Complaint volume
982 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Tesla Model 3 Complaints
982 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Tesla Model 3, grouped by component category.
982 Total complaints
100 Crash reports
4 Fire reports
34 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are suspension, unknown or other, forward collision avoidance. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 100 crash reports, 4 fire reports, 34 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 219 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 25,782 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to suspension, unknown or other, forward collision avoidance?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Tesla Model 3?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Tesla Model 3
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Tesla Model 3 complaints?
100 Crash
4 Fire
34 Injury
0 Fatality
63 Towed
19 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Tesla Model 3 complaint categories?
SUSPENSION 115
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 82
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 73
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 49
AIR BAGS 42
SEAT BELTS 39
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 34
STRUCTURE 27
STEERING 26
AIR BAGS,SEATS 20
982 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2023 | AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS | The passenger safety restraint system fault message pops up when driving normally. The diagnostic came up to replace the whole airbag after communicating with service center. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | SEATS | Front passenger safety restraint system fault error message. Error messages comes up most of the time when starting a drive. Tesla reviewed the error message remotely and provided a repair quote. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Dear NHTSA, I am writing to report a safety defect with my Tesla Model 3, VIN [XXX] . On July 28th, 2023, at 3:34 PM PST, My wife [XXX] was driving into my driveway at my home at [XXX] . The weather was sunny and car was traveling at 5-10 mph. The car was not in Autopilot and the driving mode was set to Chill mode. When pressed the brake pedal to slow down, the car did not stop and went straight into my garage, causing significant damage to my home and the car. Very experienced driver and I am confident that wife was applying the brake pedal correctly. However, the car simply did not stop. I am very concerned that this is a software glitch in the Tesla car, and I am worried that it could happen to other Tesla drivers. I have tried to contact Tesla to report the issue, but I have not been able to reach anyone. I had the car towed to a body shop, but the car is now totaled and I cannot take it back to Tesla. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this safety defect and take appropriate action to protect Tesla drivers. I am also requesting that NHTSA help me to get in touch with Tesla so that I can resolve this issue. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Charging port door won’t open and ports won’t unlock when the button to unlock the charging port door is pressed on the app. Previously, the charge port door would open automatically when the unlock charge port door button is pressed on the app and touch screen. Now, I have to open the charging port door manually. However, the charging ports will unlock after I repeatedly press the button to unlock charge port door on the touchscreen. The ports have to unlock in order for the charger to be inserted to charge the car. I have requested service and cancel service when I was informed of the price to replace the charging port door. Recently, I requested service then a pop-up message appeared stating that several Tesla 3 users have been experiencing problems with the charging port door. If that is the case, there should be a recall And Tesla should replace the charging port doors/charging port apparatus for Tesla 3 owners that are experiencing the problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | SUSPENSION | I noticed noise coming from the front driver's side wheel especially when turning. Upon inspection, I found that a nut was missing from the front suspension lateral link that fastens the link to the sub-frame. Also, the 2nd bolt fastening the link was very loose. This is exactly what happened as noted in the NHTSA Part 573 Safety Recall Report - 23V-235. Tesla service says that "there are no open campaigns for your vehicle for nuts missing". Well there needs to be as this is very dangerous. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Charge port door won’t open and charging ports will not unlock when the “unlock charge port” button is pressed on the app. I have to open the charge port door manually. However, the charging ports will unlock when I press the “unlock charge port” button on the touchscreen repeatedly. Previously, the charge port door and charging ports will open and unlock when the “unlock charge port” button is pressed on the app. I have previously requested service, then canceled service once I was informed of the price to replace the charge port door. Recently, I requested service through the app. Before I scheduled a service appointment, there was a pop-up message educating how to open the charge port door. I believe Tesla created the pop up because other users are experiencing the same issue. If that is the case, Tesla should issue a recall to replace the charge port door/charge port apparatus for the Tesla 3 vehicles that are experiencing the problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | AIR BAGS | on 8/26/2023 @10:44AM, received a message on the vehicles display that stated, "Front Passenger Safety Restraint Fault, service is required". This fault is intermittent. Set up a service appointment and after diagnosing the problem remotely, received this response: there are currently no faults/alerts, so it is at your discretion as to when you would like to address this. When the alert is present, the front airbag deployment will not be optimized for the passenger weight. Airbag replacement is necessary to be compatible with the seat sensor update and will ensure better serviceability for the future if it becomes necessary. Let me know if you have any further questions about the repair. Estimate of repairs, $1760.00. I have another tesla model 3, 2017 model year with the same fault. First of all, I drive the vehicle as a commuter car, and 99% of the time I drive alone. Secondly, I am concerned that in the event of an accident, the passenger airbag either won't be deployed at all, or may not be deployed correctly and may injure a passenger by deploying too little or too much. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The PASSEMBLY POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM- 48AMP 1PHASE(1135558-04-A part is part of the powertrain attached to the battery pack.. Without it, the car is unable to charge. This failed at approximately 32,000 miles on 8/29/23 on my 2018 Tesla Model 3. The repair was not covered under the powertrain warrenty despite being a critical component. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | LANE DEPARTURE | The cameras used to display the repeater cameras (eg replace the mirrors) and displayed the image on the center console as a safety feature has a defect where light from the blinker leaks into the housing and partially or entirely blinds the camera when the blinker goes off. As this is a safety feature intended to look for cars in a blind spot and the camera gets entirely blinded while the turn signal is on, this is a safety hazard that requires a recall. Tesla says that it is “operating normally” but literally the screen goes bright white and the video of the road disappears so maybe this is normal with the flawed design but is not actually normal to have a defective safety feature. This design flaw was later designed out to avoid light leakage but makes this safety feature completely unusable right when it is supposed to be working (checking for cars when turning including when turn signal is on). Needs a safety recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Cabin noise is over the normal threshold creating distraction and discomfort for concentration. Submitted multiple complaints and repair request through car app for diagnostic and possible repair, but nothing has been addressed. I bought a sound level meter to measure the distracted noise and the sound level was measured at 87 dB. Asked Tesla repair center if they can measure the sound level to confirm my complaint, but they are not will to do so. All the complaints were submitted during manufacture warranty period, but nothing has been done and now my car is out of warranty and Tesla wants ti charge me $265 per hour for the diagnostic. What is Tesla’s published or acceptable cabin sound level? The high sound level is now causing my ear to occasionally have ringing and discomfortable feeling. