Is the 2023 Tesla Model 3 a bad year?
429 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Model 3 years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2023 Tesla Model 3 are in line with other Model 3 years. Collision avoidance stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2023 Model 3 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 3,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collision avoidanceSTANDS OUT | 179 (42%) | 1k–8k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 51 (12%) | 9k–34k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| SteeringSTANDS OUT | 89 (21%) | too few with a mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 69 (16%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 56 (13%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Lane assist | 28 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 22 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 19 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 18 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 13 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seat belts | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 10 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Backup camera | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 9 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 3,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 429 complaints: 73 mention a crash · 1 mentions a fire · 37 report an injury · 56 say the car was towed.
53 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Oct 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2023 Tesla Model 3: 12
The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output. Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The rearview camera image may be delayed when the vehicle is placed in reverse. A delayed rearview image reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The printed circuit board for the electronic power steering assist may experience an overstress condition, causing a loss of power steering assist when the vehicle reaches a stop and then accelerates again. A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.
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.
In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged…
The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective. A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury.
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 complete stop… FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate. A taillight that fails to illuminate may reduce the visibility of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. A twisted side curtain air bag may improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury or occupant ejection during a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Tesla: 59
Repair instructions Tesla sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2023 Tesla Model 3. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
On certain Model 3 vehicles, brake lines may be corroded beyond acceptable limits, which may result in loss of brake fluid
Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies
Some vehicles may need a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) installed in the front passenger seat before servicing its subcomponents
On some Model 3 vehicles, water may have leaked inside the trunk area through the trunk lid
NHTSA defect investigations: 13
Lower Lateral Link detachment
FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions
Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged
Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements
Actually Smart Summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.
Neighbouring years
2022 Model 3: 774 complaints, keep it · 2024 Model 3: 223 complaints, keep it.
Every Tesla Model 3 year
2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Model 3 years side by side
Other Tesla models: Tesla Cybertruck · Tesla Model S · Tesla Model X · Tesla Model Y. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2023 Tesla Model 3 a bad year?
429 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Model 3 years. At 3,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Tesla Model 3?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: collision avoidance (179), electrical system (51), steering (89), speed control (69), brakes (56).
How many recalls does the 2023 Tesla Model 3 have?
12 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 26V-507), Backup camera (NHTSA 26V-283), Steering (NHTSA 25V-092), Tires (NHTSA 24V-935) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.