Recalls, complaints, and safety data from NHTSA
The 2021 Tesla Model 3 has 22 recalls, 669 complaints, and a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.
22
Recalls
669
Complaints
★★★★★
Safety Rating
Data source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) · Last updated October 15, 2026
22V037000
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" functio...
21V834000
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secure...
21V835000
SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, al...
22V045000
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 ...
21V387000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake c...
21V846000
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. ...
22V050000
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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 t...
22V063000
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 b...
22V235000
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 b...
22V263000
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 speedomet...
22V317000
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model 3 and 2021 Model Y vehicles. The fisheye and narrow camera cable terminals were incorrectly ...
22V702000
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 rever...
22V798000
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...
23V085000
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...
23V838000
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...
24V051000
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...
24V153000
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 res...
24V376000
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 ...
24V554000
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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 det...
24V935000
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 (TPM...
26V283000
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
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 versio...
26V507000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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 ma...
Overall
★★★★★
Front Crash
★★★★★
Side Crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rating for: 2021 Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWD Later Release
| Date ↓ | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2, 2026 | STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER | The power liftgate strut failed in normal use and bent the trunk liftgate, which now strikes the rea... |
| Oct 2, 2026 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Urgent Safety Concern — Uncommanded Braking During Manual Driving. On October 2, 2026, while drivin... |
| Sep 24, 2026 | STEERING | I have a model 3 2021 Tesla. I noticed that several times it gives me the alert for steering wheel m... |
| Sep 23, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | High Voltage battery BMS error. |
| Sep 17, 2026 | TIRES | On [XXX], the Walmart Auto Care Center on Thomasville Rd in Tallahassee, FL installed four Goodyear ... |
| Sep 9, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | As we were normally driving, the car lost power immediately with no warning sign. After the power is... |
| Sep 6, 2026 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that the trunk strut failed, and the lift ... |
| Aug 24, 2026 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY/WIPER,LANE DEPARTURE | After a Tesla-delivered over-the-air software update, my 2021 Tesla Model 3 equipped with Hardware 3... |
| Aug 21, 2026 | VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Tesla replaced the windshield on my 2021 Model 3 at the Tesla Service Center in Schaumburg, IL. Days... |
| Aug 17, 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Interior camera circuit failed in the main computer as diagnosed by Tesla, it disables most safety f... |
| Aug 3, 2026 | LANE DEPARTURE | I was driving down Interstate 635 Lane Departure Assist on my 2021 Model 3 pulls me into the lan... |
| Jul 29, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Passenger side view mirror intermittently gets stuck in the "reverse" position while in drive gear. ... |
| Jul 27, 2026 | SUSPENSION | The front suspension became loose and produced a clunk while driving. The vehicle was taken in the s... |
| Jul 23, 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The adaptive cruise control on Tesla vehicles is dangerous. The model in question is a 2021 Model 3 ... |
| Jul 22, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION | I am reporting a repeatable safety problem with FSD Lite's end-to-end parking behavior. On July 22, ... |
| Jul 10, 2026 | STRUCTURE | I am reporting a safety concern regarding the glovebox fascia on my Tesla Model 3. The material on t... |
| Jul 8, 2026 | STEERING | My steering suddenly got extremely stiff on the highway while driving. There was a warning that assi... |
| Jul 2, 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | On July 1, 2026, the vehicle was serviced by the manufacturer for GPS and camera malfunctions, and t... |
| Jun 24, 2026 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving my car on full self driving. I press the brake to stop full self driving the car immed... |
| Jun 21, 2026 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The outside part of the glove box is coming off. It could prevent air bags from working properly. It... |