Tesla Model 3 Complaints (2021)

674 consumer complaints on file.

#11450906February 8, 2022
VISIBILITY/WIPER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Since the V11 user interface update, when you put the car into reverse, the rear camera sometimes does not show up, or often shows up only after a delay. Sometimes the delay is just a second or two, other times it is a minute or seems to hang forever. Today I was parked in front of my kid's school dropoff zone, and needed to back up after they got out to leave. When I went into reverse the cameras were just black and stayed that way. This was especially worrying in this scenario since small children could be walking behind me that I wouldn't be able to see without the camera. This was never a problem until the V11 user interface update, which also causes other safety problems, by burying important functions behind menus. For instance you now have to dig into a menu and reach all the way to the right side of the screen to operate the wipers, you have to dig into menus to operate basic climate control functions that used to be immediately available, etc.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450894February 7, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
With Autopilot/adaptive cruise control engaged, the vehicle slows precipitously on the freeways before large overhead signs across the freeway. There is no need for this reduction in speed due to safety. The system phantom brakes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450862February 7, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
- Yes - The cruise control portion of autopilot has some dangerous bugs in it ('21 Model 3 Long Range). At freeway speeds, the phantom braking is scary ASF!!! Potentially, getting someone killed. While on my road trip between Los Angeles and Denver then back. I experience at least 20 to 30 phantom braking events from mild to dam near scaring the f$$k out of me. Most of these events were during the day at speeds that would have caused a serious accident if someone was following me too close!! During the night time the events were all mild in comparison to the day time events. -Yes -No -No
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450840February 7, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving up SR95 in AZ at 65mph, the car suddenly provided an audio alert and then slammed on the brakes. It felt as the anti-lock may have engaged. When control was regained, I glanced at the screen and it appeared that it believed a person was in front of the car. There was nothing in front of the car at the time except the road and its common tar-snakes. All safety features were manually turned off to resume the drive. Though within seconds of turning on cruise control, it would start braking and being erratic forcing me to not use the basic cruise control. This was NOT while Autopilot was engaged. At the time of the main incident, cruise control wasn't even engaged. I was in full control of the vehicle and the throttle. But I could not override the braking. Thankfully the person behind was far enough not to be a major risk, but that was luck. Had anyone been following at your average distance, it would have been a rear end collision. This system is NOT safe and I will be looking at replacing the vehicle on this incident alone. I had experienced phantom braking often in the past, but never like this one where it panicked and slammed on the brakes so hard as to cause pain in my wife's shoulder due to the belt.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450776February 7, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The new Tesla touch screen UI is a major safe risk. Tesla has decided to hide the controls for the defrosters and wipers to such a degree that we are required to trust the automatic solutions for both and they both are abject failures. The manual controls worked fine, but the new UI is such a disaster, that we can no longer safely use the controls without taking our eyes off the road and touch the screen multiple times. I have contacted Tesla multiple times about this and will continue to do so requesting a way to roll back the software update. They refuse to do anything about this, so I have no recourse except to file safety complains to the NHTSA.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450749February 7, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
When traveling on a two-lane highway, oncoming traffic - especially larger vehicles such as semi trucks - cause the car to think it is going to hit the oncoming traffic and engages the brakes and sounds the forward collision warning. If the driver is not quick, there is danger of being rear-ended due to the sudden and unexpected braking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450714February 7, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
The car makes sudden braking when cruise control and/or autopilot is engaged. It’s very frustrating as the car thinks it’s emergency braking because of something in front of the vehicle but the sensors are misreading the stopping. It’s very scary.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450653February 6, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Phantom breaking. The basic autopilot cruise control frequently + aggressively brake as it detects phantom threats due to obscured sensors. Car can brake from 65 to e.g. 40mph rapidly, causing more risk, due to the rapid deceleration. Car needs a basic cruise control feature
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450611February 5, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The car has been phantom braking wrecklessly since July and has not been fixed. It almost caused an accident yesterday morning on the way home from my work. There was a vehicle approaching in the oncoming traffic lane and the lights were on. My car slammed on its brakes causing the person behind me to swerve. If it is low light conditions and a car is approaching in the oncoming traffic lane my Tesla will phantom brake almost always. This started with the vision only vehicles as my past Teslas with radar did not do this. It is now impossible to drive in low light conditions even with cruise control without the car slamming on its brakes constantly in autopilot or cruise.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450603February 5, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Adaptive cruise control is becoming dangerous on two lane roads. It repeatedly tries to slam on the brakes as if there is an obstacle whenever a large truck or similar vehicle passes in the oncoming lane. It is dangerous to vehicles driving behind us and defeats the purpose of having adaptive cruise control.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450587February 5, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The car keeps abruptly braking between 10-20 mph speed reduction while at highway speeds. Seems to be when there's minor hills or curves but otherwise entirely open road without nearby vehicles. Happening in a 4 lane and 2 lane highway with cruise control set (not self driving or autopilot) and the autopilot, autosteer, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking options are all confirmed OFF.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450559February 5, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
