Tesla Model 3 Complaints (2023)

429 consumer complaints on file.

#11552431October 28, 2023
SEATS
On July 5, 2023 my front passenger seat assembly was replaced due to a passenger safety restraint system fault. Two days ago I discovered two black self tapping bolts sitting behind the front passenger seat on the floor mat. The front passenger seat assembly was only connected to the car chassis by the two front mounting bolts. It was possible to tip the seat forward by pushing on the headrest. I am now able to screw these two bolts almost completely back into the chassis using fingertip pressure only. Either these bolts were never installed during seat replacement or they simply rattled loose and fell out. This attachment hardware needs to be designed for repeated installation removal cycles over the life of the vehicle and should require considerable torque for installation and removal. Something is seriously wrong!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552330October 27, 2023
STEERING
Model 3 steering assistance just stopped working. The car was immobilized and towed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11552145October 26, 2023
STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The car lost all adaptive driving features and power steering.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551561October 24, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving at various speeds with the cruise control activated, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The vehicle was diagnosed by a mobile application where it was diagnosed that the firmware needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551517October 24, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
the car suddenly braked while using autopilot drivers assist while at highway speeds. There were no cars in front of me when it occurred. I had to take control of the car and accelerate to avoid causing a crash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551238October 22, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
Will Randomly slam on the brakes saying that there is something in front of cars on the highway. This has caused me to almost get into a few accidents suddenly slamming on the breaks at 75 mph. It has happened numerous times and the car feels unsafe to drive. One example it slammed on the brakes in front of an 18 wheeler causing it to almost hit me but I had to slam on the gas very rapidly. There is usually a warning light on about parking break not working when these happen.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551232October 22, 2023
STEERING
Steering Issue Will be calling Tesla Service about this problem. Put the vehicle in Reverse to back out of a driveway and a message stating “Steering Assist Reduced” appeared on the display. Did not back up; could not turn the steering wheel. Put vehicle in Park and exited. After ten minutes put the vehicle in Reverse, no message, and was able to steer again.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11551202October 21, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
On 2 separate occasions, the cruise control set to 80 and suddenly decelerates. Very scary. Term being used in Tesla chat rooms is 'phantom breaking'.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550609October 18, 2023
STEERING
1. Power steering diminished as I was driving. As the steering wheel was turned their was a "clicking feel" , more than a vibration. I drove slowly and safely returned home. The message on the screen was "steering assist reduced" steering may require increased effort. 2. I did fear for my safety and the safety of others on the road because I did not have full normal control of the steering wheel. I slowed speed to 20mph and carefully made my way home. 3. Yes, they determined my steering rack needed to be replaced. 4. Tesla service inspected the steering rack and determined it needed to be replaced. 5. The message displayed on my Tesla screen was "Steering assist reduced, steering may require increased effort".