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | Driving in full self driving made a sharp unexpected last second turn directly into a pilón at 30 mph causing front end damage. I have the the incident recorded on video from the Tesla. Full self driving did not disengage prior to crash and hands were on the wheel, it just happened within .5 seconds and there was no way to react in time. I reported to Tesla many times and was ignored Here is a link to the video [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving down a residential street at approximately 20 miles per hour. The emergency braking system suddenly activated and the car slammed on the brakes. There was nothing in the road at all. Some people were on the side of the road and they confirmed that there was absolutely nothing in front of the car to cause the braking. The brakes engaged so rapidly that I have whiplash in my neck. This was a very scary incident and felt very unsafe. Had there been a car behind me, they would have rear ended me for sure. I feel traumatized by this event and am now scared to drive. The emergency braking warning came on at the same time the brakes slammed. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |
| Sep 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | my car no longer has ability to use the horn after a software update. I've had two dangerous incidents in the past month where a working horn would have allowed me to make another driver aware of my vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | STEERING | Steering column locked up in a left hand turn, braking system is the only thing that kept the car from going off a cliff. Steering column was just replaced, but I was told this wasn't a manufacturing default and was asked to pay. I was told the part is available if requested. Under 40K miles on the car. No accident occurred, no police or insurance companies have inspected anything because of this. I did not ask for the part and just picked up the car today, please let me know if I should request it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When driving using Full Self Driving or Autopilot, the car unexpectedly and suddenly brakes as if there is something on the road which is in the way even though there is nothing there. On one trip of 260 miles, the car unnecessarily braked twice on the freeway. Had someone been following too closely to me it could have caused a collision. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The power conversion system is failing in the car and Tesla is not covering it under the Battery Limited Warranty. The car only has about 30,000 miles on it. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,BACK OVER PREVENTION | Tesla recalled wiring components for the Rearview camera (for parking / driving in reverse) as it suffered from severe latency. They claim to have fixed the recall but nothing changed. They don't respond to complaints that it doesn't work. This work was "completed" under the Trunk harness retrofit on the statement provided . The trunk harness affected the wires to the camera causing the latency, per recal info/Tesla rep. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Re NHTSA recall 21V00D The rear view back up camera of my Tesla 2018 Model 3 went black on August 21 starting at approx 3pm and remained black for the rest of the day through August 22. I'm planning to check today, August 24 to see if the problem still persists. Lack of the backup camera makes it very difficult to park and to see people in the car's blind spots. I've informed the dealer of the problem but I've decided to have an independent third party repair service take a look to see if the problem could possibly pertain to recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN | The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the front upper control arm, and the shifter cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 39,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 39,000 |
| Aug 2023 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS | Only when driving on HWY speeds 65 mph and above the steering pulls, while correcting to drive safely the car jerks and is very unsafe during hwy speeds as if i'm fighting to keep straight on the road. Tesla confirmed it was the lower lateral links which was replaced but did not fix the issue. the vehicle continues to have the same issue and now Telsa is saying the steering rack may need to be replaced. seems this is a common issue with this car! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS | I hit a medium sized pothole on a freeway in 2019 and cracked 2 rims. After replacing the rims and tires, I still had vibration. Now, over about 100-1000 miles, my alignment goes out and my suspension and steering begins to loosen (or feel that way), leading to steering instability, bounciness and vibration through the steering wheel. There are no warnings to identify this, but the car's own "applied offset diagnosis" will show this problem. I've been to Tesla over 10 times to attempt to repair this and they say the car is working as designed after redoing the alignment and torqueing suspension. On about 3-4 of these visits, Tesla has reproduced the problem on a test drive. In 8 of 10 of the visits, the alignment printout afterward shows the front left toe is out. Because they say this is how it is designed, I believe this is a design issue that could put myself and others at risk. I've replaced so many parts, I can only assume through process of elimination that it's the steering rack or something in the subframe being loose that's causing this. Maybe all the bolts in Teslas just get loose too easily. Overall my issue is that Tesla is unwilling to correctly diagnose or repair the problem, not necessarily that this happened in the first place. There could be thousands of other customers driving vehicles and Tesla deems as safe, but really are not. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | I was exiting the highway onto a Blvd and I slowed down. The car all of a sudden accelerated by itself, went over the exit curb and hit the central median of the blvd. Fortunately, no vehicles on the blvd wer crossing when this happened. I was fortunately not physically hurt in the incident but it could have been afr worse if I had a vehicle in my front or on the lvd when the incident happened. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS | Safety restraint system fault RCM_a094 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | SEAT BELTS | The middle rear passenger seatbelt became loose and unhinged at the hip. We notified the repair team and was quietly fixed and they told us it is a common thing they have been fixing. If this is true, the bolt could come loose during an accident and cause the seatbelt to not restrain a passenger if not fixed. The file attached says they inspected the seatbelt but “no correction required” even though the technician did in fact reattach the seatbelt. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I was notified by Tesla in early 2022 of recall 21V-00D for a safety issue. I have asked several times to have it fixed. As of August 18, 2023 it is still not fixed and Tesla is still claiming that the parts are not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |