What 982 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Bev

Car rear ended, brakes froze after reacting to a car in front of me. Behavior unexpected and Tesla should not have frozen break maybe Abs kicked in

NHTSA ODI 11448389

The steering system failed. I'm not sure about the availability for inspection. My safety was put at risk when my car collided with another car. I had just pulled out of my driveway and turned to go down the street a short distance from a stop sign where I would turn left. From a video taken by one of the car's cameras, the car went to the left side of the street and started toward the intersection where the car hit another vehicle. I have driven to the intersection numerous times. There is no way that I would have pulled toward the left side of the street. I believe that something in the steering system malfunctioned. This put me and other drivers on the road at risk. I don't know if the the problem has reproduced. There was a policeman at the site, but he would not inspect the vehicle for a malfunction. My insurance company must have inspected the car as they called today to inform me that the car is totaled. The failure happened so quickly, that I had no warning.

NHTSA ODI 11445624

On November 30 at 6pm I was driving north on I-75 in the Tampa area with Navigate on Autopilot activated. I was in the middle lane, it was dark, and there was lots of traffic. My screen asked me to confirm the autopilot request to move to the left lane. I tapped the stalk to confirm. I did not look in the left lane and was not controlling the steering, though my hands were on the wheel. The car immediately turned into the left lane and side swiped a police vehicle. Nobody was injured and the damage to both cars was minor. Previously I had received alerts that my left pillar camera was "blocked", but the alerts went away, so I assumed that there was no problem. When the alerts appeared, auto steer was deactivated, but when the alerts went away auto steer worked again. I do not remember when the first alert appeared, but probably earlier in November 2021. Subsequently, the alerts have appeared and disappeared. I have requested service from Tesla, but the appointment is scheduled for next month. The officer in the police vehicle and two other officers who came to the scene looked at my vehicle and took pictures. I received accident report, Crash Number [XXX] from Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (Case Number[XXX]), but no citation. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11445222

car caught on fire drove aobut 10 min in the morning average speed was about 10-20mph start smog and car doesn't work anything i got out of the car when smog getting bigger and started burn

NHTSA ODI 11437608

VIN: [XXX] I had an accident driving my Tesla model 3 on July 16th. Here is what happened: Driving autopilot at highway speed at ~65 mph Stray wheel/tire came and hit the front center hood/bumper of the car headon The hood flipped open tearing the hinges/struts on both sides of hood; hood lay flat on the front windshield With hood laying flat covering the whole windshield, front visibility became ZERO, also covering front windshield cameras Airbags popped on driver side (steering and below steering), and DEFLATED right away Autopilot did NOT disengage even after airbags deflated; car continued to drive ~65 mph on autopilot Not been able to see anything in the front, with both airbags deflated, and car still on autopilot at ~65mph, I found myself in a very life-threatening situation Eventually pulled the car to the shoulder on the left after changing one lane (still not been able to see anything through the windshield at ~65mph). Requesting: 1. Review and identify what Tesla auto-pilot could have done different and make improvements (since car had data on both sides of the car and front and back, as a computer, it should have at the very least slowed down or braked; or better yet avoid the on-coming wheel all together in that split second) 2. Why didn't the autopilot dis-engage and continued driving? 3. Front hood needs to have two front latches as in other cars - i.e., one main, one backup for situations like these (e.g., like Mercedes); single latch is not enough; both hinges holding the hood are very weak and broke within a second with just the wind. Hinges/struts need to be stronger. Just a wheel and here we are with a totally broken hood? 4. Autopilot is wrongly advertised as auto-pilot INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI 11436720

The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving at 45 to 50MPH in auto-pilot, the vehicle inadvertently veered into the left turn lane but continued straight into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that the vehicle collided head-on with the other vehicle. The contact was unaware of any warning lights or audio warnings. The contact stated that the front driver side and the knee air bags deployed. The contact stated that he sustained chest injures and a scrape on the right wrist and left knee. The contact declined transportation by ambulance so no medical attention was required. The contact stated that the other driver was complaining of pain but also denied transportation by ambulance but informed the contact that she would seek medical attention later. Both divers were seen on the scene by emergency personal. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle failure cause was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was awaiting to hear from the insurance company to determine if the vehicle would be a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact inquired of the Event Data Recorder (EDR) information from the manufacturer, however, was informed that it would take several weeks for that information to be retrieved and provided. The failure mileage was approximately 16,115. Consumer stated Tesla's messenger, from their Superior, CO office, stated that the Autopilot did not fail.

