Wrench.Pro

2025 Tesla Model 3 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2025 Tesla Model 3 carries 3 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering pressure monitoring and regulating systems and software. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “FSD/Autopilot unintended steering maneuvers.” Tesla vehicles have no engine oil, no transmission fluid, no spark plugs, no timing belt, and no exhaust system to maintain. The schedule below is the entire factory-recommended service list. Tesla does not require dealer-stamped service intervals to maintain warranty — owners can service most items at home or at any qualified shop.

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

Campaign #24V935000 · Dec 17, 2024

Issue: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Risk: Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 15, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-018.

BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Campaign #25V002000 · Jul 1, 2025

Issue: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Model 3, Model S, 2023-2025 Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The computer circuit board may short, resulting in the loss of the rearview camera image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Tesla will also identify any vehicles that experienced a circuit board failure, or stress that may lead to a circuit board failure, and replace the affected computers, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 7, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-00-001.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:FUSES, RELAYS, CONTACTS, AND SHUNTS

Campaign #25V690000 · Oct 10, 2025

Issue: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2025 Model 3 and 2026 Model Y vehicles. The battery pack contactors may fail, causing a loss of drive power.

Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Tesla Service will replace the battery pack contactors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 9, 2025. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-25-16-005.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2025 Tesla Model 3.

3 active NHTSA investigations

Source: NHTSA

  • Compliance with Standing General Order 2021-01 Reporting Requirements

    Action #AQ25002 · opened Aug 20, 2025

    The Office of Defects Investigation (“ODI”) has identified numerous incident reports submitted by Tesla, Inc. (“Tesla”) in response to Standing General Order 2021-01 (the “SGO”), in which the reported crashes occurred several months or more before the dates of the reports. The ma…

    View on NHTSA →

  • FSD Collisions in Reduced Roadway Visibility Conditions

    Action #EA26002 · opened Mar 18, 2026

    The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Engineering Analysis to evaluate Tesla’s Full Self Driving Beta and Full Self Driving (Supervised) (collectively, FSD) degradation detection system. The focus of this investigation will be to assess the system’s ability, w…

    View on NHTSA →

  • Traffic safety violations while Full Self Driving ("FSD") is engaged

    Action #PE25012 · opened Oct 7, 2025

    The Office of Defects Investigation (“ODI”) is opening this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety consequences of FSD executing driving maneuvers that constitute traffic safety violations. This investigation concerns versions of FSD that T…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

FSD/Autopilot unintended steering maneuvers

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

18 NHTSA complaints · 2024-11 → 2026-08

“Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) was engaged at the time of the incident. The vehicle was traveling at low speed on a straight roadway when it unexpectedly initiated a sudden steering maneuver out of its lane toward a roadside structure (outdoor restaurant seating area)…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11727685
“The contact stated while his daughter was driving 30 MPH at night with Full Self-Driving(FSD) Supervised mode engaged, the vehicle suddenly made a left turn. The contact stated that the vehicle drove over a curb and onto the grass, and the vehicle drove into a residence's…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11631278
“I was driving on a straight interstate road between 60-70 mph using Full-Self Driving around 4:15pm and there was no traffic in front, behind, or next to me. Suddenly, the car tried to make a sharp right turn that felt like more than an obstacle avoidant move or lane keeping move”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11698029
“On September 7, 2025 at ~7:53 PM, my 2025 Tesla Model 3 operating with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged performed an aggressive, uncommanded turn while under computer control. The maneuver occurred so abruptly that I could not safely override steering before impact, and a crash…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11686758

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel turn signal button intermittent failure

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH

20 NHTSA complaints · 2024-11 → 2026-08

“The indicator buttons randomly disable and also disable if the user rests their finger lightly on an indicator button for some number of seconds. The car is available for inspection on request. Tesla looked at it and said it's "normal" and "expected" for the buttons to disable…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11638799
“On my 2025 Tesla Model 3 Highland, the right-turn signal button on the steering wheel fails to activate approximately 25–30% of the time. The issue is random and unpredictable. This has occurred while changing lanes on the freeway and when turning into shopping centers or side…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11695969
“My car has turn indicator buttons on the steering wheel rather than a turn stalk. I've found that these jam from time to time. What I mean is sometimes when I push the button, it is already 'jammed in' and nothing happens. I have to kind of randomly push around the button a few…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11656336
“This model lacks a well-tested turn signal lever, replacing it with arrows on the steering wheel. This method of activating turns signals is fundamentally unreliable and consequently dangerous. As an owner of the subject Tesla for just over one year, I find that I regularly…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11740079

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Horn inoperability in wet or snowy conditions

