2026 Tesla Model 3
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Driver Assistance & Speed Control
Driver Assistance & Speed Control leads by volume: 11 of 20 complaints (55%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 114 in 2025 to 20 in 2026.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | vs. 2026 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 550–700 | 550–700 | 550–700 | |
| Combined MPGe | 112–137 | 109–137 | 111–139 | |
| City / Highway MPGe | 117–145 / 107–128 | 113–145 / 104–128 | 117–147 / 106–130 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Complaints filed | 216 | 114 | 20 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 3 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 25 | 24 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 19 | 7 | 3 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 4 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2026 Tesla Model 3 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2026 Tesla Model 3?
Driver Assistance & Speed Control: 11 of 20 NHTSA complaints (55%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2026 Tesla Model 3 get?
EPA rates it 111–139 MPGe combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2026 Tesla Model 3?
EPA estimates $550–$700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Midsize Cars | 120 MPGe | 107 MPGe | 114 MPGe | $650 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Midsize Cars | 133 MPGe | 122 MPGe | 128 MPGe | $600 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Midsize Cars | 145 MPGe | 128 MPGe | 137 MPGe | $550 (low) | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | All-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Midsize Cars | 117 MPGe (low) | 106 MPGe (low) | 111 MPGe (low) | $700 (high) | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Midsize Cars | 147 MPGe (high) | 130 MPGe (high) | 139 MPGe (high) | $550 (low) | 0 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS · Campaign 25V410000 · Jun 18, 2025
Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The fasteners attaching the seat back to the seat bottom may have been improperly tightened.
Consequence: The seat may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service Centers will inspect and tighten or replace the seat assembly fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 16, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-13-003.