The 2017 Tesla Model 3 has 25 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 15 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance and air bags. Owners most often flag front suspension/control arm failures: worn out control arms, loose steering racks, described as "almost inevitable" and a primary cause of high failure rates in mandatory vehicle inspections. frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2017 Tesla Model 3 vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 8 Model 3 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 25 (2017) to 746 (2022). With 25 complaints, the 2017 Model 3 sits belowthe model's median of 432.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
electrical system:adas:autonomous/self driving:software
Campaign 22V037000Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may a…
electrical system:software
Campaign 22V045000Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their s…
electrical system:wiring: rear compartment/trunk
Campaign 21V00D000Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
forward collision avoidance: sensing system: camera
Campaign 21V846000Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) o…
Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide. Long-term owners of earlier models (pre-2024 "Highland") report significant mechanical reliability issues, particularly with suspension components, leading to high out-of-warranty repair…
Owner insights cover all generations of the Model 3. See the full Model 3 owner picture and every model year.
Used Model 3 listings typically run $19,889–$26,486 across 2017 to 2026 model years.
Compare every Model 3 year side by side to see how 2017 ranks against the rest.