2024 Tesla Model 3
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Forward collision avoidance is the leading concern among 217 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 9 Model 3 model years with reports.
Of the 2024 reports, 25 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 19 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, bumpersJul 7, 2026
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y and 2024 Model 3 vehicles. The vehicles were originally built for a foreign market and do not have knee air bags, may not be equipped with certain interior safety countermeasures, and may not have been tested for bumper impact resistance procedures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers, 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact," and Part 581, "Bumper Standards."
A noncompliant vehicle may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or resolutions@tesla.com. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-004.
Campaign 26V445000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, softwareJan 7, 2025
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."
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 recall is SB-25-00-001.
Campaign 25V002000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, pressure monitoring and regulating systemsDec 17, 2024
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."
Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 24V935000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchJul 24, 2024
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
Campaign 24V554000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/window, thoraxApr 19, 2024
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling one 2024 Model 3 vehicle. The driver seat side air bag module was assembled without a deflector that directs gas flow during deployment.
Without a deflector, the air bag may deploy improperly, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Tesla service replaced the side air bag, free of charge. The affected vehicle was repaired April 12, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-13-001.
Campaign 24V284000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
217 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Electrical system, Feb 17, 2025
This is the 3rd or 4th time I have observed sudden unexpected acceleration when at a full stop at a light while using FSD Supervised (v13.2.7 just updated). It first happened 2 or 3 times on FSD v13.2.6 when mine was the lead car at stop lights. This time I was at a stop light but obviously not the lead car. The truck in front of me was blocking view of the traffic lights. Each time, I have hit the brakes immediately, so I don't know if the vehicle would stop on its own during these situations, but I have no issues with it safely braking at any other time. Other than this intermittent glitch, FSD has been flawless on the HW4 next generation computer, which may lead to driver complacency not expecting this. I am reporting for awareness & hopefully correction. I have MP4 video files of the incident, but I cannot upload them here.
Other or unspecified, Feb 17, 2025
During freeway driving, turn signal buttons located on the steering wheel, which when working properly produce a tactile click, fail to click and engage the turn indicator. A service visit to Tesla resulted in technician unable to replicate the issue. I was instructed to date stamp the problem. The next time I drove the car on the freeway, the problem repeated.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2025
Turn signal capacitive buttons are incredibly hazardous for safe driving. They are failing to register inputs for me regularly as resting your finger on one as is natural in a normal driving position, locks the signal out for a period of time. I had to look down trying to work out why the signal button was not registering my intent to change lanes on a freeway causing significant distraction at a critical time. Manufacturer refuses to do anything as they say it is just normal for the vehicle.
Steering, Feb 10, 2025
Vehicle was functioning normally prior to this event. Around 17:30 on 02/10/25 I arrived at airport terminal to pick someone up. I exited vehicle, opened trunk then went back inside vehicle. Upon putting the vehicle in drive I noticed problem with power steering. I had to use excessive force to turn the wheel. I drove forward 100 feet, then pulled over and called Tesla Support. After describing the issue to the agent, she instructed me to put vehicle in park and press and hold both scroll wheels on steering wheel to perform system reset. After 2 attempts the issue persisted. I then exited the vehicle, locked it manually from the app. After 5 seconds I opened the vehicle, put it in drive and steering worked properly. Dry conditions - outside temperature about 30F I noticed that NHTSA is already investigating this issue for certain Tesla Model 3 and Model Y where power steering stopped working. While my issue happened while vehicle was stopped, I am concerned about it happening again while driving on highway
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2025
This vehicle has push button turn signals that have replaced traditional steering wheel stalks. These can be difficult and dangerous to use as the steering wheel is being turned especially when you are trying to signal direction in the now numerous round-abouts that are installed in Florida and around the nation. They are also dangerous to operate during night time driving. I believe Tesla should recall these vehicles and install steering wheel stalks similar to their older model cars and which have been in use on all the vehicles I have operated in the past 60 years. It is not a matter of just getting used to their operation. It is a bad design.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 31, 2025
Specifically when in somewhat cool and cold temperatures the Front Drive Unit is emitting abnormal high pitched sound that is intermittent at times and that is causing a distraction while driving and is very bothersome. Tesla acknowledged they hear it but nothing is being done about. Front Drive Unit should be replaced.
Forward collision avoidance, Jan 25, 2025
The front camera that is known as Tesla vision consistently stays fogged up. This creates an issue when using auto-pilot that makes the car beep loudly and disengage auto-pilot putting others at risk if the car disengages and the driver is not quick enough to respond to the the disengagement. After several months of this and the problem does not go away after following Teslas advice per their user manual of pre conditioning the car and de fogging the windshield for a long period of time, I have scheduled a service appointment. The vehicle I own has not been inspected by Tesla, nor a third party service at the moment. There is no warning when the system will deactivate and I have had it happen several times on corners which is very concerning and scary when in the vehicle.
Back over prevention, Jan 16, 2025
When backing out, software doesn’t emergency brake or scream/beep/siren etc (no audible sound) when car is coming, just shows a red light on the screen. Every other manufacturer has this audible and emergency feature. My relative had hit their Tesla with another car since there was no beep or emergency braking with another car behind them. I have talked to many other people and they have said the same thing. It’s just a tiny red line that’s on the screen camera which makes no sense for a high tech car.