NHTSA ODI 11434008

Car was totaled after uncontrollable acceleration. Air bags were deployed

NHTSA ODI 11431424

The 12V auxiliary battery failed around 6:45pm PST on Aug. 8, 2021, causing the car to be unresponsive - Tesla acknowledged this. There was no warning prior to the battery failure. The driver (my wife) was trapped in the car because the electronic door latch would not open and the windows would not retract. My wife was panicked, crying and kicking at the window. I had to break the window to get her out. Tesla replaced the 12V battery as an item under warranty. They believe that I/we should have know about the manual door release to avoid breaking the window. This manual release is unmarked and inconspicuous. Tesla claims that the manual door release is described in the car's user manual; however, the car's user manual is electronic (no hard copy provided) and was not accessible because the car was unresponsive. The user manual can only be accessed from the car's display screen. There is no telephone number to call a Tesla representative and no way to access the user manual via the iPhone application. I had no choice but to break the window. Tesla is aware that their 12V batteries are failing prematurely and are not doing anything to prevent drivers from being trapped inside vehicles. The tow truck driver said he picked up four Tesla cars on Aug 9th for the same battery issue. I spoke to multiple other Tesla owners and none were aware of the manual door release. This includes one of my neighbors who received his Tesla a few months ago. It was not explained during the delivery process. The driver must rely on an electronic user's manual that can only be accessed when the car is operational. The faulty battery creates a condition that renders the car non-operational, so the contents of the user manual are irrelevant. Furthermore, the unmarked door release is an insufficient safety feature. Airplanes, buses, trains all have emergency exits marked. Apparently Tesla chose not to do this. Tesla created an unsafe situation where people can be trapped.

NHTSA ODI 11428766

https://youtu.be/Q74d_rK5aKk Please find the above YouTube link that has the front camera video at the time crash. Issues: ======= 1.) Tesla auto emergency brake didn't alert or stop. 2.) Obstacle awareness didn't alert or stop the vehicle 3.) Lane keeping assistant didn't alert/warn. All autopilot basic safety settings were enabled.

NHTSA ODI 11424278

Car was parked in driveway and spontaneously caught fire at 4am; I suspect that ti was the 12v battery that leaked and corroded and caused a fire after looking at the security footage which showed that the fire originated in the frunk; Tesla say they are unable to find a cause of the fire, It has been 5 months since the incident.

NHTSA ODI 11419837

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT SUSPENSION FAILURES IN TESLAS. THERE HAS BEEN A CRASH IN ITALY WHICH IS ALMOST CERTAINLY CAUSED BY A BROKEN SUSPENSION. THE VIN OF A JUNKYARD TESLA HAS BEEN USED TO COMPLETE THIS ONLINE SUBMISSION SINCE THE VIN OF THE CAR IS UNKNOWN. THE CRASH INJURED 2 PEOPLE. HTTPS://LADIGE.IT/TERRITORI/RIVA-ARCO/2021/04/11/RIVA-LA-LUSSUOSA-TESLA-SI-SCHIANTA-IN-GALLERIA-FERITI-UN-RAGAZZO-DI-PINZOLO-E-UNA-RAGAZZA-DI-TORBOLE-1.2884987#2 THE CRASH SCENE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW A TESLA WITH 3 WHEELS. THE BACK WHEEL HAS FALLEN OFF. SKID MARKS ON THE ROAD SHOW ONLY 3 TIRE MARKS. THESE SKID MARKS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY THE DRIVER INTENTIONALLY SWERVING AND BRAKING PLEASE INCLUDE THIS CRASH IN YOUR INVESTIGATION INTO TESLA SUSPENSION FAILURES. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI 11408001

