Tesla Model 3 Complaints (2021)

674 consumer complaints on file.

#11581038April 3, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Hi Tesla installed a new software update yesterday. Today when I began driving my car and I turned on the adaptive cruise control I found that the car was completely in autopilot and it was extremely to take control over the car again as I was initially unable to steer and it took a few seconds for it to discontinue the autopilot. This is very concerning because the car was set in the preferences (see attached photo) to autopilot (Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" in the preferences) even though I have never used it and has it set to adaptive cruise control ("Traffic-Aware Cruise Control" in the preferences). I am concerned that Tesla switched the preference to autopilot just after offering a free 30 day trial which I did not accept. I understand that full self-driving has never been approved and yet Tesla is flaunting the law and forcing drivers to use it without notifying us or requesting our permission. Tesla needs to be immediately held accountable for this reckless and dangerous behavior which put myself and likely many other driver's lives at risk. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] [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
#11578677March 21, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
After a recent update to the "Full Self-Driving" software stack (new version2023.44.30.25; FSD Beta v12.3), we drove from Charleston to Atlanta and back, with much of the trip on Interstate Highways [XXX] and [XXX]. A very troubling new phenomenon was noted: every time we passed a "Minimal Speed" sign, the car would drop the Speed Limit setting on the control panel to 40 MPH. In many of the iterations of this problem, the speed of the car dropped precipitously, creating a potentially dangerous situation. I had the software set to Auto speed limit offset, which in some circumstances maintained the speed around 70 MPH because it was keying on surrounding traffic, but in some instances the speed did not reset until we passed another "Speed Limit 70 MPH" sign. Often, I had to react by manually raising the Max Speed setting to the speed limit. This happened repeatedly (essentially every time we passed a Minimum Speed sign, unless the sign was obstructed from camera view by a semi). Please address this with Tesla and ask for an immediate bug fix and recall (software update). It is potentially very dangerous. 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
#11576482March 10, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving [XXX] on [XXX] in Texas, the Tesla autopilot abruptly and forcibly applied the brakes while I was driving approximately 77 mph. I was almost rear ended by a semi truck due to this issue. This happened again about 20 miles down the road and I disengaged the cruise control and autopilot altogether at that point. This is a continuous problem that needs to be addressed. 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
#11576288March 8, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Full Self Driving and cruise control brakes randomly and violently with no warning at highway speeds. This has happened no less than 20 times on one trip on 8 March 2024. This has put myself and other vehicles in extreme danger. The model has had this issue known by the manufacturer and nothing has been done. This braking occurs with no warning other than the vehicle slamming on the brakes. This needs to be fixed asap, its a hazard to me as the driver and the general public
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11575945March 7, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEAT BELTS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11574681February 29, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving in the rain, there was an auto rain-sensing feature on the vehicle that was inoperable. The contact stated that the front windshield wipers did not automatically turn on while it was raining and that the auto rain-sensing feature worked intermittently. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the unreliability of the auto rain-sensing feature, but stated it was a Beta feature. The contact stated that the risk was that there was no physical control for the front windshield wipers causing a safety issue because the contact could not engage the wipers safely when driving as it was not readily accessible via the entertainment panel when the auto rain-sensing was inoperable. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed, but not repaired because there was no fix. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11574331February 27, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Complete computer failure leaving cars safety systems not working. Had to pay 3000$ for a new computer for a new car. Did not have car for three weeks. No systems would work.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11572649February 18, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The car was in an accident on 10/5/2022 when the autosteer over corrected causing the vehicle to strike the median of the road. It was subsequently totalled.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11572553February 17, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Auto windshield wipers do not turn on often when raining or misting. I constantly have to change the settings which takes my eyes off the road often. Very poor and unsafe system
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11572238February 15, 2024
SUSPENSION, STEERING
Please note that the VIN I have used is not the VIN of the actual vehicle which is the subject of this complaint. There has been a fatal crash in San Diego. Here is a video of the aftermath. [XXX] I have taken stills from that video that show the Tesla wheel lying on the roadway well before the crash site and marks on the road that show the car slewed sideways after the wheel fell off and then crashed and burned incinerating the young driver. Photos are attached. You know full well that Tesla has defective suspensions. You have blood on your hands for failing to take action against Tesla. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
1
#11571790February 14, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
My 2021 Tesla Model 3 has various issues with the auto pilot feature. When engaged the car makes sudden and abrupt stops while driving. This has happened various times while driving on the freeway when there were no obstructions present. The autopilot feature also prompts to change to the right lane, when dismissed the prompt appears again repeatedly. This is repeated throughout the drive and poses a major distraction. There was supposed to be an “over-the-air” correction but my vehicle has never received the software update.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11571547February 12, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
