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2018 Tesla Model 3 Electrical System Problems

NHTSA component category: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · data through 07/12/2026

157Electrical System complaints
16%Of all 982 complaints
#3Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How electrical system ranks on this vehicle

Unspecified / other170 · 17.3%
SUSPENSION166 · 16.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM157 · 16%
AIR BAGS129 · 13.1%

Share of the 982 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Tesla Model 3 overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH ELECTRONIC DOORS THAT RELEASED THE LATCH WHEN THE…”NHTSA complaint 11289911 — filed 12/18/2019
“ABOUT 6 WEEEKS AGO THE HORN ON MY TESLA MODEL 3 STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE HAD ONE VERY CLOSE CALL WHERE I ALMOST GOT IN…”NHTSA complaint 11252602 — filed 08/31/2019
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TOUCH SCREEN FAILED TO ACTIVATE AND WENT BLANK. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED…”NHTSA complaint 11245053 — filed 08/19/2019

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Electrical System complaints by year filed

120189201910202010202132202239202334202414202582026

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Tesla Model 3 have electrical system problems?

Electrical System is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 2018 Tesla Model 3: 157 of 982 complaints on file (16%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2018 Tesla Model 3 have in total?

982 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 100 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 42 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's electrical system category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.