Lemon Law Check › 2021 Tesla Model 3
Complaint counts by vehicle system, from 640 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Tesla Model 3:
| Forward collision avoidance | 207 complaints |
|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 107 complaints |
| Service brakes | 70 complaints |
| Unknown or other | 65 complaints |
| Electrical system | 62 complaints |
| Steering | 24 complaints |
"After the latest update the tesla autopilot feature is very unsafe to use. the screen constantly pings and nags the driver to pay attention drawing my attention away from the road. the system has become so sensitive that adjusting the ac down a degree causes the warning to pop…"
— owner complaint filed with NHTSA, 12/31/2023
"My car experienced a problem with the control arms and based on my research this is a known problem with tesla model 3 yet a recall hasn’t been issued"
— owner complaint filed with NHTSA, 12/30/2024
"The supermanifold failed, causing the front defroster to not work properly, resulting in loss of visibility in freezing temperatures. this is a common problem with 2021/2022 model 3/model y with the new heat pump that was supposed to be fixed with a software update, but was n…"
— owner complaint filed with NHTSA, 12/28/2022
| Electrical system:adas:autonomous/self driving:software 27/01/2022 · 22V037000 | 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… |
|---|---|
| Air bags:side/window:curtain 25/10/2021 · 21V834000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag. As such, these vehicles f… |
| Suspension:critical fasteners 25/10/2021 · 21V835000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame. |
| Electrical system:software 01/02/2022 · 22V045000 | 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 su… |
| Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper 25/05/2021 · 21V387000 | Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim. |
| Forward collision avoidance: sensing system: camera 29/10/2021 · 21V846000 | 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 act… |
Recall repairs are performed free of charge at franchised dealers. Check your specific vehicle with the free VIN recall checker.
If the same warranty problem has needed 2+ repair attempts — or your Model 3 has spent 30+ days out of service — it may qualify for a buyback, replacement, or cash compensation under your state's lemon law. Manufacturers pay the legal fees in most states, so the case review costs you nothing.
Check My Model 3 — Free →Based on 640 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas for the 2021 Tesla Model 3 are forward collision avoidance, vehicle speed control, service brakes.
NHTSA lists 21 recall campaigns for the 2021 Tesla Model 3. Recall repairs are always free at franchised dealers regardless of warranty status.
A specific vehicle qualifies as a lemon based on its own repair history, not the model's overall record. If your Model 3 has had forward collision avoidance or other warranty problems repaired 2–4 times without success, or has spent 30+ days in the shop, it may qualify under your state's lemon law — attorneys evaluate this free of charge.
Researching this car as a buyer instead? Read the full Carivo review of the 2021 Tesla Model 3.
All recall and complaint figures on this page come directly from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) federal records for this make, model, and year, fetched at page build time and cached daily. Complaint excerpts are owner-submitted reports to NHTSA, lightly truncated. Carivo is an independent data site, not a law firm; lemon law eligibility is determined solely by attorneys under your state's statute.