What 650 owners told NHTSA about the 2021 Tesla Model 3 Bev

While using the Full Self Driving Mode (FSD) the vehicle will randomly and without warning slam on the brakes at highway speeds and decelerate to 30-50mph on an active highway. If the highway is multilane, the car will slow and attempt to change lanes. It appears the vehicle thinks that something is in the road, even if the road is clear. This happens multiple times on my longer road trips, and is very concerning. It did this yesterday with a semi-truck closely behind me. The vehicle has gone into service and I did bring up the issue, but the service team was unable to assist on this issue (screenshots attached). The software currently installed in my vehicle is 2024.3.15, the latest available from Tesla. This issues has been ongoing from every software update I have had in the car however.

NHTSA ODI 11584446

When using cruise control, auto lane assist and auto pilot, the vehicle will brake or slow down without apparent reason. This can happen suddenly and dramatically. This can happen when there are other cars nearby, but also when there is no other traffic on the road. It is distressing enough when there are no other cars nearby, but can be a hazard when there is other traffic behind me and they have no warning this is happening.

NHTSA ODI 11582925

This car, like many Teslas, is experiencing what has been come to be known as phantom braking. When in the autopilot or full self driving, this car will occasionally to frequently, depending on the day, suddenly break where it will decelerate from say 65 mph to 45 or 50 in a very short period of time. This can happen in very busy traffic conditions. It seems to happen when I'm going faster rather than slower. For example, I haven't experienced it so much on City Street. It seems much more prominent on highways. This is an issue that has many YouTube videos about. It has been reported by many Tesla owners as well as the media.

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On March 31st, Tesla alerted me that I had been "granted a 30-day complimentary trial of Full Self-Driving" capabilities. They didn't make it clear that the service was automatically enabled (vs. allowing me to opt-in) and did not provide any information about how it operates. Because I have no interest in the service, I didn't click the "Learn More" button in the email. Since the service was turned on, the car has unexpectedly "grabbed" my steering wheel twice while I was driving. I now understand that it's possible that I turned it on without knowing it but, again, I wasn't given any instructions. I was terrified. When I pulled over and tried to find an "off" button, I discovered there is none. When I spoke to Tesla today, I was told that there is no "off" for the service and that all I can do set it to the least invasive setting and "live with it" until the trial period expires on April 30th. I can still feel the car self-adjusting my speed and steering. I remain terrified that it's going to cause an accident. The bottom line: because I've had the car for two years and did not purchase AutoPilot, I KNOW there's a way to disable it entirely. Tesla is simply refusing to do it and using me as a lab rat with no regard for my safety.

NHTSA ODI 11581833

My vehicle is 3 years old and has roughly 52000 on it. After a recent software update (within the past month or so) all of the automatic safety features such as automatic braking, blind spot monitoring, cruise control stopped working on the vehicle. I brought it to Tesla and they confirmed the issue and said the entire ECU needs to be replaced, a $2700 expense on a 3 year old car. There is a warning message every time I start the car that says the automatic breaking is not working.

NHTSA ODI 11581476

Problem: As the vehicle is driven and the Adaptive Cruise Control, AutoSteer, FSD, …. is activated. As the system detects an unexpected outside event, the vehicle would slow down for a few seconds, then it would continue driving and re-accelerate to about the same speed that it was before and/or to the maximum set speed. Opinion: This is can be dangerous if the driver is not observant, alert, and does not control the vehicle which can be dangerous and cause death, destruction, and/or damage to the driver, passengers, pedestrians, vehicle, surrounding vehicles, fixed objects, etc. Possible Solution: As the vehicle is driven and the Adaptive Cruise Control, AutoSteer, FSD, …. is activated. Once the system detects an unexpected outside event the system should: * Temporarily Disable Adaptive Cruise Control, AutoSteer, FSD, …. * Interior Cabin LCD would flash Yellow/Orange and beep quickly 3 times in a row - Showing a message on the screen “For the safety of you and others _____ (Adaptive Cruise Control, AutoSteer, FSD, …. ) has been temporarily disabled due to an unexpected outside event. Please re-enable ____ (Adaptive Cruise Control, AutoSteer, FSD, …. ) when it is safe.” Possible Solution Reason: * Temporarily Disabling Adaptive Cruise Control, AutoSteer, FSD, …. disables the drivers dependence on the system, slows the vehicle, and forces the driver to take control of the vehicle, situation, and avoid the unexpected outside event. * Alerting/notifying the driver alerts the driver to a dangerous unexpected outside event that the driver needs to assess and know the best course of action.

