Model research hub
Tesla Model 3
Car and Driver rates the Model 3 10/10 as an Editors' Choice, saying one of the first and most recognizable players in the segment, it remains a textbook example of an electric compact sedan, with quick acceleration, long-range estimates, and impressively fast charging times, though it relies too heavily on the touchscreen for basic functions and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still puzzlingly absent, recommending the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Kia EV4, or BMW i4 for shoppers put off by that reliance. MotorTrend rates the Model 3 9.5/10, saying it's the latest version of a car originally introduced in 2017 that helped popularize electric cars in a way few others have, cruising into 2026 largely unchanged after a comprehensive 'Highland' update for 2024, but with a new Model 3 Standard variant that cuts out features for a lower starting price, and while quieter and more comfortable than before with most models EPA-rated at 300-plus miles of range, MotorTrend says every passing year makes it more difficult to look beyond the competition as rivals like the updated Hyundai Ioniq 6, BMW i4, and Mercedes-Benz CLA electric catch up.
A textbook electric compact sedan
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) rates the Model 3 10/10 as an Editors' Choice, saying it remains a textbook example of an electric compact sedan, with quick acceleration, long-range estimates, and impressively fast charging times, though it relies too heavily on the touchscreen for basic functions and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are still puzzlingly absent.
The car that helped popularize EVs
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) rates the Model 3 9.5/10, saying it's the latest version of a car originally introduced in 2017 that helped popularize electric cars in a way few others have, cruising into 2026 largely unchanged after a comprehensive 'Highland' update for 2024, but with a new Model 3 Standard variant that cuts out features for a lower starting price.
The competition is catching up
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says while the Model 3 is quieter and more comfortable than before with most models EPA-rated at 300-plus miles of range, every passing year makes it more difficult to look beyond the competition as rivals like the updated Hyundai Ioniq 6, BMW i4, and Mercedes-Benz CLA electric catch up.
Questions buyers ask
Does the Tesla Model 3 have Apple CarPlay?
Car and Driver (opens in a new tab) says no, it's still absent.
Is there a cheaper Tesla Model 3 trim?
MotorTrend (opens in a new tab) says yes, the new Model 3 Standard variant.
Research map
Every major decision path.
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 is built around Electric motor(s), single or dual, rated at 271–510 horsepower across its electric sedan body style.
Explore this topic →02Trims and equipmentThe 2026 U.S. lineup has 4 trims.
Explore this topic →03Towing and capabilityThe most the 2026 Tesla Model 3 is published to tow is up to 2,200 lb (with official Tow Package, RWD and AWD; not offered on Performance).
Explore this topic →04Safety and ownershipNHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2026 Model 3.
Explore this topic →Current model year
2026 Tesla Model 3
Standard is single-motor RWD at 271 hp; Premium RWD steps up output slightly with the biggest battery for range; Premium AWD adds a second motor; Performance is the 510-horsepower flagship.
Read specifications, trims, answers and sourcesModel-year archive
7 indexed Tesla Model 3 model years.
| Model year | Trims | Open record |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Tesla Model 3 | 2027 record → | |
| 2026 Tesla Model 3 | 2026 record → | |
| 2025 Tesla Model 3 | 2025 record → | |
| 2024 Tesla Model 3 | 2024 record → | |
| 2022 Tesla Model 3 | 2022 record → | |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | 2020 record → | |
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | 2018 record → |
Background and safety record
What public sources say about the Tesla Model 3.
The Tesla Model 3 is a battery electric powered mid-size sedan with a fastback body style built by Tesla, Inc., introduced in 2017. The Model 3 was marketed as a more affordable option compared to Tesla's previous vehicles, the Model S and Model X. The Model 3 was the world's top-selling plug-in electric car for three years, from 2018 to 2020, before the Tesla Model Y, a crossover SUV based on the Model 3 chassis, took the top spot.
- Recalls and problems
- In December 2021, 356,309 Model 3 vehicles built between 2017 and 2020 were recalled because of the possibility of damage to the rear view camera wiring harness caused by trunk operation.
- Reception
- Car-design columnist and former car designer for GM Robert Cumberford said the Model 3 "is an excellent design" and praised the front fascia skin that he thinks is superior to the black plastic simulated grille of the pre-refresh Model S. Cumberford praised the Model 3's minimalist design, and "elegant simplicity" akin to Apple products.
- Awards
- Popular Mechanics named the Tesla Model 3 as the magazine's 2018 Car of the Year. Model 3 was given the 2018 Design of the Year award by Automobile magazine.
