Tesla Model 3 — the 9 years we've written up
2018–2024, side by side: what goes wrong on each, what the fix costs, and what they typically ask. 9 of the 9 carry a high-severity issue.
What this page is
These are the 9 Tesla Model 3 model years Kestrel has done the homework on — not every year Tesla built one. A year that isn't listed here isn't a year we're warning you off; it's one we haven't written up yet. Ranking a whole model run would mean telling you about years we've never looked at.
Tesla Model 3 by year
How many owner complaints NHTSA holds. A big number usually means a lot were sold; the shape matters more than the total.
Year by year
Looking for a particular engine or trim?
Full Self-Driving and cruise control that brake, swerve, reverse or speed on their own — Not yet priced — a safety matter first, a repair bill second
Phantom braking and false emergency stops on cruise control and Autopilot — Not yet priced — a safety matter first, a repair bill second
Phantom braking — nine in ten complaints on this year are the car braking for nothing at speed — Not yet priced — a safety matter first, a repair bill second
Phantom braking on Autopilot and cruise control — Not yet priced — a safety matter first, a repair bill second
Phantom braking on cruise control and Autopilot — 62% of everything filed on this year (recall) — Not yet priced — a safety matter first, a repair bill second
Battery range degradation — $8,000-$16,000 for replacement
Phantom braking and false collision warnings on Autopilot, FSD and adaptive cruise (recall) — Not yet priced — a safety matter first, a repair bill second
Phantom braking — hard, unprompted braking from the forward collision system — Not yet priced — a safety matter first, a repair bill second
Phantom braking and false collision warnings on Autopilot and adaptive cruise (recall) — Not yet priced — a safety matter first, a repair bill second
Looking at one in particular?
This page covers the Tesla Model 3 in general. The Kestrel report covers the one you're looking at — the asking price against the market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.
Get My Verdict — $7.99Not ready to pay for one? The free read is instant and needs no card — it checks the asking price against the market and names the top issues for that year.
Known issues are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.
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