The Lemon Index
20202022Avoid · most complaints: automatic emergency braking
578 owner complaints, first 3 years 113–142 MPGe combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 BMW 3 Series 172021 Audi A42021 Acura TLX 119
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2021 Tesla Model 3
- Phantom braking (collision system)130 complaintsmostly at 10,000–15,000 miles (17,000–24,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 674 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Tesla Model 3 (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,900 and 18,000 miles (3,100–29,000 km) (the middle half of the 41 complaints, of all 578 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 26V507000 (lights), 26V283000 (back over prevention) and 24V935000 (tires) done? It has 22 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Tesla's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 578 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 18K miles (3K to 29K km) on the car (41 of all 578 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
My model 3 on crusing speeds on high ways, automatically applies brakes and makes sudden,abrupt, jolted slowing down which causes extreme pressure on persons body
2021 Tesla Model 3 owner · NHTSA complaint 11513839
More owner reports
Was driving and automatic braking system engaged when there was no impeding incident.
NHTSA complaint 11457418
Three times so far in a week, the car has had extreme hard breaking on the freeway. These were done in full self drive mode. Absolutely terrifying and so unsafe for my family to have this happen.
NHTSA complaint 11453285
Recalls 22
- Lights · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2026 New: most likely still open
The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- Tires · recall issued 2024
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure.
Show all 22 recalls
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2024
The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2024
In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended.
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued 2024
A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
- Electrical · recall issued 2024
An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.
- Electrical · recall issued 2023
In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
- Steering · recall issued 2023
The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a…
- Seat belts · recall issued 2022
The second-row left seat belt buckle and second-row center seat belt anchor may have been incorrectly reassembled during vehicle service.
- Visibility · recall issued 2022
The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction.
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued 2022
The fisheye and narrow camera cable terminals were incorrectly installed in the cable harness connector, resulting in swapped camera views.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedometer while in Track Mode.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt.
- Electrical · recall issued 2022
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 coming to a stop.
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued 2021
A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag.
- Suspension · recall issued 2021
The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
- Brakes · recall issued 2021
The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR AWD Later Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR AWD Early Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWD Early Release | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model S 5 HB AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $550–$650 (USD) a year in electricity (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year).
Every Tesla Model 3 year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/tesla-model-3/?y=2021" title="Tesla Model 3 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/tesla-model-3/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Tesla Model 3 reliability)</p>Two windows: the 2021 scores 489 here (complaints in its first 3 years) and 788 on its EV page (complaints filed by the end of 2022). Different windows, so the numbers differ.
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Tesla Model 3 reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 5 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 489; 100 is average, lower is better). The Tesla Model 3 year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2022.
What are the most common 2021 Tesla Model 3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (97%), speed control (20%) and brakes (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Tesla Model 3 have?
22 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2021 Tesla Model 3 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2021 Tesla Model 3 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,900 and 18,000 miles (3,100–29,000 km) (the middle half of the 41 complaints, of all 578 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2021 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2021 Tesla Model 3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Tesla Model 3 cost in fuel a year?
About $550 to $650 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works