Tesla Model 3 Complaints (2022)

773 consumer complaints on file.

#11638815January 27, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Our car was parked in our garage for two days before August 25, 2024 not plugged in for charging and was clear of issues. On the morning of August 25, 2024 we woke up to the smell of smoke and evacuated our house as the source was coming from our Tesla in the garage. This incident burned our home and took 6 of our cats with it. We filed with insurance and they are reporting that they are not liable for the accident. They did not bother to show up to the joint investigation and paid the bare minimum for the market price of the vehicle. The company has been slow in responding and has shown zero remorse or care of the matter. Fire department pinned it as a 99.9% probability of cause that the front battery of the Tesla triggered the fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636905January 19, 2025
SUSPENSION
Front and rear suspension bushings wear and rip at very low mileage
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636893January 19, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
There has been numerous false Forward Collision Warning reports from my car over the past two years. Over 100 to be exact. These false collision warnings cause the car to brake abruptly increasing the change of being rear ended, causing accidents behind me or even causing my car to swerve. This has been witnessed by at least 3 different passengers of mine. Tesla refuses to acknowledge that their software can be flawed in any way despite my attempts to contact Tesla Service, Tesla Insurance, Tesla Support and Tesla Internal investigative services. I have requested a complete list of all Bug Reports and no one is able to reproduce them for me or give me a list. No my vehicle has not been inspected because Tesla claims that this is working as intended. Which, if that is the case, they're doing/using it to arbitrarily raise people's premiums and make them pay more with Tesla Insurance. No warnings. Just abrupt stops due to the camera improperly reading a situation, seeing something that isn't there, or simply activating out of thin air.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11636379January 16, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, VISIBILITY/WIPER
Dear NHTSA, I am filing a formal complaint regarding Tesla's refusal to properly address a critical safety recall on my vehicle (Recall Number 24V554). This recall involves a significant safety issue that Tesla is legally obligated to remedy free of charge under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. The required over-the-air software update associated with this recall repeatedly fails to install, getting stuck at 50% completion. I scheduled a service appointment and took the vehicle to Tesla for assistance. However, Tesla informed me that they will not diagnose the issue or investigate why their software update fails to install unless I agree to pay $255.00 for a general diagnosis. Additionally, they require me to pre-approve a total of $2,658.28, including the diagnostic fee, in case the computer needs to be replaced. This approach leaves me unable to proceed with a mandatory safety recall and directly contradicts Tesla’s legal obligation to repair safety-related defects at no cost to the consumer. I urge the NHTSA to investigate Tesla's practices concerning this recall and their apparent refusal to adhere to their obligations under the law. This situation raises concerns about Tesla’s commitment to addressing safety-critical issues in a manner that ensures public safety and compliance with federal regulations. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634987January 8, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I'm not quite sure what component was affected, some module of some sort got water in or near it that wasn't supposed to. It is available for inspection. Yes my safety and others was out at risk. Yes the problem was fixed by service center supposedly. Yes the car has been inspected by the manufacturer. There were no warnings. What happened was on 12/29 I was driving the car and out of absolutely nowhere a bunch of warnings came up including loss of ABS, any and all safety features. And more importantly lost usage of brakes almost entirely when car came to a stop it was grinding and shakey. This problem all arises due to teslas negligence when it came to installing a new windshield on the vehicle. As stated in messages below, they made a mistake while installing my windshield that caused this major issue to arise. They have offered nothing as a solution but saying that their error is supposedly fixed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634318January 6, 2025
TIRES
Both front tires are loosing chunks of tread toward the outside of the tire near the sidewall. I’ve never seen chunks of tread come off of a tire. These have quite about of tread life left as well. 235/40/R19
