Research · Midsize Cars

2026 Tesla Model 3Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 17 owner complaints for the 2026 Tesla Model 3. Most complaints involve forward collision avoidance (6) and steering (4). The EPA rates it 111–139 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
111–139mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Jun 2025
Owner complaints
17
Top: forward collision avoidance
Fuel cost / yr
$550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats: critical fasteners

Free remedy

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The fasteners attaching the seat back to the seat bottom may have been improperly tightened.

SeatsReported Jun 18, 2025NHTSA 25V410000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

17 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2026 – Oct 2026
  1. Forward collision avoidance6
  2. Steering4
  3. Back over prevention3
  4. Service brakes1
  5. Electrical system1
  6. Visibility/wiper1
  7. Vehicle speed control1
  8. Lane departure1
  9. Other / unknown6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Model 3 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201727
20181,036
2019623
2020455
2021674
2022773
2023429
2024222
20250
202617
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Forward collision avoidance

6 reports2 crashes
“• forward collision warning and automatic emergency breaking failed to work and are still currently an ongoing problem and not functioning. They are and have always Been enabled and can be inspected upon request. • my safety and those in my car and around me put at risk, by the system and software not functioning as intended and providing extra alertness and reaction to avoid collision. •the earliest service date I could get from Tesla is Nov 11. I have requested they preserve all data from dates Oct 20-27 2026 •no, my car has not been inspected yet. I have taken, Videos and have saved in car camera footage to show the ongoing defect. •no warnings lights or alerts prior to the incident. The problem first became apparent and clear Oct 26, 2026. I had FSD subscription that ended Oct 24, 2026 and the system warnings worked just fine during that time even while driving manually.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11774044

Steering

4 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel independently turned to the left and the right. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking and uncontrollable. The contact depressed the brake pedal down, unbuckled, the seat belt and opened the door and the vehicle came to a stop. The Police was contacted and arrived on the scene. The Police removed the vehicle from the roadway onto the shoulder of the road. The contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but the diagnostic test report was not provided to the contact. The contact was informed that the information was reported to the engineers. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 450.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 6, 2026Steering, Service brakesODI 11769327

Back over prevention

3 reports3 crashes
“On August 26, 2026, at approximately 8:56 AM, I entered a public parking garage in Washington, DC. Full Self-Driving (Supervised) was engaged and controlling the vehicle during a reversing maneuver. I remained attentive to the vehicle's surroundings, including pedestrians and surrounding traffic. While reversing under FSD (Supervised), the vehicle's right rear corner collided with the corner of a stationary structural pillar in the parking garage. I did not command the vehicle to steer into the pillar. Upon becoming aware of the impact, I immediately applied the brake. There were no injuries. The collision resulted in damage to the right rear area of the vehicle. After the incident, I photographed and recorded the scene and vehicle damage and saved the available Tesla Dashcam footage. I also requested the vehicle data from Tesla. I am reporting this incident because the vehicle collided with a stationary structure while FSD (Supervised) was engaged and controlling the reversing maneuver. I do not know the specific technical cause of the incident. The vehicle and available recorded data can be made available for inspection upon request.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2026Steering, Unknown or other, Back over preventionCrash reportedODI 11761157
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
Electric motor
Transmissions
Automatic (A1)
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Electricity
EV range
363 mi (EPA)

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Model 3 Standard RWD
Auto (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive
147130139$550—
Model 3 Premium RWD
Auto (A1) · Rear-Wheel Drive
145128137$550—
Model 3 Premium AWD
Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive
133122128$600—
Model 3 Performance
Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive
120107114$650—
Model 3 Performance AWD
Auto (A1) · All-Wheel Drive
117106111$700—
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
TESLA MODEL 3 4 DR BEV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
6.8%
Overall
5 / 5
TESLA MODEL 3 4 DR BEV RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
6.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 22554Vehicle 22553
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Tire rotation6,000–8,000 mi6–12 monthsEVs wear tires faster (weight, torque)
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–4 yearsRegen braking spares the pads, not the fluid
Battery coolantPer manualPer manualIntervals vary widely by maker
12V battery—3–5 years
  • Tire rotation6,000–8,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–4 years
  • Battery coolantPer manual
    Per manual
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2026 Model 3 questions

How many recalls does the 2026 Tesla Model 3 have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2026 Tesla Model 3 problems?

Owners filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are forward collision avoidance (6), steering (4), back over prevention (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Tesla Model 3 get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Tesla Model 3 at 111–139 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 Tesla Model 3?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Tesla Model 3 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026