Page 20 of 21 · complaints 951–1,000 of 1,036

2018 Tesla Model 3 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2018 record →

Suspension
Filed Dec 21, 201920,000 milesCA

ANOTHER MODEL 3 WITH A BUSTED SUSPENSION THAT WAS NOT CAUSED BY CRASH DAMAGE. HTTPS://POCTRA.COM/2018-TESLA-MODEL-3/ID-AXDY8OZ8LQ7LEFQL/HOUSTON-TX/PHOTOS ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GO TO THE POCTRA WEBSITE WHICH HAS ARCHIVED PHOTOS AND DETAILS OF MORE THAN 4000 WRECKED TESLAS. A HUGE NUMBER OF THOSE CARS HAVE BROKEN SUSPENSIONS THAT CAN NOT BE EXCUSED AS BEING THE RESULT OF A CRASH. JUST TO RESTATE THE BLEEDING OBVIOUS ONE MORE TIME. TESLA SUSPENSIONS ARE TOO WEAK FOR THE POWER AND WEIGHT OF THE CARS. QUALITY CONTROL IS NON-EXISTENT. THE TOXIC CULTURE AT TESLA WHICH HAS EMPLOYEES LIVING IN FEAR OF ELON MUSK MEANS THAT THESE SYSTEMIC FAILURES ARE SWEPT UNDER THE CARPET. TESLA IS STILL USING NON DISCLOSURE AGREEMENT TO SILENCE CUSTOMERS. THE SUPPOSEDLY UPGRADED SUSPENSION PARTS WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ARE NOT BEING FITTED TO CARS EXCEPT AFTER THEY FAIL. IF I CAN SO EASILY DISCOVER EXAMPLES OF THESE SUSPENSION BREAKAGES BY VISITING HTTPS://POCTRA.COM/ THEN SURELY YOU CAN HAVE SOME OF YOUR STAFF DO THE SAME THING. THANK YOU KEEF

Electrical System
Filed Dec 18, 201998,825 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED WITH ELECTRONIC DOORS THAT RELEASED THE LATCH WHEN THE DOOR HANDLE AND/OR A BUTTON LOCATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE'S DOOR WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO RELEASE THE LATCH WHEN PROMPTED. TESLA (52 DERWOOD CIR, ROCKVILLE, MD 20850, (301) 738-6523) DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR LATCHED NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FRONT DOOR WAS NOT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,825.

Suspension
Filed Dec 17, 201910,000 milesCA

MODEL 3 IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS?ITEMID=34629617&ROWNUMBER=5&SIMILARVEHICLEITEMID=&ISNEXT=&LOADRECENT=TRUE FRONT SUSPENSION GONE ALL WHOMPY. HEADLIGHT NOT EVEN BROKEN. PERHAPS THE SNAP-OFF SUSPENSION SAFETY FEATURE IS WORKING A LITTLE TOO WELL. AN INVESTIGATION WOULD BE NICE. MERRY CHRISTMAS. KEEF

SuspensionCrash
Filed Dec 12, 201910,000 milesCA

HERE IS A MODEL 3 IN THE JUNK YARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS?ITEMID=34558147&ROWNUMBER=13&SIMILARVEHICLEITEMID=&ISNEXT=&LOADRECENT=TRUE IT HAS BEEN IN A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT SO IT HAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. THE FRONT LH SUSPENSION HAS FALLEN TO BITS. THE WHEEL HAS BEEN SLICED IN TWO WHICH SUGGESTS THAT IT WAS WAS CUT BY A SHARP OBJECT WHILST STILL ROTATING. IT DOES APPEAR TO BE A STRONG POSSIBILITY THAT THIS ROLLOVER WAS CAUSED BY THE SUSPENSION FAILURE. THE CONNECTION TO THE STEERING ARM HAS SNAPPED WHICH IS CAUSE FOR CONCERN. THE STEMS OF BOTH BALL JOINTS HAVE SNAPPED. SEVERAL OF THE ALLOY COMPONENTS HAVE CRACKED IN HALF WHICH SUGGESTS THAT THE CASTINGS ARE OF POOR QUALITY. GIVEN THAT MANY OWNERS FELL THAT IT IS OK TO DRIVE HANDS FREE OR WITH JUST A FINGER RESTING ON THE WHEEL A FAILURE IN THE SUSPENSION CAN HAVE FATAL CONSEQUENCES. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU. KEEF

SuspensionCrash
Filed Oct 30, 20195,000 milesCA

HERE IS A TESLA MODEL 3 IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/54348349/PHOTOS THE FRONT WHEEL AND COMPLETE SUSPENSION HAS COMPLETELY FALLEN OFF. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED SO THERE HAS NOT BEEN A FRONT END COLLISION. ANOTHER CAR HAS BIFFED THE BACK OF THE TESLA AFTER IT SLOWED DOWN RAPIDLY WHEN THE WHEEL FELL OFF. TESLA ENTHUSIASTS CLAIM THAT THE WHEELS ARE DESIGNED TO SNAP OFF EASILY AND THIS IS A SAFETY FEATURE. OTHER ROAD USERS MAY BE LESS THAN IMPRESSED BY THIS FEATURE WHEN THE TESLA WHEEL FLIES OFF AND SMASHES THEIR HEAD IN. THESE TESLAS ARE INDEED....LUDICROUS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 24, 201920,780 milesCT

IF A TESLA OWNER IS USING THE TESLA APP TO USE THE SMART SUMMON FEATURE, THE VEHICLE DOESN'T NECESSARILY STOP QUICKLY WHEN THEIR FINGER IS REMOVED FROM THEIR TOUCH SCREEN IF THE INTERNET CONNECTION FOR THEIR CELL PHONE AND/OR FOR THEIR TESLA IS POOR. I HAVE VIDEO OF MY INFORMAL TESTING OF THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE DONE IN A PRIVATE PARKING LOT WITH SOFTWARE VERSION: 2019.32.11.1 D39E85A ON MY TESLA MODEL 3.

