Tesla recalls in the UK: 2026 list and how to check your car
The DVSA has not logged a new Tesla recall in 2026, even as Tesla recalled millions of cars in China and the US. Here is every Model 3 and Model Y recall on the UK register, which ones were fixed over the air, and how to check your own car.
Quick answers
- As of 1 November 2026, the DVSA recall register shows no Tesla Model 3 or Model Y recall dated 2026; the most recent is R/2025/422, a reverse light fault on 2 Model Y cars, dated 16 October 2025.
- We counted 13 separate UK recall campaigns for the Model 3 and Model Y on the DVSA register, and 6 of them (46%) were fixed by a software update rather than a workshop visit.
- Of the 5 Tesla recalls with a 2025 DVSA reference, 4 (80%) were fixed by software, covering 176,760 vehicle listings against 2 for the one hardware repair.
- The largest recent UK Tesla recall, R/2025/104, fixed a power steering fault on 66,598 Model Y and 30,864 Model 3 cars running software older than 2023.38.4, with an over-the-air update.
- Tesla's China recall of about 2.98 million cars over hidden door handles, which started on 25 September 2026, has no UK equivalent; the DVSA told GB News in August 2026 that it was reviewing the issue.
- The US recall of 218,868 cars for a rear camera delay of up to 11 seconds on software 2026.8.6 was fixed by update 2026.8.6.1, which Tesla pushed out over the air on 11 April 2026.
- You can check any UK-registered Tesla for free on GOV.UK using its registration number, and recall work costs the owner nothing.
The DVSA has not logged a single new Tesla recall in the UK in 2026 so far. The last one, dated 16 October 2025, covered 2 Model Y cars, and most recent Tesla recalls have been fixed by a free over-the-air update.
That may surprise anyone who has seen the headlines. Tesla recalled about 2.98 million cars in China in August and 218,868 in the US in May. Neither shows up on the UK register. This page lists every Model 3 and Model Y recall the DVSA holds and explains how to check your own car. We will update it whenever a new UK campaign is added.
Has Tesla had any recalls in the UK in 2026?
No. On 1 November 2026, the DVSA’s recall checker shows no recalls for 2026-built Model 3 or Model Y cars. We also checked earlier build years, and none of them has a recall dated 2026.
The most recent UK entries came in autumn 2025. R/2025/350, dated 24 September 2025, fixed the anti-pinch feature on the right front window of 5,777 Model Y cars over the air. R/2025/422, dated 16 October 2025, covered reverse lights that might not come on in 2 Model Y cars. That one needed an inspection of the lamp housing and wiring.
Every Tesla Model 3 and Model Y recall on the UK register
The table below lists every campaign that appears on the DVSA checker for Model 3 builds from 2018 to 2026 and Model Y builds from 2020 to 2026, newest first. Vehicle numbers are as the DVSA lists them. Where a recall covers both cars, the DVSA can show a different count for each.
| DVSA ref | Date | Model | Fault | Fix | Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| R/2025/422 | 16 Oct 2025 | Model Y | Reverse lamps may not switch on | Workshop repair | 2 |
| R/2025/350 | 24 Sep 2025 | Model Y | Front window anti-pinch not enabled | Over the air | 5,777 |
| R/2025/049 | 28 Mar 2025 | Model 3, Model Y | Rear camera display can fail | Over the air, or computer replacement | 5,619 (3), 5,009 (Y) |
| R/2025/104 | 14 Mar 2025 | Model 3, Model Y | Power steering assistance can be lost | Over the air | 30,864 (3), 66,598 (Y) |
| R/2025/002 | 31 Dec 2024 | Model 3, Model Y | Tyre pressure warning does not persist | Over the air | 45,929 (3), 16,964 (Y) |
| R/2022/120 | 20 Apr 2022 | Model 3 | Speed shown without units | Over the air | 10,927 |
| R/2022/131 | 19 Apr 2022 | Model 3, Model Y | eCall audio lost on firmware 2022.8 | Firmware 2022.12.3 | 9,471 |
| R/2022/008 | 18 Feb 2022 | Model 3 | Rear camera harness can fail | Workshop repair | 26,618 |
| R/2022/007 | 24 Dec 2021 | Model 3 | Curtain airbags may not deploy correctly | Workshop repair | 1 |
| R/2022/006 | 24 Dec 2021 | Model 3, Model Y | Front suspension link under-torqued | Workshop repair | 127 |
| R/2021/199 | 26 May 2021 | Model 3 | Front seat belt top loop not secured | Workshop repair | 599 |
| R/2021/197 | 26 May 2021 | Model 3 | Brake caliper bolts not to specification | Workshop repair | 565 |
| R/2020/130 | 7 May 2020 | Model 3 | Upper steering column bolt may be missing | Workshop repair | 5 |
What share of Tesla recalls are fixed over the air?
