Complaint volume
983 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
983 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Tesla Model 3, grouped by component category.
983 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 116
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
983 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2023 | STEERING,SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | THIS IS ON RECAL SB-20-31-006 R3. THE BALL JOINT OF MY TESLA MODEL 3. SQUEAKS/CREAKING, WHEN I TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, WHEN I DRIVE SLOW, DRIVE FAST, HIT ANY BUMP, TURN. THE NOISE HAS GOTTEN LOUDER. I WAS TOLD BY TESLA TAHT MY CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY UNDER THE RECAL DUE TO MY VIN#. REQUESTING ASSISTANCE TO GET THIS FIXED. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | AIR BAGS,SEATS | Got an error code "RCM_a056" that indicates that there is a fault with the Front passenger safety restraint system. Looking at this problem online it seems that is not very unique and many owners of 2018 Model 3 have suffered the same issue. I was quoted for a service that changes the OCS sensor, but then they also have to replace the airbag due to "compatibility" reasons. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I’ve called twice for Tesla to fix the part for this recall. They tell me they won’t fix because I have an aftermarket truck opener. The back up camera works sometimes but not all times. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | My Tesla 3 on autopilot have stopped on highways without cause this week. This happened numerous time during this year. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | SUSPENSION | The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed over a speed bump, he heard a rattling sound coming from the front passenger’s side suspension. Upon visual inspection, the contact observed that a bolt had detached from the suspension. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined a damaged frontal lower lateral link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V235000 (Suspension). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 56,000. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 56,000 |
| Jun 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving with the Adaptive Cruise Control set to 75 MPH, the vehicle decelerated quickly to 45 MPH. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to drive to his destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 80,000 |
| Jun 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | Driving in Full Self Driving mode, the vehicle made a left turn into oncoming traffic. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 2 Towed | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | POWER TRAIN | The Rear Camera feed was delayed by almost 1 sec resulting in the crash and hitting the shelf while backing the vehicle. The software version which was installed 2023.12 Tesla more and more relying on cameras for ADAS but the Software patches result in lot of random behaviors in the car... Tough being on stable release the Software still buggy and continue to surface random software related bugs In my case the feed from froze for more than a second .. Resulting in the Crash.. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Owner driving route on 680 approaching Omaha 6/9/23 at 4:43. Car abruptly slowed and braked while passing a semi truck in the right lane on a curve. Regained control by pressing accelerator. But the reduction in speed was large and could easily have caused a rear end collision had a car been following at the time. Logged using In Car Bug Report as instructed previously by Tesla Customer Support. However, follow up with Tesla service center was unproductive. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | SUSPENSION | How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -Due to the Suspension recall that was released in March 2023. My car spinned out of control on the High causing my car to loose control on HW 85 south I nearly lost my life but the car stopped due to a limb in the grass. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others?No, because the accident before the recall was experienced. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jun 2023 | SUSPENSION | My car has started making squeaky noise in the front of the vehicle. Upon getting it inspected I was told the suspension links will have to be replaced. I told the rep at Tesla that 2018 model 3 Tesla is under recall for suspension. Links as this problem is a common found problem amount this model of the Tesla. And therefore it’s under recall. But they refused and said my car is not flagged for that recall so I will have to pay to fix the problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | SUSPENSION | Front suspension lateral link fell off from subframe while driving. No warning was given. Unable steer vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | SUSPENSION | Left Lower Lateral Control Arm Failure: One of the bolts attaching the control arm to the subframe had loosened and fallen out. The increased stress caused the other attachment point on the control arm to break resulting in complete failure. Luckily, this happened in a parking lot; on the road this would amount to an extreme safety risk. The Vehicle has been inspected by Tesla and the incident occurred with out warning. There is currently an extremely limited recall for this problem (Recall # 23V-235), but my Model 3 is not included in this. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Tesla Cruise Control was in use when passing a white van or suv on route 505 near Winters. On Friday May 19 at approx. 