The 2018 Tesla Model 3's elevated safety profile includes 10 recall campaigns and 964 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

964

Complaints

100

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

22V0450002022-01-02

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

View at NHTSA

21V3890002021-25-05

SEAT BELTS

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached.

An improperly attached fastener may prevent the seat belt system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

21V00D0002021-21-12

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

A rearview camera that does not function reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

View all 10 recalls

22V0630002022-04-02

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

22V2350002022-12-04

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

22V2630002022-18-04

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Model 3 Performance vehicles. The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedometer while in Track Mode. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

The driver may not know how fast the vehicle is traveling without the mph or km/h unit display, increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

22V7020002022-19-09

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

22V7980002022-21-10

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The second-row left seat belt buckle and second-row center seat belt anchor may have been incorrectly reassembled during vehicle service.

An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

View at NHTSA

23V2350002023-31-03

SUSPENSION:FRONT

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.

A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

24V9350002024-17-12

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.

View at NHTSA

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2018 Tesla Model 3 has accumulated 964 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with suspension leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Suspension113

02Unknown Or Other82

03Forward Collision Avoidance73

04Electrical System49

05Air Bags41

964 total across 1 model years (2018–2018)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Tesla Model 3 Fuel Economy

116–130mpg combined

120-136city

112-123hwy

$600-$650/yr

With 4 configurations tested, the 2018 Tesla Model 3 ranges from 116 to 130 MPG combined. That's a 14 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

Model 3 Long Range - Automatic (A1)

130mpg

Rear-Wheel DriveEV

136 city123 hwy~$600/yr10/10 Clean

Model 3 Mid Range - Automatic (A1)

123mpg

Rear-Wheel DriveEV

128 city117 hwy~$600/yr10/10 Clean

Model 3 Long Range AWD - Automatic (A1)

116mpg

All-Wheel DriveEV

120 city112 hwy~$650/yr10/10 Clean

Model 3 Long Range AWD Performance - Automatic (A1)

116mpg

All-Wheel DriveEV

120 city112 hwy~$650/yr10/10 Clean

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Where to Find 2018 Tesla Model 3

26States

44%in top 3

If you're near Washington DC, you're in luck: 17% of listings are there. But with 26 states represented, there's likely one near you too.

DCWashington DC

69917%

CACalifornia

61815%

MDMaryland

53013%

FLFlorida

3328%

TXTexas

2787%

AZArizona

1965%

GAGeorgia

1814%

NCNorth Carolina

1273%

WAWashington

1163%

ILIllinois

1052%

UTUtah

922%

NVNevada

852%

PAPennsylvania

792%

TNTennessee

772%

NJNew Jersey

742%

NY69

CO60

DE55

OR51

OH40

MO39

WI30

OK27

MA25

IN23

HI22

Geographic distribution reflects all active listings for this model, not just 2018.

2018 Tesla Model 3: Questions Buyers Ask

Pricing, reliability, and ownership answers

Is the 2018 Tesla Model 3 a good car to buy?

Here's the short version on the 2018 Tesla Model 3. There are 10 recalls to verify before purchase. Dig into the safety overview and pricing trends for recall-by-recall detail.

Are there recalls on the 2018 Tesla Model 3?

Yes, 10 recalls on record. The good news: recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Check the safety report for specifics, and always run the VIN before buying.

What's the gas mileage of the 2018 Tesla Model 3?

Fuel economy ranges from 116 to 130 MPG combined. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, that gap is worth about $49 annually. See the fuel economy section for per-trim data.

What are common problems with the 2018 Tesla Model 3?

SUSPENSION problems top the list with 964 total complaints filed. Not every car is affected, but it's worth asking about and inspecting. Full details in the known issues section.

How does the 2018 compare to other Tesla Model 3 years?

Each Tesla Model 3 model year has different pricing, recall counts, and owner satisfaction patterns. Compare all available years on the Tesla Model 3 overview page.