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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | AIR BAGS | I received an onboard alert that says ‘Safety Restraint System Issue/Service is required.’ According to online Tesla Forums, this is a very common issue with the Model 3 drivers side air bag system. Although some relate it to a wire under the seat that becomes worn with movement of the seat, Tesla gives an estimate of over $1,000 to fix the problem. There repair estimate involves updating the front passenger airbag ($444), and replacing the occupant classification system ($426). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2025 | SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE | The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that on several occasions while making left or right turns, there was a loud clanking noise emanating from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lower control arm bushings had deteriorated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several months later where it was diagnosed that the bushings and one of the well nuts had sheared off, and the subframe needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 40,000 |
| Dec 2024 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | I was at a stoplight behind a Toyota Tacoma. I must have stopped around 8 feet behind it. I was not using FSD and I was not one-pedal driving. My foot was on the brake. I must have been at a complete stop for approximately 10 seconds when my Model 3 suddenly accelerated full throttle on its own and rear ended the Tacoma, directly hitting its trailer hitch, causing my car's driver-side airbags to deploy. When it happened, the light was still red and my foot was still on the brake. I never touched the accelerator. Luckily I was driving alone. After the inital contact, my car sort of bounced off of his hitch then slowly lurched forward before it stopped. After that, it was immobile, leaving me stuck in traffic until it was towed away. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | SUSPENSION | Control arm of the left front suspension system detached with no warning other than an occasional noise that started about 2 weeks before the incident, usually when turning the front wheels at slow speed. This was a potentially dangerous situation for the driver, passengers, and any other vehicles on the road as the tire could have come off at any time. Fortunately the car was being parked (0-1 mph) in a non-congested area when the control arm detached. The vehicle (total mileage approximately 42k) was towed to a Tesla Service Center 2 days later where the problem--first diagnosed by the tow truck driver--was confirmed by a Tesla service representative. There was no warning of any problem other than the occasional noise mentioned previously. If this parts failure had occurred at high speed on an interstate highway, it would likely have been deadly! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | SUSPENSION | Control arm issue and linkage cable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On December 24, 2024 I was driving on Freeway 5 South and all of the sudden my vehicle came to an abrupt breaking without any reason. The traffic ahead of me was of normal traffic. This abrupt breaking happened twice within 5 minutes of time span. I have notified Tesla Service Center and the service center gave me a quote of $137.50 for diagnostic and to schedule the service. I felt that this issues should be taken care of by Tesla with no charge to me. This is a safety issue. I have experienced the abrupt breaking issues with my vehicle on many occasions since I own the vehicle in 2018. Each time I was told there's no problem with the vehicle when I notified Tesla Service Center. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | SUSPENSION | Under-torqued Lateral link bolt These bolts are known to fall out or cause damage to bushings from being installed improperly Failure of the suspension would result in the suspension collapsing and the car becoming uncontrollable, with serious risks at higher speeds Out of pocket repair has been made by Tesla Component has been inspected and tightened to spec No warning sings, other than loud, clunking noises At 40k miles on smooth roads, this is not a driver issue, but a manufacturer assembly issue. They already have a recall for other VINs in other years, but I believe this should be expanded to more VINs and years, as this appears to be a common issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | SUSPENSION,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Front suspension lateral link fasteners loosened, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame. I have a 2018 Model 3 and this seems to be the exact same issue that led to a recent recall with the help of the NHTSA. Recall no. 23V235000 SB-23-31-001 An expansion of previous recall number 21V-835. I noticed for months something was slightly off in the front right area of the car. I brought it into the Tesla service center, they drove it and didn't notice anything. About a month later the lateral link separated from the subframe rendering the car undriveable. I had it towed immediately. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS | Passenger Safety Restraint system fault. Faulty wiring under the seat. Cost of repair is $1000. Passenger airbag requires replacement. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I’m not exactly sure what’s wrong, the screen keeps failing on my car. It’s been taken to Tesla to service this issue 4 times. With the most expensive repair costing $2,200. Its poses a safety hazard because when the screen fails. You can’t see anything, speed, gear. You can’t adjust windshield wipers, seat or mirror positions. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Power conversion system (PSC) failure. Only charges at 16 amps. I know other Tesla owners have had this problem as well. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | STRUCTURE | I took my car in to Tesla to have the tires replaced, during the service appointment my frunk was opened and closed by the technicians. Within ten miles of leaving the dealership my hood/frunk flew open and broke my windshield and frunk hood | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | SEAT BELTS | Received safety restaurant system warning on my Tesla. This is a safety issue with the seat belts. This was repaired already on November 4, 2021. Same issue occurring again and but Tesla now wants to charge $400 to repair. