241 of the 4,228 complaints about the Tesla Model 3 (5.7%) concern Body & structure, making it the model's #8 problem area. That share is 0.6× the Body & structure share across all tracked vehicles.
241Complaints · Body & structure
5.7%Share of complaints
0.62×vs. all vehicles
38Last 12 months
6.6%Share involving a crash or fire
3Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Body & structure complaints peak with the 2018 model (79, 8% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (4). 38 Body & structure complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 30 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
Owners most often describe: “windshield”, “wipers”, “rain”, “visibility” and “rear”. 16 of these reports (6.6%) describe a crash or fire, with 16 injuries and 0 deaths mentioned.
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 26V445000 (2026-07-07, model years 2024).
Vehicle: Tesla Model 3 Issue: Power trunk failed to detect obstruction Date of incident: July 5, 2026 Location: Surprise, AZ During normal use of the vehicle, my child pressed the “close trunk” button while I was leaning into the trunk area.
Body & structure · 2026-07-07 · ODI 11748682
On two separate occasions, June 4 at approximately 5:35pm and July 2 at approximately 3:40pm, the vehicle backed into a carport pole at my home while a Tesla driver assistance feature was engaged.
Body & structure · 2026-07-07 · ODI 11748800 · Crash
The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. While a passenger was attempting to enter the vehicle, the contact sustained a cut to the hand, which was caused by the exterior door handle.
Body & structure · 2026-08-25 · ODI 11759555
Incident / Safety Defect Summary: A certified Tesla mobile service technician improperly calibrated the low-beam headlights on my 2018 Tesla Model 3, causing a severe reduction in forward night visibility and creating an immediate roadway crash hazard in…
Body & structure · 2026-08-21 · ODI 11758477
The front passenger door intermittently becomes “unclosed.” When this occurs, the vehicle displays “door open” and the passenger door window rolls down and up repeatedly. The window cycling continues until the door is slammed firmly shut.
Body & structure · 2026-08-16 · ODI 11757329
I am reporting a safety concern regarding the glovebox fascia on my Tesla Model 3. The material on the glovebox trim is peeling and separating, which appears to be caused by prolonged exposure to heat inside the vehicle.
Body & structure · 2026-07-20 · ODI 11751588
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS Campaign 26V445000 · 2026-07-07 · Model years: 2024
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."
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.
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.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Campaign 22V702000 · 2022-09-19 · Model years: 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
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.
How common are Body & structure problems on the Tesla Model 3?
241 of the 4,228 complaints about the Tesla Model 3 (5.7%) concern Body & structure, making it the model's #8 problem area. That share is 0.6× the Body & structure share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Tesla Model 3 model years have the most Body & structure complaints?
By model year, Body & structure complaints peak with the 2018 model (79, 8% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2024 model (4).
Is there a recall for Tesla Model 3 Body & structure problems?
3 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 26V445000 (2026-07-07, model years 2024).