CarBrief

Owners filed 671 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Model 3, and 410 of them name forward collision avoidance, forward collision avoidance[1][2]. Owners filed 671 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Model 3, and the largest group names forward collision avoidance[1][2]. Most of its recalls use free over-the-air software updates, but the headlight recall 26V507 has no repair yet[3][4].

671owner complaints[1]
22recalls[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 671 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 46 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 19 injuries and 8 deaths[1]. These are unverified reports from owners, and one complaint can name several parts of the car, so the groups below overlap.

Component group Complaints
Forward collision avoidance[2] 410
Brakes[7] 126
Speed control[8] 123
Unknown or other[9] 94
Electrical system[10] 80
Lane departure[11] 33
Visibility/wiper[12] 31
Steering[13] 27

Forward collision avoidance. This is the group named in the most complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 11,722[2]. In a sample of seven different complaints we read, five describe the car braking hard with no obstacle ahead while cruise control or driver assist was on. Owners mention this on two-lane roads and at night, sometimes when a vehicle comes the other way. One more describes false collision warnings with the emergency braking system faulted[2].

Brakes. In a sample of 11 different complaints we read, seven describe the same sudden braking, most of them while cruise control was on, and two describe the car lurching forward when shifted into reverse while parking[7]. One describes a loose screw on a brake backing plate that caused noise until a service center tightened it[7]. The brakes group also has 11 complaints that mention a crash[7].

Speed control. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, six describe unexpected acceleration, including while parking or shifting into reverse[8]. Five describe sudden braking with cruise control on[8]. The median mileage at failure for this group is 10,650, and two deaths are reported[8].

Electrical system. The median mileage at failure is 7,000[10]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, two describe the car losing drive power while moving and two describe unexpected acceleration into a garage or wall[10].

Visibility/wiper has 31 complaints and none mention a crash, fire or injury[12]. Steering has 27, with 10 crashes and 2 fires[13].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 22 recalls for the 2021 Model 3[5]. They are below, newest first. Recall 26V507 has no repair available yet, so do not count it as fixed[5][3].

Fuel economy

This is an electric car, so EPA rates it in MPGe and in miles of range. The numbers depend on the version[34][35][36].

Version Combined Range
Long Range AWD[34] 134 MPGe 353 miles
Performance AWD[35] 113 MPGe 315 miles
Standard Range Plus RWD[36] 142 MPGe 263 miles

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the all-wheel-drive version 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for frontal, side and rollover protection[6]. The rear-wheel-drive version gets the same 5 stars in each category[37]. NHTSA puts the rollover risk at 6.6% for both[6][37].

Engine and size

EPA lists the electric motor power as 256 to 430 hp, depending on version[38]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars. All four versions are 185 in long, 73 in wide, 57 in high, with a 113 in wheelbase[39][40][41][42].

Version Curb weight
Long Range AWD[39] 4,072 lb
Long Range RWD[40] 3,805 lb
Mid Range[41] 3,686 lb
Standard[42] 3,627 lb

How 2021 compares with other years

2017: 27 complaints, 16 recalls20172018: 1,032 complaints, 19 recalls20182019: 619 complaints, 22 recalls20192020: 452 complaints, 21 recalls20202021: 671 complaints, 22 recalls67120212022: 770 complaints, 18 recalls20222023: 428 complaints, 12 recalls20232024: 221 complaints, 5 recalls20242025: 121 complaints, 3 recalls20252026: 29 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Model 3 model year. The 2021 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20172716
20181,03219
201961922
202045221
202167122
202277018
202342812
20242215
20251213
2026291

NHTSA counts of complaints and recalls by model year[5]:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2018[5] 1,032 19
2019[5] 619 22
2020[5] 452 21
2021[5] 671 22
2022[5] 770 18
2023[5] 428 12

The 2021 model year has the third highest complaint count, behind 2018 and 2022[5]. Its 22 recalls tie with 2019 for the most[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so compare them only as rough signals.

Should you buy a used 2021 Model 3?

