Model 3 (Highland)
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Battery Electric (BEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2024-2026 Tesla Model 3
Too few field reports to rate this generation against peers yet. Most recently launched models accumulate complaints over the first 2-3 years.
What kind of battery complaint?
Among the 7 battery-related complaints, here's the type mix. These percentages describe what the complaints are about — not how reliable the vehicle is overall.
Loss of power, drive unit, inverter, traction motor, DC-DC converter.
Regen brake feel, one-pedal driving, B-mode complaints.
Propulsion battery defects, capacity loss, BMS faults, replacement claims.
Sample complaint excerpts
Electric Propulsion
- [2025] Description of Issue: The car displayed error code DI_a137 and unable to drive/pull over safely. The vehicle became undrivable and had to be towed to the Tesla service center. The service center diagnosed a rear drive inverter failure and replaced the entire inverter assembly. Safety Concern: It is alarming for a critical drivetrain component to fail completely within the first year of ownership a
- [2025] On [XXX], at just 9,526 miles, my brand-new 2025 Tesla Model 3 (VIN: [XXX] ) suffered a front motor/inverter failure. The vehicle displayed the warning “Front Motor Disabled.” Tesla Vallejo Service confirmed this and replaced the front drive inverter (3DU). A catastrophic drivetrain failure at under 10,000 miles is unacceptable and raises serious concerns about reliability and safety. It still do
- [2025] While driving at highway speed, the air conditioning system suddenly failed without warning. The system began blowing hot air and making a loud squealing noise. Shortly after, the vehicle abruptly went into limp mode and lost normal driving power, creating an unsafe situation on a major highway. The vehicle was towed by Tesla Roadside Assistance. Both roadside associates inspected the vehicle at
Regenerative Braking
- [2025] As I was pulling into a parking spot with my new 2025 Model 3 Tesla, I removed my foot from the gas to slow the car - the appropriate way to do so which is called Tesla's One Pedal Driving. The car did slow but then suddenly surged forward at an alarming rate. I have 100% certainty that my foot was not on the gas at this moment. The car was stopped by a large concrete planter just in front of me
- [2024] I have reported to Tesla how dangerous it can be long term to have one pedal driving and to use the accelerator as a cancelation mode to it’s many errors, see uploaded example picture. Also, having lighted notifications on mirrors causes people to subconsciously ignore actual blinkers of other vehicles; the only thing that should be on a side mirror is an adjustable fish eye mirror that allows to
High-Voltage Battery
- [2025] After the High Voltage Battery Contactor recall service, my 2025 Tesla Model 3 Performance suffered a sudden 13% drop in range (from 303mi to 264mi at 100% charge). An official Tesla Battery Health Test confirms the battery health is at 92% in less than a year of ownership. This degradation happened immediately following the recall procedure, indicating a hardware or software defect caused by the
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
Battery: Tesla CATL LFP Prismatic (Standard Range)
Pack overview
Known issues
How this pack ages (industry context)
Industry fleet aggregates: 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs / 21 models (Geotab, 2026), and 95% range retention at 5 years on average across 30,000+ vehicles (Recurrent, 2026).
OEM warranty floor on this pack: 8 yr / 100k mi to 70% capacity.
Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. Individual results vary materially with climate, charging behavior, and DC fast-charge frequency.
All Generations
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2024-2026 Tesla Model 3 problems?
The 2024-2026 Tesla Model 3 has accumulated 282 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are general mechanical issues. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.
Which Tesla Model 3 engine is most reliable?
The 2024-2026 Tesla Model 3 was offered with 0 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the base engine has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.
Is the 2024-2026 Tesla Model 3 a good used car?
The 2024-2026 Tesla Model 3 can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 282 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2024-2026 Tesla Model 3 have?
The 2024-2026 Tesla Model 3 has 282 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.
What recalls affect the 2024-2026 Tesla Model 3?
There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2024-2026 Tesla Model 3 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.
What should I check before buying a used Tesla Model 3?
Before buying a used Tesla Model 3, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to general mechanical issues, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Model 3?
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: N/A stars. Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 282 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.