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Oct 23, 201914,000 milesMA

AEB SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION AT LOW SPEEDS RELIABLY. CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 12MPH AND CAR WAS STOPPED IN FRONT OF MY CAR. CAR MADE NO ALERTS OR NO ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM A REAR END COLLISION WHICH ULTIMATELY RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO MY FRONT END. I NEVER KNOW WHEN THE SYSTEM WILL OR WONT WORK AND HAVE NO CONFIDENCE IN IT.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Oct 17, 201912,999 milesAZ

PROBLEM: REAR TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED, EVEN THOUGH THE STANDARDIZED HEADLIGHT SYMBOL/INDICATOR WAS DEPICTED ON THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENT SCREEN. THIS SYMBOL IS UNIVERSALLY UNDERSTOOD TO INDICATE BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS. INCIDENT: WHILE DRIVING ON A DARK AND UNLIT ROAD, I ENCOUNTERED DEBRIS BLOCKING THE ROAD. IN ORDER TO PASS THROUGH, I EXITED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT TURNING IT OFF AND LEFT THE DRIVER'S DOOR UNLATCHED TO ENSURE THE VEHICLE DID NOT INADVERTENTLY POWER DOWN. I EXPECTED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ILLUMINTED TO, BOTH, LIGHT THE ROAD AHEAD AS WELL AS ILLUMINATE THE REAR FOR SAFETY AND VISIBILITY. AFTER MOVING THE DEBRIS FROM THE ROAD, I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DARK AND NOT VISIBLE FROM THE REAR. HOWEVER, THE INTERIOR INSTRUMENT PANEL SIMULTANEOUSLY DEPICTED THE STANDARDIZED HEADLIGHT SYMBOL, WITH NO WARNING THAT THE REAR LIGHTS WERE INDEPENDENTLY TURNED OFF. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AS THE DRIVER/OWNER HAS NO INDICATION THAT THE REAR TAIL LIGHTS TURN OFF. ASIDE FROM MANUALLY GOING INTO HEADLIGHT SETTINGS IN THE VEHICLE CONFIGURATION MENU, THERE IS NO EASILY ACCESSIBLE WAY TO KEEP ALL LIGHTING ACTIVE WHILE THE DRIVER IS NOT IN THE VEHICLE.

WheelsCrash
Filed Oct 14, 201915,000 milesCA

HELLO- I WAS TRYING TO PARK MY VEHICLE IN A PARKING SPOT IN SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA WHEN THE CAR AUTOMATICALLY ACCELERATED AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. IT THEN IMMEDIATELY HAD A FLAT TIRE. I DID NOT HIT THE WRONG PEDAL NOR WAS I ACCELERATING IT. IT WAS QUITE DANGEROUS. IT CAME TO A HALT AFTER HITTING ANOTHER CAR. BOTH THE CARS WERE DAMAGED.PRIOR TO THAT WE HAD DIFFICULTY TRYING TO CONNECT TO THE CAR USING THE APP ON THE PHONE BUT THOUGHT IT COULD HAVE BEEN DUE TO AN APP ERROR. NOT SURE IF IT WAS CORRELATED. THIS EVENT HAPPENED ON SEP 24. TESLA ADVISED ME TO TOW THE CAR TO THE SERVICE CENTER. SINCE THEN MY CAR HAS BEEN WITH TESLA SERVICE. THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN US ANY UPDATES ABOUT THE DIAGNOSTICS AND KEEP TELLING US TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. THEY HAVE CLEARED TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR 20 MILES. MY CAR WAS EXTENSIVELY DAMAGED. I REQUEST YOU TO HELP. THIS IS QUITE SERIOUS FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE. WHILE I AM WILLING TO ACCEPT IF TESLA PROVES BEYOND A DOUBT THAT IT WAS MY ERROR, I AM QUITE CONFIDENT THAT IT DID IT AUTOMATICALLY. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT TESLA HAS NOT GIVEN US ANY UPDATE FOR THE LAST 3 WEEKS AND HAVE NOT PROVIDED US WITH ANY DETAILS OF WHAT THE COURSE OF ACTION IS BEYOND ASKING US TO TAKE THE CAR BACK AND CLEARING IT TO DRIVE FOR 20 MILES. I HAVE 2 KIDS AND WANT A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION FOR THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE INVOLVED. PLEASE HELP.

