Cameras and Radar for the 2017–2025 Tesla Model 3

What 2017–2025 Model 3 owners report about the collision-avoidance, lane and rear-camera systems

Owners have filed 1,040 complaints with NHTSA, the US federal vehicle-safety regulator, that mention the radar, a camera, or the emergency braking, adaptive cruise or blind-spot system on the 2017–2025 Tesla Model 3, and 1,893 filed under its collision-avoidance, lane and rear-camera systems. Those 1,040, by model year, as of September 18, 2026:

• 2017 Model 3: 8 complaints
• 2018 Model 3: 145 complaints
• 2019 Model 3: 92 complaints
• 2020 Model 3: 112 complaints
• 2021 Model 3: 249 complaints
• 2022 Model 3: 324 complaints
• 2023 Model 3: 88 complaints
• 2024 Model 3: 22 complaints
• 2025 Model 3: none

NHTSA publishes complaints as owners wrote them and does not verify them, so read them as a pattern rather than a diagnosis.

A 2018 Model 3 owner, NHTSA complaint 11764371: "Vehicle: 2018 Tesla Model 3 Safety Issue: The rearview camera display has failed and shows a black screen when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. This reduces rearward visibility and creates a safety concern while backing up."

A 2021 Model 3 owner, NHTSA complaint 11763429: "Interior camera circuit failed in the main computer as diagnosed by Tesla, it disables most safety features of the car, no collision warning or avoidance, no automatic emergency breaking, no lane departure warning or correction, no reverse cam, no cruise control or self driving, and probably more."

Recalls that cover the radar sensor or camera on the 2017–2025 Model 3

• 21V846000, 2017–2021 models: 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. Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge.

A recall repair is free at any Tesla dealer. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you pay anyone for this part — us included.

Which radar sensor or camera a 2017–2025 Model 3 takes

Radar sensors and cameras differ by driver-assistance package and trim, and blind-spot units by side. Every one has to be calibrated to the car after it is fitted, which is a separate job from the part. The 2017–2025 Tesla Model 3 came with several powertrains, among them Electric Single-speed AWD and Electric Single-speed RWD. That is why we ask for the VIN, or the year, engine and trim, and confirm the part against it before you pay rather than after it arrives.

What we source it from

9 radar sensors and cameras from Bosch, Continental, Dorman, Hella, Magna, Mando, TYC and Valeo, $63.99 to $596.99, with flat $30 shipping anywhere in the US. If a part we confirmed as a fit does not fit your vehicle, we cover the return and the replacement.