Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2026 Tesla Model 3, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Unknown or other10
- Steering7
- Forward collision avoidance7
- Back over prevention4
- Lane departure4
- Electrical system2
- Vehicle speed control2
- Suspension2
- Structure2
- Wheels1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2026 Tesla Model 3 failed the safety check 0.00% of the time — 100% less often than the average 2026 passenger car (0.16%). Median odometer at inspection: 6 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
3,899 first registered in 2026 are on Dutch roads; 1% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €38,640.
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In Finland
595 of these cars first registered in 2026 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
276 2026 cars are on the New Zealand register; 0% arrived as used imports, 100% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 2 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 TESLA MODEL 3 4 DR BEV AWD | ★★★★★ | 6.8 % |
| 2026 TESLA MODEL 3 4 DR BEV RWD | ★★★★★ | 6.8 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Recalls
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
NHTSA investigations
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation