Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model Y: reliability compared
From 2020 to 2026, owners filed an average of 388 complaints per model year about the Tesla Model 3 and 624 about the Tesla Model Y.
Side by side
| Tesla Model 3 | Tesla Model Y | |
|---|---|---|
| Model years compared | 2020-2026 | 2020-2026 |
| Owner complaints | 2,716 | 4,370 |
| Complaints per model year | 388 | 624 |
| Recalls | 34 | 43 |
| Years to avoid | None stand out | None stand out |
| Best years | 20202021 | None stand out |
| Most common problem | Driver assistance | Driver assistance |
| Crash rating | No data | No data |
| Fuel economy | 111-139 MPGe combined (2026) | 105-138 MPGe combined (2026) |
A car that sells more collects more complaints, so the fairest test is the number of years to avoid, which compares each year with a typical year of the same car.
Complaints per model year
Problems compared
| Model 3 | Model Y | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver assistance | 1,493 | 2,248 |
| Acceleration | 471 | 592 |
| Brakes | 418 | 577 |
| Electrical | 309 | 581 |
| Steering | 279 | 497 |
| Visibility | 109 | 200 |
| Suspension | 107 | 337 |
Questions about the Tesla Model 3 vs Tesla Model Y
Which is more reliable, the Tesla Model 3 or the Tesla Model Y?
Between 2020 and 2026, the Tesla Model 3 has 0 years to avoid and the Tesla Model Y 0. Both are about equally consistent from year to year. By raw volume, the Tesla Model 3 drew fewer complaints per model year (388 vs 624), though sales volume affects that number.
Which has more recalls, the Tesla Model 3 or the Tesla Model Y?
From 2020 to 2026, the Tesla Model 3 was covered by 34 recalls and the Tesla Model Y by 43.
What years of the Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y should you avoid?
Tesla Model 3: no year stands out. Tesla Model Y: no year stands out.
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