I WAS IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY ABOUT TO CHANGE LANES. I WAS ON TOTALLY MANUAL OPERATION. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND HIT A CAR AND CONTINUED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO HIT ANOTHER CAR. THERE WAS NO COLLISION DAMAGE WARNING OR AVOIDANCE AUTOMATICALLY STOPPING THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11403707

WE RECENTLY GOT INTO AN SUA WITH OUR CURRENT TESLA 3. I WAS TURNING INTO MY DRIVE WAY AND I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR THE GATE TO OPEN AND WHEN I BRAKED, THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP VERY FAST AND I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AGAIN BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. THE CAR WAS ALSO IN HOLD MODE WHEN I LATER CHECKED I NEVER STEPPED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR HARD ENOUGH TO REACH THE SPEED OF RUNNING THROUGH 2 CEMENTED METAL GATES. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T POP OUT AND TESLA'S SENSOR BREAK SYSTEM ALSO DID NOT ACTIVATE. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM OF MY CAR A SHORT WHILE AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR (APRIL 18, 2018). I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME WHEN THE DISPLAY SCREEN WAS STUCK ON THE PARK MODE FOR THE WHOLE ENTIRE DRIVE BACK. I COULDN'T TURN ON MY SIGNALS, OR SEE MY MPH. EVEN AFTER I GOT HOME, IT WOULDN'T TURN OFF EVEN AFTER TRYING FOR 2 HOURS SO I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND SHE TOLD ME A WAY TO RESET THE CAR. ( I HAVE VIDEOS TO PROVE THIS.) THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN INCIDENTS WHEN I AM BRAKED AND WAITING AT A RED LIGHT. I OBVIOUSLY PRESSED ACCEL WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, BUT THE CAR WENT INTO PARK MODE AND I WOULD GET STARTLED AND QUICKLY MANUALLY TURN IT INTO DRIVE MODE. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 4-5 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND EVEN RECENTLY IN 2021.

NHTSA ODI 11403795

OUR CAR CAUGHT FIRE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY OF MY HOUSE. THIS HAPPENED AROUND 4AM IN JAN9, SECURITY FOOTAGE FROM NEIGHBORS HAS BEEN HANDED OVER TO FD AND TESLA ENGINEERING TEAM. THE LAST TRIP WAS 10 HOURS PRIOR TO PARKING THE CAR. WE ARE LUCKY IT WAS NOT IN THE GARAGE OR CHARGING, THE DAMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN MORE THAN A FEW BROKEN WINDOWS, AS SOON AS WE SAW THE FIRE WE CALLED THE FD, THEY PUT OUT THE FIRE WITHIN 15 MINUTES.

NHTSA ODI 11397073

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A CRASH WITH A TREE. MY CAR WAS TOTAL. THE CAR WAS WAS STATIOANARY WAITING TO PUT AIR IN MY TIRE.

NHTSA ODI 11396564

WHILE I WAS PARKING, THE CAR IT UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND JUMP OVER THE SIDE WALK AND CRASH ITSELF INTO THE BUILDING AND DESTROYED THE FACE OF THE BUILDING AND THE CAR. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED FROM THE IMPACT OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI 11383180

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE USING THE AUTOMATIC PARKING FEATURE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO INJURY SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TESLA (5544 OKEECHOBEE BLVD, WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33417, (561) 841-9281) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT DEALERS FINDINGS WERE THAT BOTH HANDS WERE OFF THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WERE BEING DEPRESSED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK. ON ANOTHER OCCASION AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND WAS LOCKED IN WITH THE ELECTRICAL FUNCTION INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT REMAINED LOCKED IN FOR 45 MINUTES UNTIL SECURITY WAS ABLE TO REMOVE HER FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SAME DEALER WHERE THE 12 VOLT BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY AND DECLINED TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,776. *BF CONSUMER STATED CAR HAD ISSUE THE MOMENT CONSUMER PURCHASED IT.*JB

