Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model S
Midsize sedan · 2015–2025 · 6,367 federal complaints
Tesla Model 3
4,204 complaints · 1 engines
Most-complained engine: Electric
Full breakdown for Tesla Model 3 →
Tesla Model S
2,163 complaints · 1 engines
Most-complained engine: Electric
Full breakdown for Tesla Model S →At a glance
Side by side. EPA figures are the model's median across its test variants; price is the base-trim MSRP (CarAPI), median across covered model years.
| Tesla Model 3 | Tesla Model S | |
|---|---|---|
| Most common engine | Electric | Electric |
| Range | 310 mi | 294 mi |
| Energy use | 26 kWh/100mi | 33 kWh/100mi |
| Running cost | $600/yr | $750/yr |
| Cabin space | 97 cu ft | — |
| Cargo space | 15 cu ft | — |
| Motor power | 195 kW | 285 kW |
| NHTSA overall crash rating | ★★★★★ (2023) | ★★★★★ (2016) |
| Rollover risk (NHTSA) | 6.6% | 5.7% |
| Engines with enough data | 1 | 1 |
Side by side
Both cars scored as percentiles within Midsize sedan, so the shapes are directly comparable. Built from EPA test data.
What each one's complaints are about
Showing each car's highest-volume engine. Share of component mentions — not a failure rate, and not a ranking between the two.
Tesla Model 3
Tesla Model S
How often each one's complaints involve a fire, crash or injury
Shares of each car's own complaints — sales volume cancels out of a within-car ratio, so these two can be compared. The vertical mark is the all-vehicle average.
all vehicles — Fire 1.1% · Crash 4.4% · Injury 2.6%
Every engine with enough data
Complaint counts per engine are shown for scale only — they track how many were sold, not how often they fail.
Tesla Model 3
- Electric4,204
Tesla Model S
- Electric2,163
Recalls where NHTSA said stop driving or park outside
The severest recall class only. Model-level, manufacturer-confirmed. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer, whatever the car's age.
Tesla Model 3
None on record for this model.
Tesla Model S
None on record for this model.
One car having more complaints than the other mostly reflects how many were sold, not how often they break. Compare each car's own mix of problems — not the totals.