We recently purchased a new Tesla Model 3. This vehicle has Tesla Vision and doesn't have the radar unit to assist with TACC or Autosteer. With this vehicle, it has phantom braking on a frequently basis. For example, I drive on a two lane highway and in a 20 mile drive in clear daylight the vehicle will phantom brake anywhere from 5-10 during the trip. These phantom braking vary from random light braking for no reason to full on hard braking. Fortunately, we've been lucky not to have anyone behind us when these incidents occur. I've contacted Tesla and given them multiple dates and times. I was told that they were able to look at some data on the car and it appears everything is working as it should and it "should" get better with updates. I was also given a bunch of excuses why it was working as it should. I even sent Tesla a video of it doing a hard phantom brake and i was told that the highway was narrow. I've argued with them that this is occurring every day on every drive when we are on a two lane highway. I basically get told that it's functioning as it should, which clearly it is not. When I tell them I owned a 2019 Model 3 and we had zero phantom braking issues with it, but they have no answers. I feel their go to answers are it's a software issue and blame the engineers, which us customers don't have access to. This is going to cause a crash one day if this issue isn't taken seriously.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450544February 5, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - cruise control. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - traveling at 55-60 mph on a 2 lane highway at night when the car suddenly put on brakes because it must of saw something but there was nothing. I believe this is called "ghost braking". There was a car behind us and had to slow down as well. Luckily no accident was caused but scared my wife and I. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? NO Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? It happened so fast I did not see any warning lights. The car just suddenly started to brake hard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450496February 4, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
When the car is in assisted autopilot, the vehicle will brake very hard when not necessary.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450493February 4, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving on the highway and using auto pilot it has had multiple instances of phantom brakes doing highway speeds it will slow cars down rapidly and for no apparent reason. Really needs to get corrected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450475February 4, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Our Tesla Model 3, while using the Adaptive Cruise Control, will apply full brakes with either nothing in the road ahead or with oncoming traffic on a 2-lane highway. This is extremely dangerous and a hazard to vehicles behind us. This occurs every time it is used, with frequency up to 4 times in a single minute. Tesla has cancelled 2 service requests this month stating this is normal operation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450467February 4, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
This has happened frequently since I took delivery of the vehicle, I did have one repair request with tesla but they said they could not duplicate and the vehicle did not store enough data to confirm an issue. when driving with adaptive cruise control or cruise control with lane centering (autopilot) enabled the vehicle will SLAM on brakes (Like full emergency braking) with nothing in front of me. sometimes it chimes warning of a potential collision, sometimes it gives no visual or audible reason. It also will have more frequent events of mild to moderate braking. These events happen on interstates and two lane roads mostly but has also happened on multiple lane lower speed roads as well. it has gotten to where I do not use these features as I have almost been rear ended multiple times now due to these events. Tesla's general attitude to this was that it wasn't a big deal which i completely disagree. I have driven older teslas that still have a radar chip and it happens much less frequently and less severe on those. When I purchased the vehicle they informed me that the radar was no longer necessary and that it was to REDUCE these events. This happens from 20mph to 80+ all the way from 10 miles to the current 15,000
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450434February 4, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Any time I have the car in autopilot, it unexpectedly phantom brakes. Even when I'm not using autopilot, and I am using cruise control, the phantom braking still occurs. In several instances I have had people come close to hitting my car's rear. The braking is not subtle. It is rapid and aggressive. This issue creates a major danger for anyone in my car and others on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450420February 4, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I've complained to Tesla as well. No known fix at this time. When Autopilot is engaged, it will pick up phantom objects and brake hard to avoid. I notice this happens mostly when passing semis, RVs, trailers. I see this happening on any turn where a vehicle is in the lane next to you or on the other side of the road. The latest one I had autopilot engaged, I was alone on the highway, and it braked hard for no reason. Brought me from 75-80 mph down to 20 mph in an instant. It then accelerated hard up to 80 again. Within a couple of seconds, it braked hard again down to 20 mph. Autopilot doesn't work. Tesla had no fix and their recommendation was to not use it anymore. I bought the Tesla for that reason. Full Self Driving is even worse. I'm afraid to use it because I have a delayed reaction in Full Self Driving mode. It is unsafe and it will cause an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11450405February 4, 2022
VISIBILITY/WIPER
In December, Tesla released a software update that made Model 3 and Model Y cars unsafe to operate. They hid the defroster buttons and many other important controls behind menus that require multiple touchscreen presses to operate. This is unsafe to do while driving and as such we don't drive this car if the weather is at all suspect. The interface for safely operating a car should not rely on taking your eyes off the road to navigate touchscreen menus. Tesla has refused to roll back the software update and has promised a future update in the future to address some of these concerns. It's been over a month now. This needs immediate attention.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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