2022 Tesla Model 3 reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2022 Tesla Model 3 holds 765 complaints after 5 years, a rate of 222 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 8 Model 3 years on this site. NHTSA has 18 recalls on file, including Headlights, Back-over prevention, software, and Tire pressure monitoring.

2019 Tesla Model 3 — Photo by Vauxford, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

765

Per year

222

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Forward collision avoidance (532 of 765), then Speed control (171) and Service brakes (166). The most filings arrived in 2022 (443 of 765). Those filings include 53 that report a crash, 4 that report a fire, 28 that report an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2021 and 2023

The 2021 Model 3 has 663 complaints, 168 per year, and the 2023 has 424 complaints, 127 per year. The 2022 has more complaints per year than the 2021. The 2022 has more complaints per year than the 2023.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2022 Tesla Model 3. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (18)

Recall exterior lighting, headlights 2026-08-05 · NHTSA campaign 26V507000

Summary Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Remedy The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-17-003.

Recall back-over prevention, software 2026-05-05 · NHTSA campaign 26V283000

Summary Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and Model X vehicles operating software version 2026.8.6. The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-001.

Recall tires, tire pressure monitoring 2024-12-17 · NHTSA campaign 24V935000

Summary 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 comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Remedy Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-018.

Recall latches, locks, and linkages, hood, latch 2024-07-24 · NHTSA campaign 24V554000

Summary 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 detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.

Remedy Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.

Recall seat belts, front, warning light 2024-05-28 · NHTSA campaign 24V376000

Summary 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 requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Remedy Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

Recall forward collision avoidance, warnings, pedestrian alert 2024-02-27 · NHTSA campaign 24V153000

Summary 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 Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Remedy Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.

Recall electrical system, instrument cluster 2024-01-30 · NHTSA campaign 24V051000

Summary 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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Remedy Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

Recall electrical system, driver assistance, self-driving, software 2023-12-12 · NHTSA campaign 23V838000

Summary 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 of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

Remedy Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

Recall steering, adaptive steering 2023-02-15 · NHTSA campaign 23V085000

Summary 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 straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

Remedy Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

Recall seat belts, rear or other, anchorage 2022-10-21 · NHTSA campaign 22V798000

Summary 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.

Remedy Tesla Service will inspect and reassemble the seat belt anchors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-004.

Recall visibility, power windows 2022-09-19 · NHTSA campaign 22V702000

Summary 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 Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

Remedy Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.

Recall back-over prevention, display 2022-05-03 · NHTSA campaign 22V296000

Summary Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S, Model X, and 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating certain firmware releases. The infotainment central processing unit (CPU) may overheat during the preparation or process of fast-charging, causing the CPU to lag or restart.

Remedy Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will improve CPU temperature management, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-009.

Recall electrical system, instrument cluster 2022-04-18 · NHTSA campaign 22V263000

Summary 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 and Displays."

Remedy Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-008.

Recall electrical system, software 2022-04-12 · NHTSA campaign 22V235000

Summary 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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Remedy Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V-063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V-063 will need to have the new remedy software installed.

Recall electrical system, software 2022-02-04 · NHTSA campaign 22V063000

Summary 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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Remedy Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall has been superseded by Recall 22V-235. Tesla's number for the new recall is SB-22-00-003.

Recall electrical system, software 2022-02-02 · NHTSA campaign 22V050000

Summary 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 the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."

Remedy Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.

Recall electrical system, software 2022-02-01 · NHTSA campaign 22V045000

Summary 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 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Recall electrical system, driver assistance, self-driving, software 2022-01-27 · NHTSA campaign 22V037000

Summary 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 coming to a stop.

Remedy Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.

Complaints by component (765 total)

Forward collision avoidance

532

Speed control

171

Service brakes

166

Electrical system

Lane departure

Steering

Visibility and wipers

Powertrain

Wheels

Air bags

Seat belts

Seats

Structure

Suspension

Fuel and propulsion system

Back-over prevention

Engine

Exterior lighting

Visibility

Equipment

Latches, locks, and linkages

Air brakes

Engine and engine cooling

Tires

Show 16 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"When the chair automatically moves to the easy in and out setting it does so without any safety measure to stop it moving when blocked. It is so strong that it crushed my hydroflask water bottle when it was stuck…"
Seats · filed 2026-09-20
"At approximately 32,916 miles, the powered trunk lift strut on my 2022 Tesla Model 3 separated from its mounting ball stud during normal use. There was no collision or external impact. When the strut separated, it…"
Structure, Unknown or other, Visibility and wipers · filed 2026-09-04
"My 2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range has developed a failure of the Autopilot/ADAS computer. The AP computer remains installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection. The vehicle operated normally before software…"
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-08-31
"With its latest upgrade, 2026.20.6.11 with full self-driving V14 Light, Tesla no longer allows users to set a max speed. This is very dangerous, especially in school zones where the vehicle, with Full Self-Driving,…"
Forward collision avoidance · filed 2026-08-30
"The Tesla service center in San Antonio Texas installed new tires and a new wheel on my vehicle and one of the tires was installed inside out based on the manufacturer’s specifications. I’ve been driving this vehicle…"
Wheels · filed 2026-08-26

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2022 Tesla Model 3 4 DR AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars
2022 Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Model 3 Long Range all-wheel drive	—	Automatic (1-speed)	All-wheel drive	134	126	131 MPG / 358 mi range	$600
Model 3 Performance all-wheel drive	—	Automatic (1-speed)	All-wheel drive	118	107	113 MPG / 315 mi range	$650
Model 3 rear-wheel drive	—	Automatic (1-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	138	126	132 MPG / 272 mi range	$550

Specs and fitment

First generation, 2017–2023

Body styles Sedan

Tire size 235/45R18 (18-inch), 235/40R19 (19-inch), 235/35R20 (20-inch), 245/35R20 (Performance 20-inch)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 23V-838 covers 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Autosteer versions up to the remedy software. NHTSA states that in certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature, which can increase crash risk if the driver does not remain prepared to intervene. The campaign lists 2,031,220 vehicles across those models; Tesla's remedy is an over-the-air software update. Recall 21V-835 covers certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles whose front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen and allow the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame; recall 23V-235 expands that fastener issue to certain 2018-2019 Model 3 vehicles. Recall 21V-387 covers certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles whose brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.

Compare

Previous year 2021 Tesla Model 3 Next year 2023 Tesla Model 3 See every Tesla Model 3 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Tesla Model 3 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2022 Tesla Model 3?

Is the 2022 Tesla Model 3 more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2022 Tesla Model 3 been recalled?

The 2022 Tesla Model 3 has 18 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2022 Tesla Model 3?

Owners have filed 765 complaints about the 2022 Tesla Model 3 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2022 Tesla Model 3 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2022 Tesla Model 3 is 125.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2020 Tesla Model 3?

First generation (2017-2023), before the Highland refresh.

Does the US Tesla Model 3 have a factory towing rating?

No. The Model 3 is not equipped to tow in the US and Tesla does not publish a US towing capacity for it. A tow package is sold in Europe and some other markets; those ratings are not US ratings.