AI DamageTesla Model 3: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Tesla Model 3 across 10 model years: 4,222 owner complaints and 148 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Forward collision avoidance 40% of all complaints
- 2 Vehicle speed control 15% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 8 Lane departure 7% of all complaints
- Forward collision avoidance: 1,709 complaints (40% of all), 116 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Vehicle speed control: 619 complaints (15% of all), 115 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 556 complaints (13% of all), 84 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 18.
- Electrical system: 541 complaints (13% of all), 55 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 64.
- Steering: 375 complaints (9% of all), 60 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- electric 2017–2027
- automatic, 1-speed 2017–2027
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4,222 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward collision avoidance | 1,709 | 116 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 619 | 115 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 556 | 84 | 18 |
| Electrical system | 541 | 55 | 64 |
| Steering | 375 | 60 | 12 |
| Suspension | 372 | 24 | 23 |
| Air bags | 315 | 60 | 42 |
| Lane departure | 282 | 43 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 226 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility | 202 | 3 | 5 |
| Seats | 177 | 3 | 33 |
| Structure | 156 | 36 | 57 |
| Powertrain | 90 | 14 | 11 |
| Backover prevention | 89 | 17 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own and began operating without my control. Despite my attempts to steer away from surrounding traffic, the vehicle continued to self‑propel, crossed the median, and entered oncoming lanes, resulting in a head‑on collision with another car.
I believe the collision may indicate a safety-related problem involving FSD's intersection handling, left-turn decision-making, detection of approaching vehicles, or collision avoidance capabilities.
My Tesla displays a mandatory FSD (Supervised) disengagement feedback survey on the center touchscreen while the vehicle is in motion. Whenever I disengage FSD and resume manual control, the vehicle automatically asks me to select a reason for the disengagement.
They first hacked my emails then my Tesla account and now they are actually on the Teslas computer system and have been in the vehicle accessing the screen. After they hacked the system and stopped updates the car started having a bunch of safety concerns and alerts.The breaks were not working and the vehicle would…
The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH in traffic on a sunny day, the vehicle drove over a pothole, and the traction control and ABS warning lights illuminated. The brake pedal was checked; however, fifteen minutes later the vehicle crashed into a 26-foot box truck.
The vehicle caught fire and client was incapacitated and unable to operate the door handle from the inside or unlock the doors. Bystanders attempted to open all four doors from the outside, but they were all locked.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- On some vehicles, degraded or excessive glue under the front seat cushion(s) may cause creaking noises…
- On certain Model 3 vehicles, brake lines may be corroded beyond acceptable limits, which may result in…
- On some vehicles, insufficient lubricant at the front seat recliner tube ends may cause creaking noises…
- On certain Model 3 vehicles, brake lines may be corroded beyond acceptable limits, which may result in…
- On certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor battery may…
- A firmware diagnosis feature is being introduced on Model 3 and Model Y vehicles that monitors wheel…
- Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles were manufactured with High Voltage (HV) batteries containing cell…
- On some Model 3 vehicles, the RH front Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) might have been misrouted, which may cause…
- Some Performance Model 3 vehicles might experience minor oil loss through the Rear Drive Unit (RDU)…
- On some Model 3 vehicles, the RH front Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) might have been misrouted, which may cause…
- On some 2024+ Model 3 vehicles built at Fremont, a rattling noise may be noticed from the driver and/or…
- Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.