Tesla Model 3 Complaints

2,178 consumer complaints on file.

#11500070January 4, 2023
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
2022 TESLA MODEL 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 22V-702.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499966January 3, 2023
SUSPENSION
The wheel control arm bolts that hold the wheel onto the vehicle slowly unscrewed until they fell out (x2 bolts per wheel). It is available for inspection upon request. If a disconnected fully inflated tire is sucked under the car at high speeds, it may potentially flip the vehicle, badly rupture the battery pack or the wheel may jettison from the vehicle onto surrounding vehicles. It is unknown what kind of damage or after-effect would take place if the battery were severely damaged by an inflated tire and rim. The problem was observed, documented and repaired by Tesla. The effects of the problem were only observed at 1 MPH. A recall of this specific issue was listed for other Model 3 2021 vehicles, but our vin # was not included in this recall, while it should have been. Tesla has inspected the vehicle one time and claim the vehicle is now safe to drive. Insurance would not participate in any claims regarding this type of incident because nobody was hurt. We did not receive any warning prior to failure, not even a wobble, shimmy, clunk or precursor of any kind. The car appeared to be perfectly solid and then suddenly the wheel came off. The car did not crash into anything other than the ground when the wheel disconnected.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499843January 2, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I was going 80mph on the interstate coming back from Little Rock to Tulsa. The time was 4am in the morning with little or no traffic on the road. I was using only the cruise control with adaption turned on. The car all of a sudden without any warning almost came to a complete stop on the interstate. I later asked what caused this and was told it is phatom braking but this was VERY dangerous, if someone had been behind me they probably would have been messed up. I merely accelerated to make sure I was at least keeping the minimum speed limit. Please advise. Shawn
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499648December 31, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
Ghost forward collision warnings appear from time to time even tho there is no one in front of the vehicle. Sometimes when the vehicle in front of me is turning left/right the collision warning will alarm me of possible impact even tho there was no real threat for anything to happen. Also, it happens when you want to park behind a parked vehicle (it happened to me today) and alerted me of a possible crash, while i was crawling to park. I wouldn't mind these ghost warnings, but since I am using Tesla Insurance which gives monthly insurance premiums based on the safety performance of the driver (FCW is one of those and the most important one) this is always impacting me financially at the end of the month. Tesla should be forbidden to use a technology that is not perfect in order to determine the price of the insurance.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499404December 29, 2022
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Cabin heat and defroster not working. Blower works, but no heat, so windshield cannot defrost or defog - Car can be made available for inspection. Makes driving the car difficult and risky in cold weather. Tesla is aware of the problem. Nobody has inspected it. A warning light did come on, saying that heat was not working. Plus, Teslas service is ridiculous. This is a warranty issue, but I am going to have to get the car from about three hours away. This is not reasonable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499274December 28, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Phantom braking repeatedly occurring while using normal adaptive cruise control (Autopilot). This has even occurred with no near traffic and no shadows or other irregularities in the road ahead.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499238December 28, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Adding our vehicle to the list of those affected by what seems to be commonly known as "Phantom Braking". The most recent occurrence was on Interstate 25 southbound in northern Colorado when the "Autopilot" (Adaptive Cruise Control) suddenly braked and reduced our speed from 75 to 51 mph, with no vehicles or other obstructions visible. We were almost rear-ended by a car following us, however. I want to point out that this was only the worst example of several episodes that occurred that day, and on earlier dates as well. We no longer use Autopilot, which makes long trips much less comfortable. I also want to mention that our vehicle does NOT have Tesla's "Full Self Driving" (FSD) installed, so my hands were on the wheel at all times.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499166December 28, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
On a recent trip (December 22, 2022) from Twin Falls, Idaho to Boise, Idaho, my Tesla model 3 braked without warning or any other reason while driving on the Interstate. The Tesla was in adaptive cruise control at the time and appeared to brake for no apparent reason. The braking was significant enough that it would have caused someone traveling behind me to collide into my rear-end without siginficant avoidance (and attention). This occurred three seperate times until I deactivated the cruise control. I felt it was not safe to operate with moderate to heavy traffic. I love my Tesla and feel it is one of the best vehilces I have owned; however, phantom braking is a significant problem. It needs to be corrected by reintroducing radar or some other technology. I have never experienced this with my other vehilce (Toyota Tacoma).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499129December 28, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER
The supermanifold failed, causing the front defroster to not work properly, resulting in loss of visibility in freezing temperatures. This is a common problem with 2021/2022 model 3/model y with the new heat pump that was supposed to be fixed with a software update, but was not. I now have a $3900 repair bill on a 1 year old car with 56,000 miles. The warranty expired at 50,000 miles. The failure was not a result of negligence.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11499098December 27, 2022
AIR BAGS
