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Buying a used 2021 Tesla Model 3? Check these 22 recalls first

22 NHTSA recalls · 660 owner complaints on file

The 2021 Tesla Model 3 has 22 recalls in this group. Hardware concerns include brake caliper bolts, suspension fasteners, a twisted side curtain airbag, and camera wiring errors. Hood latch detection and reduced windshield defrosting power deserve attention alongside driver assistance recalls. Warning chimes and display issues also appear. The 660 NHTSA owner complaints are unverified reports, led by forward collision avoidance with 407, service brakes with 126, and vehicle speed control with 123. These categories identify useful subjects for seller questions.

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 caliper, suspension, airbag, and camera wiring recall completion.
  3. Confirm hood latch detection and defrosting recall remedies.
  4. Ask about unexpected braking and speed control behavior.
  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 2021 Tesla Model 3

RecallAreaSeverity
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 Boombox Feature May Mask Pedestrian Warning SoundElectrical Systemhigh
Tesla Model 3 Cameras Swapped By Wiring ErrorForward Collision Avoidancehigh
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 Hood Latch May Not Detect Unlatched HoodLatches/locks/linkageshigh
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 Software Bug Reduces Windshield Defrosting PowerElectrical 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
Tesla Model 3, S and Y rearview camera image delayedBack Over Preventionmedium

What owners have reported to NHTSA

660 complaints filed for this model year, including 45 mentioning a crash, 5 a fire and 19 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 Assistance438Yes
Brakes126Yes
Speed Control123None found
Electrical System77Yes
Visibility And Wipers29Yes
Steering26Yes

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