Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix
2020 vs 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.
First 71 months on market for each model year
Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026
Age-matched reports
▲ 65.2% more reports in the equal exposure window
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Component share shift
Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.
View component share data as a table
| Component | 2020 share | 2021 share | Share change |
|---|---|---|---|
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 31.2% | 56.1% | ▲ 25.0 pts larger share |
| SUSPENSION | 8.1% | 1.4% | ▼ 6.7 pts smaller share |
| AIR BAGS | 4.0% | 0.5% | ▼ 3.6 pts smaller share |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 6.5% | 3.5% | ▼ 3.0 pts smaller share |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 6.5% | 3.8% | ▼ 2.7 pts smaller share |
| STEERING | 3.8% | 2.0% | ▼ 1.8 pts smaller share |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 2.7% | 0.9% | ▼ 1.8 pts smaller share |
| STRUCTURE | 3.4% | 1.7% | ▼ 1.7 pts smaller share |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1.6% | 3.1% | ▲ 1.5 pts larger share |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 2.2% | 0.9% | ▼ 1.3 pts smaller share |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4.3% | 5.5% | ▲ 1.2 pts larger share |
| FUEL SYSTEM | 0.2% | 1.2% | ▲ 1.0 pts larger share |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.7% | 1.5% | ▲ 0.9 pts larger share |
| WHEELS | 1.6% | 0.8% | ▼ 0.8 pts smaller share |
| SEAT BELTS | 2.2% | 1.8% | ▼ 0.4 pts smaller share |
| ENGINE | 0.2% | 0.6% | ▲ 0.4 pts larger share |
| VISIBILITY | 3.1% | 3.1% | ▼ 0.1 pts smaller share |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 61.4% | 76.0% | ▲ 14.6 pts larger share |
NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22
Recall campaigns
Campaign components: AIR BAGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, SEAT BELTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STEERING, SUSPENSION, TIRES, and VISIBILITY
Campaign components: AIR BAGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE, SEAT BELTS, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, STEERING, SUSPENSION, TIRES, and VISIBILITY
NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21
Safety signals
- ◆ Fires
- 2 → 5
- ◆ Injuries
- 31 → 19