NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
This page covers 27 recalls, 968 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2018 Tesla Model 3.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2018 Model 3, the heaviest complaint volume centers on the forward collision avoidance and driver assistance systems, followed closely by suspension and electrical issues. On the driver assistance side, owners frequently report the system behaving unexpectedly, making abrupt steering inputs, attempting lane changes into oncoming traffic, or disengaging suddenly at highway speeds without adequate warning. Suspension complaints focus heavily on front control arm bushings wearing out prematurely, with owners describing accelerating deterioration they attribute to water exposure at that joint. Electrical system reports cover a range of issues including alerts for reduced steering assist and passenger restraint system faults appearing together. A smaller thread of complaints describes the high-voltage battery appearing to overestimate available range, leaving drivers with less charge than the display suggested.
968
Total Complaints
100
Crash-Related
4
Fire-Related
33
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Tesla Model 3 has 27 recalls, with the most serious involving the Full Self-Driving Beta software, which can cause the vehicle to exceed speed limits, run stop signs, or brake suddenly without warning, all raising the risk of a crash.
Several recalls involve the front suspension: fasteners on the front lateral links can loosen and allow the links to separate from the subframe, causing sudden changes in wheel alignment and loss of vehicle stability. On the occupant restraint side, multiple recalls cover seatbelt anchor bolts on both the front shoulder belts and the rear left and center positions that may not be properly secured or were incorrectly reassembled during service, meaning the belts may not hold as intended in a crash. A separate recall covers the Autosteer driver monitoring system, where the system may not adequately prompt a distracted driver to take control when needed.
Rear visibility is another recurring theme: the rearview camera cable can wear from repeated trunk use and stop displaying an image, and separate software issues can delay the camera image when shifting into reverse. The power windows can close with excessive force against an obstruction before reversing. The tire pressure warning light may not stay on between drives, leaving low pressure undetected. On the pedestrian safety side, a factory reset can mute the pedestrian warning sound, and the Boombox feature can drown it out. Compliance issues round out the list, including a seatbelt reminder chime that may not sound, a speedometer that drops its unit display in Track Mode on Performance trims, and instrument panel warning lights rendered in a font too small
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may be delayed when you shift into reverse, affecting your ability to see behind the vehicle.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update to your vehicle over-the-air to fix the camera display delay.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire pressure warning light may turn off between trips even when tire pressure is low, so you won't get alerted to underinflated tires.
What the fix does
Tesla sends a free software update to your vehicle that keeps the warning light on when tire pressure is low.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt warning light and chime may not activate when the driver is unbelted, failing to alert the driver to fasten their seat belt.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a software update over the air to fix the warning system so it activates properly for unbelted drivers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt reminder chime and dashboard warning light may not activate when you start the vehicle without buckling your seat belt.
What the fix does
Tesla will send you an email and provide an over-the-air software update to reactivate the seat belt reminder chime and visual warning.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A factory reset can silence the Pedestrian Warning System sounds, which alert pedestrians to the vehicle's presence. The vehicle then fails to meet federal sound requirements for electric vehicles.
What the fix does
Tesla releases a free software update (2023.44.30.14) over-the-air to restore the Pedestrian Warning System sounds.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System warning lights on the instrument panel display in an incorrect font size, which does not meet federal brake system safety standards.
What the fix does
Tesla is releasing a free over-the-air software update to correct the warning light font size display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Autosteer controls may not be prominent or clear enough to prevent drivers from misusing this advanced driver-assistance feature when it's engaged.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to improve how Autosteer controls are displayed and managed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fasteners securing the front suspension lateral link may loosen, causing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts connecting the front suspension lateral links to the sub-frame can loosen over time, causing the links to separate. This changes wheel alignment and reduces vehicle stability.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect the front lateral link bolts and tighten or replace them as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The FSD Beta software may drive unsafely at intersections—going straight in turn-only lanes, not stopping at stop signs, or proceeding through yellow lights without caution. It may also not properly adjust for posted speed limits or account for driver speed changes above limits.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to fix the FSD Beta system's intersection and speed-limit handling.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolt securing the left-rear seat belt buckle and center-rear seat belt anchorage may not have been properly reassembled during a prior service. This could cause the rear seat belts to malfunction during a crash.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect the left-rear seat belt buckle and center-rear seat belt anchorage bolt, and re-tighten it if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The second-row left seat belt buckle and center seat belt anchor may have been incorrectly reassembled during service, affecting proper fastening.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect and reassemble the seat belt anchors as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The power window's automatic reversal system may not respond properly when it detects an obstruction. The window could close with excessive force before stopping and retracting, or it may not retract fully after detecting an obstruction.
What the fix does
Tesla will send owners a notice and deliver an over-the-air firmware update to correct the automatic reversal system.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The automatic window reversal system may fail to stop the window when it detects an obstruction, potentially trapping or injuring occupants.
What the fix does
Tesla will update the automatic window reversal system software over-the-air at no cost to fix the detection and reversal response.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
When track mode is active, the speed display may omit the units (km/h or mph), violating display requirements.
What the fix does
Tesla will send an over-the-air firmware update to restore the speed units display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The speedometer may not display the speed unit (mph or km/h) when Track Mode is active, making it unclear what speed is shown.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over-the-air to fix the speedometer display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Boombox function can play sounds through an external speaker while driving, which may mask the Pedestrian Warning System sounds that alert nearby pedestrians.
What the fix does
A free software update will disable Boombox when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon features.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera image may not display immediately when the vehicle shifts into reverse, leaving the driver without rear visibility.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over-the-air to restore proper rearview camera display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Boombox function plays audio through an external speaker while driving, which can mask the Pedestrian Warning System sounds that alert pedestrians to the vehicle's movement.
What the fix does
A free software update will disable Boombox when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral, or Reverse, restoring pedestrian warning sounds.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The seat belt reminder chime may not sound when you start your vehicle without your seat belt buckled, violating Canadian regulations that require both an audible alert and visual warning.
What the fix does
Tesla will send you an email and deliver a firmware update over-the-air in early February 2022 to restore the chime function. No action needed if your vehicle already has firmware 2021.43.101.1, 2022.4.5, or later.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The audible chime that alerts the driver to an unbuckled seat belt may not sound when the vehicle starts.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over the air to restore the chime function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Full Self-Driving (Beta) software's rolling stop feature may allow the vehicle to pass through all-way stop intersections without fully stopping.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free over-the-air software update that disables the rolling stop functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The rearview camera cable harness can be damaged when the trunk lid opens and closes, which stops the rearview camera image from displaying.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect your vehicle and install a guide protector and new cable harness if needed, at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A cable in the trunk harness can wear and become damaged over time. When this happens, the rearview camera stops sending its image to the center display when you back up.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect the trunk harness, install a protective cover to prevent future damage, and replace the harness if needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software communication error may cause the forward-collision warning to activate falsely or trigger the automatic emergency brake system unexpectedly.
What the fix does
Tesla released a free over-the-air software update to fix the communication error.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolt securing the D-ring on driver and front passenger seat belts may not be properly tightened, causing seat belts to not function as intended in a crash and preventing proper height adjustment.
What the fix does
Tesla will inspect the D-ring attachment bolts and replace them, repairing any damaged threads as needed.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fasteners securing the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached, affecting one or both sides.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect and repair both fasteners as needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