- Design
- In 2013, design chief Franz von Holzhausen called the Model 3, "an Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class type of vehicle that will offer everything: range, affordability, and performance" that is targeted toward the mass market.
- Production
- Gigafactory Shanghai has been producing the Model 3 since December 2019 for both the local China market and for export to other areas except the United States.
- Specifications
- Instead of a traditional induction motor, the Model 3's primary (rear) motor uses internal permanent magnets (IPM) with synchronous reluctance motor (SynRM) characteristics. Compared to an induction motor, the aluminum squirrel-cage rotor is replaced by an iron rotor, with slots cut into the metal where magnets are inserted in the internal core.
- Battery
- For the Model 3, Tesla initially decided to use 2170-type (21 mm diameter, 70 mm height) cylindrical cells. Compared with the 18650-type batteries that the company had been using since its first generation Roadster, the 2170 batteries were optimized for electric cars, allowing for a higher capacity per cell and a lower number of cells per battery pack.
Source: Tesla Model 3 (Wikipedia); safety and recall figures from NHTSA.
Recent recalls (7 campaigns across the latest model years)
- July 2026, Structure:Body:Bumpers. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2026 Model Y and 2024 Model 3 vehicles. The vehicles were originally built for a foreign market and do not have knee air bags, may not be equipped with certain interior safety countermeasures, and may not… Consequence: A noncompliant vehicle may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- October 2025, Electrical System:Propulsion System:Fuses, Relays, Contacts, And Shunts. Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles. The battery pack contactors may fail, causing a loss of drive power. Consequence: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
- June 2025, Seats:Critical Fasteners. 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. Consequence: The seat may not properly restrain the occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Owners filed 217 complaints with NHTSA for the 2024 Tesla Model 3, most often about unknown or other (70), forward collision avoidance (48), electrical system (44).
Year by year
The Tesla Model 3 across 11 model years.
| Model year | Combined MPG/MPGe | EPA annual fuel cost | EPA records | NHTSA recalls | NHTSA complaints | NHTSA overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Tesla Model 3 | 111 | $700 | 1 | |||
| 2026 Tesla Model 3 | 111–139 | $550–$700 | 5 | 1 | 5 stars | |
| 2025 Tesla Model 3 | 109–137 | $550–$700 | 4 | 3 | ||
| 2024 Tesla Model 3 | 112–137 | $550–$700 | 5 | 5 | 215 | |
| 2023 Tesla Model 3 | 113–132 | $550–$650 | 3 | 12 | 417 | 5 stars |
| 2022 Tesla Model 3 | 113–132 | $550–$650 | 3 | 18 | 763 | 5 stars |
| 2021 Tesla Model 3 | 113–142 | $550–$650 | 3 | 22 | 657 | 5 stars |
| 2020 Tesla Model 3 | 113–141 | $550–$650 | 8 | 21 | 447 | 5 stars |
| 2019 Tesla Model 3 | 116–133 | $550–$650 | 6 | 22 | 608 | 5 stars |
| 2018 Tesla Model 3 | 116–130 | $600–$650 | 4 | 19 | 1,008 | 5 stars |
| 2017 Tesla Model 3 | 126 | $600 | 1 | 16 | 26 |
Year-to-year changes
What changed in the Tesla Model 3, one model year at a time.
| Step | EPA records | Combined MPG/MPGe, midpoint | Electric range, miles | Added | No longer listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 to 2027 | 5 to 1 | 125.0 to 111.0 | 336 to 316 | Labels: Model 3 Performance, Model 3 Premium AWD, Model 3 Premium RWD, Model 3 Standard RWD; Drives: Rear-Wheel Drive | |
| 2025 to 2026 | 4 to 5 | 123.0 to 125.0 | 331 to 336 | Labels: Model 3 Performance, Model 3 Premium AWD, Model 3 Premium RWD, Model 3 Standard RWD | Labels: Model 3 Long Range AWD, Model 3 Long Range RWD, Model 3 Long Range RWD-I (19in wheels) |
| 2024 to 2025 | 5 to 4 | 124.5 to 123.0 | 318 to 331 | Labels: Model 3 Long Range RWD-I (19in wheels) | Labels: Model 3 Long Range AWD-E, Model 3 RWD |
| 2023 to 2024 | 3 to 5 | 122.5 to 124.5 | 315 to 318 | Labels: Model 3 Long Range AWD-E, Model 3 Long Range RWD | |
| 2021 to 2022 | 127.5 to 122.5 | 308 to 315 | Labels: Model 3 RWD | Labels: Model 3 Standard Range Plus RWD | |
| 2020 to 2021 | 8 to 3 | 127.0 to 127.5 | 275 to 308 | Labels: Model 3 Performance AWD, Model 3 Standard Range Plus RWD | Labels: Model 3 Long Range, Model 3 Long Range Performance AWD (18in), Model 3 Long Range Performance AWD (19in), Model 3 Long Range Performance AWD (20in), and 3 more |
| 2019 to 2020 | 6 to 8 | 124.5 to 127.0 | 265 to 275 | Labels: Model 3 Long Range Performance AWD (18in), Model 3 Long Range Performance AWD (19in), Model 3 Long Range Performance AWD (20in) | Labels: Model 3 Long Range AWD Performance |
| 2018 to 2019 | 4 to 6 | 123.0 to 124.5 | 285 to 265 | Labels: Model 3 Long Range AWD, Model 3 Long Range AWD Performance, Model 3 Standard Range, Model 3 Standard Range Plus | Labels: Model 3 Long Range AWD, Model 3 Long Range AWD Performance |
| 2017 to 2018 | 1 to 4 | 126.0 to 123.0 | 310 to 285 | Labels: Model 3 Long Range AWD, Model 3 Long Range AWD Performance, Model 3 Mid Range; Drives: All-Wheel Drive |
Buying used
What the Tesla Model 3 recalls and complaints are about.
