2018 Tesla Model 3 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,034 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Tesla Model 3, 1% of the 1,034 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“At 70000 the front right bar that connect to wheel went bad 350 dollars. At around 90000 miles the AC went bad and they said is because I used it too much 4700 dollars at 110000 the lid for the charger kept opening up and closing by itself at 127000 the battery range reduced signed went on 129000 maximum charge could be charded 47 percent. And could not be charged more than whatever is in there already”
NHTSA complaint #11489680, filed 2022-10, 90,000 miles“Car interface bugged out and would not recognize with the phone key or key card to start after entering the parked vehicle. Touch screen flashed on and off. Attempted resets to no avail. System would randomly shut itself off and not turn back on.”
NHTSA complaint #11384309, filed 2020-12, 35,000 miles“Got into car after update, screen blacked out, could not to hard reboots. App could no longer see car. Tech support couldn't remote into vehicle or get in touch with it. Had to have it towed to service center. It's been sitting there for 6 days with no diagnosis just an estimate for $530 to troubleshoot the car. This update caused my car to completely be unresponsive and undrivable. I also had a carseat in the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11563092, filed 2024-01“Tesla failed to properly diagnose a high-voltage battery isolation fault in my 2018 Model 3. Despite safety-critical BMS_a027 and BMS_a142 faults indicating multiple isolation failures, they skipped required insulation resistance testing, falsely blamed sand in a connector, and charged me $174.95. After the issue returned, they reversed course, replaced an internal battery contactor, and reduced the $1,173 estimate to $356—admitting fault without owning it. …”
NHTSA complaint #11673763, filed 2025-07“the car tart to have sudden unintended acceleration at low speed after fully charge. The car will stop at the road Suddenly. leave car and back. The AC run for 1 min and shut down. I heard a sound which is from battery switch. 9/21, 11:15 am It happened again. I hear a sound and the car show alert. “”Pull over safely” — The autopilot system will slow down a lot passing a bride, even there is no car in the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11453010, filed 2022-02Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2018 Tesla Model 3
203 complaintsSuspension
191 complaintsOther or unknown
175 complaintsElectrical system
168 complaintsAir bags
143 complaintsSeat belts
105 complaintsVehicle speed control
91 complaintsBrakes
89 complaintsSteering
82 complaintsSeats
74 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
61 complaintsBody and structure
60 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Tesla Model 3
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology