Tesla Model 3 Complaints (2022)

773 consumer complaints on file.

#11620245October 16, 2024
SUSPENSION
The right front passenger side suspension started squeaking at 22586 miles. Service center replaced lower lateral links on 7/1/24. Repair did not fix the squeaking sound. Service center could not replicate the issue until a test drive with myself and a tech on 9/20/24 and made me make a third appointment for repair. On 10/16/24 the service center said the control arm was failing, but did not think it would be covered under warranty. A quick internet search turned up lawsuits, hundreds of complaints, and crashes resulting from failing control arms.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11620079October 16, 2024
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, SEATS
car has a passenger safety restraint fault, got quote to replace a sensor for $455 parts and labor. when reading online, this appears to be a common failure in these vehicles and if you don't get repaired, air bags / seat belt restraint may not work properly. seems like should be a recall for this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619072October 10, 2024
SEATS
Got this warning on my tesla model 3. Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault will get it fixed at appt on monday Had the exact same issue on our Model Y. Also happened to my friend's tesla. It is all over the internet. I think a recall should be issued and the warranty extended to ten years for this issue on all existing teslas
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618570October 7, 2024
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was driving I the Highway and the car start to move in another car direction, I went to Tesla they said is computer fault, but I’m not involved in any accident to get a computer issued and now I receive the letter reporting a problem And they don’t wanna fix this
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618202October 5, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Full Self Driving prominently suggests the user enable “automatic set speed offset”. When enabled it tries to guess the speed it should be going, and goes that speed. On city streets and rural highways the driver is unable to lower the speed with the normal cruise control speed dial. it is disabled. It recognizes when the speed limit lowers on the road, but does not adjust to that new limit. The only option is to hit the brakes or otherwise disable the system. On the interstate this resulted in it resetting to the maximum 85 MPH as it was setting itself to 86 at every deactivation. Turning cruise control back on, despite having previously set it to the speed limit, causes it to to immediately accelerate regardless of the posted limits or the previous setting.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614883September 16, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
All has been reported in writing to Tesla Corporate and Tesla Service Center SoDo Seattle, WA. Has not been repaired to date, with multiple attempts to bring car in for service: Emergency brake failed to engage on two occasions, [XXX] it was first reported that the car lost control of steering and emergency brake did not engage. Second time on [XXX]; car would not shift into any gear. Tesla Roadside said to have it towed (we did), Tesla had car for two weeks and did not address issues reported. Tesla has received extensive documentation for both times. They continue to tell us to drive car and just report issues as their resolution. Car has failed seals that have resulted in multiple times of mold and rodents in car (had professionally inspected). Tesla continues to insist I go inside vehicle and drive car. Tesla first discovered the mold in March 2024 during warranty service visit. They acknowledge smell in writing. Odometer was changed while car was brought in for service (shows on Tesla provided service records). Car arrived on 7/2/24 at 11:06am with 32,390 miles and left 7/2/24 at 11:07am with 32,687 miles. Manager was present and in the car for this visit. Car charger has failed and been replaced multiple times, battery is defective. Tesla will not inspect. Reported in writing loud thudding in trunk for months and Tesla took no action. Turned out to be live rats discovered during private mold inspection in trunk, frunk and inside of car; we believe we were exposed to rodents for months due to Tesla refusing to inspect properly. We have reported the car making us incredibly ill with heart and lung issues, unexplained hair loss, nausea, fatigue and Tesla has taken no action. We arrived at Service center 7/2/24 asking for water and ill from the car and they ignored until we said we would need to call 911. No warning messages for any of the safety issues reporting, Tesla maintains the car is in good condition. Continue to seek medical care. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614533September 13, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The noted vehicle is one of 7 Teslas (6 Model 3s and 1 Model Y) that I have rented from Hertz for a round trip from Orlando Fl to Naples Fl. Over the last 7 months. Each of the Model 3 vehicles was different, I never got the same Model 3. Each of the vehicles exhibited the same or similar glitch when traveling on [XXX] at [XXX] when either the navigation and/or the adaptive speed control was engaged and traveling at or near the posted speed limit when nearing this specific exit. If only the navigation system is on it will direct the driver to take the exit and then return to the interstate using the on ramp. If the adaptive speed control is engaged, either with or without the navigation feature on, when the vehicle is on [XXX] near or under the overpass it will abruptly try to slow the vehicle to 35 MPH, the speed limit for traffic on the overpass. None of the rental vehicles has the full autopilot activated to my knowledge. This event will occur when traveling in either direction and has only occurred at [XXX] on my 200+ mile trip. Having this occur once or twice would be strange, but 7 times at the same location over 7 months in 7 different vehicles is more likely a glitch of some kind, and one that could result in a crash if a driver is unprepared for the unexpected rapid reduction in speed. [XXX] is heavily travelled with both local and out of town drivers in both personal and rental vehicles. I have no idea if this is occurring at other locations but it seems to be consistent here. Since the adaptive speed control must be using information from the navigation system to display and utilize the speed limit to regulate maximum speed, it is likely the problem is in the navigation system. 