2023 Tesla Model 3 Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2023 Tesla Model 3, 12% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 5,300 miles. The words owners use most often: “service center” (10% of reports).
- 51electrical system complaints
- 5,300median miles at failure
- 9mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 43%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Service center: mentioned in 5 of 51 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 8 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 51 complaints, 9 mention a crash, 4 an injury.
Tesla Model 3 electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Model 3 | 2 | 7% | 9,999 |
| 2025 Model 3 | 20 | 17% | 11,200 |
| 2024 Model 3 | 45 | 20% | 9,611 |
| 2023 Model 3 | 51 | 12% | 5,300 |
| 2022 Model 3 | 60 | 8% | 31,945 |
| 2021 Model 3 | 79 | 12% | 7,000 |
| 2020 Model 3 | 42 | 9% | 14,000 |
| 2019 Model 3 | 91 | 15% | 14,419 |
| 2018 Model 3 | 168 | 16% | 26,250 |
| 2017 Model 3 | 2 | 8% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Electrical system:software; latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
Risk: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
Electrical system:adas:driver monitoring:software
Problem: 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.
Risk: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Problem: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective.
Risk: A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury.
Fix: Tesla Service will replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-16-005.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The vehicle was purchased pre-owned directly from Tesla. On the day of pickup and five days later, while operating on Full Self-Driving (FSD), the vehicle phantom-braked abruptly and then dangerously accelerated through a solid red light into cross-traffic intersections. The driver had to…
Full Self Driving software runs a red light in complete disregard of traffic laws.
During Autopilot, the vehicle failed to recognize the curve (or did not input enough turning to steering) and accelerated at the curve thinking it is a straight to almost have me crash into a guard rail. No symptoms. No side damage or collisions with others.
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2023 Tesla Model 3s have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 51 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2023 Tesla Model 3 (12% of the 428 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2023 Tesla Model 3 electrical system?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list electrical system. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do electrical system problems start?
The median reported mileage is 5,300 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2023 Tesla Model 3?
The most frequent phrase is “service center”, in 5 of 51 complaints.
Other 2023 Tesla Model 3 problems
See all 2023 Tesla Model 3 problems or electrical system problems across all Model 3 years.