Tesla Model 3 Structure Problems
Owners have filed 164 complaints with NHTSA about structure problems on the Tesla Model 3 across 9 model years. The 2018 model year has the most (60). The words owners use most often: “open door” (7% of reports).
- 164structure complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 39mention a crash
- 25mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- $430typical repair cost reported by owners
- 34%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.
- Open door: mentioned in 12 of 164 complaints (7%)
- Service center: mentioned in 11 of 164 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical structure repair on the Tesla Model 3 at $430, and half of them between $340 and $1,400.
Based on 8 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2021–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do structure problems happen?
Based on 43 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 164 complaints, 39 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 25 an injury.
Tesla Model 3 structure complaints by model year
| Model year | Structure complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Model 3 | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2025 Model 3 | 6 | 5% | — |
| 2024 Model 3 | 5 | 2% | — |
| 2023 Model 3 | 22 | 5% | — |
| 2022 Model 3 | 10 | 1% | — |
| 2021 Model 3 | 17 | 3% | 32,450 |
| 2020 Model 3 | 19 | 4% | 600 |
| 2019 Model 3 | 23 | 4% | 4,236 |
| 2018 Model 3 | 60 | 6% | 16,338 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Structure:body:bumpers; air bags:knee bolster
Model years: 2024
Problem: 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 have been tested for bumper impact resistance procedures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers, 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," 201, "Occupant Protection in Interior Impact," and Part 581, "Bumper Standards."
Risk: A noncompliant vehicle may have reduced occupant protections, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Tesla will repurchase noncompliant vehicles currently registered in the United States, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 5, 2026. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752 or [email protected]. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-26-00-004.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The power liftgate strut failed in normal use and bent the trunk liftgate, which now strikes the rear glass every time the trunk opens or closes. The vehicle has not been in a crash and the trunk was not obstructed or misused. The driver-side power strut stopped operating and the trunk would not…
On September 22, 2026, my 2019 Tesla Model 3 was involved in a very low-speed front collision. The Tesla Vehicle Data Report records the front collision event at approximately 23:21:26.933 and shows vehicle speed of approximately 2â3 mph at the time of the recorded collision. Despite the…
Possible ineffective recall remedy â NHTSA Recall 21V-00D / Tesla SB-21-17-008. My Model 3 received the trunk harness recall remedy in 2023. Tesla inspected the original harness, determined it was within specification, left it installed, and added the guide protector. Teslaâs recall…
The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while reversing approximately 5 MPH, there was a loud screeching sound coming from the vehicle without warning. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact became aware that a bolt had detached from the subframe. The vehicle was towed to…
The exterior door handles are made of a thin metal top cover over a plastic door handle. The exterior door handle metal begins to peel, and does so in a manner that isn't clear to see. This has resulted in me cutting my hand on the door handle. I had to remove the metal from the door handles to…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Tesla Model 3s have structure problems?
No. NHTSA has 164 owner complaints about structure for the Tesla Model 3. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Tesla Model 3 structure?
Yes: 1 safety recall list structure. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix structure problems on the Tesla Model 3?
Owners report a typical cost of $430 (half paid between $340 and $1,400), from 8 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about structure problems on the Tesla Model 3?
The most frequent phrase is “open door”, in 12 of 164 complaints, followed by “service center” (11).
Other Tesla Model 3 problems
- Forward Collision Avoidance problems (1,741)
- Vehicle Speed Control problems (633)
- Service Brakes problems (561)
- Electrical System problems (560)
- Steering problems (401)
- Suspension problems (376)
- Air Bags problems (316)
- Lane Departure problems (303)
See all Tesla Model 3 problems.