Tesla Model 3 Complaints (2023)

417 consumer complaints on file.

#11524155May 27, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
On a clear sunny day driving on the freeway at 75mph on a 70mph speed limit, the regular cruise control(not Autopilot) was engaged. Experienced 4 separate incidents of strong emergency brakes being activated by the vehicle automatically for 2-3 secs, dropping speed by 10-15mph. As the driver I disengaged the cruise control by strongly accelerating the vehicle. Also multiple incidents of brakes engaging slightly for 1 second , always when driving on a straight freeway, with zero other vehicles present in the front or rear. The road had a slight incline then a slight decline. Just as the vehicle reaches the top of the incline the brakes activated. No warning lamps of sounds, just immediate sharp braking one all incidents. As the driver I felt very unsafe, and glad there were no vehicles close behind, which could have resulted in a rear collision. Vehicle has not been inspected by any party. As a Tesla driver I do not trust the Standard Cruise control feature any more.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11524131May 27, 2023
SEAT BELTS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Software Version: 2023.12.10 Over the past month, I have experienced a recurring problem with my vehicle's auditory notification system. The issue first began a couple of software updates ago and has persisted through the most recent update. The problem manifests sporadically, having occurred three times within the past month. When this issue arises, all system sounds, excluding radio and media, cease to function for the duration of my ride and persist across all future rides until the vehicle is hard rebooted. There are no visible warning signs or error messages on the dashboard to indicate that the system sounds are malfunctioning. Proof of issue - https://youtube.com/shorts/VbDErQVVzp4?feature=share The malfunctioning system sounds include but are not limited to: 1. Forward Collision Warning Sounds 2. Seatbelt Warning Sounds 3. Blinker Indicator Sounds 4. EV Reverse Sounds 5. System Notifications 6. All alerts and warnings Attempts to Resolve the Issue: To temporarily rectify the issue, I performed a hard reboot on the vehicle's system. This measure restored the sounds, but the problem consistently returns. **Safety Concerns:** This issue poses a significant safety concern as the lack of audible notifications increases the risk of accidents, particularly due to the absence of forward collision warning sounds, seatbelt warning sounds, and blinker indicator sounds. Additional Observations: It is important to note that this issue began a few software updates ago and has persisted despite subsequent updates. There are no error messages or warnings on the dashboard when the auditory system malfunctions, making the problem harder to detect until an auditory notification is expected but not heard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11523987May 26, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: DYNAMIC BRAKE SUPPORT/BRAKE ASSIST
2023 Tesla Model 3- Consumer wrote about comparison of braking mode to non-EV's, experience driving a rented EV (Electrical Vehicle) w/ braking mode and suggestions to make EV's braking mode safer. When EV's accelerator is NOT pressed the EV goes into regenerative braking mode. No brake lights are triggered because brake pedal wasn't pressed. Consumer listed two "real world dangers". Consumer recommendation- The regenerative braking of EV's should also trigger brake lights notifying vehicles behind the EV that the pace of the vehicle is slowing with the same force. as if brakes where applied.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522945May 19, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Vehicle breaks suddenly for no reason under a variety of circumstances. there is no pattern I could identify. i went on line to see if there is an update. many others with the same problem. Very dangerous if there is a car behind. Happens every day or so at freeway speed. Tesla needs to fix this!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522697May 18, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
When driving and using “autopilot” or just cruise control, the vehicle will randomly brake. Sometimes it brakes lightly, but sometimes it will violently slow the vehicle down, without warning. There is no obstacle in front of the vehicle. If another vehicle is behind the car when the car randomly brakes, this can potentially cause a rear-end event or potentially cause the car that is behind to swerve to avoid an accident. I submitted a service request to Tesla, but Tesla responded by stating that there was no malfunctions that needed to be addressed. They described various scenarios in which the computer would determine a need to brake.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11522184May 16, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
While crossing the rump and side walk to garage the car, as usual slowly proceed to enter the Garage but immediately the car went into extremely fast speed by itself and hit the side of the Garage, damaged the Garage wall, The garage opener, the cabinet, then hit the water softener and our other car in the front. It also smashed the bike against the wall , damaged the side wall cause a bulge to outside of the structure. The garage frame and right side of the Garage door fell on top of the car almost killed our daughter who was at the front passenger seat. The car brake did not stop the car, the alarm did not go off, the air bags did no inflate.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11521895May 14, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Phantom braking. Traveling highway 5 Southbound between Red Bluff, CA and WIliams, CA at 70 mph, the vehicle suddenly and firmly applied brakes as if attempting to avoid a collision with an obstacle closely ahead. The braking force was enough to activate the seatbelt restraint. There was no traffic for at least a 1/4 mile ahead and behind and no obstacle. I managed to flip the ACC lever up to disable it during the braking but felt that I was losing control of the vehicle. After ACC was disabled normal operation ensued. Speculation: The incident occurred mid-May and the area is agricultural and therefore teeming with bugs that collect on the front of the car. The forward camera may have been hit by a bug and the visual recognition system may have mistaken the bug for a large obstacle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521848May 13, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Tesla 3 2023 is making hard breaks on auto pilot even though there is no objects. It’s happened over 30 times in last 7 days. It’s scary bcz other cars Coming behind can leads to life threatening accidents. Pls help
