Tesla Model 3 Engine problems
44 of the 4,228 complaints about the Tesla Model 3 (1.0%) concern Engine, making it the model's #12 problem area. That share is 0.1× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (10, 1% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2019 model (2). 5 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
Owners most often describe: “contactor”, “charge”, “inverter”, “motor” and “battery”. 7 of these reports (15.9%) describe a crash or fire, with 4 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.
By model year
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 5 · Previous 12 months: 9
Common terms in reports
- contactor3
- charge8
- inverter4
- motor8
- battery11
- high voltage4
What owners report
Possible unintended acceleration incident While approaching the driveway the car accidentally accelerated on its own, cause a collision. We request that Tesla preserve all vehicle logs and telemetry data for safety investigation.
Vehicle was in cruise control, and cruise control did not deactivate causing the vehicle to propel into a building, causing airbag deployment. Safety sensors of car failed to recognize building, other vehicles, and obstructions as required.
I was on the freeway in the fast lane approaching a tunnel and vehicle came with warning vehicle shutting down. Code DL_a063. Vehicle stopped in fast lane would not move to shoulder. No prior warning there was any issue.
High voltage fast charge contactors experienced partial weld failure (BMS_a167_SW_FC_Partial_Weld) during routine Supercharging, causing complete HV system shutdown (hvState = HV_DOWN).
While driving my Tesla, Autopilot was engaged and navigating with the destination entered. At the time of the incident, my hand was on the steering wheel when the vehicle suddenly attempted to make a hard right turn toward a divider.
After the High Voltage Battery Contactor recall service, my 2025 Tesla Model 3 Performance suffered a sudden 13% drop in range (from 303mi to 264mi at 100% charge).
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.
Problem areas · Tesla Model 3
- Driver-assist systems1312
- Electrical552
- Brakes514
- Airbags & seat belts347
- Interior & equipment345
- Steering311
- Wheels, tires & suspension285
- Body & structure241
- Transmission / powertrain83
- Lighting51
- Engine44
Tesla Model 3 problems, complaints & recalls by model year ›
Related reading
- Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Tesla Model 3?
44 of the 4,228 complaints about the Tesla Model 3 (1.0%) concern Engine, making it the model's #12 problem area. That share is 0.1× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Tesla Model 3 model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2018 model (10, 1% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2019 model (2).
Is there a recall for Tesla Model 3 Engine problems?
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.