2018 Tesla Model 3 problems
Owners have filed 1,734 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Tesla Model 3. Forward collision avoidance is the most reported problem area, at 17% of complaints. After that come suspension (11%) and electrical system (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,734 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Forward collision avoidance 17% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 207 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 72 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 17,000 miles 341 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 178 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 78 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 45 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 14 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 21 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 3 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 341 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 17,000 miles. For forward collision avoidance specifically, the median reported mileage is about 27,000 miles (13 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 207 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 72 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2018 ranks 3rd most-complained-about out of 10 model years of the Tesla Model 3 with enough data (1,176 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 19 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own and began operating without my control. Despite my attempts to steer away from surrounding traffic, the vehicle continued to self‑propel, crossed the median, and entered oncoming lanes, resulting in a head‑on collision with another car.
Car was parked in driveway and spontaneously caught fire at 4am; I suspect that ti was the 12v battery that leaked and corroded and caused a fire after looking at the security footage which showed that the fire originated in the frunk; Tesla say they are unable to find a cause of the fire, It has been 5 months since the incident.
Tesla model 3 (2018) proceeded to accelerate while brake pedal was depressed going through an intersection causing uncontrollable maneuver and vehicle control loss. The vehicle failed to respond to pedal input and failed to deploy airbags upon impact with a tree and fence continuing to accelerate throughout such incident. Autopilot was engaged prior to crash. No forward collision warning activated.
At 70000 the front right bar that connect to wheel went bad 350 dollars. At around 90000 miles the AC went bad and they said is because I used it too much 4700 dollars at 110000 the lid for the charger kept opening up and closing by itself at 127000 the battery range reduced signed went on 129000 maximum charge could be charded 47 percent. And could not be charged more than whatever is in there already