EVCostIQ

The EV cost intelligence platform

Tesla Model 3 recalls & complaint record (MY 2017–2026)

By Ivan H., EVCostIQ · reviewed against our public methodology · every source dated on this page

As of , the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) lists 34 recall campaigns and 4,030 consumer complaints for the Tesla Model 3 (MY 2017–2026). The most-reported complaint areas are Forward Collision Avoidance, Vehicle Speed Control, Service Brakes. Every recall is a free remedy — an open recall is repaired at no cost — so a recall adds nothing to what the Model 3 costs to own.

Every Tesla Model 3 recall campaign, by year

All 34 NHTSA recall campaigns on file for the Model 3 (MY 2017–2026), newest first. A recall is a free remedy — the manufacturer repairs the defect at no cost. Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov), data as of .

2026 — 1 campaign

2025 — 4 campaigns

2024 — 6 campaigns

2023 — 4 campaigns

2022 — 12 campaigns

2021 — 6 campaigns

2019 — 1 campaign

Where the Model 3’s recalls and complaints cluster

Recalls by component (34 campaigns total): Electrical System (11), Back Over Prevention (4), Seat Belts (3), Forward Collision Avoidance (3), Steering (2), Air Bags (2), Suspension (2), Seats (1), and 6 other components.

Complaints by reported area (4,030 total; a single complaint can cite more than one area): Forward Collision Avoidance (1,669), Vehicle Speed Control (608), Service Brakes (544), Electrical System (515), Steering (349), Suspension (320).

Recall counts are NHTSA campaign records; complaint counts are consumer reports. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA.

Crash, fire, injury and death reports

Across those consumer complaints, NHTSA’s records for the Model 3 (MY 2017–2026) include 394 crash reports, 20 fire reports, 228 injury reports and 12 reports of a death. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA.

Do recalls affect what the Model 3 costs to own?

Recalls & complaints — FAQ

How many recalls does the Tesla Model 3 have?

As of July 10, 2026, NHTSA lists 34 recall campaigns for the Tesla Model 3 (MY 2017–2026). Each is a free remedy — the manufacturer repairs the defect at no cost. The full dated campaign list is above.

What is the most serious Model 3 recall?

The largest by scale is campaign 24V051000 (, Electrical System), affecting about 2,193,869 vehicles: 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. The remedy is free of charge.

How do I check if my Model 3 has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s free recall lookup, nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows any open (unrepaired) recall for your exact vehicle, and recall repairs are always free at a franchised dealer.

Do recalls make the Model 3 cheaper or more expensive to own?

Neither, directly — recall repairs are free, so they add nothing to the cost of ownership. An unrepaired recall can make a used one harder to resell, but our 5-year cost totals use market-level depreciation and are not adjusted per campaign. See the Model 3 cost to own.

About this data

Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov), data as of .

Related: Tesla Model 3 Premium RWD cost to own → · 2026 Tesla Model 3 Performance cost to own → · 2026 Tesla Model 3 Premium AWD cost to own → · every model’s cost page · how we calculate cost of ownership.