Wheels, Jan 11, 2025
This is an ongoing issue since I bought this car. There is a vibration felt in the steering and throughout the entire car when driving both at low and high speed. It is felt more when driving at higher speeds.Does not seem to be an alignment issue. Car was taken to service center multiple times and will be going again in a few days to attempt to diagnose this issue. I do not know the source of this issue but it causes a lot of concern while driving. Unsure whether something will break apart or will lose control of car etc.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2025
Touch activated car signal buttons often cease to work or allow input preventing safe and legally required signaling to show intended path of car to pedestrians and other vehicles. Tesla say it’s normal behavior and won’t repair.
Electrical system, Jan 10, 2025
Rear Display (1875931-00-D) glass breaking without any impact. Tesla Service Center refused to honor warranty repair.
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2025
In instances of rain or snow. The horn along with the pedestrian warning system do not function properly and aren’t audible. It appears to me that there is water intrusion into the speaker of which the horn and pedestrian warning system both use and that is what muffles the sound.
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2025
In rainy conditions the horn does not perform as expected
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2025
Car horn is muffled or no sound when driving in rain or exposed to water. It takes 30min-4h to dry out to be fully functional again
Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2025
Car horn is muffled or no sound when driving in rain or exposed to water. It takes 30min-4h to dry out to be fully functional again
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 10, 2025
When vehicle is in rain or sub-freezing conditions, the horn completely stops functioning. Took vehicle to Tesla Service and was told, "Technician inspected and found the vehicles horn to be working as expected at this time. Technician noted that under heavy rain/snow the vehicles horn may not work as expected due to water accumulation in the cut out for the horn." The issue is reproducible every time the vehicle is exposed to rain or snow.
Forward collision avoidance, Electrical system, Jan 8, 2025
12/26/2024 around 5-6pm, Full Self Drive abruptly tried to accelerate into the intersection while sitting at a stop light. I stopped it immediately but was very surprised as FSD v13 has been exceedingly reliable and a pleasure to drive. This is the 2nd time this has happened after the holiday update of FSD 2024.45.25.5 (v13.2.2). Both times mine was the lead car at the light with no others ahead of me. This behavior has been reported multiple times in social media groups this past week by other FSD users. I entered a Tesla service request but have not heard back other than an automated appointment scheduled at the service center 8 weeks from my request and the incident.
Exterior lighting, Jan 6, 2025
The contact owns a 2024 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while using the right turn signal, the signal seized and failed to turn off and remained engaged. The vehicle was taken to the Tesla Service Center; however, the service tech was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The Tesla Service Center declined to provide a steering wheel replacement. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 1,800.
Steering, Jan 3, 2025
The turn signal often fails to operate. It features haptic feedback instead of a physical button. This design is impractical, potentially dangerous, and unwise for use in vehicles.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2025
The turn signal buttons stick when pressed sometimes and don’t activate the turn signal. You have to keep pressing repeatedly which causes a hazard
Exterior lighting, Jan 1, 2025
Turn signal button frequently gets stuck and will not activate. This prevents driver from being able to properly signal when changing lanes and causes very dangerous situations, particularly when trying to exit the highway. My vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer, but this issue is very common across owners' forums. No warning signs or messages prior to failure.
Other or unspecified, Dec 29, 2024
the vehicle consistently has pillar camera blockage warnings. I have had this repaired once but it still happens. this would not be a problem except the vehicle offers no other cruise control than adaptive. my concern is the vehicle consistently has phantom braking ( listed in a separate complaint I have made). I am concerned the two issues are related. the last time this happened is reported below.
Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 29, 2024
the car consistently has phantom braking. the speed will drop around 15 miles of speed immediately. it also will slow on rolling hills and random long turns on cruise control. most recent date listed
Other or unspecified, Dec 27, 2024
The new steering wheel design has buttons for left and right turn signaling. These buttons often get stuck/jammed and prevents the driver from successfully signaling. This is dangerous on the freeway where you are having to fiddle with the jammed buttons while lane changing at high speeds.
Steering, Dec 24, 2024
Vehicle Information: 2024 Tesla Model 3 Description of the Problem: We purchased a brand-new 2024 Tesla Model 3 just seven days ago, and we’ve already encountered a serious safety issue: the turn signal frequently fails to function. This problem compromises our ability to signal lane changes or turns, putting our safety and the safety of others at risk, particularly in high-traffic or highway conditions. Inspection and Reproduction: We took the car to Tesla Service, and the service advisor confirmed that this is a known issue with the vehicle. The malfunction has been reproduced and verified by Tesla Service. Safety Risks: The inability to use the turn signal effectively creates a significant safety hazard, as other drivers cannot anticipate our intended movements. This increases the likelihood of accidents, especially during lane changes or turns. Inspection by Authorities: The vehicle has been inspected by Tesla Service, but no inspection has been conducted by any other authorities, such as insurance representatives or law enforcement. Warning Signs: There were no prior warning lights or error messages. The issue became apparent when the turn signal intermittently failed to activate. Request for Action: We are requesting an immediate resolution to this issue, including a repair or replacement of the faulty system, as well as updates on Tesla’s efforts to address this known defect. If no fix is currently available, we request clear communication regarding the timeline for a resolution and any interim safety measures that can mitigate this risk.