YearToAvoid

2023 Tesla Model 3 Electrical System Problems

NHTSA lists 52 electrical system complaints for the 2023 Tesla Model 3, 12% of all 425 complaints that year, with 9 crashes and 5 injuries reported. Median mileage at failure was 5,300 miles. Several related recalls exist, including one for a defective pyrotechnic battery disconnect.

Electrical System complaints
52
12% of 425
Crashes reported
9
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Median mileage
5,300 mi
Related recalls
6

Typical electrical symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration or lurching forward at low speeds, including while parking or slowing for traffic.
  • Some report the steering wheel seizing or locking during highway merges, leading to loss of control.
  • The front trunk has reportedly opened on its own after shifting into drive, blocking forward visibility.
  • Several drivers say the vehicle lost power or displayed a shutdown warning while underway, forcing them to pull off the road.
  • A few complaints describe Autopilot misjudging curves and accelerating toward guardrails instead of turning.

When 2023 Tesla Model 3 electrical complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 14, 2022, latest Jun 20, 2026.

2023 Tesla Model 3 electrical system complaints: complaints filed per month5Dec 2022Jun 2023Nov 2023Mar 2024Aug 2024Jun 2025Nov 2025Mar 2026
52 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2022 to Jun 2026; peak Aug 2023 (5).

Electrical System recalls for the 2023 Tesla Model 3

  1. NHTSA 26V507000Aug 4, 2026Electrical System20,349 vehicles

    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, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

    Risk: Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-17-003.

  2. NHTSA 24V554000Jul 24, 2024Electrical System1,849,638 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Electrical system:software

    Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.

    Risk: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.

  3. NHTSA 24V051000Jan 30, 2024Electrical System2,193,869 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    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 vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

    Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

  4. NHTSA 23V838000Dec 12, 2023Electrical System2,031,220 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Electrical system:adas:driver monitoring: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 scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

    Risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

  5. NHTSA 23V434000Jun 19, 2023Electrical System26 vehicles

    Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery

    Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective.

    Risk: A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury.

    Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-16-005.

  6. NHTSA 22V844000Nov 15, 2022Electrical System321,628 vehiclesOver-the-air fix

    Exterior lighting:tail lights

    Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate.

    Risk: A taillight that fails to illuminate may reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-016.

Electrical System complaints by Model 3 model year

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

  1. 20172 (8%)
  2. 2018182 (18%)
  3. 201997 (16%)
  4. 202055 (12%)
  5. 202184 (13%)
  6. 202265 (8%)
  7. 202352 (12%)
  8. 202465 (30%)
  9. 202526 (22%)

Frequently asked questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2023 Tesla Model 3 have?
NHTSA lists 52 electrical system complaints for the 2023 Model 3, which is 12% of the 425 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall related to electrical problems on the 2023 Model 3?
Yes. NHTSA recall 23V434000 covers a defective pyrotechnic battery disconnect on certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, and other electrical-related recalls cover taillight failures, hood latch detection, and instrument panel font display issues.
At what mileage do electrical problems typically show up on the 2023 Model 3?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for electrical system complaints on the 2023 Model 3 is 5,300 miles.
Were there any crashes or injuries linked to electrical complaints?
NHTSA data tied to these 52 electrical system complaints shows 9 crashes and 5 injuries, with no fires reported.

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.