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Exterior lightingPart report

2025 Tesla Model 3 Exterior lighting Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
6%of 123 total for the year
Median mileage
—not reported
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2025 Tesla Model 3, 6% of the 123 complaints for this model year.

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.

“This vehicle doesn't come with a turn signal stalk. To engage the turn signal, I have to use push-buttons on the steering wheel. Nearly every time I use them, I get the wrong direction, even after a year of ownership. It's functionally impossible to use them legally to exit a roundabout, and I really want you to reflect, it is impossible to use them to legally exit a roundabout -- I can not obey the law using them. It's functionally impossible. Additionally, they're too close to the edge of the steering wheel, causing light brushes to trigger a false turn signal, confusing nearby drivers. …”

NHTSA complaint #11772903, filed 2026-10

“The design of the turn signals has several severe driver distracting safety issues. This is ultimately a design issue due to the choice of buttons on the steering wheel instead of a turn signal stalk. The buttons do not always activate the turn signals. Deactivation of the turn signals is counter intuitive, pressing the opposite direction does not deactivate them, instead activating the direction pressed. The significant departure from a standard stalk is dangerous. …”

NHTSA complaint #11681259, filed 2025-08

“Steering wheel mounted turn signal buttons intermittently do not work - even when pressed multiple times, nothing happens. This is not a daily occurrence but has happened often enough to be dangerous ~5% of the time and happens randomly / unexpectedly. To be clear - this issue is separate and distinct from the poor design and placement of these buttons which - even when working as designed - are regularly engaged unintentionally or wrong direction is mistakenly engaged (i.e., click right when going left). …”

NHTSA complaint #11638145, filed 2025-01

“Subject: Safety Hazard – Turn Signal Button Placement on Tesla Model 3/Y (Newer Models) Hi there, I am reaching because the newer Tesla models have eliminated the turn signal stalks and instead incorporated the turn signal controls as buttons directly on the steering wheel. This became a critical safety hazard multiple times when taking a turn and had to give the turn indication. The issue happened because the turn signal buttons are not fixed and they rotate along with the rotation of the steering wheel. …”

NHTSA complaint #11678356, filed 2025-08

“The indicator buttons randomly disable and also disable if the user rests their finger lightly on an indicator button for some number of seconds. The car is available for inspection on request. Tesla looked at it and said it's normal and expected for the buttons to disable if you simply rest your finger on the button for too long prior to clicking it in. When this occurs, BOTH indicator buttons will be disabled for upwards of 12 seconds. Neither button will physically click, and the indicators themselves will not activate no matter how many times you try pressing the button. …”

NHTSA complaint #11638799, filed 2025-01

Exterior lighting: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202576%
20242712%
202310%
202271%
202181%
2020143%
201961%
2018162%

Other parts of the 2025 Tesla Model 3

Other or unknown
37 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
30 complaints
Steering
27 complaints
Electrical system
23 complaints
Lane departure
18 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Brakes
13 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
5 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Engine
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2025 Tesla Model 3

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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