Tesla Model 3 Complaints

2,178 consumer complaints on file.

#11486306September 25, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Complaint: Phantom Braking -- My wife and I took ownership of our 2021 Tesla Model 3 at the beginning of July 2021. We experienced what is referred to as Phantom Braking (Car initiating sudden braking while at highway speeds). We took it on a 3,000+ mile road trip to visit national parks in the western United States. Having owned electric vehicles since 2015, we found Tesla's charging network to be reliable and hassle-free to operate. On a few long stretches of road in Nevada, Wyoming, and Utah we engaged model 3's adaptive cruise control. Three times during that trip, between July 2nd and July 8th, 2021, the car braked hard, without warning, while traveling at highway speeds. From what we could determine, shadows cast on the road at the approaching side of gentle hills, with the sun in front of us, may have been interpreted by the car's camera's as an approaching or stationary object on the road. This was very unnerving and caused us to lose faith in the adaptive cruise control system. This was both disappointing and a bother since it meant that we were driving a 50 thousand dollar car without cruise control, making driving a more tiresome experience. This past labor day weekend, 2022, we drove to Las Vegas on the same Tesla model 3 and again activated the adaptive cruise control while driving in Nevada. We thought that by now the periodic software updates would have fixed the problem. This time the Phantom Braking occurred more frequently and on seemingly level sections of road. After about four attempts at using the adaptive cruise control we stopped. This was, again, disappointing that we were driving a car whose adaptive cruise control failed to perform as it was designed to. We were disappointed because for what we paid for the car, this feature should be more mature than it is. Luckily we did not have other cars close behind us at the times the car's computer together with the sensors and / or cameras decided it needed to apply the brakes.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11486219September 24, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
We just went on a longish trip, covering a total of about 2,500 miles. While driving on interstate highways and using cruise control, the car would occasionally brake for no reason. The first several times it happened, the car braked mildly and we tried to explain it away. ("It must have seen the guardrail/traffic cone/butterfly," etc.) However, the last time it happened, with absolutely nothing anywhere near us to the sides or front, the car braked FREAKING HARD. I was driving, and it scared the $hit out of me. If the 18-wheeler behind us had been a little closer, we would have been toast. After that, we disabled the automatic emergency braking every time we started the car, and we'll continue to do that.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11485971September 23, 2022
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Tesla allows owners to enroll as FSD beta testers however, the owner cannot unenroll when they request. The FSD beta is extremely dangerous and makes the use of even ACC impossible to use. I have requested to leave the beta via emailing [email protected], which an automatic response is received stating to unenroll respond to that email with your VIN and they will process the request. However, they do not process the request; I have sent dozens of email requests with no response and am still stuck in the beta software queue. I have attempted to submit service requests but the app recognizes the verbiage and blocks the submissions, stating to send the email instead. There is no other method to contact Tesla.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11485877September 22, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While going at 75 mph, no obstacles or cars ahead of us, on US30 W in Texas, the car applied a sudden strong brake (phantom braking) that almost caused a severe accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11485832September 22, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
On our trip from San Diego to Sacramento yesterday 9/21/2022; while cruise control was on, the Tesla braked for no reason on 3 different occasions causing great alarm and emotional distress to all of us in the car. We were traveling at freeway speeds on the 5 north and thank goodness no one rear ended us when these events happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11485500September 20, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Multiple instances of rapid deceleration, i.e.; braking or regenerative slowing while at cruise speeds on my latest cross country trip.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11485269September 19, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds with the cruise control activated, the vehicle experienced phantom braking with the Forward Collision Avoidance warning light intermittently illuminated. The contact also stated that a warning chime would sound during the failure. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50. The consumer stated that the dealer was notified of the failure. The dealer informed the owner that the failure could not be repaired and that it was due to a poor GPS tracking. The consumer received a text from the dealer stating that the issue was "resolved remotely" but that is incorrect. The vehicle continues to have phantom braking issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11485250September 19, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING, LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST
Pillar cameras constantly complain blocked or blinded. Services refused to even look into the issue blaming glare from the sun, even when happening to both on opposite sides of the car at the same time. Report it even happens at night I am told it might be too dark for the camera. Did not occur like this on my 2019 Tesla Model 3. This seems to be causing random unexpected lane departure alerts or failures in lane keeping on cruise control or with lane assist. Message are extremely frequent and distracting. Message placement is blocked by arm while holding the steering wheel requiring me to take my eyes off the road to read. Been complaining about this for months, one of the two cameras (drivers side) was replaced which improved the issues with that side complaining but passenger side complains extremely often. Drivers side issue not 100% resolved but improved after replacement, possible cabling or MCU/ECU issue. Instead of looking at the issue Tesla insists the cameras must be dirty, moisture, too bright, too dark, etc. And fails to even examine components. Recent appointment canceled by Tesla after the scheduled date and time without notice. Camera doesn't appear to detect or recognize people or objects in that cameras visions creating what appears to be a blind spot when viewing in vehicle display. Have repeatedly seen person walking around my car will disappear from the screen around the passenger front quarter but reappear when in front of the vehicle or by the rear quarter.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11485149September 19, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
On 9-12-2022 we drove from Chandler AZ. to Carlsbad NM. returning 9-15-2022 in this time we had eight Phantom braking events two with cars in close proximity very dangerous I also noticed the blind spot warning chime isn't working and is enabled in the Autopilot menu. Thank you. Mike
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11485110September 18, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