| Model year | Campaigns | Systems recalled | Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | seats (critical fasteners) | None |
| 2025 | 3 | tires (pressure monitoring and regulating systems); back over prevention (software); electrical system (propulsion system) | 1 fixable over the air |
| 2024 | 5 | air bags (side/window); latches/locks/linkages (hood); tires (pressure monitoring and regulating systems); 2 more | 2 fixable over the air |
| 2023 | 12 | air bags (side/window); exterior lighting (tail lights); steering (automated/adaptive steering); 9 more | 8 fixable over the air |
| 2022 | 18 | electrical system (adas); electrical system (software); electrical system (instrument cluster/panel); 10 more | 15 fixable over the air |
| 2021 | 22 | service brakes, hydraulic (foundation components); air bags (side/window); suspension (critical fasteners); 14 more | 15 fixable over the air |
| 2020 | 21 | seat belts; service brakes, hydraulic (foundation components); air bags (side/window); 14 more | 14 fixable over the air |
| 2019 | 22 | equipment (other); seat belts; service brakes, hydraulic (foundation components); 15 more | 14 fixable over the air |
| 2018 | 19 | seat belts; forward collision avoidance (sensing system); electrical system (wiring); 12 more | 14 fixable over the air |
| 2017 | 16 | forward collision avoidance (sensing system); electrical system (wiring); electrical system (adas); 10 more | 12 fixable over the air |
| System | Complaints | Share of all complaints | Worst model year |
|---|---|---|---|
| forward collision avoidance | 1,698 | 41% | 2022 (532) |
| unknown or other | 650 | 16% | 2018 (175) |
| vehicle speed control | 616 | 15% | 2022 (171) |
| service brakes | 547 | 13% | 2022 (167) |
| electrical system | 533 | 13% | 2018 (168) |
| suspension | 310 | 7% | 2018 (182) |
Trim by trim
Every 2026 Tesla Model 3 trim side by side.
| Trim | Drive | Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Combined mpg | Base price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | RWD | AC Electric Motor | – | – | – | – | – | $38,630 |
| Premium | AWD | Dual Electric Motors | – | – | 4,034 | – | – | $44,130 |
| Performance | AWD | Dual Electric Motors | – | – | 4,054 | – | – | $56,630 |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for the 2026 model year; base price is KBB's national base price where its list carries the trim by the same name. A dash means KBB lists no figure.
Specifications by year
Power, weight and towing for every Tesla Model 3 model year.
| Model year | Trims | Engines | Horsepower | Curb weight (lb) | Max towing (lb) | Fuel tank (gal) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | AC Electric Motor / Dual Electric Motors | – | 4,034–4,054 | – | – |
| 2025 | 3 | AC Electric Motor / Dual Electric Motors | – | 4,034–4,054 | – | – |
| 2024 | 3 | AC Electric Motor / Dual Electric Motors | – | 3,862–4,054 | – | – |
| 2023 | 3 | AC Electric Motor / Dual Electric Motors | – | – | – | – |
| 2022 | 3 | AC Electric Motor / Dual Electric Motors | – | – | – | – |
| 2021 | 3 | AC Electric Motor / Dual Electric Motors | – | 3,582–4,065 | – | – |
| 2020 | 4 | AC Electric Motor / Dual Electric Motors | – | 3,627–4,072 | – | – |
| 2019 | 5 | AC Electric Motor / Dual Electric Motors | – | – | – | – |
| 2018 | 3 | AC Electric Motor / Dual Electric Motors | – | 4,072 | – | – |
| 2017 | 2 | AC Electric Motor | – | 3,549 | – | – |
Source: Kelley Blue Book specifications for each model year. A range covers every trim KBB lists that year; a dash means KBB lists no figure.