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550569October 18, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Going down secondary road with cruise control on at 42 mph ; no auto steer just plain cruise control. The car all the sudden slams on the brakes for no reason causing the car behind to slam on brakes and almost causing a accident. This needs to be addressed or the cruise control disabled until they fix the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550423October 17, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Tesla Model 3 Policy #: [XXX] Claim Number: [XXX] I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to report an incident involving my Tesla Model 3 (Blue) and to initiate the process for an insurance claim. The incident occurred on [XXX], at approximately 2:15 PM. My fiancée was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the incident. Incident Details: - Date: [XXX] - Time: Approximately [XXX] - Vehicle: Tesla Model 3 (Blue) Location: The incident took place on the freeway merge from [XXX], where it merges onto [XXX]. Heading home. Circumstances: My fiancée was operating the vehicle in Autopilot mode while maintaining her hands securely on the steering wheel. As she approached the freeway merge from ramp [XXX], heading onto [XXX], she experienced an unexpected jolt. Despite her continuous control of the steering wheel, the Autopilot system seemed to be accelerating without her input. Simultaneously, my fiancée felt a sudden tire malfunction, which resulted in a significant loss of control over the vehicle. Despite her best efforts to maintain the car's position within the lane, the Tesla Model 3 veered off the freeway and entered the adjacent Ravine area. Impact and Airbags: Upon entering the Ravine area, the vehicle experienced a collision. multiple plants/highbrush/uneven terrain as well as having to maneuver around 2 large palm trees which resulted damage to side mirror. Notably, none of the vehicle's airbags were deployed during the incident, and there were no sensor alerts, except for the tire pressure warning light. Also there wasn't any record of dashcam recording when we checked the car. We are seriously concerned that the airbags did not deploy , attached are photos concerning the damage. I would like to emphasize that my fiancée was diligently following safety guidelines and had her hands on the steering wheel while using Autopilot. This incident occurred suddenly and unexpectedly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11550381October 17, 2023
STEERING
Lost power steering while driving. Luckily this occurred while I was going less than 5mph and near a parking lot, so was able to muscle the steering to a safe place. Received a warning from the car that “steering assist is reduced” randomly. Luckily we were going slowly and able to find a safe place to park, so my wife and kids were safe. Could barely turn the wheel enough to park safely. Once restarted a few hours later power steering worked again. Car has now been in a manufacturers shop for a week to try and figure out the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11550324October 17, 2023
STEERING
Steering is very jerky/choppy - vehicle is hard to keep straight while driving on freeway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11549168October 10, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While on a cross country trip and while on the highway using the Tesla auto pilot and/or adaptive cruise control, we experienced numerous phantom braking incidents. Several while driving during the day with no other vehicles around and several while passing semi trucks in the other lane. At night the same thing occurred and on one occasion, with no other vehicles around, suddenly braked from 70 mph to near stop. Had we been on a wet or icy surface, there is the possibility of control issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548989October 9, 2023
STEERING
After 1.5 months of ownership (I purchased the car end of May 2023) the steering wheel appeared tilted to the right, and car pulling to the wright when driving. I have taken the car to Tesla service centers for 4 separate service appointments. They have conducted numerous alignments, adjustments, replaced front lateral links, retorquing but this has not resolved the issue. The car still pulls to the right. The car currently has 3000 miles. There were no incidents or car accidents.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548981October 9, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle heat pump system has had multiple failures leading to windshield fog leading to low/no visibility. Service center unable to get vehicle in in timely manner stating 3-4 weeks before it can be serviced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11548694October 6, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Multiple times, the vehicle braked on its own while traveling eastbound on the Interstate 8 freeway between Yuma, AZ & Gila Bend, AZ. This was when no other vehicle or obstruction was on the freeway within a mile of the vehicle. The braking was very jarring, and if another vehicle was behind us it could have easily caused a high speed rear-end collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547646October 2, 2023
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The Driver Assistance System fails. Specifically, the cruse control, parking assistance, blind spot monitor, display of other objects, lane identification, stop sign or traffic light recognition and other safety features fail repeatedly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547569October 1, 2023
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
While on our first road trip in this vehicle, we engaged Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). After about 30 minutes, the vehicle suddenly (within 1-2 seconds), and without warning, decelerated from 75 mph to under 50 mph. After re-engaging ACC, exactly the same thing happened again 5 minutes or so later. Thereafter, we did not use ACC, and the car ran fine. This was a safety hazard because if someone had been following us when these incidents happened, it could have resulted in a rear-end collision. We have not yet taken our vehicle to a service center. Since there was no resulting accident, we have not reported this to any authority. Clearly, however, our Tesla Model 3 has a safety problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11547242September 28, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving with cruse controll, auto pilot, or adaptive cruise control my vehicle brakes suddenly without warning and without any reason or danger. This has happened many times. Today on the I8 traveling from Yuma az to Surpirse AZ the car braked around 15-20 times with out reason. I held the tesla car symbol on the screen to report the problem.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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