2017 Tesla Model 3: recalls and problems
16 recalls and 26 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is forward collision avoidance.
Most common problems
What owners report
Seats front passenger safety restraint system issue/ service is required/service is required
My tesla repeatedly displayed a “passenger safety restraint” warning related to the front passenger restraint/airbag system. tesla service center in los gatos, california attempted multiple repairs over several visits. the first repair identified a pinched and improperly routed passenger seat harness associated with the restraint system. tesla stated the issue was repaired and tested. the warning later returned. tesl
I am writing to file a formal safety complaint against tesla, inc. regarding a software update failure that has disabled legally required vehicle functions on my tesla for over two years. for more than 26 months, my vehicle has been unable to complete a software update through tesla's over-the-air (ota) update system. as a direct result of this failure, my vehicle's display screen does not function for the first sev
I received an error about the occupant classification system and a safety restraint fault. these are due to known manufacturing defects. addressing these concerns was expensive and also required a replacement of the front passenger airbag.
Crash-test ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Tesla Model 3 DR RWD | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated | Not rated |
Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering Model 3. Last refreshed 2026-09-29.