NHTSA ODI 11581250

Autonomous Driving Problem [XXX] Driving from Cornelia, GA to Commerce, GA on [XXX] at 60 mph driving on the right lane with very lite traffic. 6 different times the FSD (Full Self Driving) (Supervised) 2021 Tesla Model 3 starts signaling left and changes lanes with no traffic or vehicles in front. The 5th time FSD (Supervised) changed lane to the left was a near car accident because a car was speeding at 70-80 mph from the rear and the vehicle changed lanes in front of the speeding car nearly causing an accident. The autonomous cabin driver detection sensor does continuously give false positive warning messages to the driver to "Pay attention to the road" when I am wearing my glasses, so I have to drive without my glasses. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11581258

Hi Tesla installed a new software update yesterday. Today when I began driving my car and I turned on the adaptive cruise control I found that the car was completely in autopilot and it was extremely to take control over the car again as I was initially unable to steer and it took a few seconds for it to discontinue the autopilot. This is very concerning because the car was set in the preferences (see attached photo) to autopilot (Full Self-Driving (Supervised)" in the preferences) even though I have never used it and has it set to adaptive cruise control ("Traffic-Aware Cruise Control" in the preferences). I am concerned that Tesla switched the preference to autopilot just after offering a free 30 day trial which I did not accept. I understand that full self-driving has never been approved and yet Tesla is flaunting the law and forcing drivers to use it without notifying us or requesting our permission. Tesla needs to be immediately held accountable for this reckless and dangerous behavior which put myself and likely many other driver's lives at risk. Thank you, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11581038

On or around March 31, 2024 Tesla delivered a software update to my vehicle that changed the way adaptive cruise control is engaged, as well as the behavior of the vehicle when the setting is activated. In the few days since the change, I twice inadvertently engaged the adaptive cruise control, once while attempting to park on a congested residential street where it was very dangerous to have the vehicle accelerate without my taking action. I panicked and was able to shut it off quickly, but I didn’t know why it had been enabled. Today I was driving and had intentionally engaged the adaptive cruise control when the car attempted to signal and change lanes. This was wholly unexpected, and I was not prepared to monitor the vehicle taking other actions besides maintaining its lane and speed in traffic. I reviewed the settings for the feature and discovered the adaptive cruise control with lane guidance, termed “Autosteer” in the Tesla vehicle, had been replaced by “Self-Driving (Supervised).” The activation of the feature was changed from a double pull on the shift lever to a single pull. This explained my twice inadvertently activating the feature, and the car propelling itself forward unexpectedly, on those two other occasions. It is extremely dangerous for the car manufacturer to suddenly and without warning change the way the vehicle is operated. I believe I was fortunate to avoid an accident on two occasions while the vehicle unexpectedly took control over driving. Had I not reacted within one second to disable the feature, I might not have avoided a collision.

NHTSA ODI 11581044

After a recent update to the "Full Self-Driving" software stack (new version2023.44.30.25; FSD Beta v12.3), we drove from Charleston to Atlanta and back, with much of the trip on Interstate Highways [XXX] and [XXX]. A very troubling new phenomenon was noted: every time we passed a "Minimal Speed" sign, the car would drop the Speed Limit setting on the control panel to 40 MPH. In many of the iterations of this problem, the speed of the car dropped precipitously, creating a potentially dangerous situation. I had the software set to Auto speed limit offset, which in some circumstances maintained the speed around 70 MPH because it was keying on surrounding traffic, but in some instances the speed did not reset until we passed another "Speed Limit 70 MPH" sign. Often, I had to react by manually raising the Max Speed setting to the speed limit. This happened repeatedly (essentially every time we passed a Minimum Speed sign, unless the sign was obstructed from camera view by a semi). Please address this with Tesla and ask for an immediate bug fix and recall (software update). It is potentially very dangerous. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11578677

