Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 has 20 recalls, 631 complaints, and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
20
Recalls
631
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated April 7, 2026
22V037000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functio...
21V834000
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secure...
21V835000
SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, al...
22V045000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not ...
21V387000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake c...
21V846000
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. ...
22V050000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in t...
22V063000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to b...
22V235000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to b...
22V263000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Model 3 Performance vehicles. The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedomet...
22V317000
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model 3 and 2021 Model Y vehicles. The fisheye and narrow camera cable terminals were incorrectly ...
22V702000
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic rever...
22V798000
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The second-row left seat belt buckle and second-row center seat belt anchor may...
23V085000
STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving...
23V838000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of...
24V051000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An...
24V153000
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory res...
24V376000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an ...
24V554000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to det...
24V935000
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPM...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2021 Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWD Later Release
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 23, 2026 | AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The components involved are the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system and the airbag system. Duri... |
| Feb 23, 2026 | SEAT BELTS | - The rear middle seatbelt became locked and will not unwind or extend. The seatbelt remained stuck ... |
| Feb 13, 2026 | POWER TRAIN | HVAC system which provides cooling/heating for all the systems including the powertrain, battery, in... |
| Feb 3, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | The vehicle is undriveable due to a high‑voltage enable safety lockout triggered by ECU identity/MAC... |
| Jan 30, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Full self driving system (fsd) has ran a red light twice. It slows almost to a stop then takes off. |
| Jan 20, 2026 | BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The rear camera malfunctions intermittently and causes other errors to happen, like Automatic emerge... |
| Jan 14, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | HVAC system went out at 7500ish miles. It was repaired under warranty, and a "fix" was administered... |
| Dec 30, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report a serious and potentially dangerou... |
| Dec 22, 2025 | STRUCTURE | There is no manual door release for the rear doors. Thus rear passengers are at risk should the elec... |
| Dec 19, 2025 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | -- Summarized Explanation The automatic windshield wiper system behaves unpredictably and creates un... |
| Dec 2, 2025 | SEAT BELTS | The driver’s side belt makes a “click” sound when latch is inserted into the locking component but a... |
| Nov 17, 2025 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | I am the owner of a 2021 Tesla Model 3 and am filing this complaint due to a significant safety conc... |
| Nov 15, 2025 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | Tesla full self driving software malfunctioned and turned into oncoming traffic lanes instead of cro... |
| Nov 9, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I have been very cautious on charging my Tesla Model 3 and have followed all of the manufacturer's r... |
| Oct 30, 2025 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Central computer (motherboard), cameras (front/rear/side), autopilot/auto steer system. Error code: ... |
| Oct 29, 2025 | POWER TRAIN | The high-voltage traction battery pack has failed twice on my 2021 Tesla Model 3, both times while t... |
| Oct 22, 2025 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | The car, with no known or evident driver, stopped the lane awareness, cruise control, etc. All of th... |
| Oct 20, 2025 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I drove into my neighbor’s driveway to drop her off. As I slowed down and applied the brakes to stop... |
| Sep 18, 2025 | STEERING | Steering wheel is peeling/degrading and causing difficulties with steering and control. |
| Sep 16, 2025 | STRUCTURE | The passenger door handle is inoperable . The door handle is stucked open. |