The most-reported Model 3 run is 5YJ3E1EA6JF (2018 builds) with 83 complaints, 4.5× the typical run. Forward collision avoidance problems make up 33% of reports; 2018 is the worst model year at 40.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 36 recall campaigns for Model 3 model years 2017–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Tesla Model 3 has 228 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 9% of every Model 3 complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5YJ3E1EA6JF•••••• | 2018 | 11 | — | |
| 5YJ3E1EB7NF•••••• | 2022 | 6 | 1 | |
| 5YJ3E1EA2KF•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| 5YJ3E1EA3JF•••••• | 2018 | 6 | — | |
| 5YJ3E1EA9JF•••••• | 2018 | 8 | — | |
| 5YJ3E1EB6NF•••••• | 2022 | 5 | 2 | |
| 5YJ3E1EB2NF•••••• | 2022 | 4 | — | |
| 5YJ3E1EA7JF•••••• | 2018 | 6 | — | |
| 5YJ3E1EB8NF•••••• | 2022 | 4 | 1 | |
| 5YJ3E1EA1JF•••••• | 2018 | 4 | — | |
| 5YJ3E1EA8JF•••••• | 2018 | 5 | 1 | |
| 5YJ3E1EA0JF•••••• | 2018 | 4 | — |
Each of the other 216 Model 3 runs has 53 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 416 Model 3 VINs so far, most often 2023, 2022, 2021 builds; 30 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Tesla Model 3 the gap between build years is 15.7×: a 2018 car draws 40.7 complaints per run, a 2017 one 2.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 218 | 33 | 27 | |
| 2023 | 424 | 34 | 69 | |
| 2022 | 761 | 33 | 52 | |
| 2021 | 666 | 33 | 46 | |
| 2020 | 451 | 36 | 54 | |
| 2019 | 609 | 25 | 60 | |
| 2018 | 1018 | 25 | 102 | |
| 2017 | 26 | 10 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 2018 at 40.7 complaints per run; lightest is 2017 at 2.6. The 2024 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 33% of everything Tesla Model 3 owners report: Forward Collision Avoidance, 1,694 of 4,173 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 111 | 2 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 84 | 4 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 112 | 2 | |
| Service Brakes | 85 | 2 | |
| Electrical System | 55 | 8 | |
| Suspension | 24 | 4 | |
| Steering | 59 | 5 | |
| Air Bags | 60 | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 36 recall campaigns on the Tesla Model 3; the 6 below cover build years 2017 to 2025. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 24V935000 | Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 2017–2025 |
| 24V376000 | Seat Belts:front:warning Light/devices | 2017–2023 |
| 23V085000 | Steering:automated/adaptive Steering | 2017–2023 |
| 23V838000 | Electrical System:adas:autonomous/self Driving:software | 2017–2023 |
| 24V051000 | Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel | 2017–2023 |
| 26V507000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 2017–2023 |
24V935000 was opened in 2024 on cars built from 2017: 7 years on the road before the recall.
The Model 3 against its rivals
The Model 3 draws 18.3 complaints per production run; the Infiniti Q50 2.6, the Cadillac CT5 1.2 and the Maserati Ghibli 1.4. That is the highest rate of the 4.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 | 4,173 | 228 | 9.8% | |
| Infiniti Q50 | 466 | 180 | 7.5% | |
| Cadillac CT5 | 106 | 88 | 10.4% | |
| Maserati Ghibli | 79 | 57 | 11.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 4,173 reports on the Tesla Model 3, 9.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Tesla Model 3 | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 4,173 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 411 (9.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 20 (0.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 237 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 16 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 69% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Tesla Model 3 share of that is 4,173 complaints over 228 runs, 0.37% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Tesla Model 3 VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 4,173 NHTSA complaints from 228 Model 3 runs and 36 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Model 3 production run has the most complaints?
5YJ3E1EA6JF, a 2018 build, with 83 complaints, 11 of them after a crash. The typical Model 3 run has 18.3.
Which Model 3 years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2018 is heaviest at 40.7 complaints per run and 2017 lightest at 2.6.
Does the Model 3 get more complaints than the Infiniti Q50?
Yes: 18.3 complaints per production run for the Model 3 against 2.6 for the Infiniti Q50.
How many Model 3 complaints involve a crash?
9.8% of 4,173 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 20 involved a fire.
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