NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
This page covers 26 recalls, 587 owner complaints and NHTSA crash-test ratings for the 2019 Tesla Model 3.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
For the 2019 Model 3, the dominant complaint theme centers on the forward collision avoidance and driver assistance systems. Owners frequently report the vehicle making unexpected steering corrections, including drifting or jerking toward lane boundaries or into adjacent lanes. Lane departure behavior draws similar complaints, with owners describing unwanted lane interventions and difficulty maintaining a stable path during assisted driving. Suspension complaints make up the second-largest named category, with owners describing noises, vibration, and handling changes, though the specific failure points vary across reports. A smaller number of owners report backup camera issues, including failure to display warnings when reversing toward obstacles. Isolated reports mention a seat heater burning through upholstery and a passenger restraint system warning appearing on the instrument cluster, but neither pattern shows up with enough frequency to treat as a widespread theme.
587
Total Complaints
58
Crash-Related
5
Fire-Related
19
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 has 26 recalls, the most serious involving chassis and braking defects that can cause sudden loss of control: front suspension lateral links can separate from the sub-frame and shift wheel alignment, while brake caliper bolts can loosen until the caliper contacts the rim and causes rapid tire deflation.
The Full Self-Driving software has two separate issues: one where the vehicle can exceed speed limits or behave unpredictably at intersections, and another where a "rolling stop" feature may allow the car to pass through an all-way stop without halting. A separate software fault can trigger automatic emergency braking unexpectedly, which can cause sudden stops in traffic. On the restraint side, front shoulder belt anchors may not be properly attached to the B-pillar, and a rear left seat belt buckle or center anchor may have been incorrectly reassembled during service, both of which can reduce belt performance in a crash. The Autosteer driver monitoring system may also fail to adequately prompt drivers who are not actively supervising the system.
Several visibility and warning recalls round out the list: the rearview camera cable can be damaged by trunk operation and fail to display an image, and other software issues can delay the camera image when reversing. The tire pressure warning light may not stay on between drives, power windows may pinch before reversing, and the pedestrian warning system can be silenced either by a factory reset or by the Boombox feature playing audio through the external speaker. Minor display issues include a missing speed unit in Track Mode, brake and ABS warning lights displayed in an
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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
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
A software issue may prevent the pedestrian warning system from producing the required minimum sound level at low speeds, as mandated by Canadian regulations.
What the fix does
Tesla released an over-the-air software update to restore the warning system. No action needed if your vehicle has software version 2023.44.30.14 or later.
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 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 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 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
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 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 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
Front suspension lateral link fasteners 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 as needed at no cost.
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 may not be tight. Over time they could loosen, causing the lateral links to separate from the sub-frame, which would result in sudden wheel alignment changes and loss of 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 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.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the brake calipers may loosen, causing the caliper to separate and rub against the wheel rim.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect the caliper bolts and tighten or replace them as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Brake caliper bolts may not be tight enough. Over time they can loosen, allowing the caliper to rub against the wheel rim, potentially damaging it and causing sudden tire pressure loss.
What the fix does
Tesla inspects and tightens the brake caliper bolts as needed. If rim damage is found, Tesla arranges towing to a service center for repair.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver-side sun visor is missing the required air bag warning label, which violates federal safety standards for occupant protection.
What the fix does
Tesla Service Centers will inspect and replace the visor as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver's sun visor is missing required airbag warning labels on one or both sides, violating Canadian regulations that mandate this safety information.
What the fix does
Tesla will send written notice and arrange a free inspection. If the visor is incorrect, Tesla will replace it at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