While traveling west on [XXX] in Dane county just before exit [XXX], I experienced unexpected braking while using TACC. My cruise speed was set at 72 MPH and I observed the set speed changed itself to (I think) 40 MPH. This caused the car to quickly begin braking to slow my speed to this new speed. I had to intervene and accelerate manually while also trying to reset the set speed. Thankfully no one was directly behind me, as this was incredibly unsafe. This has occurred at this location more than once. I'm not sure if the GPS perhaps thought I was on the exit ramp instead? TACC and autopilot seem to work normally elsewhere. It has not otherwise been inspected. 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
#11570164February 5, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Auto wipers do not speed up in heavy rain forcing me to manually change the speed which can be dangerous while driving on the highway in heavy rain.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11569419February 2, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
You guys have ruined auto pilot and made it less safe. Quit trying to get a promotion or recognition by going after Tesla. My model 3 was the safest car to drive hands down. I've had 17 different cars in the last 20 years, Tesla's are like anything else I've ever driven. The problem you caused by forcing stricter safety for autopilot, actually makes it way less safe. Before it assisted on highways so I could briefly do things like change temperature, music, or navigation without accidently running off the road or colliding with another vehicle. Now it's so sensitive with warnings to pay attention, it's actually a distraction. Look at my speed, warning to pay attention. Check my surroundings in mirror, warning. Change temperature, warning. It's to the point where it's distracting me more then anything I would do in a traditional car. Seriously, NHTSA can go [XXX] itself. Someone in the government always trying to make a name for themselves acting like a savior for the people. Why don't you make yourself useful and go after those [XXX] traditional company's like Ford. Ford always rolls out vehicles with serious safety defects, but weigh the cost of recalls/lawsuits against profit. Ford shouldn't be allowed to sell vehicles in the US, yet you go after Tesla, who in my opinion makes the safest car ever created. 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
#11569343February 1, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I leased a Tesla Model 3 on [XXX] in Tampa, Florida On [XXX] the car went into Sudden Unintended Acceleration as I was coming out of a "Hold" at a Yield sign where I was at a complete stop waiting for traffic to fully clear for a right hand turn onto a two lane street. I was coming off of [XXX] onto [XXX] in St. Petersburg, Florida. As I started the turn, the Tesla tossed me onto the curb and along a pedestrian sidewalk at high speed. I tried to brake, but the car continued plowing towards a traffic sign that I avoided hitting by making a hard left to try to get back onto the street. Instead of returning me to the street and my lane, the Tesla threw me left across two lanes of traffic, over a grass divider, and into two lanes of oncoming traffic heading straight for a head on collision. At this point, the steering wheel went out, was completely unresponsive and just kept spinning around. The brake was still not responding. I kept spinning the wheel towards the right until at the last minute the car sped back onto the correct side of the road where I was abruptly and without any kind of a jolt, able to regain control of the car: the brake responded and the steering wheel stopped spinning. I then drove at a speed of about 20 miles an hour to the closest residential street. After stopping to gather my wits for about half an hour, I slowly drove home with the emergency lights on and parked it in the parking lot. The Tesla had damage to the front and undercarriage. The Tesla's steering wheel pulled to the right. I did not get into that Tesla again and demanded that they tow the car away and warn others that it is a death trap. They towed the car. I am never getting into any other Tesla again for as long as I live. 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
#11568903January 30, 2024
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My car computer touchscreen has been rebooting with every entry since/start since software update 2023.44.30.5.1. in mid December, 2023. Software update 2023.44.30.8 did not resolve the issue. During the reboot process I am able to move my vehicle but the safety systems (parking sensors, back-up camera, wipers, etc) are inoperable for up 3 minutes during the reboot process. I have reported the issue to Tesla and brought my vehicle in for service 1/29/24. The service center claims that reboot issue is due to a software bug and is a “known characteristic” with this release. They also claim that the lack of the ability to use cameras/sensors while operating the vehicle is convenience related, not safety. Tesla can give me no ETA on when I can expect a software update to remedy the issue which has been outstanding for 5 weeks now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568838January 30, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am encountering a serious problem with FSD 2023.44.30.8 06f534d46010. When navigating to a destination the vehicle will drive in a clearly identified bus turn off stop on the right side of the right driving lane. It then abruptly stops and is unsure what to do. The vehicle should not navigate to a bus turnoff stop. The vehicle repeatedly does this at not one but numerous bus turnoff stops in my area. The abrupt turnoff and stop is a hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568520January 29, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The recall you required has made my Tesla car far less safe to drive. I am an attentive driver and had grown accustomed to using Tesla autopilot to help me drive more safety to and from work. Without it I feel that I drive more aggressively and less safe. You should consider supporting Tesla in it's efforts to improve safety through technology
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11568375January 28, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The cruse control is unable to keep its speed and sometimes the vehicule breaks suddently on the highway, especially when the road is wet. The cameras are obstructed by mist or other dirt and the system does not work properly. Related to this problem, the wipers are dangerous to operate. When the cruse control is engaged, then the wipers are forced to automatic mode, which does not work properly. It could start to swipe the dirty mist and actually reduce visibility. Operating the wipers with the touch screen is a hazard, forcing the driver to leave the eyes from the road. I contacted Tesla about these problems last year and the company did nothing. Even worst, on their new cars they removed the stalks completely, which is a non sens. The NHTSA has to intervene.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11567452January 24, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
While using adaptive cruise control, at highway speeds, there was aggressive, automatic braking when there was no vehicle in front of me. It happened about half a dozen times on a three-day trip from Indiana to Florida. Luckily, in each case there was no vehicle directly behind me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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