Model year 2026 · Midsize Cars

2026 Tesla Model 3: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2026 Tesla Model 3 at 111–139 MPGe combined with 309–363 miles of EPA-rated range across 5 versions. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 29 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

1

EPA combined MPGe

111–139

NHTSA overall rating

5/5

Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Tesla dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2026 Tesla Model 3 recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2026 Tesla Model 3, newest first.

Seats: Critical fasteners

NHTSA 25V410000 Reported Jun 18, 2025
Filed by
Tesla, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SB-25-13-003)
Units affected
48 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2026 Tesla Model 3 fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination; electric figures are in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2026 Tesla Model 3 EPA fuel economy
VersionEngineTransmissionDriveFuelCity/Hwy/CombElectric rangeFuel cost/yrCO2 g/mi
Model 3 PerformanceElectric (88 and 208 kW AC Induction)Single-speedAll-Wheel DriveElectricity120/107/114 MPGe309 mi
29.6 kWh/100 mi		$6500
Model 3 Performance AWDElectric (88 and 208 kW ACPM 3-Phase)Single-speedAll-Wheel DriveElectricity117/106/111 MPGe314 mi
30.2 kWh/100 mi		$7000
Model 3 Premium AWDElectric (88 and 208 kW AC Induction)Single-speedAll-Wheel DriveElectricity133/122/128 MPGe346 mi
26.4 kWh/100 mi		$6000
Model 3 Premium RWDElectric (225 kW ACPM 3-Phase)Single-speedRear-Wheel DriveElectricity145/128/137 MPGe363 mi
24.6 kWh/100 mi		$5500
Model 3 Standard RWDElectric (225 kW ACPM 3-Phase)Single-speedRear-Wheel DriveElectricity147/130/139 MPGe321 mi
24.3 kWh/100 mi		$5500

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2026 Tesla Model 3 crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2026 Tesla Model 3 NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicleOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover riskForward collision warning
2026 TESLA MODEL 3 4 DR BEV AWD5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars6.8%Standard
2026 TESLA MODEL 3 4 DR BEV RWD5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars6.8%Standard
2026 TESLA MODEL 3 EARLY RELEASE 4 DR BEV AWD5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars6.8%No
2026 TESLA MODEL 3 EARLY RELEASE 4 DR BEV RWD5 stars5 stars5 stars5 stars6.8%No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2026 Tesla Model 3 owner complaints

Owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA about the 2026 Tesla Model 3, most recently on Oct 15, 2026. 9 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2026 Tesla Model 3 complaints
Component named in complaintsMentions
Unknown or other10
Steering7
Back over prevention: Warnings4
Forward collision avoidance: Adaptive cruise control4
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking4
Lane departure: Assist2
Lane departure: Blind spot detection2
Structure: Body2
Suspension2
Vehicle speed control2

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Tesla Model 3 model years

Tesla Model 3 by model year
YearCombinedRecallsComplaintsOverall rating
2027 Model 3111 MPGe———
2025 Model 3109–137 MPGe3123—
2024 Model 3112–137 MPGe5222—
2023 Model 3113–132 MPGe124285/5
2022 Model 3113–132 MPGe187735/5
2021 Model 3113–142 MPGe226745/5
2020 Model 3113–141 MPGe214525/5
2019 Model 3116–133 MPGe226205/5
2018 Model 3116–130 MPGe191,0355/5
2017 Model 3126 MPGe1627—

All Tesla Model 3 years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2026 Tesla models

2026 Tesla Cybertruck2026 Tesla Model S2026 Tesla Model X2026 Tesla Model Y

Sources

  • Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 28, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
  • Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
  • Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
  • Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
  • NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Tesla.