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 11, 201950,000 milesCA

RIGHT BEFORE THE CAR HIT THE 50,000 MILES FULL WARRANTY, I CALLED TESLA AND REPORTED 2 SAFETY ISSUES. THE FIRST WAS THE HORN NOT WORKING AND THE SECOND WAS A SEAT BELT SAFETY WARNING. TESLA MOVED THE APPOINTMENT AND WHEN I GOT THEIR, I HAVE EXCEEDED THE 50,000 MILES. THE TECHNICIAN AT TESLA'S FACILITY UNDERSTOOD THAT I CALLED BEFORE THE 50,000 AND THAT IT IS TESLA'S FAULT I DID NOT GET THE SERVICE ON TIME. THEY WERE ABLE TO FIX THE LOW PITCH PART OF THE HORN BUT DID NOT HAVE PARTS FOR THE SEAT BELT AND THE HIGH PITCH PART OF THE HORN. THEY PROMISED TO SEND A TECHNICIAN HOME. WHEN THE TECHNICIAN CAME HOME, HE HAD THE WRONG PART FOR THE HORN AND DID NOT HAVE THE PART OF THE SEAT BELT. HE WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THAT IT IS THE BACK MIDDLE PASSENGER BUCKLE CAUSING THE ERROR (WHICH THE FACILITY DID NOT DO). HE PROMISED TO COME BACK WITH THE RIGHT PARTS. I GOT A CALL FROM TESLA FOR THE OTHER APPOINTMENT TIME, BUT THE TECHNICIAN NEVER SHOWED UP AND MY CALLS TO TESLA WAS NOT ANSWERED. I AM NOT WORRIED MUCH ABOUT THE HIGH PITCH HORN ALTHOUGH IT NEED TO BE FIXED. I AM WORRIED MORE ABOUT A SEAT BELT BUCKLE ERROR. I AM ALSO NOT HAPPY WITH THE LEVEL OF SERVICE FROM TESLA ESPECIALLY FOR SAFETY ISSUES NOT BEING TAKEN SERIOUSLY

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 10, 2019500 milesVA

MY TESLA MODEL 3 HAS A DEFECT WITH AUTOPILOT SENSORS AND SOUND. WHEN ON AUTOPILOT (ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL), THE SENSORS CAN SOMETIMES FREEZE UP AND OR FAIL, CAUSING AUTOPILOT TO CEASE FUNCTIONING AND ISSUE AN AUDIO ALERT. HOWEVER, SYSTEM SOUND (BLINKERS, NOTIFICATION ALERT SYSTEM) SOMETIMES FAILS, THUS PREVENTING THE AUTOPILOT FROM ALERTING THE DRIVER THAT IT WILL NO LONGER BE BREAKING AND OR STEERING. FOR EXAMPLE, I AM DRIVING USING THE AUTOPILOT CRUISE CONTROL, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO STEER /BRAKE/ACCELERATE FOR ME AND INSTRUCTED TO KEEP EYES ON THE ROAD, HOWEVER, WHEN THE AUTOPILOT STOPS WORKING AS WELL AS THE AUDIO NOTIFICATION, THE DRIVER WILL NOT KNOW THAT IT HAS FAILED AND THE CAR NO LONGER BRAKES, THUS MAKING IT LIKELY TO HAVE A COLLISION. I HAVE RECORDED THE FLAWS AND DEFECTS AND HAVE IT ON VIDEO. THIS CAN HAPPEN ANYWHERE, ON HIGHWAY OR ON A REGULAR ROAD. TESLA HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

Seats
Filed Oct 9, 2019TX

OVER 5000 MILES OF DRIVING, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF VIBRATION AND BUFFETING IN CAR AT ANY SPEED OVER 45MPH. TESLA SERVICE HAS HAD EIGHT OPPORTUNITIES TO RESOLVE THIS, TO NO AVAIL. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TO ELIMINATE THIS AS A POSSIBILITY, AND THE WHEELS CHECKED FOR RUNOUT - ALL MEASURE VERY GOOD. SUSPENSION COMPONENTS OR CONTROL ARMS ARE THE LIKELY CULPRITS. IN ADDITION TO THE SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FAILING AFTER LESS THAN 5000 MILES, THE DRIVERS SEATS ON MOST ALL MODEL 3 ARE LOOSE AND ROCK BACK AND FORTH, WITH TESLA SAYING IT IS 'WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS'. THIS COULD BE ANOTHER SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, AS IT IS UNCLEAR WHY THE SEAT DISTURBING BECOMES LOOSE WITH NORMAL USE. AFTER DISCUSSING WITH OTHER MODEL 3 OWNERS WITH IDENTICAL ISSUES, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A INHERENT VEHICLE / PARTS PROBLEM, AND TESLA IS DOING THE LEAST POSSIBLE TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS.

Seats
Filed Oct 8, 201922,000 milesCA

SEAT HEADREST BUBBLING AND HAVING OOZING STUFF. LOOKS LIKE MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. YESTERDAY I WENT AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE AND THEN I FIND IN MANY ONLINE FORUMS PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS. AND FOR SOME PEOPLE THEY GAVE A FREE REPLACEMENT. CHARGED ME $330 FOR THIS. EVEN THE REPLACEMENTS ARE STARTING TO SHOW SAME ISSUE HTTPS://WWW.REDDIT.COM/R/TESLAMODEL3/COMMENTS/CY0ZWU/TESLA_MODEL_3_HEADREST_BUBBLING_BIG_TIME/?UTM_SOURCE=SHARE&UTM_MEDIUM=WEB2X

