Tesla Model 3 Complaints

2,178 consumer complaints on file.

#11671878July 8, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
While using traffic aware cruise control or autosteer, the car occasionally detects a nonexistent person in the center of the lane I’m driving in, the proceeds to slam on the brakes when no hazard exists. It seems that tire markings in the road and certain lighting conditions cause the car to think there is a person in the road. Additionally, when driving on a highway with rolling hills, the car detects a forward collision alert and hits the brakes and disengages the autosteer. Both of these could cause a rear and collision at highway speeds. The dealer has claimed that the cause is functionally normally and I already tried to get it serviced but the car continues to have these issues. I do have video evidence of the car slamming on the brakes and detecting a forward collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671587July 7, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The horn does not work properly when it gets wet. It will either not make noise at all, or it is extremely muffled. This is a major safety risk. Also, horn is required to work for Massachusetts state inspections. If I bring the car to be inspected on a rainy day, or after a car wash, it will fail because it does not work. I brought the vehicle to the dealer twice. The first time 5/28/25, the technician was able to replicate the issue and replaced the horn and claimed everything was working properly. The next time it rained, I tried to use it and it would not make any noise once again. I brought it to the dealer a second time 7/7/25, and they claim they could not replicate it. They went ahead anyways and replaced it. Also they claim “this is normal, expected behavior due to the location of the horn and eventually it will drain out”. This is an unacceptable answer. The horn should work all the time. There has been no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to the failure. First symptoms were approximately 5/6/25
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671495July 6, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While parked at home, my Tesla Model 3 developed a spontaneous windshield crack with no known cause. The car had not been driven recently, and there was no visible chip, impact, or external force involved. I believe this is a stress or pressure crack, which compromises visibility and may reflect a structural flaw in the glass or how it was mounted. I submitted a warranty claim through Tesla’s app and preserved the vehicle in its exact state for inspection (no washing, no driving, no impact). Tesla denied the claim without conducting a physical inspection or providing any supporting evidence. This kind of uninspected warranty denial is unacceptable, especially for a crack that can impair driver visibility. I have found similar reports from other Tesla owners online, indicating a potential pattern. If this issue is systemic, it could pose a broader safety risk related to poor windshield durability or design tolerances. I am asking the NHTSA to investigate this issue and Tesla’s handling of it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671398July 6, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Description of Problem: While driving under normal highway conditions on July 2, 2025, my Tesla suddenly and violently phantom braked — meaning it rapidly and without cause applied the brakes forcefully. There were no obstacles, vehicles, or hazards present. The sudden deceleration caused a severe flare-up of a recent cervical disc replacement surgery I had undergone. I experienced extreme neck and spinal pain and had to seek emergency medical attention. I am now under medical supervision, on pain medication, and unable to work. I contacted Tesla requesting the logs from the incident and have received no response. I’m deeply concerned about the safety of this vehicle and the lack of accountability for this known and previously investigated issue. I am in the process of retaining legal counsel and intend to pursue this further as a product liability and injury case.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671084July 3, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
While backing up, the rearview camera feed occasionally displays a noticeable delay, which prevents objects and pedestrians from appearing in real time. This lag creates a significant safety risk, as the visual information on the screen does not accurately reflect the vehicle's current surroundings. Additionally, the display on the left side (vehicle proximity visualization) does not match the camera view or actual situation, further contributing to confusion and potential danger when reversing. This issue persists despite software updates and appears to be a systemic flaw that compromises driver awareness and vehicle safety. Cross-traffic alert appears impacted.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11671080July 3, 2025
VISIBILITY/WIPER
The interior rearview mirror exhibits tiny bubbles around the edges and streaking or cloudiness within the layered structure of the auto-dimming (electrochromic) mirror. The problem has occurred in multiple potential replacement mirrors, indicating a design or manufacturing defect. The issue first appeared as small bubbles around the outer edge, then progressed to visible streaking and cloudiness within the mirror surface. These symptoms impair rear visibility, particularly at night or in bright light conditions, when glare and distortion are most severe. This creates a safety hazard by: 1) Obstructing the driver’s clear view of approaching vehicles. 2.) Reducing reaction time Increasing the risk of rear-end collisions or unsafe lane changes. 3.) It compromises overall driver situational awareness, especially in high-speed or congested traffic environments. The defect is not isolated to a single part. Defective mirrors have been retained for documentation and are available for inspection. Mirror replaced with same part number under limited warranty, but the replacement option showed same failure, suggesting a broader defect not yet addressed by a permanent fix. Additional replacement parts offered show similar defects.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670627July 1, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Incident Details: • Date of Incident: [XXX] • Time: [XXX] • Location: San antonio, Tx • Weather/Road Conditions: Clear, dry highway; 90 F • Speed: 60 mph; • Description: while driving my 2021 Tesla Model 3 with Full Self-Driving (FSD) software version 12.6.4 engaged, the vehicle unexpectedly changed lanes without my input, likely due to the Auto Lane Change feature. Immediately after, it braked hard for and unrecognized slowing traffic ahead. This sudden jolt caused immediate pain in my upper back, neck, and chest, which persists. I believe FSD misjudged traffic patterns or road conditions, a known issue with v12.6.4 based on online reports. The incident occurred in heavy traffic and no crash occurred, but the abrupt braking posed a safety risk and caused injury. I’m unable to see a doctor today but plan to soon for a diagnosis. This is a serious safety concern, as FSD’s erratic behavior could cause collisions or further injuries. Injuries: Yes, back, neck, and chest pain caused by sudden braking. No medical diagnosis yet; planning to see a doctor soon. Crash: No Fire: No Police Report: No accident Attachments: i have video 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
