2018 Tesla Model 3 vs 2019 Tesla Model 3
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Sep 21, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2018 Tesla Model 3 | 2019 Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,020 | 612 |
| Recall campaigns | 19 | 22 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 161 | 106 |
| Investigations | 8 | 8 |
| Crash reports | 102 | 58 |
| Fire reports | 4 | 5 |
| NCAP overall rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| EPA MPG (combined) | — | — |
| Median reported incident mileage | 19,000 mi | 12,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Tesla Model 3 | Tesla Model 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 202 | 169 |
| Suspension | 182 | 82 |
| Electrical System | 168 | 91 |
| Air Bags | 141 | 83 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 90 | 71 |
| Seat Belts | 104 | 54 |
| Service Brakes | 88 | 60 |
| Steering | 80 | 52 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 42 | 14 |
| Clunking / rattling | 24 | 8 |
| Rust / corrosion | 17 | 9 |
| Electrical failures | 14 | 11 |
| Hesitation / surging | 12 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 12 | 7 |
| Loss of power | 6 | 5 |
| Steering problems | 6 | 8 |
2018 Tesla Model 3
2019 Tesla Model 3
Compare all Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model 3 years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.