The 2021 Tesla Model 3 has 646 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 21 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are forward collision avoidance and service brakes. 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 2021 Tesla Model 3 vehicles (US, public record).
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…
air bags:side/window:curtain
Campaign 21V834000Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag. As such, t…
suspension:critical fasteners
Campaign 21V835000Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
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…
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 costs and diminished re
Owner insights cover all generations of the Model 3.
Used Model 3 listings typically run $19,889–$26,486 across 2017 to 2026 model years.