The record shows a car with strong crash-test ratings and a long list of recalls, most of them using free software updates, with a few not yet released or still pending[6][37][3][16]. Check that every recall is complete, and note that the headlight recall 26V507 has no repair yet[3]. Owners describe sudden braking and unexpected acceleration in a sample of complaints we read, so test the cruise control and low-speed parking behavior on a drive before you buy[2][8]. Complaint counts are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so they show what owners report, not how often a problem happens.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Tesla Model 3?
By complaint count, forward collision avoidance leads with 410 of 671 NHTSA complaints, followed by brakes with 126 and speed control with 123[1][2][7][8]. One complaint can name several groups.
How many recalls does the 2021 Tesla Model 3 have?
NHTSA lists 22 recalls for this model year[5]. The headlight recall 26V507 has no repair available yet[3].
What is the MPGe and range of the 2021 Model 3?
EPA rates it from 113 to 142 MPGe combined, with a range of 263 to 353 miles depending on version[34][35][36].
How safe is the 2021 Tesla Model 3?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, with a rollover risk of 6.6%[6][37].
Is the 2021 Model 3 a better year than 2022?
It has fewer NHTSA complaints than 2022 (671 against 770) but more recalls (22 against 18)[5]. The counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 671 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Tesla Model 3 (46 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 19 injuries, 8 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 410 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (10 crashes, 1 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 11,722). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 26V507, filed August 4, 2026: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 26V283, filed May 4, 2026: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Tesla Model 3 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 6.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 126 complaints name the brakes component group (11 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 123 complaints name the speed control component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,650). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 94 complaints name the unknown or other component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 80 complaints name the electrical system component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 33 complaints name the lane departure component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 31 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 27 complaints name the steering component group (10 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 24V935, filed December 17, 2024: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 24V554, filed July 24, 2024: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 24V376, filed May 28, 2024: Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light / Devices. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 24V153, filed February 27, 2024: Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings › External / Pedestrian Alert. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 24V051, filed January 30, 2024: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 23V838, filed December 12, 2023: Electrical System › Adas › Driver Monitoring › Software. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 23V085, filed February 15, 2023: Steering › Automated / Adaptive Steering. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 22V798, filed October 21, 2022: Seat Belts › Rear / Other › Anchorage. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 22V702, filed September 19, 2022: Visibility › Power Window Devices And Controls. NHTSA recall database
  23. Recall 22V317, filed May 9, 2022: Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking. NHTSA recall database
  24. Recall 22V263, filed April 18, 2022: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  25. Recall 22V235, filed April 12, 2022: Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings › External / Pedestrian Alert. NHTSA recall database
  26. Recall 22V063, filed February 4, 2022: Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings › External / Pedestrian Alert. NHTSA recall database
  27. Recall 22V050, filed February 2, 2022: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  28. Recall 22V045, filed February 1, 2022: Seat Belts › Front. NHTSA recall database
  29. Recall 22V037, filed January 27, 2022: Steering › Automated / Adaptive Steering. NHTSA recall database
  30. Recall 21V846, filed October 29, 2021: Forward Collision Avoidance › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
  31. Recall 21V834, filed October 25, 2021: Air Bags › Side / Window › Curtain. NHTSA recall database
  32. Recall 21V835, filed October 25, 2021: Suspension › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
  33. Recall 21V387, filed May 25, 2021: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
  34. EPA rating for Model 3 Long Range AWD, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 134 MPGe combined, 353 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  35. EPA rating for Model 3 Performance AWD, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 113 MPGe combined, 315 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  36. EPA rating for Model 3 Standard Range Plus RWD, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 142 MPGe combined, 263 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  37. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 6.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
  38. EPA Test Car List, 2021 Tesla Model 3 with electric motor: rated 256 to 430 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  39. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MODEL 3 4DR SEDAN LONG RANGE AWD: length 185 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 4,072 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  40. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MODEL 3 4DR SEDAN LONG RANGE RWD: length 185 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,805 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  41. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MODEL 3 4DR SEDAN MID RANGE: length 185 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,686 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  42. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, MODEL 3 4DR SEDAN STANDARD: length 185 in, width 73 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,627 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.