2025 Tesla Model 3 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
25/100
#7 most-complained of 9 Model 3 years
The 2025 Tesla Model 3 has a Complaint Index of 25, ranking 7th best out of 9 model years, with a "Good" verdict. It has 117 complaints, 3 recalls, and 25 crashes, led by Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues (30% of complaints).
- Complaints
- 117
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 25 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 129.5
- 136.5 city / 122.5 hwy
Top 2025 Tesla Model 3 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Vehicles running Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised mode reportedly made sudden, uncommanded left or right turns, sometimes driving over curbs or into fixed objects.
- Steering reportedly locked or failed to correct mid-turn, causing drivers to drive over curbs into yards or fences.
- Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated or surged forward after the driver removed their foot from the accelerator.
- Automatic emergency braking reportedly activated suddenly and aggressively, in one case causing a trailing vehicle to rear-end the Tesla.
- Some drivers reported Autopilot/FSD sped the car up on its own and struck a highway divider.
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 a good year to buy?
- NHTSA data gives the 2025 Model 3 a Complaint Index of 25 and a "Good" verdict, ranking 7th out of 9 years, meaning it has fewer reported problems than most other Model 3 years.
- What are the biggest problem areas for the 2025 Tesla Model 3?
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras leads with 30% of complaints (35 complaints, 11 crashes), followed by Electrical System (22%, 26 complaints) and Steering (21%, 25 complaints).
- Does the 2025 Tesla Model 3 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2025 Model 3: a battery pack contactor issue affecting drive power, a computer circuit board fault that can knock out the rearview camera, and a TPMS warning light software problem.
- How does the 2025 Model 3 compare to other years?
- Its Complaint Index of 25 is well below the worst year, 2022, which scored 100 and carries an "Avoid" verdict, and below 2018's 75. The best year, 2020, scored 13.
- How many complaints and crashes does NHTSA have on file for the 2025 Model 3?
- NHTSA lists 117 complaints for the 2025 Model 3, including 25 crashes and 9 injuries, with no reported fires or deaths.