Home · 2020 Tesla Model 3 Bev · Complaints

What 434 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 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 (434)Crash / fire / injury (57)Driver assistance (154)Speed control (68)Brakes (47)Steering (45)Electrical system (40)Suspension (38)Lane Departure (34)Airbags (29)Visibility & wipers (28)Seats (23)

17 of 434 complaints match · Speed control · crash/fire/injury only · clear filters

Jul 14, 2026SteeringSpeed controlBrakesCrash1 injury

On July 11 at approximately 6:47 a.m., I was operating my Tesla Model 3 on Interstate 65 in Hart County, Kentucky, with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged during normal highway travel. Approximately one hour earlier, I had departed a highway rest area after sleeping from the previous day’s travel. Rain developed during the trip, but I observed adequate visibility, apparent roadway traction, and I was not impaired. I was traveling in the far-right lane of a three-lane interstate. The posted speed limit was approximately 70 mph; however, FSD limited the vehicle to approximately 65 mph and displayed warnings indicating that the higher speed was unavailable. While FSD remained engaged, the system initiated a lane change from the far-right lane into the center lane. After entering the center lane, the vehicle began displaying repeated warning messages and FSD disengaged multiple times. I attempted to locate settings related to the warnings on the touchscreen but could not identify an available adjustment. During the third disengagement, I perceived that the vehicle continued braking without releasing while steering resistance increased significantly. The steering wheel then rotated abruptly, and I was unable to regain normal directional control before the vehicle departed its intended travel path and struck a concrete median. The collision caused personal injuries and substantial vehicle damage. I have not been able to reproduce the condition. The incident was investigated by the Kentucky State Police. Based on the sequence of repeated FSD warnings, disengagements, continued braking, and abrupt steering behavior, I believe this event warrants investigation. I request that NHTSA review the vehicle’s Full Self-Driving logs, telemetry, Event Data Recorder (EDR) data, steering and braking commands, diagnostic records, and software history to determine whether a vehicle or software malfunction contributed to the collision. Almost like someone had control, into the wall -KM

NHTSA ODI 11750430

Dec 13, 2023Transmission & drivetrainSpeed controlFuel systemCrash1 injury

We had Model 3 with instance of unintended acceleration at the gate of a parking lot. This car was bought in May 2020. On December 6, 2020, she was on the way out of the parking gate and suddenly the car accelerated, hitting the side wall of the gate. The car flew over a two-way street, resulting in a compound fracture of her right hip requiring internal fixation and transfusion. The vehicle was inspected by the police. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to failure.

NHTSA ODI 11560002

Aug 18, 2023Speed controlCrash

Sudden acceleration while driving and at stop sign

NHTSA ODI 11539459

Jul 19, 2023SteeringSuspensionSpeed controlCrashFire1 death

my son-in-law went straight off country road and into a tree car burnt to ground was burnt to death date was [XXX] sheriff Spokane county investigating teal front suspension repaired 1 month before at local Tesla shop Spokane wa INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6

NHTSA ODI 11533202

Jun 29, 2023BrakesSpeed controlCrash2 injuries

The contact owned a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while pulling into the driveway and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to respond, accelerated unintendedly, broke through the garage door, and crashed into the vehicle parked inside the garage. The other vehicle moved away and damaged the garage. There was no warning light illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact shifted into reverse (R), pulled out of the driveway and shifted into drive (D). The brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated that he hit the curb to stop the vehicle, and the vehicle stopped. The contact stated that all the air bags then deployed. The vehicle failed to unlock. The contact rolled down the windows and cried for help until the neighbors arrived and opened the vehicle from the outside. The contact sustained bruises on both arms, and the contact's wife sustained bruises on the right shoulder and on the left leg. Both the contact and his wife received medical assistance. There was no police report filed. The vehicle was towed to a third party it was sold to. The other damaged vehicle was totaled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 9,600.

NHTSA ODI 11529563

Jun 27, 2023Speed controlBrakesCrashFire

on July 19,2022, when I was driving on driveway, at less than 5 miles, I tried to stop to drop my wife and applied brake. Instead of brake, due to computer mal function, it accelerated & hit the garage door, broke the garage door, door fell on the car parked in the garage, damaged that car,and tesla automatically reversed. while reversing brake wasn't working too so I tried to put in drive & brake still was not working so to stop the car for safety, I hit the curb in my front yard All airbags were deloyed, inuring both of us. All doors were locked & we couldn't open any of them. We could open windshield. We shouted HELP and my neighbor came & open the door from outside so we could get out otherwise we both could be dead inside the car

NHTSA ODI 11529230

Dec 31, 2022Speed controlCrash

I was on the exit lane coming from Costco on 12/31/2022 at around 12:20 PM with a speed of about 40 miles . My exit is about 100 yards away. Tesla model 3 that I’m driving suddenly accelerated at high speed and pulled towards right and hit the wall next to freeway exit lane. Then it hit the wall on rear tailgate and rolled to middle of freeway within a fraction of seconds. Two vehicles coming on the freeway hit my car and after second hit my car completely stopped in the middle of freeway. I was able to come out safely and later CHP officers came and towed the vehicle

NHTSA ODI 11499653

Sep 20, 2022Speed controlBrakesCrash

The other driver hit the rear of my tesla model 3 which cause the car accelerate fast about 40-50 miles, the brake is not working either. I can not brake or slow down the car.

