2018 TESLA MODEL 3
1608 complaints filed with NHTSA.
NHTSA Safety Rating
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 166 |
| SUSPENSION | 159 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 152 |
| AIR BAGS | 124 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 124 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 111 |
| SEAT BELTS | 97 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 89 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 85 |
| STEERING | 71 |
| SEATS | 67 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 47 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 46 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS | 37 |
| POWER TRAIN | 26 |
Recalls (18)
SUSPENSION:FRONT
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
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 incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicle
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. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
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 unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirem
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 reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta
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" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first c
SEAT BELTS
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
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 have been incorrectly reassembled during vehicle service.
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 reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi
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 speedometer while in Track Mode. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control an
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to compl
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 (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to co
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 Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling st
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 Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope
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 be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these veh
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 be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these veh
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 activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Fede
Recent Complaints
There is no checkbox for Full Self Driving (Supervised): 3 times in the last 4 weeks, my Tesla has become impatient at long red lights and lurches out into the intersection. I am very concerned because one of those times (first time) it did not creep forward, but just took off thru the red light. I had to accelerate thru to get ahead of those cars that still had the green light. Fortunately, nothing untoward happened, except scaring me! The other two times, I recognized what was happening and
Description of the Defect: While driving with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged, the vehicle's primary computer shuts down and reboots, causing a sudden loss of all safety features, including Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and the driving visualization. The cameras go black while the vehicle is in motion. The Trigger: The failure is triggered by high electrical load. If the Cabin Heater (HVAC) and Seat Heaters are active while FSD is fully computing, the
Description of the Defect: While driving with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged, the vehicle's primary computer shuts down and reboots, causing a sudden loss of all safety features, including Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and the driving visualization. The cameras go black while the vehicle is in motion. The Trigger: The failure is triggered by high electrical load. If the Cabin Heater (HVAC) and Seat Heaters are active while FSD is fully computing, the
Description of the Defect: While driving with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged, the vehicle's primary computer shuts down and reboots, causing a sudden loss of all safety features, including Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and the driving visualization. The cameras go black while the vehicle is in motion. The Trigger: The failure is triggered by high electrical load. If the Cabin Heater (HVAC) and Seat Heaters are active while FSD is fully computing, the
The rear doors are not equipped with manual door releases. In the event of a crash or fire the rear seat passengers would be trapped and would only be able to exit over the front seats and front seat passengers. If the front doors were damaged or front passengers incapacitated the egress for the back seat passengers would be severely impacted. If a fire would occur the situation would be exacerbated. Tesla corrected this condition in later models by installing cable releases for the rear doors.
2018 Tesla model 3 front chassis subframe welded nut to the chassis is come off now left side control arm keep getting loose
My 2018 Tesla Model 3 started squeaking at 36k miles at the end of 2023 (5 year old) I took to the Tesla service center where they quoted me $570. The squeaky control arm issue in Tesla is well known on the internet with may forums complaining about it. Not sure if there is a safety issue but wanted to report this incase there is a pending case regarding this issue. I was happy to pay for parts but the $570 seem excessive for a 5 year car that had 36k miles.
After downloading Teslaâs update (no. 2025.44.25.4) software my heater (with the window defrost functionality) in winter stopped operating. I made my update while at my nearest Tesla service compound (location verifiable per system location log) on 01/25/26 when that same day software began throwing HVAC error codes with blowing cold air, when previously my heat ran well. This is not coincidental; this is system design failure.
After downloading Teslaâs update (no. 2025.44.25.4) software my heater (with the window defrost functionality) in winter stopped operating. I made my update while at my nearest Tesla service compound (location verifiable per system location log) on 01/25/26 when that same day software began throwing HVAC error codes with blowing cold air, when previously my heat ran well. This is not coincidental; this is system design failure.
After downloading Teslaâs update (no. 2025.44.25.4) software my heater (with the window defrost functionality) in winter stopped operating. I made my update while at my nearest Tesla service compound (location verifiable per system location log) on 01/25/26 when that same day software began throwing HVAC error codes with blowing cold air, when previously my heat ran well. This is not coincidental; this is system design failure.
The front control arms are creaking and Iâve read that many of models built in 2018 have this problem as well. It is unknown if it is a safety concern or not.
The front control arms are creaking and Iâve read that many of models built in 2018 have this problem as well. It is unknown if it is a safety concern or not.
The front and rear windshields of my Tesla Model 3 developed long cracks requiring full replacement. For over six months, I have been unable to complete these replacements due to repeated failures in the replacement process. The vehicle and damaged glass are available for inspection upon request. My insurance claim was filed with Esurance, and Safelite AutoGlass, Esuranceâs designated auto glass provider, has handled all replacement attempts. During this period, three shipments of glass arriv
Safety Restraint Warning appeared on a 50k miles Tesla Model 3. We are a used electric vehicle dealer in California. This warning has been appearing on parked vehicles repeatedly. Meaning, many of the Model 3's we have listed for sale (over 30 units for sale at any given time) will suddenly have a "Safety Restraint Warning" appear. Tesla is not taking responsibility for this. They always charge the customer. The airbag system is inoperable with this warning. It's a problem on EVERY Model 3
I purchased this car new in 2018 and recently replaced the front lateral suspension arm due to worn bushings. During the process, I discovered that one of the 14 mm bolt threads on the right side of the suspension arm had a helicoil inserted. While removal was straightforward, reinstalling the bolt proved difficult. I spent several hours reattaching it to the new suspension arm, but did not apply full torque, as I was concerned about damaging the helicoil or stripping the thread. My main concern
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The front suspension began having grinding noises. This was especially pronounced during turning at low speeds. At 58k miles. Tesla charged for having a tech ride along. They then did a front suspension investigation and said the following parts all were damaged and required replacement. Lower Compliance Links Lower front suspension links Lateral links Subframe assembly It would be consistent with the following recall on the bolt which attaches the lateral link to the subframe [XXX] The ma
Vehicle is 7 years old with 107,000 miles. I received a warning regarding low brake fluid with instructions not to drive the vehicle. Dealer is advising all brake lines are rusted out and need replacement. Rusted lines are apparently causing the brake fluid to leak. I've never heard of any vehicle, let alone a 7 year old vehicle, needing all brake lines replaced. After researching online, my 2018 Tesla Model 3 is not the only Tesla Model 3 with this issue. Specifically, it appears some early