#11670497July 1, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving with the Adaptive Cruise Control enabled, on California highway 5 on Aug 28, 2023, the vehicle applied the brakes very aggressively and suddenly, shy of making a complete stop, without any object or shadow requiring it to do so - known as the "Phantom Breaking". It was so dangerous that if it was a weekend with many cars behind me, I would've been violently rear-ended and perhaps not lived to report this incident. This happened twice in two hours, to the point that I have never engaged the cruise system again. The Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system (which is part of the Auto Pilot system) on this vehicle is dangerous and should be avoided. I wish the vehicle had the [old fashioned] non-adaptive cruise control but it doesn't. Answering the questions: Nothing failed but the ACC clearly malfunctioned since there was no object, shadow, road animal, change in asphalt color, etc. to cause it to abruptly break. It was a clear sunny day. Any accident at such highway speed could've been deadly to multiple drivers on the road. When I informed the dealer, they "verbally" acknowledged and informed me of the term "Phantom Breaking" that they had heard of the problem being reported by others but nothing to worry about and they didn't inspect the vehicle. There we no warning lamps, messages or symptoms prior to the problem. Again, this issue happened twice within a two hour period and I have not used the ACC system again. My spouse was with me in the car in both cases and witnessed the scary situation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670491July 1, 2025
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While traveling at approximately 70 miles per hour on an interstate, the vehicle's automatic emergency braking system engaged multiple times in rapid succession—approximately five separate braking events. Each time, the system falsely detected an obstacle, which it appeared to interpret as a person in front of the vehicle. In reality, there was nothing on the road; the system was reacting to a roof-mounted strap that was fluttering slightly in view of the forward sensors. These false positives caused the vehicle to brake suddenly and forcefully, creating a highly dangerous situation for vehicles behind me. Multiple drivers were forced to swerve to avoid a collision. Thankfully, no crash occurred, but the repeated unexpected braking posed a serious risk to my safety and the safety of others on the highway. Additionally, I had previously disabled the automatic emergency braking feature in the vehicle's settings. However, I later discovered that this system reactivates by default every time the vehicle is restarted. There is currently no option to permanently disable this feature, meaning drivers must manually turn it off for each individual trip, which is not clearly communicated by the system. This issue has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer or a dealer. No warning lights or error messages appeared before or during the braking events.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11670119June 29, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Horn sound is extremely low after driving through hard rain, since there is no real horn in the car, I suspect the speaker that mimics a horn sound becomes muffled. This is a huge risk, it can cause me to crash in the future if no one can hear my horn.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669732June 27, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN, BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
On June 19, 2025, while parking my brand new 2025 Tesla Model 3 in a residential lot, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated forward over a curb, crashed through a iron fence, and struck an outdoor A/C unit and patio furniture on the back of a neighbor’s unit. The car became stuck and had to be towed. On June 19, 2025, while parking my newly delivered Tesla Model 3, the vehicle suddenly and unexpectedly lurched forward, resulting in a crash. I was parking slowly and cautiously with my foot on the brake at all times. According to a neighbor who witnessed the incident, I was moving at a very slow speed when the vehicle suddenly surged forward without warning. I did not intend to accelerate, and I firmly believe this may have been the result of a system malfunction—possibly involving the vehicle’s sensors, software, or misinterpretation of pedal input. Tesla Service reviewed the driving log and stated that it showed I “stepped on the accelerator.” I respectfully dispute this conclusion, as the vehicle’s behavior was completely inconsistent with my actions. I am a careful, experienced driver with no prior accidents in over 30 years of driving. This incident raises serious concerns about Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA), a known issue that has been reported by other Tesla drivers in past years. If the vehicle misinterprets driver input or experiences a sensor/software glitch, this can lead to property damage or bodily injury, especially in tight parking situations or near pedestrians. I am submitting this complaint to ensure this matter is documented and investigated appropriately. Safety should not rely on logs alone — real-world behavior, driver feedback, and potential software/hardware flaws must be examined carefully.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669559June 26, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FSD lane‑selection defect: vehicle moves into far‑left lane and remains there, forcing right‑side passing. Vehicle: 2025 Tesla Model 3, FSD v13.2.9 (current production build) Behaviour (100 % reproducible): • On every non‑interstate roadway with two lanes in each direction, the car self‑selects the far‑left lane and stays there at or just below the posted speed limit even when the right lane is completely clear. • If I disengage FSD, manually steer into the right lane, and immediately re‑engage FSD, the system moves back into the far‑left lane within seconds. This occurs on every attempt. • The freeway/interstate stack exits the left lane correctly, proving the capability exists and the defect is limited to surface‑street logic. Legal conflict: • Violates Massachusetts General Laws, ch. 89 § 4B, which requires drivers to keep to the right‑hand lane except when overtaking.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669363June 26, 2025