While driving [XXX] on [XXX] in Texas, the Tesla autopilot abruptly and forcibly applied the brakes while I was driving approximately 77 mph. I was almost rear ended by a semi truck due to this issue. This happened again about 20 miles down the road and I disengaged the cruise control and autopilot altogether at that point. This is a continuous problem that needs to be addressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11576482

Full Self Driving and cruise control brakes randomly and violently with no warning at highway speeds. This has happened no less than 20 times on one trip on 8 March 2024. This has put myself and other vehicles in extreme danger. The model has had this issue known by the manufacturer and nothing has been done. This braking occurs with no warning other than the vehicle slamming on the brakes. This needs to be fixed asap, its a hazard to me as the driver and the general public

NHTSA ODI 11576288

Complete computer failure leaving cars safety systems not working. Had to pay 3000$ for a new computer for a new car. Did not have car for three weeks. No systems would work.

NHTSA ODI 11574331

My 2021 Tesla Model 3 has various issues with the auto pilot feature. When engaged the car makes sudden and abrupt stops while driving. This has happened various times while driving on the freeway when there were no obstructions present. The autopilot feature also prompts to change to the right lane, when dismissed the prompt appears again repeatedly. This is repeated throughout the drive and poses a major distraction. There was supposed to be an “over-the-air” correction but my vehicle has never received the software update.

NHTSA ODI 11571790

While traveling west on [XXX] in Dane county just before exit [XXX], I experienced unexpected braking while using TACC. My cruise speed was set at 72 MPH and I observed the set speed changed itself to (I think) 40 MPH. This caused the car to quickly begin braking to slow my speed to this new speed. I had to intervene and accelerate manually while also trying to reset the set speed. Thankfully no one was directly behind me, as this was incredibly unsafe. This has occurred at this location more than once. I'm not sure if the GPS perhaps thought I was on the exit ramp instead? TACC and autopilot seem to work normally elsewhere. It has not otherwise been inspected. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11571547

You guys have ruined auto pilot and made it less safe. Quit trying to get a promotion or recognition by going after Tesla. My model 3 was the safest car to drive hands down. I've had 17 different cars in the last 20 years, Tesla's are like anything else I've ever driven. The problem you caused by forcing stricter safety for autopilot, actually makes it way less safe. Before it assisted on highways so I could briefly do things like change temperature, music, or navigation without accidently running off the road or colliding with another vehicle. Now it's so sensitive with warnings to pay attention, it's actually a distraction. Look at my speed, warning to pay attention. Check my surroundings in mirror, warning. Change temperature, warning. It's to the point where it's distracting me more then anything I would do in a traditional car. Seriously, NHTSA can go [XXX] itself. Someone in the government always trying to make a name for themselves acting like a savior for the people. Why don't you make yourself useful and go after those [XXX] traditional company's like Ford. Ford always rolls out vehicles with serious safety defects, but weigh the cost of recalls/lawsuits against profit. Ford shouldn't be allowed to sell vehicles in the US, yet you go after Tesla, who in my opinion makes the safest car ever created. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11569419

I leased a Tesla Model 3 on [XXX] in Tampa, Florida On [XXX] the car went into Sudden Unintended Acceleration as I was coming out of a "Hold" at a Yield sign where I was at a complete stop waiting for traffic to fully clear for a right hand turn onto a two lane street. I was coming off of [XXX] onto [XXX] in St. Petersburg, Florida. As I started the turn, the Tesla tossed me onto the curb and along a pedestrian sidewalk at high speed. I tried to brake, but the car continued plowing towards a traffic sign that I avoided hitting by making a hard left to try to get back onto the street. Instead of returning me to the street and my lane, the Tesla threw me left across two lanes of traffic, over a grass divider, and into two lanes of oncoming traffic heading straight for a head on collision. At this point, the steering wheel went out, was completely unresponsive and just kept spinning around. The brake was still not responding. I kept spinning the wheel towards the right until at the last minute the car sped back onto the correct side of the road where I was abruptly and without any kind of a jolt, able to regain control of the car: the brake responded and the steering wheel stopped spinning. I then drove at a speed of about 20 miles an hour to the closest residential street. After stopping to gather my wits for about half an hour, I slowly drove home with the emergency lights on and parked it in the parking lot. The Tesla had damage to the front and undercarriage. The Tesla's steering wheel pulled to the right. I did not get into that Tesla again and demanded that they tow the car away and warn others that it is a death trap. They towed the car. I am never getting into any other Tesla again for as long as I live. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11569343

