2023 Tesla Model 3 High-Voltage Battery Recall (23V434)
Tesla, Inc. · 26 vehicles · Reported June 19, 2023
Tesla, Inc. is recalling 26 2023 Tesla Model 3; 2023 Tesla Model Y vehicles. The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective. A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V434 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V434000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SB-23-16-005 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | June 19, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Tesla, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2023 Tesla Model 3; 2023 Tesla Model Y |
| Units affected | 26 |
| Component | Electrical System > Propulsion System > Traction Battery |
| Safety risk | A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2023 Tesla Model 3 in recall 23V434?
The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. The pyrotechnic battery disconnect may be defective.
Is it safe to drive a 2023 Model 3 with recall 23V434?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A defective battery disconnect may not isolate the vehicle's high voltage battery after a crash or fault detection, increasing the risk of electrical shock and injury.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Model 3 shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the traction battery, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V434?
Recall 23V434 covers 26 vehicles: 2023 Tesla Model 3; 2023 Tesla Model Y.
NHTSA lists 26 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Tesla | Model 3 |
| 2023 | Tesla | Model Y |
What is the fix for the Model 3 high-voltage battery recall?
Yes. Tesla Service will replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect, free of charge.
Tesla Service will replace the pyrotechnic battery disconnect, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 18, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-16-005.
When was recall 23V434 announced?
Tesla, Inc. reported recall 23V434 to NHTSA on June 19, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as August 18, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| June 19, 2023 | Tesla, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V434000. |
| August 18, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 40 months ago. If your Model 3 was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Model 3 is part of recall 23V434?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V434 is open on your Model 3, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 23V434000 is open on your Model 3, it will be listed there, along with Tesla recall number SB-23-16-005. You can also ask any Tesla dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Model 3 owners do about recall 23V434?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V434000 applies to your Model 3.
- Book the recall appointment with any authorized Tesla dealer. Ask up front whether parts are available and how long the vehicle will be there.
- Get a repair order for every visit, even if the dealer only inspects the vehicle. Read it before you leave and make sure your complaint is written the way you described it.
- Keep a simple log of any traction battery symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the recall repair does not fix it, or the vehicle keeps going back for the same issue, talk to a lemon law attorney.
What are Model 3 owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 1,593 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 147 of them about the ev and hybrid battery.
Since recall 23V434 was reported on June 19, 2023, owners have filed 129 complaints with NHTSA about the ev and hybrid battery on these vehicles. 16 of them (12%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt.
How we counted: we matched NHTSA owner complaints for the model years in this recall that list the ev and hybrid battery and were received on or after June 19, 2023, then flagged narratives that describe a repeat failure or a problem returning after a dealer repair, recall service or software update. Data from NHTSA, accessed October 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified owner reports and may involve a related ev and hybrid battery issue rather than this exact defect; automated text matching can miss or misread some reports.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 1,593 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 147 of them involve the ev and hybrid battery. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2023 Tesla Model Y: 1,166 complaints in total, 102 about the ev and hybrid battery
- 2023 Tesla Model 3: 427 complaints in total, 45 about the ev and hybrid battery
Here is what some owners told NHTSA, in their own words (excerpts, unverified):
How did Tesla pass the Safety Standards for the position of rear door handles to manually open the vehicle? The vehicle gets into an accident OR the car plunges into water – and this almost always results in a non-responsive/deal battery.
2023 Tesla Model Y owner, MO, NHTSA complaint 11636899, filed January 19, 2025
Vehicle had a open window during rain storm. Interior got wet. Next day the vehicle was left to dry out. Vehicle caught on fire and engulfed in flames in the backseat. Nobody was harmed fire was contained by the Frisco Fire Department. Vehicle was then towed away.
2023 Tesla Model Y owner, TX, NHTSA complaint 11663167, filed May 27, 2025
We experienced an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation with Tesla Y model on [XXX] around [XXX] and would like to report to NHTSA. We were driving on [XXX] going towards Nashua and my TESLA-Y car when the steering wheel froze and I got message that front camera was not working.
2023 Tesla Model Y owner, MA, NHTSA complaint 11664227, filed June 1, 2025
Can recall 23V434 make my Model 3 a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 23V434000 does not automatically make your Model 3 a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
High-voltage battery and drive system defects in EVs and hybrids can mean reduced range, charging faults, loss of drive power or a fire risk. These repairs often need parts on backorder, so days out of service add up quickly.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
Recall repairs depend on parts. Owners can wait days, weeks or months, usually about one to three months in our cases, and those days count toward California's 30-day out-of-service rule.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Model 3 been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Tesla Model 3 recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V434
Did the recall 23V434 fix work?
Since recall 23V434 was reported on June 19, 2023, owners have filed 129 complaints with NHTSA about the ev and hybrid battery on these vehicles. 16 of them (12%) describe the same problem happening more than once or coming back after a repair attempt. If your vehicle still has the problem after the recall repair, go back to the dealer, get a repair order, and talk to a lemon law attorney.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed August 18, 2023.
Is the 23V434000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
How do I know if my Model 3 is part of recall 23V434000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Can a battery recall reduce my EV's range?
Some battery recalls limit the state of charge or range until a module or pack is replaced. Check your owner letter for any interim limits, and keep notes if range or charging changes after the repair.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V434000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Tesla. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.