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Oct 2, 20193 milesWA

OUR 2018 TESLA MODEL 3 HAS NEVER PROVIDED A CLEAR IMAGE OF THE REAR CAMERA FEED. ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT TIME THERE ARE PINK+GREEN LINES AND COLOR DISTORTIONS COVERING THE IMAGE THAT MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AND/OR RECOGNIZE OBJECTS IN THE PATH OF REAR TRAVEL OR OBJECTS COMING UP FAST FROM BEHIND WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT WITH THE REAR CAMERA FEED ENABLED. TESLA HAS CLAIMED THESE LINES ARE A SOFTWARE BUG THAT WILL BE REMEDIED WITH A FUTURE UPDATE SINCE AT LEAST OCTOBER OF 2018, BUT AFTER MULTIPLE SOFTWARE UPDATES THESE SAME ISSUES PERSIST TODAY. IN SUMMARY, THE REAR CAMERA FEED IS BOTH GRAINY AND OBSTRUCTED BY PINK/GREEN LINES WHEN REVERSING AT NIGHT. THE SAME PHENOMENON WAS THE TOPIC OF A RECENT CONVERSATION THREAD IN THE TESLA COMMUNITY OF A MAJOR SOCIAL NETWORK AS WELL: HTTPS://WWW.REDDIT.COM/R/TESLAMOTORS/COMMENTS/AKKSLH/MODEL_3_BACKUP_CAMERA_NOT_SURE_THIS_IS_RIGHT/

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Oct 2, 201915,000 milesIL

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH WITH THE AUTOPILOT ACTIVATED. THE AUTOPILOT HAS A FLAW WHERE IT CANNOT DETECT WHEN A LARGE VEHICLE LIKE AN 18 WHEELER OR CEMENT TRUCK IN MERGING INTO THE LANE. IT SEES A LARGE GAP AND WHILE THE FRONT PART OF THE VEHICLE IS SLOWLY SNAKING INTO THE LANE IT STARTS TO ACCELERATE. I HIT THE SIDE OF A CEMENT TRUCK AND HAD 8K IN DAMAGES. I REACHED OUT TO TESLA WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE.

SuspensionCrash
Filed Sep 29, 20198,000 milesCA

MODEL 3 IN THE JUNKYARD. IT'S GONE HORRIBLY WHOMPY.. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLEDETAILS?ITEMID=33644612&ROWNUMBER=11&SIMILARVEHICLEITEMID=&ISNEXT=&LOADRECENT=TRUE PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 20195,000 milesCA

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE TESLA AUTOPILOT EXPERIMENT. ELECTREK WHICH IS A VERY INFLUENTIAL TESLA PUBLICITY PUBLICATION HAS JUST RELEASED A HIGHLY IRRESPONSIBLE ARTICLE AND VIDEO. HTTPS://ELECTREK.CO/2019/09/19/TESLA-AUTOPILOT-V10-COMMUTE-WITHOUT-DRIVER-INTERVENTION/ THIS EVEN SHOWS THE TESLA FITTED WITH A "NAG DEFEATER" ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE OWNERS TO HAVE EVEN MORE MISPLACED CONFIDENCE IN THE AUTOPILOT AND WILL MOST CERTAINLY CAUSE MORE DEATHS. PLEASE STOP THIS DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT WHICH IS RECKLESSLY ENDANGERING INNOCENT ROAD USERS. PLEASE NOTE THAT I HAVE USED THE VIN OF A WRECKED TESLA MODEL 3 SO AS TO BE ABLE TO FILE THIS COMPLAINT. I AM NOT A TESLA OWNER BUT I HAVE TO SHARE THE PUBLIC ROADS WITH THESE LETHAL VEHICLES. THANK YOU. NOTE - DUMMY USA ADDRESS USED TO NEGOTIATE YOUR WEBSITE. CORRECT NAME AND ADDRESS SUPPLIED WITH THIS COMPLAINT.

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Sep 16, 2019WV

WHEN DRIVING, THE ELECTROCHOMATIC (AUTO-DIMMING) REAR-VIEW MIRROR AND SIDE-VIEW MIRRORS ONLY DIM AT A PRE-DETERMINED TIME OF DAY, WHICH IS LONG AFTER IT IS DARK OUT, AND LONG AFTER FOLLOWING VEHICLES HAVE TURNED ON THEIR HEADLIGHTS. THEY REVERT BACK TO NORMAL (NOT DARKENED) LONG BEFORE SUNRISE. THEY DO NOT RESPOND AT ALL TO THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS OR TO AMBIENT LIGHT CONDITIONS. ALONG WITH THIS, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT PORTION AROUND THE EDGES OF THE MIRRORS THAT NEVER DARKEN. THERE IS NO WAY FOR THE DRIVER TO MANUALLY DIM THE MIRRORS. THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID BEING BLINDED BY THE FOLLOWING VEHICLE'S HEAD LIGHTS IS TO REDIRECT THE MIRROR, MAKING THE IT USELESS. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE MANUFACTURER'S ATTENTION APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR AGO. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND WOULD BE CORRECTED VIA A SOFTWARE UPDATE. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE'S SOFTWARE HAS BEEN UPDATED MANY TIMES, THE ISSUE WITH THE MIRRORS HAS NOT BEEN REMEDIED. I HAVE REPEATEDLY REACHED OUT TO THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND AS OF YET, NO FIX IS IN ORDER. THIS ISSUE IS WIDELY DISCUSSED IN ONLINE FORUMS, INCLUDING THE MANUFACTURER'S OWNERS' FORUM. IT APPEARS THAT THIS ISSUE OCCURS WITH ALL CARS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. OWNERS' DEGREE OF UPSET SEEMS RELATED TO WHETHER THEY REGULARLY DRIVE JUST AFTER SUNSET AND/OR JUST BEFORE SUNRISE.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 31, 201920,000 milesFL

ABOUT 6 WEEEKS AGO THE HORN ON MY TESLA MODEL 3 STOPPED WORKING. I HAVE HAD ONE VERY CLOSE CALL WHERE I ALMOST GOT IN A WRECK BECAUSE THE OTHER DRIVER WAS MAKING A U TURN IN FRONT OF ME WHO DID NOT SEE ME COMING. I COULD NOT GET THEIR ATTENTION BECAUSE MY HORN DID NOT WORK. I HAD TO GO INTO THE LANE OF ON COMING TRAFFIC TO AVOID A SERIOUS WRECK. I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE EFFORTS TO GET TESLA TO GET THIS REPAIRED. THEY HAVE FAILED EVERY SINGLE TIME TO TAKE CARE OF THIS OR EVEN SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN VERY LITTLE AND NOW THEY ARE NOT RESPONDING AT ALL. I HAVE EMAILED THEM AND TEXTED THEM. EVEN TRIED TO GET THEM TO HELP THRU THEIR TWITTER ACCOUNT. PLEASE HELP !!

