Home · 2018 Tesla Model 3 Bev · Complaints

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

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (982)Crash / fire / injury (114)Driver assistance (199)Electrical system (166)Suspension (166)Airbags (134)Seat belts (100)Speed control (89)Brakes (86)Steering (76)Seats (70)Visibility & wipers (60)

89 of 982 complaints match · Speed control · clear filters · page 3 of 4

Oct 13, 2021AirbagsSpeed controlVisibility & wipersCrash

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

Sep 1, 2021Speed controlBrakesCrash

Car was totaled after uncontrollable acceleration. Air bags were deployed

NHTSA ODI 11431424

Aug 23, 2021Electrical systemSpeed controlDriver assistance

Within the first day, my 2018 Tesla Model 3 lost all instruments, safety indicators, and touchscreen controls while driving on the freeway. The car did this *multiple* times, without warning. Each incident lasted several minutes. It was alarming, and there was no way to tell what systems in the car were working (such as automatic emergency braking or cruise control), and no way to change settings, or even know if the turn signals were working as I tried to exit the highway. The Model 3 has only one screen where everything (including basic instruments) is displayed and most controls are accessed. When the screen freezes, we lose access to basics like speedometer, collision safety or system failure warnings or even speedometer readings, as well as control of headlights, wipers, climate control, lock / unlock, navigation, and many other essential functions. During these failures, we do not know what if any safety systems are still operating. Typically when this problem occurs, the screen "freezes" while driving, without warning or any indication of trouble. The screen remains unresponsive for a lengthy period (typically minutes) until the screen goes completely black for a time, and then eventually a Tesla logo appears, followed by instruments and controls gradually being restored. The car was delivered from the factory to my home in this state, with other obvious defects—Tesla did not permit us to test-drive it. The next night a Tesla technician saw the failure happening in real time, through Tesla's remote diagnostics. He said the car was probably not safe to drive. I asked to return the car under Tesla's satisfaction policy, and he agreed to start the refund process. Tesla refused to take the car back, and the car has continued to exhibit these failures. This has been happening since the car was delivered in October of 2018.

NHTSA ODI 11430202

Aug 17, 2021Speed control

When driving on 1-5, which is The major Expressway connecting San Diego all the way to The Canadian border near Bellingham on a number of occasions when I have had the driving assistance system on, the car has suddenly and rapidly slowed down when there is a gentle incline. This is not a a gradual slowdown but one that is rapid, and one that requires me to push the accelerator so that I am not endangering the occupant of the car behind me,( the car has never come to a complete standstill) this in spite of there being no cars in front. Further this occurs at multiple speeds. This has occurred on a National expressway and as you can imagine there are no steep inclines on 1-5. I read yesterday that there is an investigation on Tesla’s autopilot system and as much as I am appreciative of technology, glitches such as this can be life threatening and my hope is you investigate this feature of Tesla’s autopilot system as well. Please note that the date I wrote below is a random date as this has occurred multiple times. And further, the car did not give me any warning of a malfunctioning component.

NHTSA ODI 11429394

Mar 23, 2021Speed controlDriver assistance

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE BRAKING SYSTEM ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT DURING THE FAILURE THERE WERE NO OBJECTS OR VEHICLES NEARBY TO CAUSE THE BRAKING SYSTEM TO SUDDENLY ACTIVATE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT YET CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI 11404416

Mar 18, 2021AirbagsSpeed controlBrakesCrash1 injury

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

Mar 14, 2021Speed controlBrakesDriver assistance

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY TESLA SUDDENLY HARD BRAKED OUT OF NOWHERE. MY SPEED DROPPED FROM 70 TO 30 IN A COUPLE OF SECONDS. THERE WAS AN 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DEADLY COLLISION IF I HADN'T INTERVENED. THIS IS A KNOWN TESLA BUT THAT SOMEDAY WOULD KILL SOMEONE.

NHTSA ODI 11402908

Dec 12, 2020Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemSpeed controlCrash

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

Oct 9, 2020Speed control

TWICE IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS, WHILE ON AUTOPILOT, THE CAR HAS DECELERATED SPONTANEOUSLY AND DANGEROUSLY AT THE SAME SPOT ON THE FREEWAY. THE FIRST TIME ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE CAR IN BACK OF ME HAD TO BRAKE SUDDENLY AND SWERVE. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE WHEN IT HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME, BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY. LUCKILY, NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY. MY CAR HAD JUST PASSED UNDER A LARGE OVERPASS AND WAS NEAR PASSING UNDER POWER LINES. I REPORTED THIS TO TESLA VIA THE VOICE ACTIVATED 'BUG REPORT' FEATURE WITHIN SECONDS OF THE OCCURRENCE.