NHTSA ODI 11360743

SORRY TO TROUBLE YOU AGAIN ...BUT.. HERE IS A MODEL 3 IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/37236422?ROWNUMBER=9 THE SUSPENSION FELL OFF AND IT'S LYING ON THE GROUND. HAVE A LOOK PLEASE. THIS IS NOT GOOD. NOT GOOD AT ALL. THANK YOU. KEEF

NHTSA ODI 11351734

PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE USED A SUBSTITUTE VIN TO FILE THIS REPORT SINCE THE VIN OF THE CAR I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT IS UNAVAILABLE. HERE IS THE MODEL 3 IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/34936400/PHOTOS THIS CAR IS IN DETROIT AND COULD EASILY BE INSPECTED BY NHTSA STAFF. THE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW THAT THE CAST MONKEY METAL LOWER SUSPENSION ARM HAS SNAPPED. THE BRIGHT SURFACE OF THE SNAPPED PART SHOWS THAT IT IS A CLEAN BREAK CAUSED BY BAD CASTING. ALSO THE MONKEY-METAL STEERING KNUCKLE HAS SNAPPED COMPLETELY IN HALF AND THIS HAS BEEN STASHED ON THE BACK SEAT. THIS IS CONVENIENT FOR NHTSA STAFF TO INSPECT BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT NEED TO GET THEIR HANDS DIRTY. CLOSE UP PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE AFFECTED PARTS ARE ATTACHED TO THIS SUBMISSION. A FEW OWNERS ARE NOW STARTING TO FILE COMPLAINTS ABOUT BROKEN SUSPENSIONS. IF YOU OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO SUSPENSION FAILURES IT WILL GIVE EVEN MORE OWNERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO REPORT THEIR PROBLEMS. THANK YOU. KEEF DATE OF CRASH, MILEAGE ETC. ARE ESTIMATES

NHTSA ODI 11341443

CAR WAS ON DRIVEWAY GOING5MPH. APPLIED BRAKE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOCKED IN POSITION CAR CONTINUED GOING 5MPH.WENT THROUGH GARAGE DOOR. CONTINUED AT 5MPH HIT WALL. PUT HOLE IN WALL CAR STOPPED. WE WEREN'T INJURED. CAR NEVER SLOWED OR SPEEDED UP. REPORTED TO TESLA THE NEXT DAY. THEY SAID THE CAR HAS A DATA RECORDER. I ASKED FOR THE DATA. AFTER NUMEROUS REQUESTS 7 WEEKS LATER THEY HAVE FAILED TO CONTACT US

NHTSA ODI 11341143

AS I RETURNED HOME FROM WORK AND ENTERED MY DRIVEWAY AT VERY LOW SPEED TO PARK, THE TESLA JUST TOOK OFF AT WHAT FELT LIKE FULL POWER ACCELERATION. IT COULD NOT BE STOPPED AND HIT MY TWO CAR GARAGE. BOTH GARAGE DOORS AND THE CENTRAL COLUMN WERE UNHINGED AND DAMAGED. THE CONTENTS STORED IN THE GARAGE WERE DAMAGED AND AN INTERNAL WALL WAS ALSO KNOCKED OFF. THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS AND PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT SUCH SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAD HAPPENED WITH THIS CAR A FEW MONTHS EARLIER ALSO AND WAS REPORTED TO TESLA WITH A REQUEST THAT A SAFETY ANALYSIS BE PERFORMED. THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR WHICH I DO NOT AGREE WITH IN VIEW OF THIS SECOND INCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY FIRST TIME SINCE THERE WAS NO CAR PARKED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN RIGHT, DRIVE ON TO THE GRASSED AREA, AND THEN ON TO THE ROAD. TESLA HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. IT MUST BE INVESTIGATED AND FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11340853

ON 7/18/2020, I PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT AND MY TESLA ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WENT OVER THE CURB, HIT THE WALL OF A BUSINESS, HIT THE DOORS OF A BUSINESS AND A PERSON COMING OUT OF THAT BUSINESS THEN IT HIT POLE AND STOPPED. AMBULANCE TOOK A PERSON HIT TO THE HOSPITAL ( I PRAY FOR HIS WELLBEING), I HAVE POLICE REPORTED AND CAR TOWED AWAY ( TOTALLY RUINED). IT WAS LIKE A NIGHTMARE WHEN CAR SPED UP SUDDENLY AND YOU SEE PERSON THROWN INTO YOUR WINDSHIELD. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE HURT AND LIVES ARE TAKEN. TESLA THIS IS SERIOUS. WE JUST HAVE UPGRADED THE SOFTWARE, LAST WEEK.