NHTSA ODI 11485478

Mar 22, 2022Speed controlDriver assistanceCrash

Vehicle was at a stop with brake engaged and then it proceeded to go full speed into a vehicle two meters away without acceleration pedal engaged. Emergency brake did not activate during or slightly before the collision. The brakes had to be engaged manually, but vehicle was already past a certain velocity on its own accord to be able to stop properly without damaging property or harming pedestrians.

NHTSA ODI 11457778

Aug 24, 2021Speed controlCrash2 injuries

The contact stated that while idling and waiting to pick up the elementary school kids in their vehicle, a 2020 Tesla Model 3 suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the rear of the contact's vehicle and trailer. During the incident, the contact sustained a lower back injury and the driver of the Tesla Model 3 suffered a chest injury. A police report was taken at the scene. No further information was available. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11430258

Aug 17, 2021SteeringSpeed controlCrash1 injury

The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving in the rain with the autopilot engaged the vehicle accelerated without warning and was incontrollable, flipped two times, and hit the curb. The contact sustained neck injuries and medical attention was provided at the hospital. All the air bags deployed. There was no reported fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent body shop. The local dealer was contacted who referred the contact to the body shop. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.

NHTSA ODI 11429423

May 13, 2021Speed controlCrash2 injuries

THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND JUMPED FORWARD AND HIT ANOTHER DRIVER THAT WAS STANDING OUTSIDE IN BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOOR. THE HOOD OPENED AND OBSTRUCTED HIS VIEW WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO INJURIES SUSTAINED BY THE CONTACT. THE TWO OTHER DRIVERS SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. ONE DRIVER RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND DEEMED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE CONTACT'S PLACE OF BUSINESS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.

NHTSA ODI 11416475

May 13, 2021Speed controlBackup camera & sensorsCrash

I WAS PARKING AT A TRADER JOE'S WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BY ITSELF WITHOUT GIVING ME ANY CHANCE TO BREAK TO AVOID COLLIDING WITH THE CURB. MY CAR GOT SCRATCHED UNDERNEATH.

NHTSA ODI 11416389

May 14, 2020Speed controlFuel systemCrash

I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN FROM A FULL STOP OUT OF THE PARKING LOT INTO THE FARTHEST LEFT LANE INTENDING TO TURN LEFT. THERE WERE A LINE OF CARS AHEAD OF ME. AS I WAS TURNING INTO THE LANE AND LET MY FOOT OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THE CAR ACCELERATED RAPIDLY INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. IT HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE TOOK OVER ON IT'S OWN. THE CAR HIT THE VEHICLE ONCE AND THEN CONTINUED MOVING AND IT THE VEHICLE AGAIN - SO TWICE IN ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11324541

Apr 22, 2020Speed controlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE COMING TO A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A PICKUP TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO INJURY INFORMATION PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT TESLA PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING REMOTELY BUT REFUSES TO INFORM THE CONTACT OF THE RESULTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT AFTER AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALLBACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 11321905

Feb 7, 2020Speed controlCrash

FIRST OF ALL, I WAS PULLING THE TESLA OUT OF OUR GARAGE. I WAS COMPLETELY OUT MANEUVERING THE CAR TO MAKE IT PARALLEL TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE STREET WHEN SUDDENLY, I FELT THE CAR MOVED EXTRA BACKWARD. FORTUNATELY, IT DID NOT HIT THE NEIGHBORS' PARKED CARS. THE MOVE STARTLED ME. AND SURPRISED MY HUSBAND AND SON WHO ARE PASSENGERS AT THAT TIME. MY HUSBAND BLURTED, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?". I REPLIED, "I'M DRIVING, I DID NOT DO ANYTHING EXTRA TO MAKE THAT MOVE. I WONDERED AND ALSO ASKED, "HOW DID THAT HAPPEN?" AND MY HUSBAND SAID "I DON'T KNOW YOU'RE THE ONE DRIVING, BE CAREFUL." MY RESPONSE WAS, "I AM BEING CAREFUL!". MY HUSBAND THOUGHT I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR HARD BUT I KNOW I DID NOT. THE CONVERSATION ALMOST LEAD TO AN ARGUMENT BUT WE SOMEHOW DIFFUSED THE TOPIC. I DON'T WANT TO ARGUE AND RUIN THE MOOD BECAUSE WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO OUR SON'S SOCCER GAME THAT MORNING. TO MAKE THE STORY SHORT. I CONTINUED DRIVING UNTIL WE REACHED OUR DESTINATION. I CHOSE TO PARK ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE PARKING LOT. AS I WAS SLOWLY PULLING THE CAR IN, I FELT THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. AT THE BLINK OF AN EYE, OUR CAR HIT ANOTHER CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF US AND THE CAR NEXT TO IT. I FELT THAT THE CAR CONTROLLED MY MOVE BEFORE I COULD EVEN REACT. FOR 20 YEARS OF DRIVING, I HAVE NEVER HIT AN ACCELERATOR BY MISTAKE OR CAUSED ANY COLLISION. I HAVE DRIVEN THIS VEHICLE A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED AND I DROVE AND PARKED IT THE WAY I DID PREVIOUSLY. THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WAS SOMETHING NEW THAT DAY. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHERS.

NHTSA ODI 11307630

Jan 14, 2020Speed controlCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED CRASHING INTO A PARKED TRUCK AND PUSHING IT SOME DISTANCE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES SUCH AS BRUISING TO THE BACK AND NECK THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REVERSE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND DRIVE TO THE HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT NO RECALL WAS UNDER THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATE 407.

NHTSA ODI 11299347

Working with the data? Download all 434 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

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 2020 Tesla Model 3 Bev verdict →