NHTSA ODI 11363592

Sep 28, 2020Body & structureSpeed control

THE REAR TRUNK LID POPPED OPEN BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE VEHICLE, AND I DID NOT POP THE TRUNK LID. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE TRUNK LID CAN NOT BE OPENED BY THE OCCUPANTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THE SELECTION ON THE SCREEN IS NOT AVAILABLE, THE TRUNK 'BUTTON' IS NOT ACCESSIBLE ON THE SCREEN WHILE IN MOTION. THERE IS NO MECHANICAL RELEASE. WHEN THE TRUNK OPENED, IT CAUSED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO BECOME UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11361609

Sep 23, 2020Electrical systemSpeed controlCrash

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

Jul 23, 2020Speed controlBrakesCrash

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

Jul 22, 2020Speed controlCrash1 injury

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

May 5, 2020Electrical systemSpeed controlElectronic Stability Control (esc)Crash1 injury

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

Mar 19, 2020Speed control

WHILE REVERSING INTO MY 2 CAR GARAGE INTO THE CENTER OF THE GARAGE SPACE, I CAME TO A STOP (AUTO HOLD AFTER BRAKING TO A STOP BUT WITH THE REAR CAMERA VIEW ON DISPLAY) WHEN I REACHED FAR INSIDE (TO BE ABLE TO CLOSE THE GARAGE DOOR). USING THE HOMELINK, I CLOSED THE GARAGE DOOR (WAITED TILL IT FULLY CLOSED 2 FT FROM THE FRONT NOSE OF THE CAR). WHILE I HAD BOTH FEET FLAT ON THE DRIVER FLOOR MAT, I TAPPED THE RIGHT SIDE GEAR STALK DOWN TO SWITCH FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE CAR JERKED FORWARD AND THE DISPLAY SCREEN CLOSED THE REAR VIEW CAMERA. I NORMALLY DRIVE FORWARD SLOWLY TO PUT THE NOSE OF THE CAR ABOUT 1 FT FROM THE GARAGE DOOR (THIS ALLOWS ME WALKING SPACE AT THE REAR OF THE CAR WHILE PARKED). IN THE PAST I HAVE NOTICED LESS SEVERE 'JERKING/LURCHING' FORWARD WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE WHILE LEAVING MY GARAGE WHEN I WOULD MANEUVER IN THE GARAGE SPACE WITH TWO CARS PARKED, I THOUGHT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION. IN RETROSPECT THIS CAR HAS DONE IT SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE SPAN OF A YEAR. *LN CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE ACTIVATING THE CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE WHEN THE CAR IS AT A COMPLETE STOP. *DL

NHTSA ODI 11318685

Feb 9, 2020Speed controlCrash

ON NOVEMBER 14, 2019 MY CAR WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THAT I STRONGLY BELIEVE THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE ACCELERATOR SENSORS OR THE ACCELERATOR ITSELF. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AGGRESSIVELY AS MY SISTER WAS PARKING THE CAR. SHE WAS GOING SLOW AS SHE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND AS SHE DROVE INTO THE STALL, THE VEHICLE SPED UP AGGRESSIVELY AND SHE COULD NOT STOP IT. WE HAVE VIDEOS (COULDN'T UPLOAD) THAT ALSO SHOW THE WHEELS KEEP GOING EVEN THOUGH IT HAD ALREADY MADE CONTACT WITH THE PILLAR AND NOBODY IS PRESSING THE PEDAL. ANOTHER CONCERN WE HAVE IS WHY NONE OF THE CRASH AVOIDANCE MECHANISM TOOK OVER, THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY SETTINGS DIDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE FROM CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE AND DRIVE RIGHT INTO THE PILLAR. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. WE ARE AVAILABLE TO TALK WITH YOU ABOUT THE DETAILS OF THE ACCIDENT. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TESLA AND THEY CLAIM IT IS USER ERROR, BUT MY SISTER IS 100% SURE SHE DIDN'T PRESS THE PEDAL. WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH THIS INVESTIGATION. WE UNDERSTAND THERE ARE OTHERS THAT HAVE FILED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT TYPE OF INVESTIGATION TESLA DID TO CONCLUDE IT WAS USER ERROR. WE BELIEVE THE SENSORS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ANY WAY OF KNOWING WHAT KIND OF SCRUTINY TESLA DID IN THEIR PART TO LOOK INTO WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED, ALSO JUST BECAUSE THEIR RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE PEDAL WAS PRESSED, WE HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THIS IS TRULY THE CASE INSTEAD OF THE SENSORS ACTUALLY INACCURATELY SENSING THAT A FOOT WAS NEARBY. -- [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 11308049

