2026 Tesla Model 3 Problems
Compared with other Tesla Model 3 years
Too new to compare
- Model years are compared once their first three years of complaints are in; the 2026 can be compared from 2029.
- Most reported part: Other or unknown (10 complaints).
- 1 recall campaign on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
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
- 29filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 5,224miles, 2 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 128 MPGecombined, Electric AWD · 133 city / 122 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2026 Tesla Model 3. The part named most often is other or unknown, with 10 complaints (34% of the total), followed by forward collision avoidance (7) and steering (7). 2 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 5,224 miles. Of all complaints, 9 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.
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.
- Other or unknown10 34%
- Steering7 24%
- Lane departure4 14%
- Electrical system2 6.9%
- Body and structure2 6.9%
- Suspension2 6.9%
- Vehicle speed control2 6.9%
- Air bags1 3.5%
Also reported: Brakes (1), Seat belts (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Other or unknown: “The horn system on the new Tesla are not effective. Other drivers cannot hear The unit is facing the ground, and a high speed. Other drivers. Can I hear it specially when it’s raining. The use of the original point was effective and never had a problem on my previous last Tesla, or any other car for that matter. Please help before a serious. Ask her that happens.”
NHTSA complaint #11754350, filed 2026-08Forward collision avoidance: “My Tesla was operating under FSD at 9pm on a dark country road. I was traveling at 45mph and vehicle randomly applied hard emergency braking and I had to take over. It appeared that the vehicle may have been responding to a dark oil stain or possibly a mailbox. Had another vehicle been closely behind me, there would’ve been a collision.”
NHTSA complaint #11762324, filed 2026-09Steering: “On February 5, 2026, at 12:21 PM PST, my 2026 Tesla Model 3 (Hardware 4) collided with a 5-inch wooden pillar while using the Autopark feature. The system failed to provide any audio chimes or visual warnings prior to the impact. I officially requested the driving logs from Tesla to investigate the cause of this failure, but Tesla refused to provide any logs or data. …”
NHTSA complaint #11730303, filed 2026-04Back-over prevention (rear camera): “On August 26, 2026, at approximately 8:56 AM, I entered a public parking garage in Washington, DC. Full Self-Driving (Supervised) was engaged and controlling the vehicle during a reversing maneuver. I remained attentive to the vehicle's surroundings, including pedestrians and surrounding traffic. While reversing under FSD (Supervised), the vehicle's right rear corner collided with the corner of a stationary structural pillar in the parking garage. I did not command the vehicle to steer into the pillar. Upon becoming aware of the impact, I immediately applied the brake. There were no injuries. …”
NHTSA complaint #11761157, filed 2026-08Mileage when problems were reported
100% of the 2 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 450 and 9,999 miles.
Complaints by year filed
This model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2026 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.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model 3 Performance AWD | Electric | single-speed | 120 | 107 | 114 MPGe | $650 |
| Model 3 Performance AWD | Electric | single-speed | 117 | 106 | 111 MPGe | $700 |
| Model 3 Premium AWD | Electric | single-speed | 133 | 122 | 128 MPGe | $600 |
| Model 3 Premium RWD | Electric | single-speed | 145 | 128 | 137 MPGe | $550 |
| Model 3 Standard RWD | Electric | single-speed | 147 | 130 | 139 MPGe | $550 |
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
- 25V410000Jun 18, 2025Seats › Critical fastenersCovers: Tesla Model 3 2026, Model Y 2026
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The fasteners attaching the seat back to the seat bottom may have been improperly tightened.
Recall details for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- PE25012Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engagedOpen · Oct 7, 2025
- AQ25002Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting RequirementsOpen · Aug 20, 2025
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. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 11034277Jun 4, 2026Seats. On some vehicles, degraded or excessive glue under the front seat cushion(s) may cause creaking noises during cornering or when pressing on the seat cushion(s). Upon customer complaint, inspect the…
- 11033171May 29, 2026Seats. On some vehicles, insufficient lubricant at the front seat recliner tube ends may cause creaking noises during weight shifting when the seat is occupied. Upon customer complaint, inspect the vehicle…
Other model years of the Tesla Model 3
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 29 | 5,224 | 1 | — | 128 MPGe | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2025 | 122 | 9,970 | 3 | — | 131 MPGe | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2024 | 222 | 13,816 | 5 | — | 130 MPGe | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 428 | 3,400 | 12 | 5 | 131 MPGe | 63 · Typical | Too new |
| 2022 | 773 | 5,100 | 18 | 5 | 131 MPGe | 80 · More | Falling |
| 2021 | 673 | 10,000 | 22 | 5 | 134 MPGe | 74 · More | Falling |
| 2020 | 452 | 3,650 | 21 | 5 | 123 MPGe | 50 · Typical | Stable |
| 2019 | 620 | 10,000 | 22 | 5 | 130 MPGe | 35 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2018 | 1,034 | 16,838 | 19 | 5 | 123 MPGe | 46 · Typical | Rising |
| 2017 | 27 | 44,900 | 16 | — | 126 MPGe | 0 · Fewer | Stable |
All Tesla Model 3 model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2026 Tesla Model 3 have?
NHTSA recorded 29 consumer complaints for the 2026 Tesla Model 3 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2026 Tesla Model 3 is reported most often?
Other or unknown is named most often, in 10 complaints (34% of the total), followed by forward collision avoidance with 7.
Has the 2026 Tesla Model 3 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How efficient is the 2026 Tesla Model 3 according to the EPA?
The EPA rates the 2026 Tesla Model 3 (Model 3 Premium AWD, Electric) at 128 MPGe combined, 133 city and 122 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 2026 Tesla Model 3 reported?
Among the 2 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 5,224 miles and the middle half falls between 450 and 9,999 miles; 100% 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.