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
#11614411September 13, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while operating the vehicle in "Self-Driving" mode, the error message "Camera Malfunction" was displayed. During the failure the vehicle drove through red lights and erroneously steered the vehicle off the road and into the wrong lane. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the main computer was faulty and needed to be replaced. The computer was replaced but the failure persisted. No further information was available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612856September 5, 2024
STEERING
Constant alert of "Steering assist reduced" Steering rack replacement under warranty
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610632August 24, 2024
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
The car continuously complains about front passenger safety restraint system faults. This has gone on and off since about 15k miles and car is now at 50k miles. Tesla has said it is software related at one point (different software complains about it differently) and most recently installed an occupant classification system filter module without it resolving the issue. Now they are saying that it needs an $1100 repair. From boards and forums this seems like a well known issue that many cars are having from Tesla and it seems they are avoiding properly handing the issue and fixing it at their expense. This issue seems to cause the passenger airbag to disable and turn off when there is a passenger actively sitting in the front passenger seat as well as it makes a chime and distracts the driver every time it flips its state - which can be multiple times a minute!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609605August 20, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
my tesla 3 performance year 22 software problem My car defaults to 25 mpr in a 55 mpr area. This happens on secondary roads in North Carolina. This dangerous. I have taken my car to Charlotte and Raleigh service Centers with no fix for this software problem. This been going for almost 2 years. I have been by the service center managers that one day this software problems will be fixed one day. I have informed Tesla that this software issue is very dangerous but they do not care. Please help since I have not any success with this very important matter. This software problems make the car drive and behave very different. [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
#11609247August 18, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My 2022 Tesla model 3 has a major issue that should be widely addressed and because the computer screen has completely turned off although there was never any damage done to the vehicle. The cost to fix this issue is $3,052.30. I went on a three day vacation and came back to the screen not turning on but the vehicle can still drive, the major issue is that the screen controls all major functions of the vehicle and is a major danger driving the car if you cant see how fast your going, how much battery is left or will basic safety equipment will deploy? How can a vehicle be driven under these basic safety standards and conditions when it’s a faulty manufacturing issue. In addition come to find out that the computer tried to update it’s software with out my consent and causing the computer to fail there fore leaving me in danger situation of driving the vehicle under these conditions and then having me to pay the financial repercussions although I caused no damage to the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11608853August 15, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I live in Phoenix, AZ. My AC can’t get the car to cool below 92-94 degrees in the middle of the day when it’s 113 out. It is taking 63 days to secure a service appointment. It’s unsafe. My son almost passed out due to heat exhaustion. Meanwhile Elon (who is the CEO of Tesla) is tweeting every hour on twitter about some propaganda [XXX] about the election and Donald Trump vs getting a service team that can repair cars. It’s absurd. It shouldn’t take from July19 to September 9 to secure an appointment. Run a company! 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