Feb 3, 2020Speed controlCrash

WHEN I TURNED INTO PARK SPACE AND STOPPED, MY CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, HIT TWO POLES A FEW FEET IN FRONT OF MY CAR, AND DAMAGE THE CAR BUMPER. THIS IS A FAMILIAR PARK SPACE WHICH I PARKED MANY TIME PREVIOUSLY. THE MIGHT ACCELERATE ITSELF. I ASKED TESLA FOR MY DRIVING DATA LOG BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED IT YET. I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY IF I PRESS ACCELERATOR OR NOT WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. IF I DID PRESS THE ACCELERATOR, THE NEW STOPPING MODE AND POSSIBLY MY TURNED STEERING WHEEL MIGHT FORCE ME TO EXERT UN-PROPORTIONAL PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I EXPECT THAT TESLA CORRECT THIS DEFECT IF IT IS ROOT CAUSE OF THIS ACCELERATION.

NHTSA ODI 11306614

Jan 27, 2020Electrical systemSpeed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHILE IN THE AUTO PILOT MODE AND WITH THE VEHICLE MERGING ONTO A RAMP WHICH IS DESCENDING DOWNWARD WITH ON COMING VEHICLES STOPPED APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET AHEAD THE AUTO PILOT DID NOT DEACTIVATE AND SLOW THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF A SECOND VEHICLE. DURING THE CRASH NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE (9675202000182). THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED AWAY. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER TESLA OF COSTA MESA (3140 PULLMAN RD. COSTA MESA CA) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,500.

NHTSA ODI 11302243

Jan 23, 2020Speed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED BUMPER DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED ON 01/28/20. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,999.*DT*JB

NHTSA ODI 11301360

Jan 20, 2020Speed controlCrash

ON 4/17/2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:40PM I PULLED INTO A SMALL SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AND TURNED RIGHT TO PARK IN A PARKING SPACE FACING A STORE FRONT. I WAS GOING TO A NAIL APPOINTMENT, WAS EARLY AND NOT IN A HURRY. THE CAR WAS MOVING VERY SLOWLY UNDER THE CAR'S OWN POWER AS I ENTERED THE PARKING SPACE. WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR TO PULL TO THE FRONT OF THE SPACE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED JUMPING THE CURB, AND LANDING ON TOP OF THE SIDEWALK WITH THE FRONT END INSIDE THE STORE FRONT WINDOW. I WAS BRAKING FROM THE MOMENT OF FAST ACCELERATION AND COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP UNTIL IT WAS STOPPED BY THE STORE FRONT GLASS WALL. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT THERE WAS PROPERTY DAMAGE TO THE GLASS AND FRAME STORE FRONT AND TO THE FRONT END OF MY CAR. THE CAR WAS FULLY UP ON THE SIDEWALK WITH THE FRONT END INTO THE FRONT OF THE PIZZA SHOP. THE CURB WAS APPROXIMATELY 8 INCHES HIGH, SO WHEN THE FIREMAN REVERSED THE CAR TO MOVE IT TO THE PARKING SPACE THE ENTIRE UNDERNEATH SCRAPED ALONG THE BOTTOM, FORTUNATELY THERE WASN'T ANY DAMAGE TO THE BATTERY PACK. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME TO T HE SCENE, AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED DUE TO THE PROPERTY DAMAGE AT THE BUSINESS. THE FIREMAN HAD TO BACK THE CAR OUT DUE TO POTENTIAL INTEGRITY ISSUES WITH THE DAMAGED GLASS STORE FRONT. I WAS NOT CITED. A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH STATE FARM. I CAN OBTAIN THE POLICE REPORT IF NEEDED. THERE WEREN'T ANY OTHER VEHICLES OR PEOPLE INVOLVED.

NHTSA ODI 11300585

Jan 20, 2020Speed controlCrash

I WENT TO LARGE GROCERY STORE AND PULLED INTO THE PARKING SPOT AND PARKED IN AN EMPTY SPOT NEXT TO ANOTHER CAR. AS SOON AS I PARKED, MY CAR TESLA MODEL 3 SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED AND SHARPLY TURNED RIGHT ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANY PROMPTING. IT WENT FULLY ON TOP OF THE PLANT BEDS AND HIT TWO OTHER CARS FROM THE FRONT. LUCKILY, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES IN TIME AFTER I PROCESSED THIS TERRIFYING OCCURRENCE AND PREVENTED THE CAR FROM HITTING ANY PEDESTRIAN. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL FOR THE AREA WITH SOME LIGHT RAIN. I HAD NOT USED/ENGAGED ANY OF THE TESLA AUTOMATIC DRIVING FEATURES DURING MY TRIP AND PARKING.

