The Lemon Index
20212023Avoid · most complaints: automatic emergency braking
727 owner complaints, first 3 years 113–132 MPGe combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2022 BMW 3 Series 112022 Lexus IS 192022 Acura TLX
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2022 Tesla Model 3
- Phantom braking (collision system)194 complaintsmostly at 400–9,000 miles (643–14,000 km)
- Engine stalling17 complaints
Specific parts named in the 773 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2022 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 1,000 and 20,000 miles (1,600–32,000 km) (the middle half of the 55 complaints, of all 727 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 18 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.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
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 727 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 20K miles (2K to 32K km) on the car (55 of all 727 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
I only picked this car up on 2/16/22. Several times with the cruise control or autopilot/autosteer engaged on a two lane road the vehicle braked suddenly and severely in response to semi-trucks in the oncoming lane.
2022 Tesla Model 3 owner · NHTSA complaint 11452818
More owner reports
Phantom braking while using Autopilot caused quick and static loss of speed on the interstate, which could easily have resulted in an accident.
NHTSA complaint 11501969
Tesla’s full self driving did not react to emergency vehicles approaching from behind.. vehicle was a police cruiser emergency lights, and sirens were active on freeway.
NHTSA complaint 11687032
Recalls 18
- 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 18 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.
- Back over prevention · recall issued 2022
The infotainment central processing unit (CPU) may overheat during the preparation or process of fast-charging, causing the CPU to lag or restart.
- 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.
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 AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Tesla Model S (All Variants) 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. 2022 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 2022 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/tesla-model-3/?y=2022" 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-3/2022/">Lemon Index</a> (2022 Tesla Model 3 reliability)</p>Two windows: the 2022 scores 276 here (complaints in its first 3 years) and 490 on its EV page (complaints filed by the end of 2023). Different windows, so the numbers differ.
Quick answers
Is the 2022 Tesla Model 3 reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 3 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 276; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2022 Tesla Model 3 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are automatic emergency braking (107%), brakes (23%) and speed control (23%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2022 Tesla Model 3 have?
18 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Is the 2022 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 2022 Tesla Model 3 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,000 and 20,000 miles (1,600–32,000 km) (the middle half of the 55 complaints, of all 727 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2022 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 2022 Tesla Model 3 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2022 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