The cruse control is unable to keep its speed and sometimes the vehicule breaks suddently on the highway, especially when the road is wet. The cameras are obstructed by mist or other dirt and the system does not work properly. Related to this problem, the wipers are dangerous to operate. When the cruse control is engaged, then the wipers are forced to automatic mode, which does not work properly. It could start to swipe the dirty mist and actually reduce visibility. Operating the wipers with the touch screen is a hazard, forcing the driver to leave the eyes from the road. I contacted Tesla about these problems last year and the company did nothing. Even worst, on their new cars they removed the stalks completely, which is a non sens. The NHTSA has to intervene.

NHTSA ODI 11568375

While using adaptive cruise control, at highway speeds, there was aggressive, automatic braking when there was no vehicle in front of me. It happened about half a dozen times on a three-day trip from Indiana to Florida. Luckily, in each case there was no vehicle directly behind me.

NHTSA ODI 11567452

FSD Computer module (AP3 module) when starting to fail causes all active safety systems to top functioning, including but not limited to Lane Assistance, Automatic Emergency Breaking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance, Blind Spot Warning, Pre-collision systems, etc. This is due to the ECU that processes the video feeds from the cameras needed for these function begins to fail, and is not surprising. What is surprising is there are absolutely zero customer or service facing alerts for this issue. Customers simply are unable to manually activate some features, vehicle display has difficulty recognizing objects and lane markings, and the service menu (meant for vehicle service/repair) shows part of the ECU as critical in diagnostics, but does not provide an alert. I can only guess that as previously only half of the module was used at a time, with the second half being for redundancy incase of a failure on one part of the unit, still allowing for full functionality. However, in newer versions of the vehicles software both halfs of the module are used simultaneously to increase processing power, thus eliminating redundancy. It is possible that due to the past redundancy that a failure of one half of the unit was not considered a cause for alarm (though I would have hoped a failing component would have caused an alert, unless the companies hope was that one half would work long enough on its own until it no longer needed to be covered under warranty). However, given both processors and now being actively used there should definitely be alerts and warnings. In addition to losing the convenience of several of these systems there is also a negative safety aspect of systems such as accident avoidance, pre-collision seatbelt tensioning, and others may not work in a pending collision (not that I have seen these systems function properly in past collisions when the module was fully working).

NHTSA ODI 11563831

When autopilot is engaged, car unexpectedly brakes with no obstacle in front of car. Some called it “phantom braking”.

NHTSA ODI 11563651

The latest software update version: 2023.44.30.5.1 08a3a7856854 Is too stringent with having to keep eyes on the road that looking in the mirror causes it to beep. Also having to touch the steering wheel constantly is dangerous because if you move with slightly too much force, it disengages autopilot. I only use the autopilot feature on the freeway and I have never had an issue until this update, which I believe was made to make the system safer. In my view it is now much less safe since I’m not able to check my mirrors and ultimately I think it makes the autopilot feature useless. (I will not be using it) this is also less safe, in my view. Because before I would watch the road as the car steered, ready to take over, so it was like having redundant safety (human + machine). Now I’m back to just human safety.

NHTSA ODI 11563336

Driver assisst function for cruise control/autosteer failed/malfunctioned. Applied Emergency braking systems while autosteer/driver control active. Multiple times on freeway. OTA software Updates require additional data downloading and are not required to install. Never received update and safety issues resolved via OTA are already being exposed and they are not allowed to do anything to prevent any damage or loss to the vehicle. Wifi at all government EV charging stations is a basic requirement.

NHTSA ODI 11563098

After the latest update the Tesla autopilot feature is very unsafe to use. The screen constantly pings and nags the driver to pay attention drawing my attention away from the road. The system has become so sensitive that adjusting the AC down a degree causes the warning to pop up which distracts the driver and in my opinion is significantly less safe than the older version. The warnings are too sensitive and the noise/warnings flashing are significantly more distracting

NHTSA ODI 11562820

The car's autopilot suddenly causes it to slow down without any apparent reason. There are no cars in front of me, and the speed limit hasn't changed. This unexpected deceleration is dangerous because the cars behind me may try to avoid me during the slowdown, which could lead to an accident.

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