Model-year recall record
Tesla Model 3: which model years carry more or fewer federal safety recalls.
Fewer recalls than this model’s own average
- 2026 Tesla Model 3 : 1 recall on file (average across published years is 13.9).
- 2025 Tesla Model 3 : 3 recalls on file (average across published years is 13.9).
- 2024 Tesla Model 3 : 5 recalls on file (average across published years is 13.9).
| Model year | Federal recalls on file | Complaints on file | Recalls most commonly affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | not available | seats |
| 2025 | 3 | not available | tires, backup camera, electrical system |
| 2024 | 5 | 215 | airbags, door latches, tires, backup camera |
| 2023 | 12 | 417 | electrical system, exterior lighting, steering, airbags |
| 2022 | 18 | 763 | electrical system, backup camera, seat belts, visibility/wipers |
| 2021 | 22 | 657 | electrical system, forward collision system, seat belts, airbags |
| 2020 | 21 | 447 | electrical system, seat belts, forward collision system, airbags |
| 2019 | 22 | 608 | electrical system, seat belts, suspension, forward collision system |
| 2018 | 19 | 1008 | electrical system, seat belts, forward collision system, backup camera |
| 2017 | 16 | 26 | electrical system, backup camera, seat belts, forward collision system |
| 2016 | not available | ||
| 2015 | not available |
Method: recall counts and their affected components come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Recalls API, queried by exact make, model and model year. Complaint counts come from the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation: Complaints API, same query pattern. Data pulled 2026-09-04.
Known gap: the NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Tesla Model 3 model years 2025, 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream, not returning a genuine zero. Those years are marked "not available" above instead of shown as clean; recall counts for those years are unaffected and come from the separate recalls API, which returned data for every year listed.
Check open recalls by VIN for one particular vehicle.
Q01Is there a best year to buy a Tesla Model 3?
Recall count alone can't answer that: it says nothing about a specific vehicle's price, mileage, accident history or maintenance record. What federal data can say: 2026, 2025, 2024 carried fewer recalls than this model's own average. See the model-year table on this page for the exact counts and what they cover.
Q02Which Tesla Model 3 model years have the cleanest federal recall record?
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 has 1 recall on file; The 2025 Tesla Model 3 has 3 recalls on file; The 2024 Tesla Model 3 has 5 recalls on file: below this model's own average of 13.9. A shorter list on file as of this page's data pull is not a guarantee against a future recall.
Q03What are common recall-related problems on the Tesla Model 3 by model year?
2026: seats. 2025: tires, backup camera, electrical system. 2024: airbags, door latches, tires, backup camera. 2023: electrical system, exterior lighting, steering, airbags. 2022: electrical system, backup camera, seat belts, visibility/wipers. 2021: electrical system, forward collision system, seat belts, airbags.
Q04Why do some Tesla Model 3 model years show "not available" for complaints?
The NHTSA complaints API did not return data for Tesla Model 3 model years 2025, 2026 when queried for this page: the request itself failed upstream instead of the count genuinely being zero. Recall counts for those years are unaffected; they come from a separate NHTSA endpoint that returned data for every year listed.
Diagnosing one of these symptoms? The recalled systems above map to this site’s own ownership desks: general, evidence-first guidance that applies regardless of whether the specific vehicle in front of you was ever part of a recall campaign: Climate and electrical, Buying, records and recalls, Brakes, tires and steering.
Compared with
Models this Tesla Model 3 is most often compared with.
Nearest Tesla models
Other Tesla models.
Frequent questions
Answers with their conditions intact.
Q01How many trims does the 2026 Model 3 come in?
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 (electric sedan) comes in 4 trims: Standard, Premium RWD, Premium AWD, Performance.
Q02What are the 2026 Model 3 trims?
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 trims are Standard, Premium RWD, Premium AWD, Performance, listed from the entry Standard up to the top Performance.
Q03What engine or powertrain does the 2026 Model 3 use?
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 is built around Electric motor(s), single or dual, rated at 271–510 horsepower across its electric sedan body style.
Q04How much horsepower does the 2026 Model 3 have?
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 is rated at 271–510 horsepower (Electric motor(s), single or dual).
Q05Is AWD or 4WD available on the 2026 Model 3?
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 is offered with RWD / AWD.