2023 Tesla Model 3: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
415 NHTSA owner complaints · 12 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Reviewed by the MotorJury data desk · 2 sources · Last updated 2026-08-20
415 NHTSA owner complaints · 12 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Complaints per year on the road: 138.33
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
I am writing to report several safety incidents that occurred while using Full Self-Driving (FSD) mode on my 2023 Model 3. Below are the details of the specific behaviors observed: - Right turn on red almost crashed into an oncoming car from the left - Hard emergency brake due to a bird that was in the opposite lane - Additional emergency brake around 10 seconds later for no reason - Running a red light by …
Two separate incidents occurred on July 10th and July 12th 2026 involving adaptive cruise control. While adaptive cruise control was engaged my car slammed on the brakes for no reason. There was nothing in the roadway to cause abrupt braking. The second time it occurred my car was close to being rear ended by a vehicle driving behind me. I took the car which is still under warranty to Tesla who confirmed there is a k…
Whilst driving on highways which feature multiple speed limits - eg. 70 cars, 65 Trucks, 60 Buses. If full self driving more or when in adaptive cruise control - the car systems fail to recognize the restriction linked to the lower speed limits. As a result, you can be driving on Full Self Drive at 75mpm, the car sees a 65 followed by a 60 speed limit (neither applicable to cars), but the car brakes hard dropping t…
What the community is saying right now.
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 26V283000 | Back Over Prevention:Software | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017, 2021-2023 Model 3, 2020-2023 Model Y, 2021-2023 Model S, and Model X vehicles operating softw… |
| 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 exc… |
| 23V838000 | Electrical System:Adas:Autonomous/Self D | 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 v… |
| 25V092000 | Steering:Electric Power Assist System | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating software prior to 2023.38.4. The printed circuit board… |
| 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 Se… |
| 22V844000 | 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 ill… |
| 24V935000 | Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring s… |
| 23V434000 | Electrical System:Propulsion System:Trac | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective.… |
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Forward Collision Avoidance (172 complaints in our indexed sample).
Our data verdict is AVOID with a reliability score of 5/100, computed from 415 NHTSA complaints and 12 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for the 2023 Tesla Model 3, 7 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 05/05/2026. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorComplaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-08-20.