CarBrief

NHTSA has 428 owner complaints for the 2023 Model 3, and 12 recalls are on file[1][2]. The largest complaint groups are forward collision avoidance, steering and speed control, and the fixes for four recalls (headlights, seat belt warning, Autosteer controls and Full Self-Driving Beta) were not yet available in the record we read[3][4][5][6][7][8][9].

428owner complaints[1]
12recalls[2]
5★NHTSA overall rating[10]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 428 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 73 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 50 injuries and 1 a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the car.

The biggest groups by count:

Component group Complaints Crashes Injuries
Forward collision avoidance[3] 179 31 15
Steering[4] 88 15 7
Speed control[5] 69 21 16
Unknown or other[11] 59 11 11
Brakes[12] 56 22 10
Electrical system[13] 51 9 5

Lane departure has 28 complaints[14] and structure has 22[15].

Unexpected braking. In a sample of 12 forward collision avoidance complaints we read, 7 describe the car braking hard with nothing in the way, usually with cruise control or autopilot on[3]. In a sample of 12 brake complaints, 9 describe sudden braking on a clear road, 8 of them with cruise control or autopilot on[12]. In a sample of 12 speed control complaints, 8 describe sudden slowing or braking, 6 of them with cruise control on[5]. Some of the sample texts are near duplicates, so treat these counts as a rough guide only.

Acceleration on its own. In the speed control sample, 2 of 12 owners describe the car speeding up by itself and hitting something[5]. That is a small sample and not proof of a pattern.

Steering. In a sample of 12 steering complaints, 7 describe steering assist that was reduced or lost, with a heavy or stiff wheel and often a warning message[4]. Median mileage at failure is 2,429 for steering and 4,000 for forward collision avoidance, so the complaints on file describe these failures at low mileage[4][3].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2023 model year[2]. Newest first:

Several of these recalls cover other Tesla models and years too. Recall status can change, so check your VIN with NHTSA or Tesla before you buy.

Fuel economy

The Model 3 is electric, so EPA rates it in MPGe and in range[24].

Version Combined MPGe City / highway MPGe Range
Long Range AWD[24] 131 134 / 126 358 miles
Performance AWD[25] 113 118 / 107 315 miles
RWD[26] 132 138 / 126 272 miles

The RWD version rates highest for efficiency, and the Long Range AWD goes farthest on a charge[24][26].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door AWD version 5 stars overall, with 5 stars for frontal, side and rollover[10]. The 4-door RWD version has the same ratings[27]. Rollover risk is 6.6% for both[10][27].

Engine and size

EPA lists the electric motor at 257 to 430 hp, depending on version[28]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars[29].

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Long Range AWD[29] 185 in 73 in 57 in 113 in 4,072 lb
Long Range RWD[30] 185 in 73 in 57 in 113 in 3,805 lb
Mid Range[31] 185 in 73 in 57 in 113 in 3,686 lb
Standard[32] 185 in 73 in 57 in 113 in 3,627 lb

How 2023 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 recalls20212022: 770 complaints, 18 recalls20222023: 428 complaints, 12 recalls42820232024: 221 complaints, 5 recalls20242025: 121 complaints, 3 recalls20252026: 29 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Model 3 model year. The 2023 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20172716
20181,03219
201961922
202045221
202167122
202277018
202342812
20242215
20251213
2026291

With 428 complaints, 2023 sits in the middle of the model's years[2]. Five years have more complaints: 2018 (1,032), 2022 (770), 2021 (671), 2019 (619) and 2020 (452)[2]. Years 2017 (27), 2024 (221), 2025 (121) and 2026 (29) have fewer[2].

For recalls, 2023 has 12[2]. The years 2017 (16), 2018 (19), 2019 (22), 2020 (21), 2021 (22) and 2022 (18) all have more[2]. Later years have fewer: 5 for 2024, 3 for 2025 and 1 for 2026[2].

Should you buy a used 2023 Model 3?

The record shows a car with 5-star NHTSA ratings and EPA ratings of 113 to 132 MPGe combined, along with a long recall list and large complaint groups for forward collision avoidance and steering[10][24][2][3][4]. Most recalls list a free software update, but three still say Tesla will release one, and the headlight repair was not yet available[6][7][8][9]. Ask the seller for proof that every recall is closed, and check your VIN with NHTSA. If you test drive it, pay attention to cruise control and steering feel. Our data does not cover battery health, warranty or repair costs, so check those separately.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2023 Tesla Model 3?
By complaint count, forward collision avoidance has 179, steering 88 and speed control 69 out of 428 total[1][3][4][5]. In the samples we read, owners describe unexpected braking and reduced steering assist.
How many recalls does the 2023 Tesla Model 3 have?
NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2023 model year[2]. The headlight recall 26V507 has a repair that was not yet available in the record[6].
What is the range of the 2023 Tesla Model 3?
EPA rates the Long Range AWD at 358 miles, the Performance AWD at 315 miles and the RWD at 272 miles[24][25][26].
How efficient is the 2023 Tesla Model 3?
EPA rates it at 131 MPGe combined for Long Range AWD, 113 for Performance AWD and 132 for RWD[24][25][26].
Is the 2023 Tesla Model 3 safe?
NHTSA gives both the AWD and RWD 4-door versions 5 stars overall[10][27].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 428 owner complaints on file for the 2023 Tesla Model 3 (73 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 50 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Tesla Model 3 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 179 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (31 crashes, 1 fires, 15 injuries, median mileage at failure 4,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 88 complaints name the steering component group (15 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 2,429). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 69 complaints name the speed control component group (21 crashes, 0 fires, 16 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,737). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. Recall 26V507, filed August 4, 2026: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 24V376, filed May 28, 2024: Seat Belts › Front › Warning Light / Devices. NHTSA recall database
  8. Recall 23V838, filed December 12, 2023: Electrical System › Adas › Driver Monitoring › Software. NHTSA recall database
  9. Recall 23V085, filed February 15, 2023: Steering › Automated / Adaptive Steering. NHTSA recall database
  10. 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
  11. 59 complaints name the unknown or other component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 11 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 56 complaints name the brakes component group (22 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 51 complaints name the electrical system component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,300). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 28 complaints name the lane departure component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 22 complaints name the structure component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. Recall 26V283, filed May 4, 2026: Back Over Prevention › Software. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 25V092, filed February 14, 2025: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 24V935, filed December 17, 2024: Tires › Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 24V554, filed July 24, 2024: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 24V051, filed January 30, 2024: Electrical System › Instrument Cluster / Panel. NHTSA recall database
  21. Recall 23V434, filed June 19, 2023: Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery. NHTSA recall database
  22. Recall 22V844, filed November 15, 2022: Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights. NHTSA recall database
  23. Recall 21V834, filed October 25, 2021: Air Bags › Side / Window › Curtain. NHTSA recall database
  24. EPA rating for Model 3 Long Range AWD, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 131 MPGe combined, 358 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. EPA rating for Model 3 Performance AWD, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 113 MPGe combined, 315 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  26. EPA rating for Model 3 RWD, electric, Automatic (A1), Electricity: 132 MPGe combined, 272 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  27. 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
  28. EPA Test Car List, 2023 Tesla Model 3 with electric motor: rated 257 to 430 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  29. 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
  30. 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
  31. 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
  32. 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.