My Tesla Model 3 has had multiple instances of phantom braking while the autopilot/cruise control has been engaged. All have been on the highway traveling 70-80mph. My car was delivered on 9/9/22, new from Tesla. I feel this is extremely dangerous at any speeds, but especially at highway speeds.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11485065September 18, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Unexplained sudden braking while using adaptive cruise control. Almost got rear-ended as a result.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484903September 16, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
I am renting this Tesla Model 3 on monthly basis Rental from Hertz. ON SEP 5TH, 2022 I was at a stop sign fully stopped and all of a sudden the car started accelarating by itself. I try to call Tesla about it and their answer was as I am not the owner they won't even talk to me. I tried to call Hertz but their Customer Service no available just in a circle of press this and press that for hours..Today Sep 16, around 10:58 am , I was Stopped at an intersection on a Red light waiting for the signal to turn Green , Then all of a sudden the Car Accelerated and Luckily no Cross Traffic and I proceeded through the Intersection. This is a Serious Issue.This car does not have Self Driving Feature, and twice in 10 Days this speed issue occur. Also on three different occasions while I was driving on a freeway other Cars from left and right swerved into my Lane and extremely close to my Car and the side Sensors didn't Beep.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484879September 16, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
We have an ongoing issue with our Model 3 stopping for no reason at speed when using cruise-control or auto-pilot. We have had the car in for service at Kearney Mesa and the “manager” observed it happen. But nobody gets back to us and nobody knows anything. The car suddenly brakes for no reason. This happened multiple times. Including once with the “service manager” in the car. Answers below are for that occurrence. No other warnings on the display. If a car had been behind us, we would have been rear-ended. We are being “stonewalled “ by the attitude “I know nothing” or “someone will get back to you”. I cannot get through to anyone at Tesla HQ and the local service center is completely unhelpful. Please advise.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484831September 16, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I rented a Tesla model three and have driven 5000 miles on it since I got it three weeks ago. In that time this car has done some very dangerous things that concern me about my safety. I stopped using the auto pilot function after one time when it tried to pull me off the road at highway speeds into the emergency lane. I have also started experiencing the phantom braking issue that you read about online. For some reason this car can’t go more than 10 or 15 miles without slamming on the brakes even though there are no cars anywhere close to me or any objects on the road that might trigger the automatic braking. I am afraid that this car is going to slam on the brakes when there is somebody behind me and cause an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484771September 16, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving with the Adaptive Cruise control activated or while using the Autonomous Self-Driving feature, the vehicle experienced phantom braking in some areas with a posted Speed Limit. The dealer and the manufacturer were made aware of the failure and opened a case. The contact was instructed to reboot the vehicle. The contact performed the reboot several times however, the failure persisted. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484636September 15, 2022
STEERING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On Wednesday, 8/24/2022 around 1:30pm, when I tried to park my Tesla Model 3 on a residential street, suddenly and without any warning the steering wheel lost control, accelerated, made a right and then a left turn, hit an electric box and landed on the neighbor's driveway. No one else was injured, only myself with severe back pain and I could not move. Several neighbors came out of their house and checked on me and called the Homeowners Association Office and called 911, the homeowners experienced power outage. An ambulance came & took me to the Irvine Hoag Hospital Emergency Center. The medical staff took X-Ray for me and gave me Tylenol pills and ice pack on my back. I was diagnosed with compression fracture of T12 vertebra, per doctor's exam: It will take two-to-six-month to heal my back. A police report #[XXX] was filed on 8/31/2022. CA resident since 1976 very healthy, enjoy working, and helping school and do community services. Do not take drag, no alcohol with over 46+ year's careful driving skill, and a safe driver with good driving record.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484437September 14, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Unexpected phantom braking occurring randomly but on multiple occasions during a 2000 mile multi day trip. Several incidents of a hiccup resulting on a jolt but at least three incidents of rapid and sudden deceleration without an observed corresponding hazard. Occurred a couple times while cresting a hill on single and multi lane roads. One severe incident occurred while passing a semi truck on a multiple lane highway. Causes high anxiety and potential for a crash, especially from behind. This has not been inspected by Tesla or others but note many reports of this online. No warning prior to event but cruise control did not work properly after event and required reseting.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484379September 14, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
During recent drive from the Kansas City area to downtown Denver over the period of September 11-12, I experienced what's known as "phantom braking" no fewer than five times along I-70. At least one of these instances was so aggressive that it slowed the car down from 77mph to 60mph. This is an extremely dangerous situation that must be addressed by Tesla ASAP. Someone is going to die.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11484195September 13, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Cruise control (Autopilot) phantom braking events have gotten very bad. About once every few miles on an empty 2 lane highway the car slams on the brakes. I’ve made numerous bug reports over the years and if anything it’s gotten worse. It seems to have gotten worse with the software update a few days ago (v11.0 2022.24.6 40a0d11b18af).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11483949September 12, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
I was driving in Oklahoma on a straight interstate highway at 75 mph using cruise control (not autopilot) and experience a sudden application of full brakes. The application was so sudden the tires "chipped" and decelerated to below 45 mph before I could take control by applying throttle. On the same trip, I was near Midland, Texas and experience another serious phantom braking on a clear straight highway. By this time I experienced 10 additional minor braking issues. On my return trip, I did not use cruise control or autopilot and didn't have a single incident. I reported the incident to Tesla Service and reported ever incident via the feedback button (when it worked). I'm a retired Boeing engineer experienced in flight controls, fly-by-wire control, and aircraft subsystem design. I have no confidence in this design.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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