DecodedCarsTesla Model 3
11 model years from 2017 to 2027, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2017–2027
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Latest engines
- Electric
- EV range
- up to 363 mi
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2023)
- Recalls
- 36 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2018 (1,034)
- Fewest problems
- 2017
- Interest
- 25,701 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2026 Model 3 in brief
The 2026 Tesla Model 3 is a midsize car powered by electricity and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 186 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,030 lb (4dr Sedan Long Range AWD).
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 363 miles and takes about 11.7 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 29 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
The Tesla Model 3 has 11 model years in our data, from 2017 to 2027.
Owners most often report problems with the forward collision avoidance › adaptive cruise control (1,213), forward collision avoidance › automatic emergency braking (946), unknown or other (705).
Buying used? 2017 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2018 is the year to avoid.
2021 has the most recalls (22); all years together count 36 campaigns and 4,380 owner complaints.
How the 2017 Model 3 compares
The 2017 Tesla Model 3 is a midsize car powered by electricity and rear-wheel drive.
The electric version has an EPA-rated range of up to 310 miles and takes about 12 hours to charge on a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
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. In June 2021, the Model 3 became the first electric car to pass global sales of 1 million.
From the Wikipedia article "Tesla Model 3", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2026 Model 3 pros & cons
Full 2026 details →What's good
- Long EV rangeUp to 363 miles on a charge (EPA).
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Best and worst years to buy used
2017 Model 3
27 owner complaints · 16 recalls · 1 crash report
Year to avoid2018 Model 3
1,034 owner complaints · 19 recalls · 4 fire reports · 103 crash reports
Most reported: Suspension
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 8 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Compare head to head
Model 3 changes by model year
- 2027
- Longest EV range down from 363 to 316 miles
- 2024
- Lightest version 179 lb heavier
- 2021
- Longest EV range up from 330 to 353 miles
- 2020
- Longest EV range up from 310 to 330 miles
- 2018
- All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 11 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Electric | 316 mi | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | Electric | 363 mi | 185.8 in | 4,030 lb | Not rated | 1 | 29 |
| 2025 | Electric | 363 mi | 185.8 in | 4,030 lb | Not rated | 3 | 122 |
| 2024 | Electric | 363 mi | 185.8 in | 4,030 lb | Not rated | 5 | 222 |
| 2023 | Electric | 358 mi | 184.6 in | 4,072 lb | ★★★★★ | 12 | 428 |
| 2022 | Electric | 358 mi | 184.6 in | 4,072 lb | ★★★★★ | 18 | 773 |
| 2021 | Electric | 353 mi | 184.6 in | 4,072 lb | ★★★★★ | 22 | 673 |
| 2020 | Electric | 330 mi | 184.6 in | 4,072 lb | ★★★★★ | 21 | 452 |
| 2019 | Electric | 310 mi | 184.6 in | 4,072 lb | ★★★★★ | 22 | 620 |
| 2018 | Electric | 310 mi | 184.6 in | 3,814 lb | ★★★★★ | 19 | 1,034 |
| 2017 | Electric | 310 mi | – | – | Not rated | 16 | 27 |
Alternatives to the 2026 Model 3
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 BMW 3 Series | 31 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus IS | 22 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 29 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Audi A3 | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Tesla Model S | 410 mi | Not rated | 0 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Tesla. How we calculate this →