5:45PM. Our Tesla abruptly slowed from 70mph to approx 50mph before our driver regained control. A motorcycle following was forced to pass us using the left shoulder. The motorcycle was following at a safe distance but was put at risk due to abrupt slowdown by our Tesla. Tesla Customer Service checked vehicle remotely and states there are no current problems with the car. No alerts. Cameras are aligned. Tesla advised computer reboot and ongoing monitoring by owner. States that car may learn over time. Car is equipped with "Full Self Driving " feature but only "Cruise Control" was in use at time of event. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 2018 Tesla Model 3 was in cruise control (not self-drive) on an interstate with no other vehicles in the near vicinity. The car repeatedly applied brakes unexpectedly. I have traveled with this vehicle before and did not have unexpected braking problems. I have requested a Tesla service appointment but do not know if Tesla has an answer to what I hear is a widespread problem. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | SEAT BELTS | Driver seat belt is not locking when I pulled suddenly. It looks that the driver side (front left) seat belt impact locking system is malfunction. Car is only 4 years and 4 months old with 57,000 miles. It is life danger to driver if he hits with an accident. A message came up. Making appointment with Tesla, but I believe that it should be a recall item like rear harness. I have never seen even in 20 years old car the seat belt impact locking system malfunction. It is a poor workmanship of the impact locking system. I would appreciate if you begin an investigation into this and urge Tesla to issue a recall notice to safe drivers and others around. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS | Driver received alert "front passenger safety restrain system fault." Tesla advised that airbag may not deploy when occupant in passenger seat due to seat pressure sensor malfunction. Added "filter" and issue corrected. Issue has returned and Tesla is asking for $2,000 to replace the entire seat due to pressure sensor not being otherwise accessible. I would like to alert the NHTSA to this issue since I do not feel as though a safety issue such as this should exist on a 4 year old car and, in addition, the cost of repair should not be left to the consumer to cover. I feel as though a safety recall is warranted. Thank you. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | SERVICE BRAKES | Brakes completely failed after the car sat idle for a week. Went to start the car and there were no breaks at all. Fortunately the car was at the garage and after close inspection of the break system it was discovered that the break lining to the break wheel assembles (both sides) had significant rust. With the left rear completely rusted out and leaked the entire fluid out. If we had driven the car it could have been a disaster. We could have been killed and or someone else killed. The car had been in a heated garaged its entire 4 year life and maintained properly. There was no damage to the vehicle prior to the break failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | My car and every other 2018 or older Tesla doesn't have an audible sound safety system when reversing or driving in low speeds. I work with a blind girl who can't hear me coming. This is dangerous. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | PCS failure right when warranty expired. This should have been covered under battery warranty since it is component of charging system. But, Tesla refused to consider this under battery warranty | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | SUSPENSION | My 2018 Model 3 was purchased brand new direct from Tesla with no other drivers or accidents. In Feb of 2023 I heard a creaking sound from the front driver wheel. The steering wheel felt like it was shaking when going into lane changes. I brought it into Tesla and they found that both lateral link bolts were loose, subframe damage. The exact issue was recalled under #23V-235. I showed them the reports but Tesla refused to honor the recall because they only do it on specific vins. My VIN was clearly missed in error. There is absolutely no way that I had the exact issue as the recall and for my car to somehow be an exception. I paid $2,162.13 that needs to be refunded. This could have killed me and they are lucky that I brought the car in and found the issue before they were dragged by the NHTSA to actually do the recalls. Now they are trying to skimp on my repair because of a lucky coincidence that my vin was somehow missed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Charging power conversion system component fail to take the full capacity the charging station able to give causing very slow charging. Warranty was not covered and costing over $1500 to fix & replace. When asked that this should be Battery warranty, I was turned down and was told that it's not 'part of the battery'. This is safety concern and fire hazard | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | STRUCTURE | Vehicle will randomly lock various doors and not allow them to be opened from the outside unless they are first opened from the inside and then the car will allow the extrnal handle to be used to open the door. This has happened on the passenger side front and rear and on the driver side rear door. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | WHEELS | Hit a rock and the wheel cracked open circumferentially between the rims. The tire did not pop nor did the edge of the wheel rim get damaged. The rock did not damage the front valance so the rock was less than 6”. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2023 | SEAT BELTS | The rear seatbelt mechanism needed to be replaced due to a computer seatbelt restraint error. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |