Electric cars · 4 model years, 2018 to 2023
Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model S: problems and reliability
On the 7 measures below that do not grow with sales, the Model 3 and the Model S split evenly (1 each, the rest too close to call).
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Sep 27, 2026
Scorecard
| Measure, 2018 to 2023 | Model 3 | Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints that report a crash | 9.5% | 10% |
| Complaints that report a fire | 0.5% | 0.8% |
| Complaints that report an injury | 4.1% | 3.2% |
| Median miles when problems are reported | 20,000 | 14,000 |
| Recall campaigns per model year | 7.5 | 7.5 |
| Do-not-drive recalls | 0 | 0 |
| NHTSA investigations | 17 | 18 |
The shaded side is lower (for miles, higher). Values within about a tenth of each other count as too close to call.
What owners complain about
The system Model 3 owners complain about most is collision avoidance, and it is the same for the Model S. Complaints citing collision avoidance make up 46% of all Model 3 complaints, against 24% on the Model S. The Model S leans the other way on steering: 14% of its complaints, against 8.0% for the Model 3.
Tesla Model 3Tesla Model S
Share of each model's complaints that cite each system, from NHTSA's own component codes. One complaint can cite several systems, so the shares add up to more than 100%.
The most reported problems
The most reported problem on the Model 3 is driver assist problems (27% of its complaints). On the Model S it is phantom braking (12% of its complaints), against 27% on the Model 3.
| Problem | Model 3 | Model S |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) | 27% 772most in 2022 · 6k mi | 12% 6945k mi |
| Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves | 27% 777most in 2022 · 4k mi | 10% 62 |
| Brakes grind, pulse or wear early | 15% 436most in 2022 · 8k mi | 9.5% 57most in 2018 |
| Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails | 8.8% 254most in 2018 · 24k mi | 9.4% 5620k mi |
| Suspension noise, struts or alignment | 7.9% 228most in 2018 · 30k mi | 7.5% 4515k mi |
| Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out | 8.2% 236most in 2022 · 9k mi | 4.7% 28 |
| Seat belt or seat problems | 7.2% 208most in 2018 · 57k mi | 2.3% 14 |
| Wheel bearing, tires or wheels | 2.0% 58most in 2018 · 15k mi | 6.5% 3910k mi |
Share of each model's own complaints, with the count beside it. "Most in" links to the symptom sheet for the model year with the most reports of it, and the mileage is the median from reports that gave one.
When problems start
Model S owners report problems earlier. Half the Model S complaints that give a mileage come before 14,000 miles; for the Model 3 the halfway point is 20,000. 77% of Model 3 reports and 87% of Model S reports come before 50,000 miles. Older model years have had longer to reach high mileage, so a window that runs to recent years pulls both medians down.
Tesla Model 3Tesla Model S
Share of the complaints that state a mileage: 504 for the Model 3 and 119 for the Model S.
Worst and best years
The 2022 Model 3 draws 1.7 times the complaints of a typical Model 3 year for its age. The 2016 Model S draws 2.1 times the complaints of a typical Model S year for its age.
Tesla Model S
Tesla Model 3Tesla Model S
Each bar is that model year's complaints for each year on the road, divided by the same figure for a typical year of the same model (the dashed line). Measuring each model against itself takes the sales gap between the two out of the picture, so they can share a scale. Years too new to judge are left out.
Recalls and investigations
The two draw recalls at about the same rate: 7.5 campaigns per model year for the Model 3 and 7.5 for the Model S. A recall counts once however many cars it covers, so this figure does not grow with sales the way complaint totals do.
Tesla Model 3
30 recall campaigns and 17 NHTSA investigations across these model years. Most recalled: electrical (10), seat belts (3) and collision avoidance (3).
- 23V-085 (steering) covers 4 model years
- 23V-838 (electrical) covers 4 model years
Investigations
- PE26006: Lower lateral link detachment (open)
- EA26002: Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions (open)
- DP25002: Emergency egress controls are not readily accessible and clearly identifiable. (closed)
Tesla Model S
30 recall campaigns and 18 NHTSA investigations across these model years. Most recalled: electrical (7), backup camera (5) and airbags (5).
- 23V-085 (steering) covers 4 model years
- 23V-838 (electrical) covers 4 model years
Investigations
- EA26002: Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions (open)
- PE25012: Traffic safety violations while full self driving ("fsd") is engaged (open)
- PE24033: Actually smart summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts. (closed)
Whether a particular car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Crashes, fires and injuries
Crashes turn up in about the same share of complaints on both (9.5% and 10%). Fire reports: 14 for the Model 3 and 5 for the Model S. Complaints on file report 10 deaths in the Model 3 and 1 in the Model S for these model years.
Tesla Model 3Tesla Model S
Share of each model's complaints in which the owner reported it. These are owners' own accounts as filed with NHTSA, and one report on its own doesn't prove a defect.
Questions
Is the Tesla Model 3 or the Tesla Model S more reliable?
On the 7 measures below that do not grow with sales, the Model 3 and the Model S split evenly (1 each, the rest too close to call). NHTSA complaint totals cannot settle it alone: the Model 3 has 2,877 complaints and the Model S 597 for the 4 model years from 2018 to 2023 that both have on file, and those totals follow how many of each were sold.
Which has more recalls, the Model 3 or the Model S?
The Model 3 has 30 recall campaigns and the Model S 30 across the 4 model years from 2018 to 2023 that both have on file. The two draw recalls at about the same rate: 7.5 campaigns per model year for the Model 3 and 7.5 for the Model S.
What are the most common problems on the Model 3 and the Model S?
The most reported problem on the Model 3 is driver assist problems (27% of its complaints). On the Model S it is phantom braking (12% of its complaints), against 27% on the Model 3.
More comparisons
- Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model Y2020 to 2026
- Tesla Model 3 vs Hyundai Ioniq 52022 to 2026