VehicleVerdict

Tesla Model 3 years to avoid

The Tesla Model 3 years to avoid are 2018, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2017, 2026 — each drew complaint volumes well above the model's norm or has an open safety investigation.

7,385

Total complaints

34

Recall campaigns

2017–2026

Years covered

10

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Tesla Model 3 NHTSA complaints by model year1,652 complaints2017: 55 complaints2018: 1,652 complaints2019: 1,026 complaints2020: 742 complaints2021: 1,209 complaints2022: 1,473 complaints2023: 719 complaints2024: 306 complaints2025: 190 complaints2026: 13 complaints
Tesla Model 3 NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Model 3 years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2018High complaints + open investigation1,652
2022High complaints + open investigation1,473
2021High complaints + open investigation1,209
2019Open safety investigation1,026
2020Open safety investigation742
2023Open safety investigation719
2024Open safety investigation306
2025Open safety investigation190
2017Open safety investigation55
2026Open safety investigation13

Every Model 3 year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2026avoid131
2025avoid1903
2024avoid3064
2023avoid71911
2022avoid1,47317
2021avoid1,20921
2020avoid74220
2019avoid1,02621
2018avoid1,65218
2017avoid5515

Common questions

What are the worst Tesla Model 3 years?

Based on NHTSA complaint rates and open investigations, the Model 3 years to avoid are 2018, 2022, 2021, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2017, 2026.

How many recalls does the Tesla Model 3 have?

Across all model years, the Model 3 has 34 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 7,385 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.