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Buying a used 2020 Tesla Model 3? Check these 21 recalls first

21 NHTSA recalls · 450 owner complaints on file

The 2020 Tesla Model 3 has 21 recalls in this group. A potentially twisted side curtain airbag joins seat belt, brake caliper, suspension, and rearview camera concerns. Driver assistance behavior and automatic braking also feature, while warning chimes, window obstruction detection, and display issues round out the record. Its 450 NHTSA owner complaints are unverified reports, including 156 concerning forward collision avoidance, 81 classified as unknown or other, 69 involving vehicle speed control, and 48 concerning service brakes.

Before you buy

  1. Get the 17-character VIN from the seller and run it at nhtsa.gov/recalls. It shows which recalls are still unrepaired on that exact car.
  2. Verify side curtain airbag and seat belt recall completion by VIN.
  3. Request brake caliper and suspension fastener repair records.
  4. Ask about unexpected braking, speed control issues, and camera delays.
  5. Open recalls are repaired free at any Tesla dealer, whoever owns the car — an open recall is a to-do item, not a bill.

Recalls covering the 2020 Tesla Model 3

RecallAreaSeverity
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Seat Belt Fastener IssueSeat Beltshigh
Tesla Model 3, Model Y Loose Brake Caliper BoltsService Brakes, Hydraulichigh
Tesla Model 3 Side Curtain Airbag May Be TwistedAIR Bagshigh
Tesla Model 3, Model Y Suspension Fastener ProblemSuspensionhigh
Tesla Model 3 rearview camera cable may be damagedElectrical Systemhigh
Tesla Boombox Feature May Mask Pedestrian Warning SoundElectrical Systemhigh
Tesla Model 3 Rearview Camera Display DelayBack Over Preventionhigh
Tesla Model 3 rear seat belts may be reassembled incorrectlySeat Beltshigh
Tesla Full Self-Driving Beta may act unsafely at intersectionsSteeringhigh
Tesla Autosteer controls may allow driver misuseElectrical Systemhigh
Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Headlights Too BrightExterior Lightinghigh
Tesla Software Bug Triggers Unexpected Automatic BrakingForward Collision Avoidancemedium
Tesla Full Self-Driving may roll through stop signsElectrical Systemmedium
Tesla Seat Belt Chime May Not Sound at StartupElectrical Systemmedium
Tesla Boombox sounds can drown out pedestrian warning noiseElectrical Systemmedium
Tesla Model 3 Speedometer Fails to Show SpeedElectrical Systemmedium
Tesla power windows may not stop for an obstructionVisibilitymedium
Tesla Model 3 and Cybertruck warning lights too smallElectrical Systemmedium
Tesla pedestrian warning sound muted after a factory resetForward Collision Avoidancemedium
Tesla Seat Belt Warning Chime May Not ActivateSeat Beltsmedium
Tesla Cybertruck, Model 3, Model Y tire pressure warning light faultTiresmedium

What owners have reported to NHTSA

450 complaints filed for this model year, including 54 mentioning a crash, 2 a fire and 33 injuries. Complaints are unverified owner reports, and popular models collect more of them simply because more are on the road.

Problem areaComplaintsRecall in this area?
Driver Assistance191Yes
Speed Control69None found
Brakes48Yes
Suspension46Yes
Steering45Yes
Electrical System42Yes

When the complaints were filed

Complaints by the year they reached NHTSA. The current year is incomplete, and counts usually fall as fewer of these cars stay on the road.

Other model years