On our count, 6 of the 13 UK campaigns (46%) were fixed by software, and since 2025 the figure is 4 of 5 (80%). Method: we counted each DVSA reference once and classed it as a software fix where the DVSA remedy is a software or firmware update.
The shift is clearer when you count cars. The four software recalls with 2025 references add up to 176,760 vehicle listings on the register, against 2 for the reverse light repair. A single car can appear in more than one recall, so this counts recall listings, not separate cars.
The early recalls were build-quality faults: loose bolts, a seat belt loop and a camera harness, all fixed in a workshop. The recent ones are software faults fixed overnight while the car sits on the drive. That is why recalls have so little effect on most Tesla owners. If you want to know what each update changes, our latest Tesla software update page tracks the releases.
Does the China door handle recall affect UK Teslas?
Not at the moment. Tesla’s China recall of nearly 2.98 million Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X cars began on 25 September 2026. The fix is warning labels for the mechanical door release plus an over-the-air update that lowers the windows after a crash, electrive reports.
In August 2026 the DVSA told GB News: “DVSA is currently reviewing the situation and working with the manufacturers to identify if there is a problem in the UK. There are currently no active DVSA recalls relating to hidden door handles of cars.” We will update this page if the review leads to a UK recall.
A separate China recall of about 2.74 million cars adds the cabin camera to driver monitoring. That is a requirement of China’s regulator, and it has no UK recall either. Driver monitoring also matters for Tesla’s driver assistance features; see our guide to Autopilot and FSD in the UK.
What about the US rear camera recall?
The US recall, 26V-283, covered 218,868 cars on software version 2026.8.6, where the rear camera image could take up to 11 seconds to appear. It affected cars with Hardware 3, and the fix, software 2026.8.6.1, went out over the air on 11 April 2026. Tesla told US regulators that 99.92% of affected cars had the update by the time it filed. The DVSA has not listed a matching UK recall. If your car shows 2026.8.6.1 or later under Software on the touchscreen, it already has the fix.
How do I check if my Tesla has a recall?
- Go to the GOV.UK recall checker and enter your registration on the MOT history service. It shows any safety recall that has not yet been fixed.
- If the car has no UK registration, search the DVSA vehicle recalls service by make, model and year of build.
- Check the Software screen in the car. Most recent Tesla recalls are fixed by a software version, so a car that is up to date is usually covered.
- If the remedy needs a workshop, book it through the Tesla app. The DVSA register says owners pay nothing for recall work.
Under the government’s code of practice, a manufacturer must tell the DVSA as soon as it confirms a safety defect, and owners are written to using DVLA keeper records. If GOV.UK says the recall is a serious safety defect, do not drive the car until it is fixed.
Should recalls put you off a used Tesla?
No, but check before you buy. Older cars are the ones most likely to have an outstanding workshop fix. A 2020 Model 3 appears in nine campaigns, including the rear camera harness recall that covered 26,618 cars. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the MOT history yourself. Our used Tesla Model 3 buying guide and used Tesla Model Y buying guide cover the other checks to make. For how one large battery recall has played out for another brand, see our report on the VW battery recall.
How we test and where our numbers come from
Range figures are official WLTP combined values taken from manufacturer UK specification pages, with real-world estimates drawn from independent comparative testing. Prices are UK list prices at the time of the latest update. Tax, grant and charging-scheme figures come from GOV.UK and HMRC publications. We re-check every guide when pricing, specification or policy changes. Last checked 1 November 2026. How we work out our own figures.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any Tesla recalls in the UK in 2026?