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634158January 5, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint •Vehicle Information: •Make: Tesla •Model: Model 3 •Year: 2022 •Summary of Incident: On November 28,2024, I experienced an incident involving my 2022 Tesla Model 3 while it was stationary just outside my garage. I accidentally pressed the accelerator pedal instead of the brake. The car surged forward and crashed into the back wall of my garage. Despite Tesla’s advertised safety features, such as Collision Avoidance Assist and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), none of these systems intervened or activated during the incident. I expected the safety systems to detect the garage wall and mitigate the collision, but they failed to respond. Additionally, Tesla’s Obstacle-Aware Acceleration system did not seem to function as intended to limit acceleration in this scenario. •Injuries or Property Damage: There were minor injuries to passenger, but the vehicle and the garage sustained significant damage. •Steps Taken Post-Incident: I have contacted Tesla to request an analysis of the vehicle’s event data logs to determine why the safety features did not activate. I am waiting for their response. •Concern: I am filing this report because I believe this may indicate a potential safety issue with Tesla’s collision prevention systems in low-speed scenarios involving stationary obstacles. This raises concerns about the reliability of these features in real-world situations, particularly for drivers who may accidentally press the accelerator. •Supporting Information: If needed, I can provide photographs of the damage, repair estimates, and additional details.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11632939December 29, 2024
SEAT BELTS
The passenger seat belt no longer latches. The mechanism that pushes out the pin to hold the belt in is no longer working.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632699December 27, 2024
STEERING, SUSPENSION
At low/no speed, turning the steering wheel to the extreme left or right produces a low-end creaking noise as if something is rubbing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11632501December 26, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING
The contact owned a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH with the full self-driving mode activated and making a right turn off the highway, the vehicle collided with the wall of the exit ramp and spun out. The contact stated that there were no prior alerts and or warnings of the collision. The contact sustained a right shoulder injury. Medical attention was not needed. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision shop where it was deemed totalled. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,669.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11631508December 18, 2024
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This incident is the result of poor operation of safety warning and navigation systems in a Tesla Model 3 leading to an accident. I rented a Tesla Model 3 from Hertz at Seattle Tacoma airport. At a traffic light I followed navigation directions making a left turn into Southcenter Mall in Tukwila WA. This turn placed me in the direction of a Subaru which hit me in the driver side rear side. The Tesla safely warning visual and audible system did not activate as designed. I owned a similar Tesla Model 3 at the time and was very familiar with its operation. The navigation and collision warning systems in this rental vehicle did not in any way act or engage like my personal vehicle, and therefore I was placed in a dangerous situation causing an accident to occur. This was a low speed accident, as I was beginning to accelerate after the light turned green, with sufficient time for the systems to react and provide warning, which they did not. I was not cited in the accident. This may be a Hertz maintenance issue or a Tesla issue I'm not sure. I am loading both the Tukwila Police report and Hertz accident summary which contradict: Please note the Hertz report is correct in the Subaru hitting me and the damage on the left side
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11630921December 16, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving on the highway when the touchscreen lit up with multiple error messages including: - Steering assist reduced (Steering may require increased effort) - Traction control disabled (Drive with caution) - Stability control disabled (Drive with caution) - Parking brake functions degraded (Parking brake may not apply or release) - Lane Departure Avoidance features unavailable (Features may be restored on next drive) Also, the speedometer changed to 0 (while we were going 70 mph). When I pulled onto the next off-ramp the steering was very heavy and the regenerative braking was not working. Pressing the brakes (even slightly) felt like the ABS was pulsating. This was extremely dangerous and easily could have resulted in a serious accident in heavy traffic or if the road had not been straight. It was a rental car so I have not seen the car since the rental company towed it away. I have not heard from the rental company about the car's status or their findings. Prior to the catastrophic failure of multiple systems, there were two other warnings messages: - Left front fender camera blocked or blinded (Clean cameras or wait to regain visibility) - Autopilot safety/convenience features unavailable (Features may be restored on next drive) These had been coming on and off for a couple hours but I had assumed they were due to driving through heavy rain.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629438December 7, 2024
STEERING
The car's steering wheel locked unexpectedly, rendering the vehicle undrivable. Additionally, multiple alerts appeared, indicating that the car's hold feature, traction control, and steering assist were reduced. This issue occurred while the car was parked but still running. When I shifted into drive, the car unintentionally rolled backward, forcing me to press the brake pedal to prevent a collision. If this had happened while driving, it could have resulted in a serious accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11629435December 7, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Tesla needs to be required to implement trailer mode to all model 3/Y vehicles (not just those equipped with a tow hitch from the factory) because the basic autopilot and existing safety software does not correctly identify when the vehicle is towing a trailer. Legal Aftermarket tow hitch installations exist for small trailers, such as U-Haul trailer. However Tesla does not recognize these aftermarket installs. And Tesla needs to be required to add the required trailer software mode for vehicles with aftermarket hitches to provide the required safety software when towing. It is needed because of the cars emergency braking, collision avoidance, navigation, and autopilot modes need to know that a trailer is connected so that the vehicle software does not make an unsafe maneuver depending on the driving situation/condition.