2025 Tesla Model 3 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2025 Tesla Model 3 has a complaint index of 13, the second-lowest among 9 model years, earning a Best verdict. It carries 117 complaints, 25 crashes, 3 recalls, and a median failure mileage of 9,840 miles, with no fires or deaths reported.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 13/100
- #8 of 9 Model 3 years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 117
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 25
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 129.5
- 136.5 city / 122.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2025 Tesla Model 3 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other36 (31%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras35 (30%)
- Electrical System26 (22%)
- Steering25 (21%)
- Lane Departure18 (15%)
- Engine17 (15%)
- Brakes12 (10%)
- Structure & Body8 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (6%)
- Fuel System3 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report Full Self-Driving or Autopilot making sudden uncommanded turns, in some cases driving over curbs or into fixed objects.
- Some drivers describe the steering wheel locking or failing to correct during a turn, leading to loss of control.
- Several complaints describe unexpected acceleration or surging forward after the driver's foot was off the accelerator.
- Automatic emergency braking has activated unexpectedly or too aggressively, in one case causing a rear-end collision from another vehicle.
- One owner reported a seatbelt failing to lock during a side-impact crash, resulting in head injuries.
2025 Tesla Model 3 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V690000Oct 10, 2025Electrical System12,963 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:fuses, relays, contacts, and shunts
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles. The battery pack contactors may fail, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will replace the battery pack contactors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-16-005.
- NHTSA 25V002000Jan 6, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras239,382 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Back over prevention:software
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Tesla will also identify any vehicles that experienced a circuit board failure, or stress that may lead to a circuit board failure, and replace the affected computers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-001.
- NHTSA 24V935000Dec 17, 2024Suspension, Wheels & Tires696,281 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
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 comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk: Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-018.
2025 Tesla Model 3 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 136.5 MPG
- Highway
- 122.5 MPG
- Combined
- 129.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Electricity
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2025 compared with other Model 3 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2025 Tesla Model 3 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2025 Model 3 has a complaint index of 13, ranking 8th of 9 model years (1 being worst), and carries a Best verdict relative to other years of the Model 3.
- What problems does the 2025 Tesla Model 3 have?
- NHTSA complaints point most often to Collision Avoidance & Cameras (30% of complaints), Electrical System (22%), and Steering (21%), with a median failure mileage of 9,840 miles for the top problem area.
- Does the 2025 Tesla Model 3 have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2025 Model 3: a battery pack contactor issue that can cause loss of drive power, a circuit board fault that can knock out the rearview camera, and a TPMS warning light software issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2025 Model 3 compare to other years?
- The 2025 Model 3 has a complaint index of 13, far below the 2022 model year's index of 100 and the 2021 model year's index of 75, both rated Avoid. Only the 2017 model year, with an index of 0, ranks better.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras is the top problem area, accounting for 35 of 117 complaints (30%) and 11 of the 25 reported crashes.