Steering
Filed Aug 20, 201912,000 milesCA

MODEL 3 IN JUNKYARD. NOT IN A CRASH. NO AIR-BAGS GONE OFF. FRONT SUSPENSION ARM SNAPPED OFF. STEERING TIE-ROD SNAPPED OFF. TESLA SEEMS TO BE PROCURING ITS STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS FROM A PRETZEL FACTORY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. CONCERNED CITIZEN ETC. THANK YOU. HAVE A FANTASTIC DAY.

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Aug 19, 201915,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TOUCH SCREEN FAILED TO ACTIVATE AND WENT BLANK. THE CONTACT THEN ATTEMPTED TO CHARGE THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO DUE TO THE TOUCH SCREEN FAILING. THE MANUFACTURER TECH SUPPORT WAS CALLED AND ASSISTED HIM IN RESTORING THE TOUCH SCREEN HOWEVER; THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED A DELAY IN RESPONSE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE; THE REAR BACK UP SENSOR HAD A DELAY AND DID NOT WARN THE DRIVER THAT HE WAS GETTING NEAR ANOTHER PARKED VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PARKED VEHICLE CAUSING SCRATCHES TO THE BUMPER. THE ALERT FOR THE BACK UP CAMERA WAS DELAYED DURING THE INCIDENT. A POLICER REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 18, 20196,100 milesOR

MY 2019 TESLA MODEL 3 PURCHASED 5 MONTHS AGO, SUDDENLY GAVE A WARNING ON THE HIGHWAY THAT THE '12V POWER IS VERY LOW AND VEHICLE MAY SHUT DOWN UNEXPECTEDLY' THE CAR HAD BEEN CHARGED WITH 250+ MILES OF RANGE. ONCE STOPPED THE CAR WOULDN'T RESPOND AND EVEN FLASHERS WOULDN'T WORK. THEIR SUPPORT STAFF DID NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS OR EVEN HOW TO KEEP FLASHERS ON. LUCKILY I HAD EXITED THE HIGHWAY INTO A RESIDENTIAL AREA WHERE FLASHERS WEREN'T NECESSARY. THIS IS SUDDEN AND DANGEROUS. A BATTERY CAN BE MONITORED AND FAILURE CAN BE DETECTED SEVERAL CHARGE CYCLES (DAYS) IN ADVANCE. TESLA NEEDS TO DO A RECALL TO FIX THE CHARGING SYSTEM AND INSTALL A PROPER MONITORING SYSTEM.

Suspension
Filed Aug 9, 201911,000 milesCA

ANOTHER MODEL 3 JUST ARRIVED IN THE JUNKYARD. HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/42720419/PHOTOS NOT IN A MAJOR COLLISION, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. FRONT SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED LIKE A PRETZEL. ALL THE BALL JOINT STEMS HAVE SNAPPED OFF. IT IS PROBABLE THAT ALL OF THE BODYWORK DAMAGE IS SELF INFLICTED AS A RESULT OF THE SUSPENSION FAILURE. PLEASE CONTACT THE OWNER AND ASK HIM WHY HIS WHEEL FELL OFF. I AM CONTINUING TO FILE THESE COMPLAINTS IN THE HOPE THAT YOU WILL SEE THAT THESE SUSPENSION PARTS ARE DANGEROUSLY FRAGILE AND UNFIT FOR A GOLF CART LET ALONE A HIGH PERFORMANCE ROAD VEHICLE. PLEASE DO YOUR JOB. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN ETC.

Suspension
Filed Aug 7, 201911,000 milesCA

HERE IS A TESLA MODEL 3 IN THE SALVAGE AUCTION YARD. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=32965341&ROWNUMBER=21&LOADRECENT=TRUE IT HAS SOME COLLISION DAMAGE AT THE REAR, PERHAPS BECAUSE IT STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE FRONT SUSPENSION FELL TO BITS. THE PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW THAT THE UPPER BALL JOINT HAS POPPED APART AND THAT THE STEMS OF BOTH LOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE SNAPPED. TESLA IS USING DANGEROUS LOW QUALITY COMPONENTS IN THESE CARS. THE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THIS WRECK PROVE THIS. PLEASE HAVE THIS WRECK INSPECTED. IF YOU WISH TO SEE MANY MORE EXAMPLES OF MODEL 3 SUSPENSION PARTS THAT HAVE SNAPPED LIKE A PRETZEL THEN THERE IS A COLLECTION OF THEM HERE HTTPS://WWW.FLICKR.COM/PHOTOS/136377865@N05/ALBUMS/72157701887554265 PLEASE NOTE..I AM NOT A TESLA OWNER, JUST A CONCERNED CITIZEN. DATE OF INCIDENT IS AN APPROXIMATION.

