2019 Tesla Model 3: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 997 complaints
997
Total Complaints
10,000mi
Median Mileage
Adaptive Cruise Control
Top Issue
93
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
4,315
25th Percentile
10,000
Median Mileage
24,742
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Adaptive Cruise Control
122
Electrical System
82
Automatic Emergency Braking
75
Unknown Or Other
75
Suspension
74
Air Bags
70
Vehicle Speed Control
69
Service Brakes
58
Assist
58
Steering
51
Severity Assessment
93
Crashes
10
Fires
31
Injuries
10
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"THREE TIMES WHEN DRIVING THE TESLA THE SCREEN STARTS FLASHING, THEN EITHER GOES BLACK OR FREEZES. THE TESLA'S SCREEN IS FOR NAVIGATION AND DRIVING SETTINGS. IT'S VERY SCARY TO DRIVE WITH A FROZEN SCREEN BECAUSE THE CAMERAS DON'T WORK: AND THE INTERACTION WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE CAR IS UNKNOWN. ..."
"HI, ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: HTTPS://WWW.BUSINESSINSIDER.COM/TESLA-MODEL-S-CATCHES-FIRE-IN-SAN-FRANCISCO-GARAGE-2019-5 TESLA CEO ELON MUSK HAS SAID THE COMPANY'S VEHICLES ARE LESS LIKELY TO CATCH FIRE THAN GAS-POWERED ONES, BUT DATA FROM THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION S..."
"I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, SECOND IN LINE. MY CAR LUNGED BACKWARDS HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME. I HAD DONE NOTHING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SLIGHT DAMAGE TO MY REAR END AND THEIR FRONT END. MY NECK DID WHIPLASH. THERE WAS AN INFANT IN THE BACKSEAT WHO WAS INJURED IN THE OTHER CAR. THE DRIV..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Adaptive Cruise Control
122 complaints
25th: 17,819 mi
Median: 26,645 mi
75th: 37,750 mi
Electrical System
82 complaints
25th: 3,874 mi
Median: 10,250 mi
75th: 16,496 mi
Automatic Emergency Braking
75 complaints
25th: 24,059 mi
Median: 41,000 mi
75th: 50,250 mi
Unknown Or Other
75 complaints
25th: 4,000 mi
Median: 7,502 mi
75th: 15,380 mi
Suspension
74 complaints
25th: 5,000 mi
Median: 10,000 mi
75th: 21,250 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 397
TX: 76
FL: 70
WA: 34
PA: 32
NC: 32
NJ: 30
NY: 24
OR: 24
MD: 22
Who Files Complaints?
0.5%
Original Owners
99.5%
Second+ Owners
Tesla Model 3 — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (21)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Software
Campaign 22V037000 | 27/01/2022
Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
Critical Fasteners
Campaign 21V835000 | 25/10/2021
A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-31-003.
Software
Campaign 22V045000 | 01/02/2022
The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.
Seat Belts
Campaign 21V389000 | 25/05/2021
An improperly attached fastener may prevent the seat belt system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.
Tesla Service will inspect and repair both fasteners if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for
Rear Compartment/Trunk
Campaign 21V00D000 | 21/12/2021
A rearview camera that does not function reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla Service will inspect and install a guide protector and new cable harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-17-008.
Caliper
Campaign 21V387000 | 25/05/2021
Contact with the rim may cause a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla Service will inspect and tighten, or replace the caliper bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tes
Camera
Campaign 21V846000 | 29/10/2021
Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
Labels
Campaign 19V719000 | 10/10/2019
Failure to provide the air bag warning information increases the risk of injury.
Tesla will notify owners, and Tesla Service Centers will inspect the visor and replace it, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began December 6, 2019. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-19-15-003.
Software
Campaign 22V063000 | 04/02/2022
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3
Display Function
Campaign 22V169000 | 18/03/2022
A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-004.
Software
Campaign 22V235000 | 12/04/2022
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer se
Instrument Cluster/Panel
Campaign 22V263000 | 18/04/2022
The driver may not know how fast the vehicle is traveling without the mph or km/h unit display, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-008.
Power Window Devices And Controls
Campaign 22V702000 | 19/09/2022
A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.
Anchorage
Campaign 22V798000 | 21/10/2022
An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Tesla Service will inspect and reassemble the seat belt anchors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-004.
Automated/Adaptive Steering
Campaign 23V085000 | 15/02/2023
FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
Front
Campaign 23V235000 | 31/03/2023
A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-31-001. This recall is an expansion of previous
Software
Campaign 23V838000 | 12/12/2023
In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
Instrument Cluster/Panel
Campaign 24V051000 | 30/01/2024
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.
Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
External/Pedestrian Alert
Campaign 24V153000 | 27/02/2024
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
Warning Light/Devices
Campaign 24V376000 | 28/05/2024
A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Campaign 24V935000 | 17/12/2024
Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-018.
General Vehicle Maintenance
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual
- Don't ignore warning lights — early diagnosis prevents expensive repairs
- Keep records of all maintenance and repairs
- Use OEM or equivalent-quality parts for repairs
- Address unusual noises, vibrations, or smells promptly
Vehicle Rankings
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28