NHTSA Safety Recalls
Tesla Model 3 Recalls by Year
Every model year from 2017 to 2024, ranked by how many recalls it carries.
Across 8 model years (2017–2024) the Tesla Model 3 has 135 NHTSA recalls. The worst year is 2021 with 22; the cleanest is 2024 with 5.
- Model years
- 8
- Total recalls
- 135
- Worst year
- 2021
- Cleanest year
- 2024
2017–2024
22 recalls
5 recalls
Recalls by model year
| Year | Recalls | Relative |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Tesla Model 3 | 5 | |
| 2023 Tesla Model 3 | 12 | |
| 2022 Tesla Model 3 | 18 | |
| 2021 Tesla Model 3 | 22 | |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | 21 | |
| 2019 Tesla Model 3 | 22 | |
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | 19 | |
| 2017 Tesla Model 3 | 16 |
What gets recalled most on the Tesla Model 3
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE20
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE13
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL12
- TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS8
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS7
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES7
- STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING7
- VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS6
- SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE6
- BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION5
Reading these numbers
A high recall count is not the same as an unreliable car. Recalls are safety defects the manufacturer reports and repairs free; a maker that files many of them is often being more diligent, not less. Older model years also accumulate recalls simply by existing longer.
What matters for a specific car is whether its own VIN is covered by an open campaign. Check it on NHTSA's lookup or call 1-888-327-4236.