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.

7,595

Total complaints

36

Recall campaigns

2017–2026

Years covered

10

Years to avoid

Complaints by model year

Tesla Model 3 NHTSA complaints by model year1,696 complaints2017: 56 complaints2018: 1,696 complaints2019: 1,055 complaints2020: 767 complaints2021: 1,225 complaints2022: 1,499 complaints2023: 727 complaints2024: 330 complaints2025: 209 complaints2026: 31 complaints
Tesla Model 3 NHTSA complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Model 3 years to avoid

YearWhyComplaints
2018High complaints + open investigation1,696
2022High complaints + open investigation1,499
2021High complaints + open investigation1,225
2019Open safety investigation1,055
2020Open safety investigation767
2023Open safety investigation727
2024Open safety investigation330
2025Open safety investigation209
2017Open safety investigation56
2026Open safety investigation31

Every Model 3 year

YearComplaintsRecalls
2026avoid311
2025avoid2093
2024avoid3305
2023avoid72712
2022avoid1,49918
2021avoid1,22522
2020avoid76721
2019avoid1,05522
2018avoid1,69619
2017avoid5616

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 36 distinct NHTSA recall campaigns and 7,595 consumer complaints on file.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through August 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated August 28, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.