Tesla Model 3 problems
0 safety recalls. 964 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The NHTSA recently forced Tesla to perform a "recall" including an over the air update that made changes to the Tesla Full Self Driving features. Before the recall I felt very safe driving my Tesla on FSD mode. After the update my car feels much less safe with an almost…
HERE IS A TESLA MODEL 3 IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/60799809/PHOTOS IT HAS NOT BEEN IN A COLLISION, NO AIR-BAGS HAVE DEPLOYED. THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED APART. THE CAST ALLOY LOWER SUSPENSION ARM HAS BROKEN IN HALF. THIS IS CLEAR EVIDENCE OF A CASTING…
Front suspension components needed to be replaced, vehicle was out of warranty and had only 43000 miles. These parts should last for much longer the 4 years and 43000 miles. No incident, but car squeaked at all speeds. Repair cost was $1600
Seat restrain system detected a fault with the back row seat buckle. This appears to be a repeated issue based on other drivers reporting same safety issue. Happy to provide photos.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2018 Tesla Model 3 reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.8 out of 10 based on 964 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Tesla Model 3 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
What's the most common problem on the 2018 Tesla Model 3?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 142 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Tesla Model 3 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2018 Tesla Model 3?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 964 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.