2018 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026
2018 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
Interest applies to the selected vehicle and configuration; it is not a reservation. Voting stores a first-party identifier for up to 180 days to prevent repeat votes. No account or email is needed. Clearing cookies or using another device may count separately. Privacy
Visual coming soon
Your interest helps us choose what to build next.
Visual Known Issues · Coming soon
$4.99/month plus taxes at launch · No payment today
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2018 Tesla Model 3 has 12 documented known issues. None of the listed issues is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $100 to $3,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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."
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or .
According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2018 Tesla Model 3 has 12 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Premature Inner-Edge Tire Wear (Camber/Toe Alignment), Model 3 / Y 12V Auxiliary Battery Premature Failure, Rearview / Backup Camera Loss (Firmware Recall + Trunk-Lid Coax Wear). None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.
The 2018 Tesla Model 3 has 12 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. None of the matching records is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Tesla Model 3 issues range from $0 to $3,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Model 3 owners widely report tires wearing out on the inner edge well before expected mileage. Causes are factory negative camber (for handling), toe misalignment, high instant torque, and overinflation; only toe is adjustable from the factory (camber is fixed unless aftermarket… Repairs typically run $150-$1,200. Severity: medium.
Pre-Highland Model 3 and pre-Juniper Model Y used a small lead-acid AGM 12V auxiliary battery that often fails in 12-24 months — well below typical 12V lifespan. Tesla switched to a lithium-ion 12V starting 2021-2022 (varies by build date) which lasts much longer but can also fai… Repairs typically run $150-$500. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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."
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S, Model X, and 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles operating certain firmware releases. The infotainment central processing unit (CPU) may overheat during the preparation or process of fast-charging, causing the CPU to lag or restart.
+ 27 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
The backup camera image can fail to display when shifting to reverse. Two documented root causes: (1) a firmware/I2C stability defect on certain 2023-2024 cars addressed by NHTSA recall 24V-035, and (2) mechanical wear of the coaxial camera cable routed through the trunk-lid harn… Repairs typically run $0-$500. Severity: medium.
Around 40,000-70,000 miles many Model 3/Y owners report a clunk, pop or knock from the front end over bumps, under braking or acceleration. The cause is torn rubber bushings in the front lower lateral link (front lower control arm) and compliance/fore-aft link. When the bushing r… Repairs typically run $300-$1,000. Severity: medium.
A very common Model 3 (and Model Y) complaint is a squeaking or dry-hinge/creaking noise from the front suspension at low speed and over bumps, traced to the front upper control arm (FUCA) ball joint. Water bypasses the ball-joint seal, washing out the grease and allowing metal-o… Repairs typically run $150-$650. Severity: medium.
In snow/ice, moisture inside the flush pivoting door handle freezes and the handle will not depress/deploy, locking owners out. Tesla's own owner's manual acknowledges ice buildup can prevent the handle from opening. Forcing a frozen handle can damage the internal mechanism, and… Repairs typically run $0-$600. Severity: medium.
In extreme cold the charge-port door/latch can freeze, preventing the door from opening or the connector from locking/releasing so the car won't start charging or won't release the cable. Early Model 3s (2017-2020, built before the charge-port inlet heater was added in early 2020… Repairs typically run $0-$450. Severity: low.
The high-voltage battery slowly loses charge while parked because background systems stay awake. Normal drain is under ~1%/day, but owners report much higher losses (several percent per day) when Sentry Mode, Cabin Overheat Protection, Summon Standby, Dog/Camp mode, or third-part… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: low.
A faint yellow-to-brown band appears around the perimeter of the center touchscreen, caused by degradation of an adhesive/optical layer in the display accelerated by heat and UV exposure. It is cosmetic (touch still works) but widely reported and was the subject of an extended ow… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: low.
Water pools inside the sheet-metal trunk lid and/or condensation forms inside the taillights due to unsealed seams and inadequate taillight gaskets. Owners report water sloshing in the trunk lid and moisture behind the lenses. Early build (2017-2019) cars are worst; sealing impro… Repairs typically run $100-$500. Severity: low.
In cold, humid conditions the windshield and side glass can fog rapidly (sometimes within ~30 seconds) when recirculation is on, because humid cabin air is retained instead of exhausted. Some owners feel the heat-pump-equipped cars dehumidify less aggressively than the older resi… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: low.
Tesla paint is notoriously thinner than industry standard — typically 100-120 microns vs 150-180 for German/Japanese makes. Rocker panels, rear quarter panels, and front bumper edges chip easily from road debris. White paints particularly prone to surface marring. Multiple paint-… Repairs typically run $100-$3,000. Severity: low.
