2018 Tesla Model 3: Recalls and Reported Problems
Every NHTSA safety recall recorded for this model year, what owners report most often, and how to check whether one specific vehicle still has open work.
Two identical Model 3s can differ entirely: one may have had every recall repaired, the other none.
NHTSA lists 19 safety recalls for the 2018 Tesla Model 3, alongside 1,012 owner complaints filed with the agency, most often about forward collision avoidance. Eligible recall remedies are generally free through the manufacturer's approved repair process, even after the warranty ends; some software remedies are delivered remotely. Federal no-charge coverage has an age limit for vehicles first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice; manufacturers may cover older vehicles voluntarily. Check the specific VIN — a previous owner may already have had the work done.
2018 Tesla Model 3 at a glance
Buying a 2018 Tesla Model 3? Enter its VIN.
Confirm this car’s identity free, then review the optional history report for returned title, mileage and auction records. Check open recalls separately through NHTSA’s free VIN lookup.
Title brands · Odometer records · Auction history, where reported
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See what the paid report includes →What owners report most
These are the vehicle systems named most often in complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Tesla Model 3. A complaint is an unverified owner report: it does not establish a defect, and a high count can simply reflect a popular model. Use it to decide where an inspection should look hardest.
| Vehicle system | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 202 |
| Suspension | 181 |
| Unknown Or Other | 172 |
| Electrical System | 168 |
| Air Bags | 139 |
| Seat Belts | 101 |
Recall campaigns for the 2018 Tesla Model 3
Each campaign below is an official NHTSA record. An eligible remedy is generally free through the manufacturer’s approved process, which may be an authorized service visit or remote software update. Federal no-charge coverage has a 15-year first-sale limit measured at the recall notice; manufacturers may cover older vehicles voluntarily. A campaign covers a production range, so only a VIN lookup confirms whether a particular vehicle is included and whether the work is still outstanding.
| Campaign | Component | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| 26V507000 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps,… |
| 24V935000 | 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 c… |
| 24V376000 | SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the require… |
| 24V153000 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety St… |
| 24V051000 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicl… |
| 23V838000 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scop… |
| 23V235000 | 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. |
| 23V085000 | STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling s… |
NHTSA records 19 campaigns in total for this model year; the 8 most recent are listed above. Run the VIN through NHTSA’s free lookup for the complete, vehicle-specific list.
How to check one specific Model 3
- Copy the 17-character VIN from the windshield or driver-door label — not from the listing.
- Run it through NHTSA’s free recall lookup to see open campaigns for that exact vehicle.
- Ask the seller for repair documentation on any campaign that shows as completed.
- Check title, odometer, and total-loss history separately; recalls say nothing about a vehicle’s past.
- Book an independent pre-purchase inspection focused on the systems owners report most.
What this data cannot tell you
- Whether a specific vehicle is included in a campaign, or whether its recall work was completed — only a VIN lookup answers that.
- Whether a complaint is accurate. NHTSA publishes owner reports without verifying them.
- How reliable the model is overall: complaint volume tracks how many vehicles were sold as much as how they hold up.
- Anything about title brands, accident history, odometer records, or liens on an individual vehicle.
Primary sources behind this page
Open the underlying public source and verify that its scope matches the question you are asking.
- Recalls Lookup by VINNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Vehicle recall remedy age limitNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA Recalls APINational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA Complaints DatabaseNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Vehicle Product Information Catalog (vPIC)National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
2018 Tesla Model 3 questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Tesla Model 3 have?
NHTSA lists 19 safety recalls covering the 2018 Tesla Model 3 as of 2026-09-15. Whether a specific vehicle is affected — and whether the repair was already done — depends on its VIN.
What are the most common 2018 Tesla Model 3 problems?
Owners most often report forward collision avoidance, suspension, unknown or other issues to NHTSA. These are unverified owner reports and do not establish a defect, but they show where to focus an inspection.
Are Tesla recall repairs free?
Generally, yes for eligible vehicles, even after the warranty ends. Federal law limits the required no-charge remedy when a vehicle was first sold more than 15 years before the recall notice; a manufacturer may still cover an older vehicle voluntarily. Check the VIN with the manufacturer for the approved remedy, which may be a dealer visit or a remote software update.
Can I check recalls on a specific 2018 Tesla Model 3 VIN?
Yes. NHTSA's free VIN lookup reports open recalls for an individual vehicle, including whether the repair is still outstanding. Model-level lists like this page cannot tell you that.