2019 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated August 2026
2019 · 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 2019 Tesla Model 3 has 13 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is Model 3 / Y Phantom Braking on Autopilot ($0-$0 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $100 to $3,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. One or both taillights may intermittently fail to illuminate.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
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 fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
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 2019 Tesla Model 3 has 13 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Model 3 / Y Phantom Braking on Autopilot, Premature Inner-Edge Tire Wear (Camber/Toe Alignment), Model 3 / Y 12V Auxiliary Battery Premature Failure. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2019 Tesla Model 3 has 13 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 1 issue is rated critical: Model 3 / Y Phantom Braking on Autopilot. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. 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. The most critical issue, Model 3 / Y Phantom Braking on Autopilot, typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Model 3 and Y on Autopilot or TACC report unexpected hard braking events — "phantom braking" — most often at highway speed in response to non-existent obstacles, shadows, overpasses, or oncoming traffic in opposite lanes. NHTSA investigation PE22-002 opened in 2022 covering 416,0… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
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.
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:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective.
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.
+ 27 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
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.
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.
