What 434 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Tesla Model 3 Bev

Car radio goes so loud it damaged my ear nerves. This results in pain especially when exposed to loud sounds

NHTSA ODI 11640726

Back and buttocks area suffered electrical burns and pain from Tesla Seat Heaters (in heated seats) twice 1. Happened in 2024 on temperature level 3 2 Although I turned it down it happened again in 2025 on temperature level 2

NHTSA ODI 11640654

Braking and Stopping - Braking system - Improperly functioning braking systems. I experienced a problem with the brake pedal, brake calipers, and/or any component of a Model 3 braking system. “Model 3 has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that prevents the wheels from locking when you apply maximum brake pressure. This improves steering control during heavy braking in most road conditions…Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking do not operate when driving at very low speeds (see Collision Avoidance Assist on page 128). Do not rely on these features to warn you, or to prevent or reduce-the impact of a collision. (Tesla owners Manuel71-73) I stop on a downward slope with my foot on the brake to wait for a gate to open in my apartments. I let go of the brake and the vehicle remained steady until it started rolling. When it started rolling, I jam my foot on the brake but the brake is engaged (locked). The vehicle accelerates, the brakes and steering wheel is locked giving no control over the vehicle. The vehicle drives through the gate and into a wall. The airbags deploy and I get out immediately for caution of explosion and shock. I call a tow truck and made a claim with USAA. I got a concussion and multiple injuries on my body. I’ve been getting medical treatment for 6-8 months. USAA didn’t help as they deemed the accident was my fault and totaled the vehicle. I bought the vehicle for more than what’s it’s worth. I have loan payment that I can NOT pay. This was my only asset and this accident changed my work life. Tesla gave me the run around on how to make a claim and no compensation. Directed me to insurance company. This demonstrates failure of an Braking System, operating electric vehicles, company responsibility, safety and transportation regulations and policies. These vehicles are highly dangerous for my safety and others as there’ve been multiple accidents and deaths.

NHTSA ODI 11577318

On August 2, 2023 at 0400, the Tesla M3 was charging in the garage using a home charger. Smoke indicative of an electrical fire likely originated from the vehicle and eventually triggered a smoke alarm in the kitchen. The driver was unaware the source of the smoke was the Tesla, disconnected the Tesla and moved it out of the house to protect the vehicleb assuming a fire was in the house, and called firefighters who searched the home without success for a source of the fire. The driver now believes the Tesla was the source as the garage access door was cracked open to feed the charging cable from the 240v outlet in the laundry room. The nearest smoke detector from the Tesla is in the kitchen, where the driver smelled smoke from an electrical fire. At roughly 0745, the driver was about to complete a one hour commute to work in this Tesla unaware that the incident at 0400 was related to the Tesla. The driver experienced a sudden vector and velocity change in the vehicle while traveling at highway speeds. This is the driver's last memory of the accident that followed. A witness driving behind the Tesla described the vehicle traveling in clear lanes when it abruptly jerked left, then right into the side of the highway into concrete barricades. The Tesla was destroyed, airbags deployed, and the driver was rescued by first responders,firefighters, and paramedics. The driver was evacuated to the nearest hospital with serious injuries. The driver suffered broken ribs, a pneumothorax, several lacerations to head and chest, several contusions across the shoulder, legs, and body, and a mild traumatic brain injury.

NHTSA ODI 11536830

The contact's husband owned a 2020 Tesla Model 3. According to a police report, while traveling at 70 MPH, the vehicle veered across three lanes of traffic and hit a light pole. The contact was wearing a seatbelt and the air bags deployed upon impact. The paramedics arrived at the scene; her husband was intubated and taken to the hospital. Her husband was pronounced brain dead due to injuries suffered in the accident and passed away two weeks later. According to the police report, witnesses stated that no effort was made by her husband to avoid or slow down prior to the collision. The contact disputes this claim and stated that her husband was not a reckless driver and would not have intentionally hit a light pole. The contact believed that the cause of the accident may have been related to a mechanical failure and would like an additional investigation conducted about the accident. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard and destroyed. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11473666

The contact's granddaughter owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while her granddaughter was reversing, the rearview camera failed to turn on, causing the rear end of the vehicle to crash into a cement post. The contact was unsure whether there was a warning light illuminated. There were no injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a Tesla-certified autobody mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's residence. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 400. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI 11462762

The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving on the right side of the road at 35-45 MPH, on autopilot mode with a passenger in the front passenger seat, the vehicle drove off the road independently and crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact's face hit the steering wheel. The contact sustained a black eye with laceration, bruised ribs, head, neck and back pain, sprained left ankle, bruises on her thigh, may have sustained nerve damage on the right side of the face that hit the steering wheel and sciatic nerve damage on the right side of her body. The occupant of the front passenger seat sustained neck, back and clavicle injuries. The contact sought medical assistance the next day. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot, then it was towed to a Tesla certified specialist body shop. A police report was filed. The contact has not been able to get a hold of the manufacturer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11449119

The contact owned a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 60 MPH on autopilot, she lost control of the vehicle due to an unknown reason. Once his wife lost control of the vehicle, she had run the vehicle into a fence. The airbags deployed upon impact. The contact's wife did not suffer any injuries and did not seek any medical attention. A police report was filed. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard where the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact filled out a form online to recover the data from the vehicle but was later informed that only California residence could have access to that information. The vehicle had been destroyed. The failure mileage was approximately 14,000.

NHTSA ODI 11439769

While turning into a parking spot in a covered parking garage the car seemed to speed up and lurch. It hit the cement wall and pushed the car back with such force the air bags deployed. Thank God it was just a wall. The car is now at the repair garage and have not heard back regarding how much damage and if the car is going to be "totaled". When I mentioned this at a party we were at, a friend of mine said she had the same problem. There were no collision warnings. It happened in a split second. The parking garage was at my Doctors office so I was able to have my wrist x-ryed right then. No serious injury. Just a little leary of driving this model car if not any electric vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11438921