NHTSA ODI 11340308

SEVERAL ONGOING ISSUES WITH TOUCH SCREEN FAILURE (BLACK OUTS) MALFUNCTION, HAS BEEN REPAIRED MORE THAN 3 TIMES CONTINUES TO BE ISSUE * ONGOING ACCELEROMETER MALFUNCTION * ALL OF SUDDEN RECEIVE ERROR MESSAGE STABILITY CONTROL DISABLED * --REGENERATIVE BRAKING DISABLED * --AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING IS DISABLE * ONGOING PHONE KEY AND CONNECTION ISSUES, ANTENNA ISSUES, UNABLE TO CONNECT TO BLUETOOTH. REPEATED ISSUES HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED BY TESLA SERVICE DEPT * TOUCH SCREEN FAILURE (BLACK OUTS)AND CONSISTENT ISSUES WITH CONNECTIVITY WIFI. * MASS MALFUNCTION OF INTERNAL HARDWARE * VOICE CONTROL BARELY WORKS * SEATBELT SENSOR MALFUNCTION * ISSUE WITH BREAKING NOISE, SCREECHING * UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION WHILE ONGOING CHRONIC UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, SUCH A ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL, JERKING, BRAKING ALL OF SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING. SUDDENLY ACCELERATION * THESE ARE ONGOING ISSUES WITH OUR TESLA MODEL 3. SEVERAL OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED WITH TESLA SERVICE DEPARTMENT MORE THAN 3 TO 4 IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. FILED COMPLAINT ON 8/30/2019 NHTSA ID# 11301634. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11323314

UNINTENDED SUDDEN SELF ACCELERATION CAR WAS SITTING AT COMPLETE STOP FOR 1-2 MINUTES. NO MUSIC WAS PLAYING, AND I WAS NOT ON PHONE. WHILE THE LIGHT WAS STILL RED, THE CAR SUDDENLY SELF-ACCELERATED, WAS PROPELLED FORWARD FORCEFULLY, WITH EXTREME, INTENSE VELOCITY. THE CAR WAITING IN FRONT OF MINE WAS IMPACTED, AS WELL AS THE CAR IN FRONT OF THIS CAR. BOTH WERE LARGE SUVS, AND BOTH WERE DAMAGED. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT 2 HEAVY SUV'S WERE ABLE TO STOP THE TESLA, WHICH WAS OUT OF MY CONTROL. THE TESLA AIRBAGS WERE ACTIVATED, AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS, AN INDICATION HOW POWERFUL THE ACCELERATION MUST HAVE BEEN.

NHTSA ODI 11322324

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT A BURNED OUT TESLA MODEL 3. I HAVE USED THE VIN OF A RANDOM WRECKED TESLA BECAUSE THE VIN OF THE CAR IN QUESTION IS UNRECOGNISABLE DUE TO FIRE. HERE IS THE TOASTED TESLA HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS/35451122/25 IT HAS BEEN BURNED TO A CRISP BUT THE FRONT WHEEL HAS BEEN WRENCHED OFF DUE TO THE USUAL BROKEN SUSPENSION ARMS AND POPPED BALL JOINTS. THE WHEEL MUST HAVE FALLEN BY THE WAYSIDE BECAUSE IT IS NOT BURNED IN THE SLIGHTEST AND HAS BEEN STASHED INSIDE THE BODY OF THE CAR POST-INFERNO. ISN'T THE JOB OF NHTSA SUPPOSED TO BE PROTECTING THE PUBLIC? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU GUYS? FOR THE LOVE OF FUDGE PLEASE DO SOMETHING. REGARDS YOUR FRIEND KEEF

NHTSA ODI 11311515