#11608570August 14, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving with the cruise control set, at times the care must sense that there is an issue ahead and slams the brakes on. This has happened on numerous occasions. This had led to cars following to do the same (hard braking). Although this has not caused an accident for me, I don't trust the system. I'm waiting for a rear end collision when this happens.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11606677August 6, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Tesla vehicles do not have “Trailer Mode” available when aftermarket trailer options exist. Tesla only installs this required software when the towing hitch option is installed from the factory. When U-Hual or other services install aftermarket towing capabilities, Tesla does not add this necessary software package which is required for the safe operation of the vehicle when towing. This applies to the Model 3 and Model Y. The trailering mode software does the following: - Disables autopilot when trailering or towing. - Traffic aware cruise control increases the following distance for a safe stopping distance. - Side collision warnings are active which automatic steering interventions are disabled. - Collision Avoidance assistance is modified to accommodate the trailer and trailer weight. - EV Supercharger navigation only routes through “pull through” / “trailer capable” charging stalls. - Trailer sway mitigation. The vehicle’s stability control system maintains traction and stability and accommodates for the trailer sway/weight. (I may be missing some stuff but this is the most complete list I could find). Again, Tesla only adds this software to vehicles that get a hitch from the factory. If you have a U-Haul Hitch or other installed hitch on the Model 3 / Y, Tesla does not add this software. The easiest and most cost effective way to fix this would be to require Tesla to include the trailering mode software on all vehicles by default through a recall update.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11605670July 31, 2024
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TRUNK LID:LATCH
When switch is pressed on the trunk to close and when as the trunk starting to come down but want to cancel closing it won't stop. Its so hard and it hit my head. Other cars like Mercedes if we want to cancel closing and if we just touch trunk it goes back and does not come down. But on this car trunk keeps coming down hard and hands can get crushed if trunk comes down like that.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11604996July 28, 2024
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
This car will suddenly slow down for no apparent reason when driving with the speed control set. I have experienced this multiple times at 2 specific intersections. It has also happened at other times but on roads I have traveled on less often. Traffic aware cruise control is always enabled on this car. There isn't an option to turn it off. I scheduled a service visit with Tesla explaining what was happening at these 2 specific intersections (I included the intersection specific information). They responded and said they performed a remote diagnosis on the Autopilot System in the vehicle and its affiliated hardware and all checks came back in good standing with no faults. They went on to state "just as a reminder as Autopilot/Traffic aware cruise control is under Beta, per owners manual, many factors can impact the performance of Autopilot/Traffic aware cruise control components. Autopilot/Traffic aware cruise control may occasionally cause vehicle to brake when not required or when you are not expecting it." They referred me to the owners manual where these warnings/limitations were reiterated. I replied and asked what Tesla was doing to improve this situation. I did not get a response. I am very concerned about this sudden braking/deceleration as it may result in a rear end collision if someone is following closely when it occurs. I believe Tesla should be more transparent about what they are doing to resolve the issue. They should also provide an option to turn off the Traffic Aware cruise control until the issue is resolved.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11604984July 28, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Tesla has confirmed that the firmware of the high-voltage controller of the Model 3 is known to occasionally go "missing in action", causing regenerative braking to entirely cease to function and the driving performance of the car to drop considerably. This was expected to be resolved in a firmware update, but the problem continues. The service representative advised that they (Tesla employees) are not allowed to refer to the problem as a defect and instead must use the euphemism "firmware characteristic". The impact of the issue occurring while driving is that braking and acceleration are significantly reduced, thus reducing the ability of the driver to respond to unexpected situations and operate the vehicle safely. The impact of the issue occurring while parked is that the vehicle cannot start until such time as the controller resumes responding. The driver has no control over when/if this will happen, and the car may ultimately require towing. We encountered the while-parked case on 2024-07-07 and the while-driving case on 2024-07-27.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11597611June 29, 2024
SEAT BELTS
The Driver side seatbelt isn’t clicking and locking into place. Making the vehicle completely unsafe to drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11597267June 27, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
i was driving after dark on a country highway with my wife. She was choosing music while I was driving. An oncoming car went by and afterwards I flipped to high beams... at the exact same moment she tapped to play a song on the display. Turns out the skip/play songs menu is exactly where the headlight adjust menu pops up when you switch from high to low beams. This caused her to turn the headlights off on the car while we were travelling at highway speeds. This causes an obvious significant safety risk because of a poorly thought-out UI design and could cause a crash very easily. I am including two photos of the UI problem one with music playing, and the second popup for headlight control when the light beam is changed from low-beams to high-beams.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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