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521507May 11, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The contact rented a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while testing the collision avoidance system the vehicle was moving at 2 mph and the brake pedal was not depressed the collision avoidance system did not activate. The vehicle collided with another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520831May 7, 2023
STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Car steering felt stuck and slid off the road which resulted in crashing into a tree. Tesla features did not help stay in the lane or break in an emergency.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520582May 5, 2023
STEERING
Power steering failure. Vehicle became extremely difficult to turn while moving. Was unable to turn wheel while stopped. Restarted car and power steering came back online and failed again. Restarted a second time and power steering worked for the remainder of the drive. I am currently working with Tesla service to inspect and fix any issues. Safety concern, yes. was not able to make gradual turns while driving. Dealer/service center confirmation: not yet, car is being towed to service center today 5/5/23 inspection: no, car will be inspected by Tesla service center soon Warning: yes internal car system gave me a warning that power steering was not function and that steering may require extra effort.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520534May 4, 2023
SUSPENSION, STEERING
This is an addition to my earlier complaint, NHTSA tracking number # 11520382. To reiterate, in this issue the suspension components failed even though the rim and wheel were pristine, and the sidewall did NOT have bubbles even a week after steering issues were observed. I will submit pictures of the failed suspension components following my service center visit next week.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520382May 4, 2023
SUSPENSION, STEERING
During a road trip, autopilot started pulling to the left and right because the autopilot was struggling to center the car in the lane. Driving without autopilot showed that the car was pulling to one side. A wheel alignment by Firestone showed alignment specs consistent with a strike, however the car was not actually struck during the trip. The rims and wheel look intact and brand new, without cracks or bubbles. A visit to the Tesla service center showed that the right hand rear control arm has an enlarged hole, indicating abnormal wear and tear on the suspension elements for a 4-month car with 7,000 miles. The car's steering wheel still feels loose even though the car drives straight.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520215May 3, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Hello, I have experienced 2 times the same issue with this new car model. I was driving on a interstate with 2 lanes, no cars in front of me and fortunately no cars behind, I was in autopilot mode and emergency brake system got engaged for no reasons apparently (Phantom braking) and I had to take over immediately. It was scary and I was lucky that no car was behind as it could have created definitely a worse scenario. The first time I was entering a bridge and the color of the asphalt was a bit different from the main road that might have triggered this phantom braking. The second time I entered in a driving area in the shade, here the phantom braking might have been triggered by a sudden change in the sun light. Regards.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520126May 2, 2023
STEERING
The steering wheel was received misaligned from the factory. When the steering wheel is held straight the vehicle veers to the left.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519423April 28, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The vehicle gives false forward collision warnings which increases my insurance premium. This happened multiple times in the last month.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518621April 24, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2023 TESLA MODEL 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THEIR VEHICLE RANGING FROM MINOR TO DANGEROUS. THE CONSUMER STATED UPON THE FIRST DAY OF POSSESSING THE VEHICLE, RUBBER AROUND THE WINDOWS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT WAS REPLACED AND A MONTH LATER THE PHONE WAS NOT CONNECTING TO THE BLUETOOTH IN THE VEHICLE, NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM STATES VEHICLE IS ON THE RIGHT WHEN THE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM WAS NOT ENGAGED, GLOVE BOX WILL NOT OPEN, WINDOW WILL GO DOWN WITHOUT NOTICE, THE APP TO LOCK AND UNLOCK VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONS, WINDOWS SQUEAKING WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, SELF LOCKING DEVICE WORKS SPORADICALLY, AND VIDEO RECORDING DEVICE STOP WORKING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516845April 13, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The car phantom brakes 50% of the time when I use Enhanced Autopilot Feature on the highway
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516347April 10, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Automatic emergency braking. Phantom braking without any real incident
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516113April 8, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
At random times the vehicle will slam on the brakes although there is nothing in front of it. It has happened with vehicles behind me and I have averted multiple crashes by luck I suppose.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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