Enter a Tesla Model 3 VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Tesla has sold the Model 3 in the US since the 2017 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 36 vehicle recall campaigns and 4,337 owner complaints. The 2018 has the most complaints of any model year (1,028). It is electric; EPA rates it at 109–142 MPGe combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
One generation in the data, 2017–2026: 36 NHTSA recall campaigns and 4,337 owner complaints.
Mentions in 4,337 NHTSA complaints.
5YJ3E1EB?NF······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2022 Tesla Model 3, built in Fremont, CaliforniaNHTSA has 36 campaigns on file for Model 3 model years 2017–2026, and the 2019 shows up in more of them than any other year (23), ahead of the 2020 (22). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Between them, the 2018 and 2022 hold 1,793 of the 4,337 complaints, or 41%. Tap any bar or generation.
Mentions in 4,337 complaints, 2017–2026.
Forward collision avoidance owns this generation. Its 2,475 mentions are more than twice the next area, speed control / acceleration (633). Complaints peak with the 2018 (1,028 of 4,337).
Phantom braking is the dominant NHTSA complaint for the 2021 and 2022, with owners describing hard, unexpected braking on Autopilot or cruise control with nothing in the road, and owners in a Reddit thread say it still happens, especially on local roads. On the 2018, complaints also cover suspension, screens and air bags. CarComplaints has few reports, including a cracked glass roof and a 12-volt battery replaced three times. Recalls cover rearview camera cables on 2017–2020 cars, front suspension lateral link fasteners on 2019–2021 cars and loose brake caliper bolts on 2019–2021 cars. [1] [2] [3] [4]
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.
Every Model 3 version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 102 · fires 4 · injuries 44
Crashes 60 · fires 5 · injuries 30 · complaints reporting a death 3
Crashes 54 · fires 2 · injuries 33 · complaints reporting a death 2
Crashes 46 · fires 5 · injuries 19 · complaints reporting a death 5
Crashes 53 · fires 4 · injuries 45 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 72 · fires 1 · injuries 50 · complaints reporting a death 1
Crashes 26 · fires 1 · injuries 19
Crashes 25 · fires 0 · injuries 9
Crashes 9 · fires 0 · injuries 3
Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.
EPA lists 42 Model 3 versions for model years 2017–2026. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
109–142 MPGe electric · CO₂ 0 g/mi
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Take 2017–2026. NHTSA lists 36 recall campaigns for the Model 3, against 35 for the BMW 3 Series and 52 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Pick a range to compare.
Model years 2017–2026
Model years 2017–2026
Model years 2017–2026
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Illustration: VinNumber.net
Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net
Model 3 VIN placement differs from conventional cars. The number appears on the driver's door pillar at eye level when the door is open, on the center console base behind the front storage area, and can be read digitally under Controls > Service on the touchscreen. No traditional dashboard plate is present.
The 2018 leads with 1,028, ahead of the 2022 (765) and 2021 (665). Those first two alone make up 41% of the 4,337 Model 3 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.
NHTSA’s recall records show 36 vehicle campaigns for model years 2017–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.
EPA rates the 2017–2026 Model 3 at 109–142 MPGe combined (electric; fueleconomy.gov).
For 2017–2026 models the Model 3 has 36 NHTSA recall campaigns. The BMW 3 Series has 35, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 52. Complaints run 4,337, 384 and 600 in that order, with no sales adjustment.