Suspension
Filed Aug 7, 20199,000 milesCA

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE WEAKNESS OF THE SUSPENSION BALL JOINTS IN ALL MODELS OF TESLA CARS. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR AS JUST ONE EGREGIOUS EXAMPLE AND I CAN SHOW YOU MANY MORE THAT HAVE FAILED IN THE SAME WAY. I WILL FOLLOW THIS UP BY FILING A SEPARATE COMPLAINT ON A MODEL X WHICH HAS THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. HERE IS THE MODEL 3 HTTPS://WWW.COPART.COM/LOT/42908029/PHOTOS NO AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED IN THIS CAR. THERE IS NO COLLISION DAMAGE THAT WOULD JUSTIFY THE BALL JOINTS HAVING SNAPPED IN THIS WAY. THIS CAR IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE DO THIS. THANK YOU...CONCERNED CITIZEN.

Suspension
Filed Aug 6, 20191,000 milesCA

THIS MODEL 3 IS IN THE SALVAGE AUCTION SITE. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=32947552&ROWNUMBER=22&LOADRECENT=TRUE IT HAS NOT BEEN IN A CRASH. NO AIRBAGS HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED AND THERE IS NEGLIGIBLE FRONT END DAMAGE. THE SUSPENSION HAS SNAPPED OFF. THE ATTACHED PHOTOGRAPHS SHOW THAT THE ALLOY SUSPENSION ARMS HAVE CRACKED IN HALF. THIS HAS THE APPEARANCE OF BRITTLE CRACK FAILURE CAUSED BY A CASTING DEFECT. IT IS A CERTAINTY THAT THIS IS NOT A ONE OFF INCIDENCE. THIS POINTS TO BAD MANUFACTURING, BAD QUALITY CONTROL, AND BAD TESTING. THIS IS ON TOP OF THE REPEATED FAILURES IN MODEL S & MODEL X SUSPENSION PARTS. TESLA APPEARS TO BE A SICK COMPANY WITH ZERO REGARD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT NEEDLESS DEATHS AND INJURY.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 4, 201912,500 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING NORTHBOUND ON CA HWY 101 WHEN I INITIATED A LANE CHANGE FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WITH AUTOPILOT ENGAGED. AFTER BEGINNING TO MAKE THE LANE CHANGE TO THE RIGHT, THE CAR ABRUPTLY VEERED BACK INTO THE LEFT LANE, THEN SLOWLY STARTED TO MOVE BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE. IT WAS AT THAT TIME THAT I DISENGAGED THE AUTOPILOT.

Air Bags
Filed Jul 11, 20198,000 milesNY

FREQUENT ERROR STATING "FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT", WITH A RED INDICATOR FOR THE AIRBAG ON DISPLAY. ERROR OCCURS AT ANY TIME, STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET AND A HIGHWAY. SEE ATTACHED PHOTO

Visibility/Wiper
Filed Jun 24, 201911,000 milesCA

I FOUND A STRESS CRACK ON MY REAR WINDSHIELD, WHICH THE TESLA SERVICE CENTER IN SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA DENIED WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE GLASS. MY SERVICE ASSOCIATE, PATRICK GERETY WAS PARTICULARLY UNHELPFUL AND I AM LODGING A COMPLAINT DIRECTLY WITH THE MANAGER OF THE CENTER, ASTON MARTIN (NO, REALLY), AS WELL. MANY OTHER TESLA MODEL 3 CAR OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING FAILURES IN THEIR REAR WINDSHIELDS. SOME ARE BEING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT MANY - LIKE MINE - ARE BEING DENIED. IN SOME CASES, THE FAILURE SEEMS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE REAR WINDSHIELD HEATING SYSTEM. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I'M UPLOADING A PORTION OF THE INVOICE ALONG WITH THIS DESCRIPTION. NOTE THAT THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME THAT THE CRACK WAS DETECTED.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 3, 20199,500 milesMA

IN ORDER TO CANCEL CRUISE CONTROL OR AUTOPILOT IN A TESLA MODEL 3, THE PRIMARY MECHANISM IS TO PUSH THE RIGHT STALK UPWARDS AS FAR AS IT WILL GO. HOWEVER, PUSHING THE SAME STALK UPWARDS ONLY PART OF THE WAY WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THIS CAN CAUSE A DRIVER TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IT IS UNDERWAY. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN A TESLA BECAUSE IF THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL REGENERATIVE BREAKING IS DISABLED AND IT IS THE COMMON DRIVING HABIT TO USE REGENERATIVE BREAKING AS THE PRIMARY BRAKING MECHANISM. ESSENTIALLY, A DRIVER CAN ACCIDENTALLY MAKE THE CAR UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND UNABLE TO USE PRIMARY BRAKING WHEN IN MOTION. IN ADDITION, THERE IS NO AUDIBLE ALERT THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND ONLY A VERY SMALL VISIBLE CHANGE TO THE TOUCHSCREEN. I ALERTED TESLA TO THIS ISSUE IN AUGUST OF 2018 AND THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE TO THE CAR'S BEHAVIOR SINCE THEN, DESPITE NUMEROUS OVER THE AIR SOFTWARE UPDATES.

