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Tesla Model 3Model year report

2017 Tesla Model 3 Problems

Compared with other Tesla Model 3 years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

0/100 0.0× a typical year · 50 = typical

Open NHTSA investigationTraffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged; Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
27filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
44,900miles, 2 complaints with mileage
Recalls
16campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
126 MPGecombined, Electric RWD · 131 city / 120 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Tesla Model 3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2017 Tesla Model 3. The part named most often is forward collision avoidance, with 8 complaints (30% of the total), followed by air bags (7) and seat belts (6). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 44,900 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns and 154 technical service bulletins for this model year. Forward collision avoidance complaints overlap with 2 recall campaigns covering the external/pedestrian alert filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 6 Tesla Model 3 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 0 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (2), Back-over prevention (rear camera) (1), Fuel system (1), Steering (1).

Example complaints

Forward collision avoidance: “Shortly after purchasing the car it received a software download called emergency lane departure avoidance which is Tesla's fancy name for a lane departure warning system. I have taken the car into their service centers 3 times to have it repaired because it only works <50% of the time - never works during rain, shadows on the road, and various other normal road & weather conditions. Each time I get the car back from the service centers I'm informed that that system is working normally. …”

NHTSA complaint #11414426, filed 2021-04, 39,800 miles

Air bags: “Hello. I am following up with the previous safety report I submitted for my vehicle. I just received an updated repair estimate citing the parts that will need replaced (pdf attached). I also confirmed with the service advisor that the functionality of the safety restraint system may be impacted by this issue, however, Tesla still wants to charge drivers $1,300 for this repair.”

NHTSA complaint #11653653, filed 2025-04

Seat belts: “My car has been having this issue since it was purchased in 2018. An alert appears on the screen which says, Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault/Service is Required. I had the car serviced four times by Tesla under warranty. It has now appeared a fifth time and Tesla says the airbags need to be replaced for over $1,600. The prior repairs included replacing wiring harnesses and occupancy sensor.”

NHTSA complaint #11608226, filed 2024-08

Seats: “There is a warning on my car saying “front passenger safety restraint system fault”. The Tesla service center says the fix requires an air bag replacement and to replace the seat sensor. Does this not impact the safety of the passenger? This is the second model 3 I’ve owned that continuously has this fault. I feel like this model should be recalled since it is such a widespread issue. I dealt with this warning light for 2-3 years because Tesla wants to charge >$1,000 for the replacement of these parts. I’m definitely not the only one. …”

NHTSA complaint #11653334, filed 2025-04

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 39,800 and 50,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2550%25–5050%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (2 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 44,900 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

20212022620236202420252026
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2017 Tesla Model 3 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving); for electric versions it is the cost of electricity and the rating is in MPGe.

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Model 3 Long Range RWDElectricsingle-speed131120126 MPGe$600

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 16 recalls for the 2017 Tesla Model 3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 154 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 154 bulletins →

Other model years of the Tesla Model 3

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026295,2241—128 MPGeToo new to compareToo new
20251229,9703—131 MPGeToo new to compareToo new
202422213,8165—130 MPGeToo new to compareToo new
20234283,400125131 MPGe63 · TypicalToo new
20227735,100185131 MPGe80 · MoreFalling
202167310,000225134 MPGe74 · MoreFalling
20204523,650215123 MPGe50 · TypicalStable
201962010,000225130 MPGe35 · FewerStable
20181,03416,838195123 MPGe46 · TypicalRising
20172744,90016—126 MPGe0 · FewerStable

All Tesla Model 3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2017 Tesla Model 3 have?

NHTSA recorded 27 consumer complaints for the 2017 Tesla Model 3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2017 Tesla Model 3 is reported most often?

Forward collision avoidance is named most often, in 8 complaints (30% of the total), followed by air bags with 7.

Has the 2017 Tesla Model 3 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How efficient is the 2017 Tesla Model 3 according to the EPA?

The EPA rates the 2017 Tesla Model 3 (Model 3 Long Range, Electric) at 126 MPGe combined, 131 city and 120 highway, with an estimated annual electricity cost of $600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other battery and motor versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Tesla Model 3 reported?

Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 44,900 miles and the middle half falls between 39,800 and 50,000 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.