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RECALLROADTHE CAMPAIGN RECORD

MODEL-YEAR RECALL REPORT

2018 Tesla Model 3 recalls

NHTSA's September 21, 2026 snapshot lists 19 safety recall campaigns for the 2018 Tesla Model 3, spanning 9 component groups. A model match does not confirm that a specific VIN is included.

Official source: NHTSA recall campaign file · Snapshot September 21, 2026

Distinct campaigns19not VIN-specific
Component groups9distinct top-level categories
Latest recordAugust 4, 2026report received
VIN resultNot checkeduse official lookup

01 / OFFICIAL CAMPAIGNS

2018 Tesla Model 3 recall campaigns

The 2018 Tesla Model 3 report contains 19 distinct NHTSA campaigns; the most recently received record is campaign 26V507000 dated August 4, 2026.
Component
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Report received
August 4, 2026
Potential units
20,349campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. The headlight low beams may be too bright and exceed the maximum light output. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".

Why it matters: Headlight low beams that are too bright can reduce visibility for oncoming drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

The remedy is currently under development. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed October 3, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-17-003.

Owner notification: Date not reported · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Component
TIRES
Report received
December 17, 2024
Potential units
696,281campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems.".

Why it matters: Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-018.

Owner notification: February 15, 2025 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Component
SEAT BELTS
Report received
May 28, 2024
Potential units
125,233campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".

Why it matters: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.

Owner notification: July 26, 2024 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Report received
February 27, 2024
Potential units
6,557campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.".

Why it matters: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.

Owner notification: April 27, 2024 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Report received
January 30, 2024
Potential units
2,193,869campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems.".

Why it matters: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.

Owner notification: February 21, 2024 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Report received
December 12, 2023
Potential units
2,031,220campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. 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.

Why it matters: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.

Owner notification: February 10, 2024 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 23V235000

Component
SUSPENSION
Report received
March 31, 2023
Potential units
422campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.

Why it matters: A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-31-001. This recall is an expansion of previous recall number 21V-835.

Owner notification: May 30, 2023 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Component
STEERING
Report received
February 15, 2023
Potential units
362,758campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

Why it matters: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.

Owner notification: April 15, 2023 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 22V798000

Component
SEAT BELTS
Report received
October 21, 2022
Potential units
24,064campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The second-row left seat belt buckle and second-row center seat belt anchor may have been incorrectly reassembled during vehicle service.

Why it matters: An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Tesla Service will inspect and reassemble the seat belt anchors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-004.

Owner notification: December 20, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Component
VISIBILITY
Report received
September 19, 2022
Potential units
1,096,762campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems.".

Why it matters: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.

Owner notification: March 31, 2023 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 22V263000

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Report received
April 18, 2022
Potential units
48,184campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Model 3 Performance vehicles. 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.".

Why it matters: The driver may not know how fast the vehicle is traveling without the mph or km/h unit display, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-008.

Owner notification: June 17, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Report received
April 12, 2022
Potential units
594,894campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.".

Why it matters: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V-063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V-063 will need to have the new remedy software installed.

Owner notification: June 6, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 22V169000

Component
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Report received
March 18, 2022
Potential units
947campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".

Why it matters: A delayed rearview camera image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-004.

Owner notification: May 17, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Report received
February 4, 2022
Potential units
578,607campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles.".

Why it matters: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall has been superseded by Recall 22V-235. Tesla's number for the new recall is SB-22-00-003.

Owner notification: April 12, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS
Report received
February 1, 2022
Potential units
817,143campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".

Why it matters: The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.

Owner notification: April 1, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Component
STEERING
Report received
January 27, 2022
Potential units
53,822campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. 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.

Why it matters: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.

Owner notification: March 28, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 21V00D000

Component
BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY
Report received
December 21, 2021
Potential units
356,309campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

Why it matters: A rearview camera that does not function reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla Service will inspect and install a guide protector and new cable harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-17-008.

Owner notification: April 25, 2022 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

Component
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Report received
October 29, 2021
Potential units
11,728campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.

Why it matters: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.

Owner notification: October 25, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

CAMPAIGN

NHTSA 21V389000

Component
SEAT BELTS
Report received
May 25, 2021
Potential units
5,530campaign-wide
Defect and consequence

Defect: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached.

Why it matters: An improperly attached fastener may prevent the seat belt system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Tesla Service will inspect and repair both fasteners if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-001.

Owner notification: July 23, 2021 · Filing manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.

02 / COMPONENT BREADTH

What defects are listed for the 2018 Tesla Model 3?

The most frequent component groups in 2018 Tesla Model 3 campaign records are Electrical System (8), Seat Belts (4), Forward Collision Avoidance (4), Back Over Prevention (2), Visibility (2); these counts describe filed campaigns rather than observed failure rates.
Electrical System8
Seat Belts4
Forward Collision Avoidance4
Back Over Prevention2
Visibility2