NHTSA data · free2019 Tesla Model 3Problems: Top Complaints, Recalls & Failures (NHTSA)
Every owner complaint and safety recall the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has on file for the 2019 Tesla Model 3, ranked by the component that failed most.
Complaints on file
608
Recalls issued
22
Crashes reported
58
Fires reported
5
What breaks most
- Forward Collision Avoidance168 complaints · 27.6%
- Electrical System91 complaints · 15%
- Suspension82 complaints · 13.5%
- Air Bags81 complaints · 13.3%
- Vehicle Speed Control71 complaints · 11.7%
Recalls on this model year
- 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" 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 c
Campaign 22V037000 · reported 27/01/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
Campaign 21V835000 · reported 25/10/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 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 Fede
Campaign 22V045000 · reported 01/02/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Seat Belts
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached.
Campaign 21V389000 · reported 25/05/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Electrical System › Wiring › Rear Compartment/Trunk
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
Campaign 21V00D000 · reported 21/12/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.
Campaign 21V387000 · reported 25/05/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
Campaign 21V846000 · reported 29/10/2021 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Equipment › Other › Labels
Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019 Tesla Model 3 vehicles. The driver-side sun visor may not have the required air bag warning information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Pro
Campaign 19V719000 · reported 10/10/2019 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these veh
Campaign 22V063000 · reported 04/02/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Back Over Prevention › Display Function
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to compl
Campaign 22V169000 · reported 18/03/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these veh
Campaign 22V235000 · reported 12/04/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 speedometer while in Track Mode. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control an
Campaign 22V263000 · reported 18/04/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehi
Campaign 22V702000 · reported 19/09/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 have been incorrectly reassembled during vehicle service.
Campaign 22V798000 · reported 21/10/2022 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling st
Campaign 23V085000 · reported 15/02/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- Suspension › Front
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
Campaign 23V235000 · reported 31/03/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope
Campaign 23V838000 · reported 12/12/2023 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicle
Campaign 24V051000 · reported 30/01/2024 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta
Campaign 24V153000 · reported 27/02/2024 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirem
Campaign 24V376000 · reported 28/05/2024 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 (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 co
Campaign 24V935000 · reported 17/12/2024 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
- 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 maximum light output. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps,
Campaign 26V507000 · reported 05/08/2026 · recall work is free at any franchised dealer
What owners report
Forward Collision Avoidance
- Tesla rolled out FSD 14 Lite to hardware, including to my vehicle and it’s become extremely unsafe.The past several days the vehicle will suddenly slow down/break causing people to almost crash into m
- I was using Full self driving (FSD), but I notice the autopilot gets "impatient" when (correctly) stopped for a "long" period of time (~2 minutes), but will then try to proceed in dangerous conditions
- Tesla FSD on HW3 vehicles has become very unstable. Users complain the car ping pongs within the lane and occasionally will steer onto the left or opposite lane. This seems to have happened after a
Electrical System
- The Front Passenger Safety Restraint System failed prematurely on my 2019 Tesla Model 3 at only 23,105 miles, triggering the alert 'Alerts - Seats - Front passenger safety restraint system issue/Servi
- I was locked inside my tesla model 3 two stories down in a parking garage with no internet access to find out where the emergency release was for my door. I KICKED my driver side window to survive. It
- I am getting an electrical fault which has disabled my front passenger seat airbags. They need to replace the wiring, which means they also now need to replace the passenger airbag itself because wiri
Suspension
- Over a period of several weeks, the front suspension increasingly made noise (squeaking and groaning) and felt loose when turning and going over bumps. The front control arms were replaced 10/31/24.
- Noise came from front left wheel while driving around a turn. Later the same day another noise when turning the wheel when leaving a parking spot. Steering felt strange. It was late at night, so le
- The vehicle has quite a bit of noise coming from the suspension during normal driving. Creaks and groans.
Air Bags
- Alert RCM_a021pretenLapFrontLeft. Caused by the seat harness wires being pinched and stretched when moving the seat back/forward/up/down. Eventually the wires are damaged by the seat movement. Tesla
- Front passenger safety restraint system issue requiring replacement of Occupant Classification System and updating front passenger airbag to maintain compatibility with front passenger seat. Costing
- To Whom It May Concern, I am logging a safety defect complaint regarding my 2019 Tesla Model 3, which displays active fault code RCM_a056 – Front passenger safety restraint system fault. This error de
Vehicle Speed Control
- The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was stopped at a residential gate, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The ve
- Phantom braking (as it's referred to by experts) happened to me twice on the highway using Traffic-Aware-Cruise-Control. Very scary. I was on cruise control going 60 mph when suddenly my car braked
- When cruise control or self-driving systems are engaged, there have been numerous times when the automatic emergency braking system mistakenly slowed the car suddenly. At 70+ mph, this is incredibly d
Excerpts are anonymized owner complaints as filed with NHTSA, trimmed to 200 characters.
Check your own VIN
This page covers the 2019 Tesla Model 3 in general. Enter your VIN for the recalls, complaints and crash ratings specific to your exact vehicle.
Buying a used 2019 Tesla Model 3?
A full vehicle history report checks title brands, accident records, and odometer readings for the specific VIN — none of which government complaint or recall data covers.
Run a vehicle history reportOther model years
More Tesla models
Disclosure: some links on this page (vehicle history reports, warranty options) are affiliate links. They fund the free checker, and your price never changes. Recall, complaint, rating and fuel-economy data are official U.S. government records for the year, make and model and are not a substitute for an inspection or a title history report on the specific vehicle. Not affiliated with any government agency.