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628633December 3, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Hi. My issue is partly related to case PE-22-002 and may also contribute to it as well. I will forward my dash-cam videos (the false detection of cars in-front of me for 63.5% of that drive is included here) to your email as support for the investigations. I have been noticing warnings that a car is in the lane I am changing into when there is no car present. This has happened several times, despite the camera showing no cars and checking for myself showed no cars. The first time it happened, it scared me so bad I jerked back into my lane and could have lost control of being safely in the lane. I filed a service request and was told it would cost me an est. $195.00 to have them look at it, but they said they think it is software related and tried to say they don't deal with software issues. It has experienced many occasions of decelerating for no cause when using the Full Self Driving, Autopilot and Cruise Control. It would cause me to have to disengage them as I felt it was effecting my distance efficiency. I found a new issue last night that caused concern. We have been getting high reports of following too closely, so I drove from Plainview, Tx to Amarillo, Tx in complete control myself while driving 100% perfectly and it reported that it claimed 63.5% of that drive was "Following To Closely" when in-fact any time a vehicle was in-front of me by (I think) 30 car lengths, I changed into the other lane where the was no vehicles in the lane at all. It is my personal opinion that it is a combination of the cameras not being infrared and not seeing well enough in low light situations, and the software unable to tell the difference between darkness/shadows and objects that should be avoided. These false alerts occur more for me in low light conditions, but the unneeded deceleration has occurred in all conditions.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624540November 11, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
In autopilot mode vehicle failed to recognize School bus with flashung red lights and children crossing in front of vehicle. Had to hit brakes
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11624121November 7, 2024
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The following will happen in drive or reverse. Causing the vehicle to enter a free roll condition. If the vehicle detects both pedals are pressed. The vehicle will then disengage the motors and the brakes. And it will free roll. The vehicle does not successfully maintain stop and hold in this case. I was stopped at a red light and on an uphill. When the light turned green, I bumped the brake pedal when I went to accelerate forward in drive. My car rolled backwards downhill as a result. My instinct was to press the accelerator to try and go forward before I thought to hit the brake. My car rolled about 1.5 car lengths backwards. Luckily nobody was behind me. This is a safety issue that has existed for the 3 years that I have owned this car. Not once has this been corrected in a software update. This is a serious safety problem and I’m surprised nobody has free rolled into a pedestrian or vehicle because of it. Or if they have, maybe they don’t know that it was caused due to this vehicle behavior. The software needs fixed to prevent free rolling in drive or reverse. Normal gas cars don’t suddenly fall to neutral and free roll all over the place if you bump both pedals. like wow.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621596October 23, 2024
SUSPENSION
See attached document for complaint.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621181October 22, 2024
AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the contact heard an audible chime. The contact stated that the message "Driver Side Safety Restraint System Fault" was displayed. Additionally, the passenger’s side air bag warning light intermittently illuminated and after a week remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by the service App. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620771October 19, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Tesla FSD almost caused a serious accident. My car was at a stop sign at a t in the road with cross traffic going 40-50mph. The car did not see a white car driving toward from the left as it pulled out. Instead of stopping before getting in front of the car, it pulled slowly into the lane and then errored out, stopping right in front of a car that was about to T-bone me. I had to take back control of the car and quickly accelerate before they crashed into me. Luckily the combination of me taking over and accelerating and the other car also slowing down drastically saved us from having a serious accident. Unfortunately I had a fresh cup of hot coffee in my left hand and the acceleration caused it to spill allover the left side of my face, neck and chest causing burns. None of this would have happened if I wasn't testing the free trial of "Full Self-Driving." This was only a block from my home and it couldn't even work properly for more than 2 minutes. Software is so far from being ready to be safely used it is going to kill people. I have dashcam videos of the whole thing and can provide to you.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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