Head-to-head reliability
Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model S
How the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model S compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model S: The Model 3 averages 433.5 complaints per year and has 139 recalls, while the Model S averages 401.6 complaints per year with 106 recalls. The Model S has more crash-related complaints (530 vs. 448). Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Tesla Model 3 or Tesla Model S more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Tesla Model 3
The Tesla Model 3 is an electric sedan with a heavy reliance on software and driver-assistance features. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 434 complaints per year, with the most common issues involving forward collision avoidance, vehicle speed control, and brakes. Many owner reports describe software glitches that disable safety functions or cause unexpected braking, and some complaints mention hacking or theft attempts. Buyers should expect a car that is technologically advanced but may require frequent software-related attention.
Tesla Model S
The Tesla Model S is a larger electric luxury sedan with a more complex suspension and electrical system. It averages about 402 complaints per year, with top issues in the electrical system, suspension, and forward collision avoidance. Owners report sudden power loss, suspension noises, and self-driving errors that can lead to crashes. While it has fewer complaints per year than the Model 3, the types of problems can be more mechanical and costly.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Tesla Model 3 | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 4,335 | 4,016 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 139 | 106 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 448 Better | 530 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 433.5 | 401.6 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 253 | 248 Better |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 16 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Tesla Model 3
- 01FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE1,739
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER699
- 03VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL633
- 04SERVICE BRAKES568
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM556
Owners report that software updates for lane departure avoidance and automatic emergency braking can malfunction, sometimes requiring multiple service visits. Complaints also include the system failing to detect obstacles or engaging unexpectedly, which could lead to a crash if the driver is not alert.
Drivers describe instances where the main control unit goes blank, disabling adaptive cruise control and the speedometer without warning. This can leave the driver unaware of their speed and without cruise control functionality, increasing the risk of a speeding ticket or loss of vehicle control.
Some complaints involve brake issues such as a vehicle failing to stop or brakes behaving unpredictably, including during low-speed maneuvers. Owners also report that hacking incidents can interfere with braking, though these are rare. Brake problems are critical because they directly affect the ability to stop safely.
Electrical complaints often involve software failures that disable legally required functions for extended periods, or issues with wiring in the rear compartment. These problems can leave the car inoperable or cause safety features to stop working, requiring dealer visits and potentially costly repairs.
“SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IT RECEIVED A SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD CALLED EMERGENCY LANE DEPARTURE AVOIDANCE WHICH IS TESLA'S FANCY NAME FOR A LANE DEPARTURE WARNING SYSTEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THEIR SERVICE CENTERS 3 TIMES TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BECAUSE IT…”
“I have a group of individuals that are hacking all of my accounts and trying to steal my car. They first hacked my emails then my Tesla account and now they are actually on the Teslas computer system and have been in the vehicle accessing the screen. After th…”
Tesla Model S
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM974
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER967
- 03SUSPENSION916
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE552
- 05STEERING450
Owners report sudden power loss while driving, where the car stops and cannot be restarted, even with the emergency restart bar. Another complaint describes the car independently entering Race mode while parked and charging, causing a rapid charge increase. These electrical faults can strand the driver and pose a safety risk.
Common complaints include popping and creaking noises from the front suspension when driving or turning the steering wheel. Owners worry that something is loose, but Tesla sometimes dismisses it as body flex. Suspension issues can affect handling and tire wear, and may be expensive to fix if not covered under warranty.
Drivers report that Autopark and Full Self-Driving features can fail to brake for obstacles, leading to collisions with poles or other vehicles. In one case, the car continued accelerating into a pole after Autopark was engaged. These failures undermine trust in the driver-assistance systems and can cause property damage or injuries.
Steering-related complaints include issues with the steering wheel or handle bar, though specific symptoms are less detailed in the sample. Problems with steering can make the car difficult to control, especially at higher speeds, and may require immediate attention.
“On [XXX] at approximately [XXX] I was driving down a small back alley/street in Baltimore when my Tesla Model S Plaid sedan stopped operating. It would not restart, including with the emergency restart bar. Since I was unable to restart it, I left it there wh…”
“The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle was connected to the charging port and independently went into Race mode. The contact stated that the charge increased from 0 to 60 instantly. The vehicle…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Tesla Model 3 — 139 recalls
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first c…
The risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Te…
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Feder…
The risk: The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
The risk: A rearview camera that does not function reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla Service will inspect and install a guide protector and new cable harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number…
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
The risk: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
Tesla Model S — 106 recalls
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2025 Model S and Model X vehicles. The driver's air bag could tear during deployment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and 212, "Windsh…
The risk: A torn air bag may not adequately protect an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Tesla service will replace the air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 21, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-20-001.
The defect: 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 Standa…
The risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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, f…
The defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first c…
The risk: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Te…
The defect: 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 versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope…
The risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there ma…
The fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
Buyer analysis
Tesla Model 3 or Tesla Model S: which should you buy?
The Tesla Model S has fewer complaints per year (about 402) compared to the Model 3 (about 434), but the Model S has more crash-related complaints (530 vs. 448) and a higher rate of suspension and electrical issues. In practice, the Model 3's problems are more often software-related, while the Model S may face more mechanical repairs. Neither is clearly more reliable overall, but the Model 3's issues might be cheaper to address if they are software fixes.
Key differences
- The Model 3's top complaint area is forward collision avoidance (1,739 complaints), often tied to software updates, while the Model S's top area is electrical system (974 complaints), including sudden power loss.
- The Model S has more crash-related complaints (530) than the Model 3 (448), despite fewer total complaints per year, suggesting more severe incidents.
- Suspension problems are prominent in the Model S (916 complaints) but not in the Model 3's top five, indicating a mechanical difference.
- The Model 3 has more recalls (139) than the Model S (106), many for electrical and self-driving software, while the Model S has recalls for air bags and steering.
- Check for any outstanding software updates related to forward collision avoidance or lane departure warnings, as owners report repeated service visits for these systems.
- Test the brakes at low speeds and in parking maneuvers, and ask if the vehicle has had any hacking or security incidents, as some complaints mention unauthorized access.
- Listen for popping or creaking noises from the front suspension when turning the steering wheel or driving over bumps, as this is a common complaint.
- Verify that the car does not suddenly lose power or enter unexpected modes like Race mode while charging, and check for any electrical system recalls.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been performed, especially for software and electrical issues.
- Take a test drive that includes highway driving with adaptive cruise control and forward collision avoidance engaged to check for malfunctions.
- Have a mechanic inspect the suspension (Model S) and brakes (Model 3) for unusual noises or wear.
- Ask the seller for service records related to software updates and any repeated complaints.
- Check for any aftermarket modifications, such as wheels, that could affect safety systems.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Tesla Model 3 | Tesla Model S |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 25 | 4 |
| 2025 | 117 | 6 |
| 2024 | 218 | 38 |
| 2023 | 427 | 118 |
| 2022 | 765 | 138 |
| 2021 | 665 | 179 |
| 2020 | 451 | 80 |
| 2019 | 614 | 160 |
| 2018 | 1027 | 640 |
| 2017 | 26 | 2653 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Tesla Model 3 or Tesla Model S in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model S
- Tesla Model 3 total complaints
- 4,335
- Tesla Model S total complaints
- 4,016
- Tesla Model 3 total recalls
- 139
- Tesla Model S total recalls
- 106
- Tesla Model 3 avg complaints/year
- 433.5
- Tesla Model S avg complaints/year
- 401.6
- More reliable overall
- Tesla Model S
- Tesla Model 3 top complaint area
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Tesla Model S top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM