Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2023 Tesla Model 3
NHTSA data on file today
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 has 12 NHTSA recall campaigns and 429 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #26V507000 Low Beam Headlights May Be Too Bright/FMVSS 108 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #26V283000 Rearview Camera Image May Not Display/FMVSS 111 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #25V092000 Loss of Power Steering Assist NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V935000 TPMS Light May Not Remain Illuminated/FMVSS 138 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V554000 Software May Fail to Detect Unlatched Hood NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V376000 Seat Belt Warning System Malfunction/FMVSS 208 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #24V051000 Incorrect Font Size on Warning Lights/FMVSS 105 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V838000 Autopilot Controls Insufficient to Prevent Misuse NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V434000 Defective Pyrotechnic Battery Disconnect NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #23V085000 Full Self-Driving Software May Cause Crash NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #22V844000 Taillight May Fail to Illuminate NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #21V834000 Side Curtain Air Bag May Be Twisted/FMVSS 214, 226 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Forward Collision Avoidance 179 complaints
- Steering 89 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 69 complaints
- Unknown or Other 59 complaints
- Service Brakes 54 complaints
- Electrical System 51 complaints
Of the 429 complaints on file, 73 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 429 complaints, owners report 50 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2023 Tesla Model 3 has an average reliability outlook based on its 12 recall campaigns and 428 owner complaints. While significant concerns include forward collision avoidance and steering issues, most complaints are software-related. The complaint data is relatively comprehensive, but specific failure patterns are unclear, resulting in cautious reliability projections.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward collision system | Unknown | $300–$1,500 | common |
| Steering system | Unknown | $500–$2,500 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Tire rotation every 6,000 miles
- Brake fluid replacement every 2 years
- Coolant check every 50,000 miles
- Cabin air filter replacement annually
- Brake system inspection annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Delayed rear camera view
- Steering resistance changes
- Unusual brake noises
- Taillights not illuminating
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2023 Tesla Model 3 at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.