STEERING
During operation steering wheel becomes heavy and difficult to turn and becomes notchy. Very difficult to stay in ones own lane.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669183June 25, 2025
STEERING, SUSPENSION
Car is disengaging Full Self Driving because of steering becoming difficult at slow speeds in a turn. FSD disengages and the car drive straight instead of staying in the turn, crash could be likely.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669087June 25, 2025
STEERING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
2025 Tesla Model 3 the follow distance is too close to front vehicle (only 1 to 2 car lengths) while in full self driving mode and there is no way to adjust it like in cruise control mode. Also, while in auto cruise control or full self driving the forward collision warning has too many false alarms from overhead tree branches to nothing in front of car for more than 500 feet. Finally, the car takes turns too late and at unsafe speeds when autosteer and cruise control are both activated. This also happens during Full Self driving.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668314June 21, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I was in a drive thru of a fast food restaurant and the car rapidly accelerated on its own and crashed into a wall. The air bags deployed and we were injured. We also narrowly missed hitting a pedestrian. The car hasn’t been inspected by anyone yet, however it is available if someone wants to inspect it.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#11668094June 20, 2025
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS, SEATS
RCM2_a636 Front passenger safety restraint system fault Service is required Passenger airbag turns OFF when a passenger is sitting in it. Error is intermittent and while occasionally turn off and on. Seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen should someone get in a car accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11668060June 20, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, STEERING
Automatic emergency braking and steering is unavailable along with a few other features. Service center and car manufacturer not doing anything about it.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667905June 19, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On June 4th I was in a hurry to get to work, pushed open my car door and started to slide in at which point the door unexpectedly to me swung back shut, clamping my head behind my ear pressing it against the top of the door frame. Everything stuck for about 1 second and then the door released my head. I am concerned that the door shouldn’t close so forcefully and should not bounce back closed when pushed open; that perhaps this contributed to the dangerous situation? There were other factors such as my car parking pad is slightly sloped. It seems this is an issue with the design of the car as opposed to a defect as there are no warning lights or recalls. I am still trying to figure out the effects of this injury. I have been to two doctors- not immediately because at first there were no immediate effects except for the discomfort of the pressure at the time. But less than 24 hours following the incident I developed a puffed up patch behind the ear where the door clamped, and now have developed a very swollen painless lymph node behind my other ear as well as headaches and some soreness that comes and goes. I have not contacted Tesla about the problem yet but am extremely cautious when I use the door and I don’t drive people in the car. I have included some photos but also just took some videos illustrating how the door swings back shut pretty forcefully when pushed open.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11667863June 18, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VISIBILITY/WIPER, STEERING
When driving vehicle over the past month, vehicle turn signals on the steering wheel fail to respond to commands and feel almost as if the controls are locked out by a steering wheel software fault. Upon further inspection, checking service mode, found the SCCM service alert to correlate with the exact moment of turn signal unpressability directly. No debris or liquid has ever entered the area, and this issue has gotten so bad that it happens 3-4 times over a 45min drive I cannot activate the turn signals at all when the failure occurs. There is no alternative way to activate them. The steering wheel is the only way to activate the turn signals and the fault does not permit me to use either turn signal when attempting to change lanes on the highway. Tesla reports that it's a normal software bug and to "deal with it" because there's nothing they can do to fix it. This is directly indicative of a known defective part, and this is a safety-critical defect where a recall must be issued to resolve. Numerous units are impacted through research of same failures. I cant use my turn signals when attempting to change lanes, and Tesla does not want to fix/refuses to address this issue. Even through a phone call from Paul from the service center in Orchard Lake, MI, reported that the condition is a "known defect with INTERAL DOCUMENTS" that confirm it, but he cannot share the doc with me, and "that the idea the issue of getting pulled over for not being able to use your turn signal is an imaginative concern." This, is inaccurate, as the inability to actuate turn signals is a safety-critical failure. the service center replaced my steering when and SCCM module, however the issue persisted after the visit, and the service manager of the West Bloomfield, MI service center called me 12 hours before my appointment to deter me from dropping the vehicle off, and then told me this would be a customer pay diagnostic for a warrantable safety failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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