NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
This page covers 18 recalls, 741 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2022 Tesla Model 3.
132 MPGe combined
Midsize Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2022 Model 3 center heavily on the forward collision avoidance and Autopilot system, which accounts for the large majority of filed reports. Owners describe a range of autonomous driving and driver-assist behaviors they found unexpected or unsafe, including the vehicle making sudden, unintended steering inputs while Autopilot was engaged, such as sharp turns toward barriers or dividers with no apparent navigational reason. A recurring thread involves the Full Self-Driving package: multiple owners report disputes over promised capabilities and transferability, describing features they say were advertised at purchase but later changed or restricted through software updates. Lane departure and speed control complaints are present but at much lower volume. A smaller number of reports describe front suspension concerns, specifically control arm and bushing failures noted during routine inspections, with some owners reporting bilateral bushing separation without any prior impact event.
741
Total Complaints
51
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
26
With Injuries
By System
The 2022 Tesla Model 3 has 18 recalls, the most serious involving the Full Self-Driving Beta software, which can allow the vehicle to exceed speed limits, pass through intersections unlawfully, or roll through all-way stop signs without stopping.
Several recalls involve the driver assistance systems more broadly. When Autosteer is engaged, insufficient driver monitoring can leave the vehicle operating without adequate human oversight if the driver fails to intervene when needed. A separate recall covers the hood latch sensor, which can fail to detect an unlatched hood that then flies open and blocks the driver's view.
On occupant safety, a curtain airbag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, causing it to deploy incorrectly in a crash and raising the risk of ejection. Rear seat belt anchors on certain vehicles may have been incorrectly reassembled during service, weakening restraint performance in a crash. Two recalls address the seatbelt reminder chime and warning light, which may not activate when the driver is unbuckled.
Visibility and camera issues form another cluster. The rearview camera image can be delayed when shifting into reverse, the defroster can underperform due to a heat pump software error, and the infotainment processor can overheat during fast charging and cause the center screen to go blank, taking the camera image and warning lights with it.
The pedestrian warning system has its own set of concerns: a factory reset can mute the pedestrian alert sound entirely, and the Boombox feature can drown it out while the vehicle is moving. Power windows may
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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 hood latch assembly may fail to sense when the hood is unlatched after being opened, potentially allowing the hood to open while driving.
What the fix does
Tesla released a free over-the-air software update to fix the latch detection system.
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
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 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 infotainment computer may overheat when the vehicle prepares for or performs fast-charging, causing the system to lag or restart.
What the fix does
Tesla will send a free software update over-the-air that improves how the computer manages heat.
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 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
A software error may cause a heat pump valve to open unintentionally, trapping refrigerant in the evaporator and reducing defrosting performance.
What the fix does
Tesla will install a free over-the-air software update to fix the valve control error.
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 left and/or right curtain air bag may not be properly secured to the roof rail, causing it to twist. This affects side impact protection and ejection mitigation.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will inspect and realign both curtain air bags as needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
