2024 Tesla Model 3 problems, complaints & recalls

More Falling

NHTSA has received 220 owner complaints about the 2024 Tesla Model 3, or 78.9 per year on the road — more complaints than typical (complaint index 1.96, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 89 model-year 2024 vehicles we track, it ranks #78 of 89 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Tesla models its rate is 33% higher; against other Electric vehicles it is 55% higher.

Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count

Complaints filed between 2024-03-25 and 2026-10-09. Median delay from incident to filing: 2 days.

220Complaints

78.9Complaints per year on the road

1.96Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles

5Recalls

12.3%Share involving a crash or fire

63Last 12 months

Analysis

The previous model year (2023) drew 113.0 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2025) drew 66.0 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2024 model collected 179 complaints, 155% higher than the average vehicle of the same model year.

The most common problem area is Unspecified or other (22.3% of complaints), followed by Electrical (21.4%) and Driver-assist systems (18.6%). Unspecified or other complaints are 2.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 27 reports (12.3%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 19 injuries and 0 deaths.

Half of the reported incidents happened within 12 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (49% of incidents). In the last 12 months 63 new complaints were filed, versus 97 in the 12 months before — down 35%.

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for this model year. 7 NHTSA investigations cover this model year; the most recent is “FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions” (engineering analysis, opened 2026-03-18, still open).

Complaint index

vs. all tracked vehicles1.96
vs. other Tesla models1.33
vs. other 2024 models2.04
vs. other Electric vehicles1.55
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (179)2.55
#78 of 89 · 2024Rankings ›

1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road.

Other model years

2018117.2 per year2.9
201979.1 per year1.96
202066.4 per year1.65
2021115.6 per year2.86
2022160.2 per year3.97
2023113.0 per year2.8
202478.9 per year1.96
202566.0 per year1.64
202628.0 per year0.69

Tesla Model 3 problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›

What owners complain about

Unspecified or other49 · 22.3% · 2.48×
Electrical47 · 21.4% · 1.36×
Driver-assist systems41 · 18.6% · 3.25×
Steering29 · 13.2% · 2.06×
Lighting17 · 7.7% · 4.96×
Other9 · 4.1% · 2.22×
Airbags & seat belts6 · 2.7% · 0.71×
Wheels, tires & suspension6 · 2.7% · 1.08×

vs. all vehicles: 1.00 = All-vehicle average

Problem areas: Driver-assist systems · Electrical · Brakes · Airbags & seat belts · Unspecified or other · Steering · Wheels, tires & suspension · Body & structure · Transmission / powertrain · Lighting · Engine

When complaints were filed

Crashes reported: 27
Fires reported: 1
Injuries: 19
Deaths: 0

Vehicle age at incident

<1 yr48.6%
1–2 yrs34.5%
2–3 yrs16.8%
3–5 yrsnot reached yet
5+ yrsnot reached yet

Median age at incident: 12 months

What owners report

My Tesla displays a mandatory FSD (Supervised) disengagement feedback survey on the center touchscreen while the vehicle is in motion.

Driver-assist systems · 2026-09-29 · ODI 11767930 · Crash
Client left the road and the vehicle hit a tree by the roadside. The vehicle caught fire and client was incapacitated and unable to operate the door handle from the inside or unlock the doors.

Electrical · 2026-09-01 · ODI 11761374 · Crash · Fire
On 10/09 at approx. 10:30 AM EST, my 2024 Tesla Model 3 was operating on Full Self-Driving (Supervised) on Cummings, GA. Without warning, the vehicle steered off the paved roadway.

Brakes · 2026-10-09 · ODI 11770113
As of an OTA update to the Telsa early this summer, a prompt stating "Why did you intervene" appears over critical display information on the infotainment console. FSD v14.3.2 and onward.

Body & structure · 2026-09-23 · ODI 11766472
Both front tires on my 2024 tesla model 3 performance developed structural bulges on the inboard sidewall at under 19,000 miles. The tires are the original equipment pirelli p zero 235/35r20 delivered with the vehicle on 12/07/2024.

Wheels, tires & suspension · 2026-09-03 · ODI 11761946

Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.