NHTSA ODI 11300574

Jan 20, 2020Speed controlCrash

OCT 15, 2019 AT 12:30 PM I WAS GOING TO PARK THE CAR, WAS ROLLING TO A STOP BETWEEN PARKING LINES IN FRONT OF THE CURB WHEN CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A STYLE FENCE. REPORTED THE PROBLEM THE SAME DAY TO TESLA AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SERVICE CENTER AND COMPLAINED. THEY LOGGED THE COMPLAINT AND SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME ABOUT IT. CALLED AND EMAILED A COUPLE OF TIMES. NO RESPONSE TO DATE ON WHY THIS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI 11300599

Jan 17, 2020SuspensionBody & structureSpeed controlCrash

THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY ON AUTOPILOT CAUSING THE CAR SKID AND FALL INTO A DITCH OAT 80 MPH IN UTAH. THE DAMAGE WAS TO THE BODY BUT THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE AS IT ALMOST WENT INTO THE OTHER LANE

NHTSA ODI 11300072

Jan 17, 2020Body & structureSpeed controlWheels

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 10 LAKE CITY TO JACKSONVILLE FL, SUDDENLY HEAVY RAIN CAUSED CAR TO SKID DRIVING IN AUTOPILOT MODE AT 70MPH , THE ROAD CHANGED FROM ASPHALT TO CONCRETE AND CAR COULD NOT HANDLE THAT CHANGE , CAR WENT INTO HYDROPLAN/SKID MODE WITH 15 SNAKE LAPSES BEFORE I COULD BRING IT TO REST ON SHOULDER , WE WERE LUCKY TO HAVE SURVIVED AS A SEMI TRUCK WAS JUST 20 SECONDS BEHIND US. THE CAR EVEN AFTER HALTING ACCERELATED ON ITS OWN CAUSING ANOTHER SMALL BURST OF SKIDDING..TO ADD TO THE WOES - THE AUOMATED WIPERS ON THIS CAR ARE TOO SLOW , SUDDEN RAIN POUR ON WINDSHIELD CAUSE LACK OF VISIBILITY AND TO TURN THE WIPERS TO FULL MODE , IT TAKES 3-4 SWIPES ON CARS COMPUTER , WHICH DURING CRUCIAL MOMENTS IS A VERY BAD DESIGN AND CAN CAUSE UNITENDED ACCIDENTS

NHTSA ODI 11300100

Jan 15, 2020Speed control

I OWN A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3 MID-RANGE (NON-AUTOPILOT, NON-SELF-DRIVING, SOFTWARE UPDATE V10.2 - 2019.40.50.7). I EXPERIENCED A CRUISE CONTROL RELATED SAFETY DEFECT ON MY NON-SELF-DRIVING, NON- AUTOPILOT TESLA MODEL 3 SEVERAL TIMES SINCE 2019.40.2.1 UPDATE. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I WAS GOING 60-65MPH WITH NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL, LET MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR EXPECTING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO ACTIVE LIKE IT ALWAYS HAD IN THE PAST. SUDDENLY, INSTEAD OF MAINTAINING THE SPEED IT WAS SET AT IT, THE CAR SLOWED DOWN WITH FULL REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO BELOW 50MPH WHILE STILL INDICATING THE SET SPEED ON THE DISPLAY. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR (PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2018) AND USE CAR WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL MORE OR LESS DAILY. THE ISSUE NEVER APPEARED UNTIL AFTER THE 2019.40.2.1 UPDATE. I WAS AWAY FROM HOME WHEN THE UPDATE WAS INSTALLED, SO I DIDN'T ACTUALLY START EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE UNTIL JANUARY 6, 2020 WHEN I RESUMED MY DAILY COMMUTE. THE MOST RECENT TIME IT HAPPENED, I WAS ACTUALLY ON MY WAY TO THE TESLA SERVICE CENTER IN BELLEVUE WA FOR AN UNRELATED SERVICE APPOINTMENT. IN THE THIS INSTANCE, I WAS TURNING RIGHT ONTO A FOUR LANE, NON-DIVIDED SURFACE STREET AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOPLIGHT. I REMEMBER ACCELERATING TO 33MPH AND SEEING THE USER INTERFACE FEEDBACK (BLACK CIRCLE AROUND THE SET SPEED) AS I ACTIVATED CRUISE CONTROL. BEFORE I COULD REACT, THE CAR HAD SLOWED TO ABOUT 20MPH, WHILE THE USER INTERFACE INDICATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS STILL ACTIVE AT 33MPH. I WAS GOING UP A MODERATE HILL AT TIME. THE UPHILL COMBINED WITH THE FULL REGENERATIVE BRAKING EFFECT MADE ME FEEL UNSAFE TO SAY THE LEAST. I FELT FORTUNATE THAT THERE WERE NO CARS FOLLOWING CLOSELY BEHIND ME.

NHTSA ODI 11299606

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2018 Tesla Model 3 Bev verdict →