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The 2023 Tesla Model 3 has 412 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 has 412 NHTSA owner complaints and 11 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 85 complaints, typically surfacing around 19,769 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Model 3 | 437 | 20 |
| 2021 Model 3 | 652 | 21 |
| 2022 Model 3 | 749 | 17 |
| 2023 Model 3 (this page) | 412 | 11 |
| 2024 Model 3 | 204 | 0 |
| 2025 Model 3 | 0 | 3 |
| 2026 Model 3 | 0 | 1 |
Below average for the segment. Multiple systems have recurring complaints.
Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2023 Tesla Model 3 4 DR AWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 19,769 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 11 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 5.0/10 model. The priciest documented failure is body (~$1,500) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Car at low mileage started having suspension issues and felt out of alignment. Took car to Goodyear where they found car was out of alignment as of car was not set up correctly at factory when made. Goodyear spend a few hours fixing alignment and tire setup. Car is having issues…
I was rear ended and pushed into the car in front of me. My car was totaled and no airbags went off.
The contact rented a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50-60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The Engine Lost Power message was displayed, instructing the contact to pull over immediately; unable to drive, exiting and re-entering the…
The blinkers do not respond to the change in blinkers when I initiate the blinker (right or left) by using the stalk. There has been numerous times that I fully pull down or push up the blinker stall and it would not engage the blinker but today I am reporting it because now I…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. PE26006 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA26002 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. PE25012 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. AQ25002 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. RQ24009 on NHTSA →
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. DP23002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.0 out of 10 based on 412 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 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.
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 is a higher-risk ownership prospect. Repair exposure runs above average — only with money set aside and eyes open. The record behind that call: Steering: 85 complaints, classified severe; Cruise-control: 46 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 5.0/10 — around the segment average; 11 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 85 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 19,769 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 5.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 412 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 19,769 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 85 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 19,769 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 10,447 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
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.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 412 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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 are not always better value.