The 2021 Tesla Model 3's high safety profile includes 3 recall campaigns and 634 owner-reported complaints. Make recall verification part of your pre-purchase checklist.

Recalls

634

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Recall Findings

21V8340002021-25-10

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

A twisted side curtain air bag may improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury or occupant ejection during 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

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

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Top Complaint Areas

The 2021 Tesla Model 3 has accumulated 634 NHTSA complaints over 1 years, with forward collision avoidance leading the pack. Know what to look for before you buy.

01Forward Collision Avoidance198

02Service Brakes,forward Collision Avoidance57

03Vehicle Speed Control,forward Collision Avoidance52

04Unknown Or Other40

05Vehicle Speed Control,service Brakes,forward Collision Avoidance32

634 total across 1 model years (2021–2021)Full data at NHTSA.gov

Tesla Model 3 Fuel Economy

113–142mpg combined

118-150city

107-133hwy

$550-$650/yr

With 3 configurations tested, the 2021 Tesla Model 3 ranges from 113 to 142 MPG combined. That's a 29 MPG gap that can add up to hundreds of dollars a year in fuel costs.

By Trim

Model 3 Standard Range Plus RWD - Automatic (A1)

142mpg

Rear-Wheel DriveEV

150 city133 hwy~$550/yr10/10 Clean

Model 3 Long Range AWD - Automatic (A1)

134mpg

All-Wheel DriveEV

141 city127 hwy~$550/yr10/10 Clean

Model 3 Performance AWD - Automatic (A1)

113mpg

All-Wheel DriveEV

118 city107 hwy~$650/yr10/10 Clean

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

Where to Find 2021 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 2021.

2021 Tesla Model 3: Questions Buyers Ask

Pricing, reliability, and ownership answers

Is the 2021 Tesla Model 3 a good car to buy?

Here's the short version on the 2021 Tesla Model 3. There are 3 recalls to verify before purchase. Dig into the safety overview and pricing trends for recall-by-recall detail.

Are there recalls on the 2021 Tesla Model 3?

Yes, 3 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 2021 Tesla Model 3?

Fuel economy ranges from 113 to 142 MPG combined. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, that gap is worth about $95 annually. See the fuel economy section for per-trim data.

What are common problems with the 2021 Tesla Model 3?

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE problems top the list with 634 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 2021 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.