Air BagsCrash
Filed May 22, 20191,280 milesVA

ON APRIL 24 19 MORNING [XXX](MY WIFE) DROVE UP MULTILEVEL PARKING LOT AT WORK 8100 JONES BRANCH DRIVE, SHE INITIALLY CHOSE A HEAD IN PARKING SPOT, THEN ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE CAR FORWARD TO THE NEXT AISLE, SO THE CAR WOULD BE FACING FRONT WHEN SHE GOT OUT. THE CAR PICKED UP UNCONTROLLABLE AND EXTREMELY HIGH SPEED AND SHE FELT OUT OF CONTROL AND COULD NOT MOVE FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR TO BRAKE IN THE SPLIT SECOND, ALL SHE COULD DO WAS TO STEER SLIGHTLY TO HIT A POLE AT THAT NEXT SPOT, AND AVOID GOING ACROSS DRIVE LANE AND OVER THE BARRICADE TO A DROP. THE CAR SUFFERED SEVERE FRONT DAMAGE AND AIRBAGS OPENED, SHE HAD MINOR BRUISE. REPAIR ESTIMATES CAUSED INSURANCE COMPANY TO CALL IT A TOTAL LOSS. 1. TESLA CLAIMS TO BE REVIEWING ELECTRONIC DATA BUT HAS NOT RELEASED CONCLUSIONS SO FAR. 2. WHY SUCH HIGH SPEED WAS PICKED UP WHEN ALL SHE WANTED TO DO WAS CRAWL OVER TO THE NEXT SPOT DIRECTLY AHEAD (ABOUT 20 FEET) FROM THE PREVIOUS SPOT. 3. WHY VARIOUS ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, FRONT COLLISION WARNING, FRONT COLLISION AVOIDANCE, VIDEO SENSORS ABOUT OBSTRUCTIONS, AVOIDANCE BASED ACCELERATION CONTROL ETC, FAILED TO APPLY ANY SPEED REDUCTIONS. PHOTOS OF EVENT, ESTIMATE FROM INSURANCE ARE ENCLOSED. I REQUEST YOUR KIND ATTENTION, AND YOUR ANALYSIS AS TO THE SAFETY FAILURES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *PM *TR

Structure › Body
Filed May 15, 2019TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR BUMPER AND REAR WHEEL HUBCAP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD FALLEN OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ACT OF GOD AND THEY WOULD CHARGE FOR TOWING THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED COLLISION CENTER. THE CONTACT CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE CERTIFIED COLLISION CENTER FOR OVER A WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER REITERATED THAT AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE CAUSED THE PARTS TO FALL OFF AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WANTED THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE COSTS WITH THE INITIAL WARRANTY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2018. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE PARTS BEING USED WERE OF INFERIOR QUALITY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *AS

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed May 15, 20192,400 milesCA

MY WIFE ( DRIVER FOR OVER 40 YEARS, NO ACCIDENTS, NO TICKETS) WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A DOWNGRADE, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, IN OUR BRAND NEW TESLA MODEL 3 WHEN IT SUDDENLY BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO CARS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE TRIED DESPERATELY TO STOP THE TESLA WITH THE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE. OU CAR WAS STOPPED BY THE CAR IN FRONT. I HATE TO THINK OF WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD THERE NOT BEEN CAR IN FRONT. WE PURCHASED THE TESLA IN DECEMBER OF 2018 AND THE CRASH OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY OF 2019. AFTER THE CRASH I CALLED TESLA, THEN I WENT TO THEIR SHOWROOM IN SAN DIEGO, THEY REFERRED ME TO TESLALEGAL.COM. SO I ASKED MY ATTORNEY TO HELP. IN THE MEANTIME, AFTER THE TESLA WAS RELEASED FROM THE BODY SHOP IT WAS SENT TO THE TESLA SERVICE CENTER IN SAN DIEGO. IMMEDIATELY, MY ATTORNEY EMAILED [email protected] FOR TESLA TO PRESERVE AND PROVIDE THE ELECTRONIC DRIVING RECORD TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR. SERVICE CENTER DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST. AT THIS POINT TESLA DEFINITELY KNOWS THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM. OUR ATTEMPTS AT CONTACT BEGAN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH IN FEBRUARY. AS OF MAY 15TH THERE IS NO CONTACT YET. WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT I HAD AN ATTORNEY, TESLA SERVICE STILL SENT ME DOCUMENTS TO SIGN. THEY RECENTLY SENT ME A TEXT THAT THEY HAVE 'UPDATED FIRMWARE WITH THE LATEST VERSION' AND THE CAR 'IS SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME.' TO ME IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY MODIFIED THE TESLA. MY ATTORNEY HAS CALLED AND EMAILED TESLA SERVIC

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed May 7, 20192,000 milesGA

I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS GOING TO PULL INTO MY GARAGE TO PARK THE CAR, WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT STONE WALL OF OUR HOUSE. THE STONE WALL IS DAMAGED AND THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE TESLA HAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES.

Electrical System
Filed Apr 29, 201915,000 milesCA

THE SCREEN FREEZES AND REBOOTS WHILE DRIVING.I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I'M GOING THE ENTIRE CARE GOES DARK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 MONTHS.I HAVE TAKEN IT IN. BUT THEY TELL ME THERE IS NO FIX. CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOUR GOING.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 26, 201913,350 milesCA

