The Lemon Index

All cars · Tesla Model 3 · 2025

2025 Tesla Model 3. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index–100 = average car
Complaints121NHTSA, first 3 years

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,434 and 15,000 miles. Median 10,100, from 8 complaints with a mileage.

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Automatic emergency braking29%
Steering21%
Lane assist20%
Electrical19%
Speed control12%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1212608012

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 25V690000 Oct 2025 Electrical System / Propulsion System / Fuses, Relays, Contacts, And Shunts

    Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles. The battery pack contactors may fail, causing a loss of drive power.

    Risk. A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Tesla Service will replace the battery pack contactors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-16-005.

  • 25V002000 Jan 2025 Back Over Prevention / Software

    Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Tesla will also identify any vehicles that experienced a circuit board failure, or stress that may lead to a circuit board failure, and replace the affected computers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this reca

  • 24V935000 Dec 2024 Tires / Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

    Defect. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

    Risk. Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-018.

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Tesla Model 3 (All variants) 4 DR AWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Tesla Model 3 (All variants) 4 DR RWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Tesla Model S (All Variants) 5 HB AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★★

Engines and drivetrains 2

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
ElectricAuto (A1)RWD145 / 128 / 137Electricity$550
ElectricAuto (A1)AWD133 / 122 / 128Electricity$600

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2022276727211,618Automatic emergency braking
2023156428230,015Automatic emergency braking
2024134220189,903Automatic emergency braking
2025–121–Automatic emergency braking

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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