2018 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet
Battery dies or the car will not start
- 32owner reports
- 50,000median miles
- $1,800median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 6, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
170 of the 1,026 complaints on this car are about the electrical system. 32 of those describe dead battery.
Tick what matches of 32 reports
Dead battery on other Model 3 years
No other Model 3 model year has enough reports of dead battery for a sheet of its own. See every Model 3 year.
What this problem usually is
These owners walk out to a car that's dead. Some find it drained after sitting only a day or two, some need a jump start every week, and some have had the battery replaced more than once without the problem going away. A good number describe the dealer testing the battery, calling it fine, and sending them home.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (32 reports).
Recalls and investigations
8 recalls on the electrical system cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights.
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.
The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedometer while in Track Mode. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt.
The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
All 19 recalls on the 2018 Tesla Model 3, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the electrical system on the Model 3
Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions. Open.
Traffic safety violations while full self driving ("fsd") is engaged. Open.
Compliance with standing general order 2021-01 reporting requirements. Open.
Actually smart summon sessions resulting in low-speed impacts.. Closed apr 3, 2026.
Fsd collisions in reduced roadway visibility conditions. Closed mar 18, 2026.
Recall 23v838 remedy effectiveness. Open.
Pedestrian alert sounds. Closed aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V-063.
Autopilot system driver controls. Closed apr 25, 2024, led to recall 23V-085.
Tesla passenger play. Closed may 26, 2023.
Autopilot & first responder scenes. Closed jun 8, 2022.
Sudden unintended acceleration. Closed jan 8, 2021.
What owners paid
15 of the 32 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $504 to $2,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 63,617 miles, from the 11 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 8 service bulletins or notices for the 2018 Tesla Model 3 that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
The clamshell graft inside the HV battery was not fastened to Tesla?s internal specifications. This condition might result in a reduction of vehicle driving range.
The HV battery on some Model 3 vehicles might produce a subtle "thunk" noise when ascending or descending a mountain, or during Supercharging in colder climates.
On some Model 3 vehicles with the Long Range HV battery, a few cell interconnects within the HV battery are missing. This condition might result in a reduction of vehicle driving range.
On certain Model 3 vehicles, the charge port power terminals have pin deadfronts that might become dislodged from the terminals, causing the charge handle to not fully connect to the vehicle and therefore preventing the High Voltage (HV) battery from charging.
4 more on the 2018 Tesla Model 3 page.
What owners wrote
“Power Coversion System (PCS) failed on vehicle Causing issues with charging No User facing errors to alert of issues prior to problem (hidden in service menu) - preventing owners from claiming under basic 50k mile warranty. Stated as not part of HV Battery warranty and replacement is ~$2000 Advised to replace or could leave car unusable.”
Filed Feb 14, 2025
“The PASSEMBLY POWER CONVERSION SYSTEM- 48AMP 1PHASE(1135558-04-A part is part of the powertrain attached to the battery pack.. Without it, the car is unable to charge. This failed at approximately 32,000 miles on 8/29/23 on my 2018 Tesla Model 3. The repair was not covered under the powertrain warrenty despite being a critical component.”
Filed Sep 6, 2023 · 32,000 miles
“The power conversion system is failing in the car and Tesla is not covering it under the Battery Limited Warranty. The car only has about 30,000 miles on it.”
Filed Aug 29, 2023 · 30,000 miles
“Charging power conversion system component fail to take the full capacity the charging station able to give causing very slow charging. Warranty was not covered and costing over $1500 to fix & replace. When asked that this should be Battery warranty, I was turned down and was told that it's not 'part of the battery'. This is safety concern and fire hazard”
Filed May 10, 2023
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 32 reports involved a crash and 1 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 186 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 152 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 142 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 131 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 100 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 88 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 82 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 38 reports
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) does something unsafe 29 reports
- Wheel bearing, tires or wheels 26 reports