Electric cars · model years 2020 to 2026
Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model Y: problems and reliability
On the 7 measures below that do not grow with sales, the Model 3 looks better on 3 and the Model Y on 1, with 3 too close to call.
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Sep 27, 2026
Scorecard
| Measure, 2020 to 2026 | Model 3 | Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints that report a crash | 11% | 13% |
| Complaints that report a fire | 0.5% | 0.6% |
| Complaints that report an injury | 4.9% | 4.7% |
| Median miles when problems are reported | 10,000 | 13,000 |
| Recall campaigns per model year | 4.9 | 6.1 |
| Do-not-drive recalls | 0 | 0 |
| NHTSA investigations | 16 | 17 |
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 Y. Complaints citing collision avoidance make up 51% of all Model 3 complaints, against 46% on the Model Y. The Model Y leans the other way on suspension: 7.3% of its complaints, against 3.9% for the Model 3.
Tesla Model 3Tesla Model Y
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 (31% of its complaints), and the Model Y shares it (25%).
| Problem | Model 3 | Model Y |
|---|---|---|
| Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves | 31% 813most in 2022 · 3k mi | 25% 1,046most in 2021 · 4k mi |
| Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) | 30% 792most in 2022 · 5k mi | 22% 930most in 2021 · 4k mi |
| Brakes grind, pulse or wear early | 15% 408most in 2022 · 7k mi | 14% 571most in 2021 · 6k mi |
| Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails | 7.7% 205most in 2021 · 15k mi | 11% 457most in 2023 · 14k mi |
| Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out | 8.9% 237most in 2022 · 4k mi | 8.9% 369most in 2021 · 4k mi |
| Suspension noise, struts or alignment | 3.8% 101most in 2020 · 19k mi | 7.3% 304most in 2023 · 31k mi |
| Seat belt or seat problems | 3.5% 94most in 2020 · 35k mi | 4.1% 170most in 2023 · 22k mi |
| Power steering cuts out or goes heavy | 3.2% 84most in 2023 · 5k mi | 3.6% 151most in 2023 · 32k 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 3 owners report problems earlier. Half the Model 3 complaints that give a mileage come before 10,000 miles; for the Model Y the halfway point is 13,000. 85% of Model 3 reports and 83% of Model Y 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 Y
Share of the complaints that state a mileage: 308 for the Model 3 and 521 for the Model Y.
Worst and best years
The 2022 Model 3 draws 1.7 times the complaints of a typical Model 3 year for its age. The 2023 Model Y draws 1.7 times the complaints of a typical Model Y year for its age.
Tesla Model 3Tesla Model Y
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 Model Y draws more recalls: 6.1 campaigns per model year against 4.9 for the Model 3. 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
34 recall campaigns and 16 NHTSA investigations across these model years. Most recalled: electrical (11), backup camera (4) and seat belts (3).
- 24V-935 (tires) covers 6 model years
- 23V-085 (steering) 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 Y
43 recall campaigns and 17 NHTSA investigations across these model years. Most recalled: electrical (11), suspension (5) and collision avoidance (4).
- 24V-935 (tires) covers 6 model years
- 24V-051 (electrical) covers 5 model years
Investigations
- PE26006: Lower lateral link detachment (open)
- EA26002: Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions (open)
- PE25012: Traffic safety violations while full self driving ("fsd") is engaged (open)
Whether a particular car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Crashes, fires and injuries
A larger share of Model Y complaints report a crash: 13%, against 11% for the Model 3. Fire reports: 13 for the Model 3 and 26 for the Model Y. Complaints on file report 12 deaths in the Model 3 and 109 in the Model Y for these model years.
Tesla Model 3Tesla Model Y
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 Y more reliable?
On the 7 measures below that do not grow with sales, the Model 3 looks better on 3 and the Model Y on 1, with 3 too close to call. NHTSA complaint totals cannot settle it alone: the Model 3 has 2,662 complaints and the Model Y 4,169 for model years 2020 to 2026, and those totals follow how many of each were sold.
Which has more recalls, the Model 3 or the Model Y?
The Model 3 has 34 recall campaigns and the Model Y 43 across model years 2020 to 2026. The Model Y draws more recalls: 6.1 campaigns per model year against 4.9 for the Model 3.
What are the most common problems on the Model 3 and the Model Y?
The most reported problem on the Model 3 is driver assist problems (31% of its complaints), and the Model Y shares it (25%).
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