No, not on the DVSA register so far. The last Tesla Model 3 or Model Y recall listed is R/2025/422, dated 16 October 2025, which covered a reverse light fault on 2 Model Y cars. Tesla's large 2026 recalls in China and the US have not been matched by a UK recall.
How do I check if my Tesla has a recall in the UK?
Enter your registration number on the GOV.UK MOT history service, which shows any safety recall that has not been fixed. For a car without a registration, use the DVSA vehicle recalls service with the make, model and year it was built.
Do I have to pay for a Tesla recall repair?
No. Every Tesla entry on the DVSA register states that the owner pays nothing for the recall work. Most recent Tesla recalls were fixed by a free over-the-air software update, so no service visit was needed.
Is the Tesla door handle recall happening in the UK?
No. The door handle recall of about 2.98 million cars applies in China. In August 2026 the DVSA said there were no active UK recalls for hidden door handles and that it was working with manufacturers to see if there was a problem in the UK.
Does an over-the-air update count as a recall?
Yes, if it fixes a safety defect. The DVSA lists software fixes as formal safety recalls, such as R/2025/002, which corrected the tyre pressure warning on 45,929 Model 3 and 16,964 Model Y cars. The fix arrives as a normal software update.
Should I check recalls before buying a used Tesla?
Yes. Run the registration through the GOV.UK MOT history service before you buy. An outstanding recall on a car built before 2022 is more likely to need a workshop visit, as the older recalls covered parts such as brake caliper bolts and the rear camera harness.
Sources and further reading
- gov.ukCheck if a vehicle, part or accessory has been recalledHow UK owners check recalls by registration number through the MOT history service, or by make, model and year; recall repairs are usually free; do not drive a car with a serious safety recall.
- check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.ukCheck vehicle recalls: Tesla Model Y 2025R/2025/422 reverse light recall (16 October 2025, 2 vehicles) and R/2025/350 window anti-pinch recall (24 September 2025, 5,777 vehicles, fixed over the air).
- check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.ukCheck vehicle recalls: Tesla Model 3 2024R/2025/049 rear camera recall (5,619 Model 3) and R/2025/002 tyre pressure warning recall (45,929 Model 3), both fixed by software.
- check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.ukCheck vehicle recalls: Tesla Model Y 2023R/2025/104 power steering recall for software before 2023.38.4 (66,598 Model Y) and R/2025/002 (16,964 Model Y), both over the air.
- check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.ukCheck vehicle recalls: Tesla Model 3 2023R/2025/104 power steering recall listed for 30,864 Model 3 cars, dated 14 March 2025.
- check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.ukCheck vehicle recalls: Tesla Model 3 2020Nine recalls on 2020 Model 3 cars, including the R/2022/008 rear camera harness (26,618), R/2021/197 brake caliper bolts (565) and R/2022/131 eCall audio firmware (9,471).
- check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.ukCheck vehicle recalls: Tesla Model Y 2026Shows no recalls for 2026-built Model Y; the matching Model 3 2026 search also returned no recalls on 1 November 2026.
- femalefirst.co.ukDVSA reviews hidden car door handle safety after recall of more than 4 million vehiclesDVSA statement of 28 August 2026 that it is reviewing the door handle issue and there are no active UK recalls for hidden door handles; 2.98 million Teslas in the China recall.
- electrive.comMassive recall in China affects Tesla, Xiaomi and othersChina door release recall of nearly 2.98 million Teslas from 25 September, fixed with labels and an over-the-air window update; separate driver monitoring recall of about 2.74 million cars.
- tflcar.comTesla recalls nearly 219,000 cars for delayed rearview camera imagesUS recall 26V-283 of 218,868 cars on software 2026.8.6; delay up to 11 seconds; Hardware 3 cars only; fixed by 2026.8.6.1 over the air on 11 April 2026; 99.92% updated at filing.
- gov.ukVehicle safety defects and recalls: code of practiceProducers must notify the DVSA as soon as a safety defect is confirmed; owners are contacted by letter using DVLA keeper data.
EV Compared
The EV Compared editorial team tracks the UK electric vehicle market full time: new model launches, list prices, WLTP and real-world range, public charging tariffs and the tax rules that decide what an EV actually costs to run. Every guide is checked against manufacturer specifications and official GOV.UK figures, and updated whenever the numbers move.
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