YearToAvoid

2022 Tesla Model 3 Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA lists 22 Structure & Body complaints for the 2022 Tesla Model 3, about 3% of its 765 total complaints for the year. These complaints are linked to 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries. No related recalls are listed for this component on this model year.

Structure & Body complaints
22
3% of 765
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
5
Median mileage
—
Related recalls
0

Typical body and structure symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe front seat backs collapsing backward during rear-end collisions, in one case leading to a fractured back.
  • Some report the power trunk closing with excessive force and not stopping or reversing when the switch is pressed again, risking crushed hands.
  • Rear side windows have shattered suddenly while the car was parked, with no collision involved.
  • A windshield developed a U-shaped crack in cold temperatures while the vehicle sat unmoved in a driveway.
  • Owners report the driver's seat weight sensor misreading occupancy, which can trigger unexpected hard braking or leave the car running indefinitely.

When 2022 Tesla Model 3 body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 9, 2022, latest Sep 20, 2026.

2022 Tesla Model 3 structure & body complaints: complaints filed per month2Apr 2022Jun 2023Apr 2024Oct 2024Oct 2025Aug 2026
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Jun 2024 (2).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2022 Tesla Model 3

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Structure & Body complaints by Model 3 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20176 (23%)
  2. 2018136 (13%)
  3. 201970 (11%)
  4. 202046 (10%)
  5. 202129 (4%)
  6. 202222 (3%)
  7. 202333 (8%)
  8. 20247 (3%)
  9. 20258 (7%)

Frequently asked questions

How many Structure & Body complaints does the 2022 Tesla Model 3 have?
NHTSA lists 22 Structure & Body complaints for the 2022 Model 3, making up about 3% of the 765 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for Structure & Body issues on the 2022 Tesla Model 3?
No. NHTSA does not list any related recalls for this component on the 2022 Model 3.
Did the 2022 Tesla Model 3 structure complaints involve crashes or fires?
Yes. The 22 complaints in this area are associated with 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries, according to NHTSA data.
What structural problems do owners report most on the 2022 Model 3?
Owners describe seat backs collapsing in rear-end collisions, hard-closing trunks, spontaneously shattering rear windows, and seat weight sensors misreading occupancy.
How does the 2022 Model 3 compare to other years for Structure & Body complaints?
The 2022 model's 3% share is lower than 2017 at 23%, 2018 at 13%, 2019 at 11%, and 2020 at 10%, but similar to 2021 at 4% and 2024 at 3%.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.