Segment peers · 2024 · Electric vehicles

Models	Complaints	Complaints per year on the road	Complaint index
2024 Tesla Model X	26	9.3	0.23
2024 Ford F-150 Lightning	30	10.8	0.27
2024 Tesla Model S	38	13.6	0.34
2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E	47	16.8	0.42
2024 Volkswagen ID.4	49	17.6	0.44
2024 Kia EV6	76	27.2	0.67
2024 Tesla Model 3	220	78.9	1.96
2024 Hyundai Ioniq 5	224	80.3	1.99
2024 Tesla Model Y	326	116.9	2.9

Safety recalls (5)

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS Campaign 26V445000 · 2026-07-07

Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y and 2024 Model 3 vehicles. The vehicles were originally built for a foreign market and do not have knee air bags, may not be equipped with certain interior safety countermeasures, and may not have been tested for bumper impact resistance procedures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers, 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact," and Part 581, "Bumper Standards."

Risk: A noncompliant vehicle may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or resolutions@tesla.com. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-004.

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE Campaign 25V002000 · 2025-01-07

Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Tesla will also identify any vehicles that experienced a circuit board failure, or stress that may lead to a circuit board failure, and replace the affected computers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-001.

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS Campaign 24V935000 · 2024-12-17 · Over-the-air fix

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."

Risk: Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.

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.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH Campaign 24V554000 · 2024-07-24 · Over-the-air fix

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.

Risk: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:THORAX Campaign 24V284000 · 2024-04-19

Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling one 2024 Model 3 vehicle. The driver seat side air bag module was assembled without a deflector that directs gas flow during deployment.

Risk: Without a deflector, the air bag may deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Tesla service replaced the side air bag, free of charge. The affected vehicle was repaired April 12, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-13-001.

How to check whether your car has an open recall ›

Investigations

FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions Open

EA26002 · engineering analysis · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS · Opened 2026-03-18 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Engineering Analysis to evaluate Tesla’s Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) degradation detection system. The focus of this investigation will be to assess the system’s ability, when encountering reduced roadway visibility conditions, to detect degradation and alert the driver with sufficient time …
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged Open

PE25012 · preliminary evaluation · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS · Opened 2025-10-07 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

The Office of Defects Investigation (“ODI”) is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of FSD executing driving maneuvers that constitute traﬃc safety violations. This investigation concerns versions of FSD that Tesla has labeled as "FSD (Supervised)" and "FSD (Beta)." Tesla characterizes FSD as an SAE Level 2 partial automation sy…
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements Open

AQ25002 · audit query · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS · Opened 2025-08-20 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

The Office of Defects Investigation (“ODI”) has identified numerous incident reports submitted by Tesla, Inc. (“Tesla”) in response to Standing General Order 2021-01 (the “SGO”), in which the reported crashes occurred several months or more before the dates of the reports. The majority of these reports involved crashes in which the Standing General Order in place at the time required a report to b…
Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts. Closed

PE24033 · preliminary evaluation · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING · Opened 2025-01-06 · Closed 2026-04-03 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, 2025

On January 6, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation 24003 (PE24033) to investigate Actually Smart Summon (Summon) sessions resulting in crashes during active sessions. According to Tesla, Summon is a short-distance SAE Level 2 system, controlled by the user from a cell phone within a certain distance and intended for use in parking lots and on private prope…
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions Closed

PE24031 · preliminary evaluation · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS · Opened 2024-10-17 · Closed 2026-03-18 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

On October 17, 2024, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE24031) of Tesla’s Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) to assess: the ability of the FSD system to detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions; whether any other FSD crashes had occurred under degraded roadway visibility condit…
Recall 23V838 Remedy Effectiveness Open

RQ24009 · recall query · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:DRIVER MONITORING:SOFTWARE · Opened 2024-04-25 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening a Recall Query to assess the remedy adequacy of Recall 23V838. On December 12, 2023, Tesla filed a Defect Information Report (Recall 23V838) applicable to all Tesla models produced and equipped with any version of its Autopilot system, which Tesla described as an SAE Level 2 (L2) Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). Autopilot is the simulta…
Unexpected Brake Activation Closed

PE22002 · preliminary evaluation · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS · Opened 2022-02-16 · Closed 2026-06-29 · Model years: 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

On February 16, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22002) to investigate reports of unexpected deceleration while driving with the adaptive cruise control system engaged in Model Year (MY) 2021 – 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles manufactured by Tesla. The subject systems include Autopilot (all versions), Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Traffic Aware Cru…