Vehicle was involved in a side collision on the driver side while stationary. Was hit by a 44 seat school bus traveling at or near highway speeds. Side Curtain Airbags failed to deploy, drivers side front, passenger side front, passenger side rear, driver side rear. Vehicle could be available for inspection, is currently being held by insurance adjuster but unsure where. When collision happened it caused head trauma with the window and window frame that could have ended up in death or severe cervical spine trauma. Manufacturer does not acknowledge issue with airbag system. Have not been able to get the manufacturer to respond to requests to look at the vehicle. Insurance adjuster took photos but does not have the tools necessary to inspect the airbag system to my understanding. Police did not inspect. No warnings lights or errors. Had a Tesla service representative out days before to run diagnostics on car for a separate issue.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#11498921December 26, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
We have regular phantom braking issues. This has been happening since we got the car new. I have videos. We have nearly been rear ended twice and this has happened before n almost a daily basis. The problem has been reported to Tesla and of course they say “nothing is wrong with the hardware” and won’t fix anything. This is a well known issue. It’s gotten worse. Slamming on the brakes for what appears to be a shadow or perhaps a tar strip and sometimes nothing but concrete pavement. It’s really scary and dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498806December 25, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
On certain sections of highway unsuccessfully attempted to activate auto-steer (two down clicks) multiple times in a row. Did this multiple times in a row but was unsuccessful to activate auto-steer. Instead a supposed "easter egg" (which activates with 4 down clicks) very loudly plays loud jarring music (called "rainbow road")...this is NOT FUCKING FUNNY--I nearly ran my car off the road and into oncoming traffic. Giant 2000 pound hunks of metal going at 60 mph should NOT FUCKING COME with special surprises. This is incredibly dangerous and jarring to drivers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498692December 23, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Driving across Texas, cruise control with traffic assist was enabled in the 2022 Tesla model 3 long range sedan. The vehicle suddenly braked and went from 84 mph to 68 mph in a matter of seconds. There were no cars in sight, no weather conditions or obstacles around the highway. Unsure of what or why that happened the first time, cruise control was re-enabled and the same thing happened very shortly after re-engaging cruise control.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498674December 23, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V235000 (Electrical System, Forward Collison Avoidance) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498639December 23, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Driving west on 1-10 west of TLH vehicle suddenly decelerate if if there was slowed or stopped traffic ahead. I was alone on road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498625December 23, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2022 TESLA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DESIGN DEFECTS ON VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TESLA HAS 2 DESIGN DEFECTS WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AUTO MODE THEY CANT BE TURNED ON WITH VOICE COMMAND AND THE TOP LINE OF THE LED SCREEN WAS ILLEGIBLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498431December 21, 2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Driving south on the 5 freeway right northing on Oceanside the vehicle shut down at freeway speed. I had to coast of the to the first Oceanside. Fortunately it was late at night and there were no cars in the immediate vicinity. In addition to this the vehicle has had multiple episode of phantom breaking. I do not feel safe driving the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498418December 21, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
To Whom It May Concern: Been meaning to submit this complaint for a while but have not had the time until now. My issue regards ‘phantom breaking’ related to Tesla’s TACC (Traffic Aware Cruise Control). Whenever I take long road trips on the highway and attempt to use TACC, the car will invariably hard brake on its own without reason or warning, even when there are no cars, animals, or other objects nearby in either direction. When this occurs, it is incredibly scary. If there had been cars close behind me, I have no doubt they would have rear ended me. It also causes panic to my family and baby, as the breaking is sudden and hard. As a result, I do not use the system when driving which means a tired foot for long trips. I know this is an ongoing issue, and the NHTSA is aware of it. I’d like to ask that the government REQUIRE Tesla and (and perhaps other car companies with similar challenges) to offer standard ‘old fashioned’ cruise control as an option for those customers that want it. Because Tesla’s TACC doesn’t work, I personally would just prefer to be able to set the speed on highways and then be responsible for slowing down and taking it off when I deem it to be appropriate. Being forced to rely on a Tesla’s faulty system is paternalistic and removes an important choice from drivers. Ultimately it is not safe. Please help change this. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11498398December 21, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The contact leased a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving approximately 70-80 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11497987December 19, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Random "phantom braking" while using autopilot or cruise control. Causes the car to slam on brakes and has lost control once almost causing me to go off the road. Also, has brake-checked many cars that follow behind me while I'm using autopilot or cruise due to the phantom braking. Also Tesla Repair center in Chicago replaced my front bumper with a discolored front bumper that had the same issue of peeling on the inner edges of the bumper as the prior front bumper. When I brought up the issue to Tesla they said that was a manufacturing process issue due to the molding process of the bumpers and that is how they all are. If that is the case why change the bumper? Could have just told me that's how all the cars are and saved a lot of my time. Also, have had many repairs from Tesla that don't seem to end. These cars arent being produced in a consistent manner. What was promised during the purchase of the car doesn't seem to hold up.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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