NHTSA (USA)Medium Risk
At a glance
This page covers 12 recalls, 399 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2023 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
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2023 Model 3 centers on the forward collision avoidance and driver assistance systems, which account by far for the largest share of reports. Owners frequently describe Autopilot and Full Self-Driving failing to respond appropriately to road conditions, specifically, not recognizing curves at highway speed and continuing as if the road were straight, and running red lights without stopping. Several owners report the vehicle accelerating toward barriers or intersections before they intervened manually. Steering draws the second-highest complaint volume, with owners describing unexpected inputs or insufficient correction during assisted driving. The electrical system is the third most-reported area, with owners noting system faults and warning states that disable or degrade driver assistance features mid-drive. Red-light violations under Full Self-Driving appear across multiple reports, with owners noting the system sometimes resumes from a stop through a red light when cross-traffic happens to be clear.
399
Total Complaints
65
Crash-Related
33
With Injuries
By System
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 has 12 recalls, the most serious involving Full Self-Driving Beta software that can cause the vehicle to exceed speed limits or pass through intersections unpredictably, raising the risk of a crash.
A separate software issue means the hood latch sensor may not detect an unlatched hood, allowing it to fly open and block the driver's view. On the steering side, two recalls address the same electric power steering assist circuit board, which can fail and cause a sudden, significant increase in steering effort when the car slows to a stop and then accelerates. Side curtain airbags on certain vehicles may be improperly secured to the roof rail, causing them to deploy incorrectly or fail to prevent occupant ejection in a crash. The high-voltage battery's emergency disconnect may also be defective and fail to cut power after a collision, raising the risk of electrical shock.
Several visibility and driver awareness issues round out the list: taillights can intermittently fail to illuminate, the rearview camera image can be delayed when shifting into reverse, and the tire pressure warning light may not stay on between drives to signal low pressure. The Autosteer lane-keeping system can, under certain conditions, allow an inattentive driver to remain unaware they need to take over. Two lower-severity recalls cover a seatbelt warning chime that may not sound for an unbelted driver, and brake and ABS warning lights displayed in a font size that can be difficult to read.
At a glance
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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 →
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 circuit board controlling power steering assist can experience stress, causing power steering to stop working when the vehicle stops and then accelerates again.
What the fix does
Tesla released a free software update over the air to fix the issue. Contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 for assistance.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software issue can damage the power steering circuit board, causing loss of power steering assist when stopped. A warning message appears on the dashboard.
What the fix does
Tesla released an over-the-air software update to fix the issue. No action needed if your vehicle has software 2023.38.4 or later.
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
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 pyrotechnic battery disconnect in your vehicle may be defective and fail to function properly.
What the fix does
Tesla Service will replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect 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
One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate on certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles.
What the fix does
Tesla released a free over-the-air software update to fix the taillight illumination issue.
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.
