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Body and structurePart report

2026 Tesla Model 3 Body and structure Problems

Complaints
2about this part
Share
7%of 29 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 2 complaints about the body and structure of the 2026 Tesla Model 3, 7% of the 29 complaints for this model year. 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.

“While the vehicle was parked outdoors and the powered rear trunk lid was fully open, I leaned/bent forward into the trunk to retrieve an item. The edge of the trunk lid near the taillight assembly made contact with my scalp, causing a laceration. The wound bled significantly。The trunk lid’s fully-open position, combined with the geometry/edge of the liftgate near the taillight, creates a head-strike hazard for an average-height adult bending into the cargo area. …”

NHTSA complaint #11745391, filed 2026-06

“The vehicle's FSD system malfunctioned and initiated an unintended reverse toward a closing garage door. To prevent a total-loss event (the door crushing the glass roof and trunk), I was forced to perform an emergency manual takeover. Due to the vehicle's position caused by the malfunction, I had to maneuver through a confined space, resulting in the side-scrape. I am filing this as a malfunction claim because the damage was a direct consequence of the car's autonomous failure”

NHTSA complaint #11711494, filed 2026-01

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202627%
202565%
202452%
2023225%
2022101%
2021173%
2020194%
2019234%
2018606%

Other parts of the 2026 Tesla Model 3

Other or unknown
10 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
7 complaints
Steering
7 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
4 complaints
Lane departure
4 complaints
Electrical system
2 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints
Vehicle speed control
2 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Brakes
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2026 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