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | In several accidents and fires in model 3s it became apparent that when the electric door openers on the rear door fail the backup mechanical system is completely inadequate particularly for incidental passengers. Unlike the front seats which have a level to pull up to open the door the rear doors require a number of steps that are odd and certainly not obvious or intuitive leading to a very dangerous situation when a very fast exit is needed. The rear should have the same type of level to provide consistency for riders in an emergency situation. As someone who owns Tesla and uses many UBER Tesla's in the back seat I have quired drivers who generally have no idea that the rear seat passengers could easily trapped in the car in an emergency and do not know how to open the doors from the inside. Please refer to this YouTube video for a better understanding of this issue [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS | The error popped up randomly and states "front left safety restraint system fault." This has been a common problem with Tesla and should be a recall as it's a manufacture defect with a safety system. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2024 | SEAT BELTS | Safety restraint system issue if this is an on-going issue with many Tesla users, shouldn't this covered under a warranty being it is a safety issue? | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS | 1. I had my car for only 6 years, and the main monitor would randomly go black. I have to do multiple hard resets to get it to work again. 2. I'm getting a Front left safety restrain system fault, on a car that I had only for 6 years. Compared to my Prius that I had more than 10 years, which I had no problems AT ALL, Tesla is junk. 3. Front suspension is squeaking when making turns at slow speeds. Review of YouTube indicates that this is a very common problem. Tesla should fix this for free instead of charging $800. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Two incidents while testing the most recent version of Tesla's "Full Self-Driving": 1. While driving at less than 25mph in a residential neighborhood, using the "Full Self-Driving" mode, the car was entirely unable to detect either heavy steel plates in the road (being used to cover road work) or significant potholes in the area near the plates. 2. While driving on H1 (a federal "interstate" highway) on Oahu, at approximately 55mph, using the Tesla's "Full Self-Driving", the car inexplicably slammed on the brakes. There was absolutely nothing visibly in front of the car for at least 200 yards. The car behind me had to swerve to avoid rear-ending my vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | SEAT BELTS | "Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault" a safety concern that puts passenger in danger with a faulty restraint system. Problem constantly reproduced every time get into car. It is available for inspection upon request. Car has not been physically inspected, but has been remotely accessed by manufacture and is charging owners $436.06 to repair. There has been no warning messages nor other symptoms prior to failure. Problem 1st appeared about a month ago. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | AC Power Control System Failure - I didn't know about this problem until two weeks ago I went to Tesla service center. I was facing this problem since 2020, when car was under 4 years warranty but never complain thought home power source charge that much only. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | ISSUE: PTC Heater failed at 63,617 miles after 6 years of use WARNING MESSAGE: "Vehicle may not restart" CONTACT: [XXX] [XXX] main contact for owner [XXX] . VIN: [XXX] MAKE: MODEL 3 YEAR: 2018 REPAIR QUOTED: $1,104.18 LINE ITEMS: PTC HEATER DUALZONE(1088218-00-I) HVAC, PTC SERVICEASSY(1107677-00-A) LABOR & DIAGNOSTICS SUMMARY: TESLA Model 3 Electric Vehicle shut down into "Asleep mode" and will not respond (turn back on). Locked out. Will not wake up. Will not respond to software nor car keys. All systems turned off. Will not charge. Will not release charger from charge port. Issue suddenly happened after [XXX] software load (deemed to not be the cause of issue). Dealership diagnostic shows PTC Heater failure which cuts off the battery. Dealership quoted estimated repair (see below). This could have happened while driving causing the vehicle to be uncontrollable, and a major safety issue. Fortunately, my incident happened after I parked the car in the garage. Overnight there was a software install (supposedly not causing the problem). In the morning the vehicle would not turn on. PRECEDENT: There were several small claims filings in Canada for same issue. This was deemed a design flaw, and safety issue. (See [XXX] ) DIAGNOSTICS: On-line debugging is pointing to resistance issue with 1 of the 5 heating elements in the PTC Heater. PTC Heater cuts off supply to PCS which charges the 12V battery when there is an issue with the heater. This allows the 12v battery to drain, and the EV becomes unresponsive. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2024 | SUSPENSION | The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while making a right turn, there was a loud bang, and the vehicle came to a stop. The contact stated that the bolt left lateral link on the suspension was hanging with the bolt detached and the second bolt missing. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the left lateral link suspension subframe, steering rack, and driver’s side fender 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 81,976. | Crash: No Fire: No Towed | 81,976 |
| Nov 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | RECALL NEVER COMPLETED FOR MY CAR. WAS FROM 2021. WORRIED THAT REAR CAMERA MAY FAIL AND CREATE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | STEERING | Horn button does not active horns | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | I have a 2018 Tesla Model 3 that was involved in an accident on 10/12/2024. It has Enhanced Autopilot, which was the most advanced version of self driving when I bought the car. It was engaged in "Navigate on Autopilot" on the freeway. The car was following the freeway as it veered to the left, but then it stopped following the lines and crashed into the side of the freeway. The result of the accident was a total loss on the vehicle. I had shoulder and neck pain that have not required serious medical attention, but it was almost a week of discomfort and difficulty sleeping. My insurance company has deemed the vehicle a total loss and I will have to get a replacement. There were no warning alerts and the vehicle did not recognize that it was leaving the freeway lines. I was not going over the speed limit. The car did not prompt me to take over the vehicle because of danger. It just went straight towards the freeway guardrail. The car is not drivable due to the damage it sustained. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |