 60 crashes, 5 fires, 30 injuries, 4 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,000 miles. 22 recall campaigns listed.
The Tesla Model 3 years with the fewest complaints
2017 Tesla Model 3: 26 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 8 (31%); Air bags 7 (27%); Seat belts 6 (23%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 16 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Tesla Model 3: 451 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 156 (35%); Vehicle speed control 69 (15%); Service brakes 48 (11%).
Reports mention 54 crashes, 2 fires, 33 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 4,000 miles. 21 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Tesla Model 3: 615 complaints
Most-reported: Forward collision avoidance 170 (28%); Electrical system 91 (15%); Air bags 85 (14%).
Reports mention 60 crashes, 5 fires, 30 injuries, 4 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,000 miles. 22 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Tesla Model 3 owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 117 | 25 | 0 | 9 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 218 | 26 | 1 | 19 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 427 | 72 | 1 | 50 | 1 | 3,400 |
| 2022 | 765 | 53 | 4 | 45 | 1 | 5,000 |
| 2021 | 666 | 46 | 5 | 19 | 8 | 10,000 |
| 2020 | 451 | 54 | 2 | 33 | 2 | 4,000 |
| 2019 | 615 | 60 | 5 | 30 | 4 | 10,000 |
| 2018 | 1,030 | 102 | 4 | 44 | 0 | 17,000 |
| 2017 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Tesla Model 3 recalls
- Incorrect Font Size on Warning Lights/FMVSS 105 (2017–2023 model years; 2,193,869 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2024; 24V051000)
- Autopilot Controls Insufficient to Prevent Misuse (2017–2023 model years; 2,031,220 vehicles across all models; filed Dec 2023; 23V838000)
- Software May Fail to Detect Unlatched Hood (2021–2024 model years; 1,849,638 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2024; 24V554000)
- Power Windows May Pinch/FMVSS 118 (2017–2022 model years; 1,096,762 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2022; 22V702000)
- Seat Belt Chime May Not Activate/FMVSS 208 (2017–2022 model years; 817,143 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2022; 22V045000)
All 36 Tesla Model 3 recall campaigns · Tesla Model 3 problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Tesla Model 3 years FAQ
Which Tesla Model 3 year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2017 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (26). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Tesla Model 3 years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2018, 2021 and 2019 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the forward collision avoidance. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Tesla Model 3 problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the forward collision avoidance (1,741 of 4,341 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Tesla Model 3 have?
NHTSA lists 36 recall campaigns covering the Tesla Model 3. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Tesla Model 3 recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.