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

9 NHTSA complaints · 2024-12 → 2026-07

“The horn does not work properly when it gets wet. It will either not make noise at all, or it is extremely muffled. This is a major safety risk. Also, horn is required to work for Massachusetts state inspections. If I bring the car to be inspected on a rainy day, or after a car…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11671587
“I drove my car today after it snowed a few inches the night before and while I was driving, I tried to press the horn, but there was no noise coming from the horn. when I went back home I noted that the speaker used for the horn is located near the passenger side wheel well.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11704947
“The Horn does not work in the rain. I reported this. they sent a technician to replace it. the issue is not resolved. this is extremely dangerous”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11685290

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Phantom braking events under ADAS or cruise control

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

10 NHTSA complaints · 2025-03 → 2026-07

“Automatic Emergency Braking, for no reason, occurred twice while on autopilot. Driving on a remote interstate, during the day, no one and nothing in front of me (and I had a passenger that can confirm), and suddenly the car rapidly braked extremely hard. If I hadn't slammed…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11677958
“I have had this happen twice, once on city streets going to work the car was not in auto pilot and it went from 40mph to 0mph instantly. If there was a car behind me I would have gotten slammed into. The second time, my mother was in the passenger seat and I was on the freeway…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11667591
“While driving at highway speeds, using cruise control, the vehicle occasionally brakes for no apparent reason with no vehicles or obstacles in the way. The braking is severe and could potentially cause me to be rear ended. The dealer inspected the vehicle and could not…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11728314

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering assist reduction or loss

WHEELS, SUSPENSION, STEERING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2025-08 → 2026-07

“On starting to back out of parking space, i discovered there was no assist for steering, and a high degree of force was needed to turn the steering wheel and guide the car. This required considerable force. I tried a "system reboot" twice to no avail (this is done by holding 2…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11702267

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Tire Rotation

Every 6,250 mi

Rotate tires every 6,250 miles or when tread depth difference exceeds 2/32". Performance models (Model 3 Performance, Model Y Performance) wear front tires faster — rotate at 5,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Fluid Test

On condition / lifetime

Test brake fluid for moisture every 2 years on Model 3/Y, every 4 years on Model S/X. Replace if moisture content exceeds the test threshold. Regenerative braking dramatically extends fluid life vs ICE vehicles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Tire Pressure Check

Every 1,000 mi (monthly)

Check tire pressure monthly. Tesla's range estimates assume manufacturer-spec pressure; under-inflation costs 5-10% range and accelerates tire wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$15

Shop

~$10

DIY

Free

Free at any gas station. A $10 gauge pays for itself the first time you catch a slow leak.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Wheel Alignment Check

Every 12,500 mi

Check alignment at 12,500 miles or any time tire wear is uneven. Tesla's instant torque amplifies misalignment-driven tire wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$165

Shop

~$115

DIY

Pro only

Needs an alignment rack — not a DIY job. Most shops charge $80–$150 for a four-wheel.

A/C Desiccant Bag

On condition / lifetime

Model 3 / Model Y: replace A/C desiccant bag every 4 years. Model S (2021+) / Model X (2021+): every 6 years. Required to keep heat pump operating efficiently.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$290–$360

Shop

~$205–$255

DIY

Pro only

Refrigerant handling is EPA-regulated — shop-only. Often deferred unless AC performance drops.

Brake Caliper Service (cold climates)

Every 12,500 mi

Owners in cold-climate regions (snow, road salt) should clean and lubricate brake calipers every 12,500 miles or annually. Light brake use from regen lets caliper sliders seize.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$275–$330

Shop

~$195–$235

DIY

~$20–$60

Pin lube + boot inspection. Stuck calipers cause uneven pad wear — worth doing if you DIY the pads anyway.

12V Auxiliary Battery (legacy lead-acid)

On condition / lifetime

Pre-2021 Model 3, pre-2022 Model Y, and earlier Model S/X use a 12V lead-acid auxiliary battery — typical service life 3-4 years. Newer models use a 16V lithium-ion battery rated for the life of the vehicle.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

On condition / lifetime

Model 3 / Model Y: replace every 2 years. Model S / Model X: replace every 3 years (HEPA filter, larger). Sooner in dusty climates or wildfire-prone regions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

HEPA Filter (Model S / X with Bioweapon Defense Mode)

On condition / lifetime

Model S and Model X equipped with Bioweapon Defense Mode use a HEPA filter — replace every 3 years.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$130–$210

Shop

~$95–$150

DIY

~$35–$90

HEPA-grade replacement; aftermarket is improving but selection is narrower than standard cabin filters.

High-Voltage Battery — No Service

On condition / lifetime

The high-voltage battery is sealed and has no scheduled maintenance. Tesla's 8-year/100,000-150,000-mile battery warranty covers capacity retention to 70%.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

—

Shop

—

DIY

—

Traction battery service varies dramatically by vehicle ($5k–$20k+). Get a quote — we won't pretend to know.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

1 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

0

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2025 Tesla Model 3 reflects Tesla's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →