Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model Y: recalls and problems

Since 2000 the Tesla Model 3 has 36 recalls and 4,407 owner complaints; the Tesla Model Y has 43 recalls and 4,374 complaints. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

2026 Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model 3All model years →
2026 Tesla Model Y
Tesla Model YAll model years →

At a glance

Tesla Model 3Tesla Model Y
Recalls3643
Do-not-drive / park-outside recalls00
Owner complaints4,4074,374
Crashes reported462597
Fires reported2226
Injuries reported258404
Most reported problemForward Collision AvoidanceForward Collision Avoidance

NHTSA data, model years 2000 onward.

Complaints by model year

Tesla Model 3Tesla Model Y
2017 Tesla Model 3: 27 complaints20172018 Tesla Model 3: 1,040 complaints20182019 Tesla Model 3: 624 complaints20192020 Tesla Model 3: 455 complaints2020 Tesla Model Y: 286 complaints20202021 Tesla Model 3: 675 complaints2021 Tesla Model Y: 1,100 complaints20212022 Tesla Model 3: 774 complaints2022 Tesla Model Y: 880 complaints20222023 Tesla Model 3: 430 complaints2023 Tesla Model Y: 1,198 complaints20232024 Tesla Model 3: 224 complaints2024 Tesla Model Y: 339 complaints20242025 Tesla Model 3: 127 complaints2025 Tesla Model Y: 115 complaints20252026 Tesla Model 3: 31 complaints2026 Tesla Model Y: 452 complaints20262027 Tesla Model Y: 4 complaints2027

Every model year

YearModel 3 recallsModel 3 complaintsModel Y recallsModel Y complaints
2027——04
20261318452
202531273115
202452245339
202312430171,198
20221877420880
202122675231,100
20202145524286
20192262430
2018191,040——
20171627——

Tesla Model 3: top problems

Forward Collision Avoidance1,754
Unknown or other707
Vehicle Speed Control638
Electrical System573
Service Brakes572
Steering419

Tesla Model Y: top problems

Forward Collision Avoidance1,983
Unknown or other715
Vehicle Speed Control592
Electrical System581
Service Brakes577
Steering497
Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
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Questions

Which has more problems, the Tesla Model 3 or the Tesla Model Y?

Since model year 2000 owners have filed 4,407 complaints about the Tesla Model 3 and 4,374 about the Tesla Model Y with NHTSA, so the Tesla Model Y has fewer. These are raw counts: the model that sold more will usually have more complaints, so compare individual model years too.

Which has more recalls, the Tesla Model 3 or the Tesla Model Y?

NHTSA lists 36 recall campaigns for the Tesla Model 3 and 43 for the Tesla Model Y since model year 2000.