Model year guide

2020 Tesla Model 3

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2020 Tesla Model 3 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 15 on record.

2020 Tesla Model 3 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2020 Tesla Model 3 at a glance

Safety recalls20
Owner complaints430
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined113–141 MPGe
Typical price$45,187

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2020 Tesla Model 3 recalls 20

Electrical System:adas:autonomous/self Driving:software NHTSA Campaign #22V037000 · 27/01/2022

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.

Fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.

Air Bags:side/window:curtain NHTSA Campaign #21V834000 · 25/10/2021

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and realign the left and right side curtain air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-006.

Suspension:critical Fasteners NHTSA Campaign #21V835000 · 25/10/2021

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.

Fix: Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-31-003.

Electrical System:software NHTSA Campaign #22V045000 · 01/02/2022

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.

Seat Belts NHTSA Campaign #21V389000 · 25/05/2021

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached.

Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and repair both fasteners if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for…

Electrical System:wiring: Rear Compartment/trunk NHTSA Campaign #21V00D000 · 21/12/2021

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.

Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and install a guide protector and new cable harness as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 24, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-17-008.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper NHTSA Campaign #21V387000 · 25/05/2021

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.

Fix: Tesla Service will inspect and tighten, or replace the caliper bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Te…

Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Camera NHTSA Campaign #21V846000 · 29/10/2021

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.

Fix: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.

Electrical System:software NHTSA Campaign #22V063000 · 04/02/2022

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirem…

Fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-…

Back Over Prevention:display Function NHTSA Campaign #22V169000 · 18/03/2022

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-004.

Electrical System:software NHTSA Campaign #22V235000 · 12/04/2022

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirem…

Fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer s…

Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel NHTSA Campaign #22V263000 · 18/04/2022

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Model 3 Performance vehicles. The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedometer while in Track Mode. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

Fix: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-008.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2020 Tesla Model 3 common problems

Owners have filed 430 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Lane Departure
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2020 Tesla Model 3 safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2020 Tesla Model 3 4 DR RWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2020 Tesla Model 3 efficiency & running costs

Combined113–141 MPGe
City129 MPGe
Highway118 MPGe
Est. annual energy cost$619

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 8 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2020 Tesla Model 3 worth?

Low
$39,000
Typical price
$45,187
High
$53,500

From 15 comparable 2020 Tesla Model 3 listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2020 Tesla Model 3 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Energy (5 yrs)$3,095
Energy only$3,095
Per mile$0.04

How this is estimated: energy is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2020 Tesla Model 3 trims & engines on record

Trims
Standard Range Plus · Long Range

2020 Tesla Model 3 vehicles on record

Other Tesla Model 3 model years

2020 Tesla Model 3 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2020 Tesla Model 3 have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 20 recall campaigns for the 2020 Tesla Model 3. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2020 Tesla Model 3?

Owners have filed 430 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are suspension, forward collision avoidance, lane departure.

What is the 2020 Tesla Model 3 safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2020 Tesla Model 3 an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 5★, side 5★, rollover 5★).

What gas mileage does the 2020 Tesla Model 3 get?

The 2020 Tesla Model 3 has U.S. EPA estimates of 113–141 MPGe combined, depending on engine and trim (8 versions).

How much is a 2020 Tesla Model 3 worth?

Comparable 2020 Tesla Model 3 listings run roughly $39,000–$53,500, typically around $45,187 (from 15 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.