Tesla Model 3 Recalls

The Tesla Model 3 has 47 recalls spanning 2017 through 2026, with the most serious being a Full Self-Driving Beta software defect on 2017–2023 models where the system can exceed speed limits or pass through intersections without stopping, raising the risk of a crash.

On the newest end of the production run, 2025 Model 3 vehicles have a battery pack contactor that can fail and cut drive power without warning. The 2026 model year has seat back fasteners that may not be properly tightened, meaning the seat can fail to hold an occupant in a crash. A 2024 model has a single-vehicle recall for a driver seat side airbag assembled without a gas deflector, which can cause the bag to deploy incorrectly in a crash.

The 2023 model year carries several issues: the electric power steering circuit board can suffer an overstress condition and drop steering assist when the car accelerates from a stop, requiring noticeably more effort to steer at low speeds. On 2023 models, a software fault can also fail to detect an unlatched hood, allowing it to fly open and block the driver's view. The 2023 model also has a pyrotechnic battery disconnect that may not isolate the high-voltage battery after a crash, raising the risk of electrical shock. Taillights on 2023 vehicles can intermittently fail to illuminate, reducing visibility to following traffic. On 2021–2024 models, the same hood latch detection issue applies.

The 2021–2022 model years have a heat pump valve that can open unintentionally and trap refrigerant in the evaporator, degrading windshield defrost performance. On 2022 models, the infotainment processor can overheat during fast charging and restart, temporarily blanking the rearview camera image, gear selector display, and warning lights. A software error on 2017–2021 models caused false forward-collision warnings or unexpected automatic emergency braking that could bring the vehicle to a sudden stop. On 2020–2021 models, brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the caliper to contact the wheel rim and cause a sudden loss of tire pressure. Front suspension lateral link fasteners on 2018–2021 models can loosen over time and allow the link to separate from the subframe, producing sudden wheel alignment shifts and loss of stability. Swapped camera cable terminals on 2021 models impair automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping by feeding the system incorrect camera views. Side curtain airbags on 2020–2021 and 2023 models may be improperly secured to the roof rail, causing a twisted bag that deploys incorrectly or fails to prevent occupant ejection.

The 2017–2022 span also includes a rear seat belt anchor that can be incorrectly reassembled during service, leaving the second-row left and center belts unable to perform properly in a crash. Front shoulder belt anchors on 2018–2020 models may not be properly attached to the B-pillar. Power windows on 2017–2022 models can close with excessive force against an obstruction before retracting. The Boombox feature on 2017–2022 vehicles can play audio through the external speaker while moving, masking the pedestrian warning system sounds. A factory reset on 2018–2022 models could mute the pedestrian warning system entirely. The rearview camera cable on 2017–2020 models can be damaged by repeated trunk lid operation, causing the camera image