ON 04/13/2019 THE CAR ABRUPT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE I DROVE IT ALONG NORTHBOND SANTA RITA ROAD IN PLEASANTON CA. . CARS COMING FROM BEHIND HAD TO MAKE URGENT BRAKING OR LANE CHANGE TO AVOID HITTING US. MY YOUNG CHILD WAS CRYING IN HORROR, AND WE HAVE NO WAY TO GET OURSELF TO SAFETY WITH THE CAR TOTALLY UNABLE TO MOVE. WE CALLED 911, AND LOCAL POLICE WAS DISPATCH TO HELP OTHER CARD AVOIDING HITTING US, WHILE WE WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, WITH THE DISPLAY SHOWING MESSAGES: "UNABLE TO DRIVE, PULL OVER TO SAFETY. CAR SHUTTING DOWN". THE CAR RESUMED OPERATIONAL AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, WITHOUT ANY NOTICEABLE CHANGE. I DROVE THE CAR TO NEAREST SERVICE CENTER (PLEASANTON CA). AFTER A FEW DAYS, I WAS CONTACT BY THE SERVICE CENTER STATING THE CAR CAN BE PICKED UP, WHILE NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX THE ISSUE. THEIR OFFICIAL INVOICE STATES: "THIS IS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO BE FIXED IN 2019.20, BUT THE CUSTOMER CAN CONTINUE DRIVING. IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN (SEEMS UNLIKELY), THEY CAN JUST GET OUT OF THE CAR AND GET BACK IN TO RESUME OPERATION.". I POINTED TO TESLA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEIR RECOMMENDED SOLUTION IS UNACCEPTABLE - JUST LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO US ALREADY - IT WOULD BE ILLEGAL AND UNSAFE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IF IT STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, WITH NO CHANCE TO PULL OVER EVEN TO THE CURB. THE TESLA REPRESENTATIVE BROUGHT AN ENGINEER TO HELP "EXPLAIN" THE INFORMATION, WHEN HE MENTIONED THAT THIS ISSUE IS A KNOWN

Power Train
Filed Apr 26, 201915,000 milesPA

VEHICLE HAS A "BRAKE HOLD" FEATURE. THIS FEATURE IS ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR, STOPPED, AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AN ADDITIONAL DISTANCE. THIS FEATURE KEEPS THAT VEHICLE AT A STANDSTILL WITHOUT A NEED TO CONTINUE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. PER THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL, BRAKE HOLD CAN BE RELEASED BY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, BRAKE, OR BY SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO "NEUTRAL". THE RIGHT STEERING COLUMN STALK, HOWEVER, CAN BE USED TO SWITCH THE VEHICLE FROM BRAKE HOLD INTO THE OPPOSITE TRAVEL DIRECTION (D TO R OR R TO D) BY MOVING THE STALK TO THAT SETTING. FOR EXAMPLE, A VEHICLE IN D WITH THE BRAKE HOLD ENGAGED, CAN BE SHIFTED INTO R BY MOVING THE RIGHT STALK FULLY UPWARD (TO THE "R" SETTING). THIS BEHAVIOR, I BELIEVE, SHOULD BE PROHIBITED UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS FIRST PLACED INTO "P" OR "N".

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 22, 20194,000 milesNM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO 75 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AN ENGINEER WAS SENT TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE INDEPENDENT ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE EITHER SLOWS DOWN SUDDENLY OR SPEEDS UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.*JB

Unknown or OtherCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 16, 2019GA

VEHICLE ENTERED A SHOPPING PLAZA AT SPEED UNDER 10MPH AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO HIGH SPEED ON IT'S OWN. IT HIT THREE STATIONARY VEHICLES AND KNOCKED DOWN A SMALL TREE. TRIED STOPPING THE CAR BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED AFTER HITTING THE THIRD VEHICLE.

Unknown or Other2 injured
Filed Mar 28, 2019500 milesCA

WHILE OPERATING IN AC COOLING MODE, WITHOUT FOREWARNING, WOULD SWITCH TO HEATING OPERATION. DURING THIS UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR, THE DISPLAY DOES NOT INDICATE ANY CHANGE IN THE HVAC SYSTEM BEHAVIOR. THIS DEFECT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN THE REAR PASSENGERS ARE CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS. THEY ARE EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT FOR THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE WHILE THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE OF THE FAST DEVELOPING DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE REAR THAT MAY LEAD TO HEATSTROKE OR WORST. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=4GVDXQCPAPI

Electrical System
Filed Mar 28, 2019423 milesNJ

VEHICLE PRIMARY DRIVE MOTOR FAILED SUDDENLY WITH ON SCREEN MESSAGES LIKE: "UNABLE TO DRIVE - PULL OVER SAFELY", "CAR SHUTTING DOWN - PULL OVER SAFELY". THE VEHICLE BECOMES TOTALLY IMMOBILE WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IN MY CASE ON A BUSY ROAD AT AN INTERSECTION AFTER EXITING A HIGHWAY AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC.

Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 21, 20191,255 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROAD, TRAFFIC STOPPED AHEAD. I PRESSED THE BRAKES, BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND. THE COLLISION WARNING AND EMERGENCY AUTO-STOPPING SYSTEM ALSO DID NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH THE CAR IN FRONT. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE COLLISION, THE TESLA RECEIVED A FIRMWARE UPDATE. I NOTICED THE DRIVING BEHAVIOR WAS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. BRAKE FAILURE LIKE THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE THIS FIRMWARE UPDATE. THE FIRMWARE VERSION WITH THIS ISSUE IS 2019.5.4. 4C3C414

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 14, 2019PA

THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SIDE AMBER REFLEX REFLECTORS AS REQUIRED UNDR FMVSS 205 REQUIREMENTS

Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars
Filed Mar 12, 2019CO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO OF THE FOUR ROOF RACK CLIPS FRACTURED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ROOF RACK TO FRACTURE, WHICH COULD HAVE IMPACTED OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROADWAY. THE TESLA SERVICE CENTER (LOCATED AT 5700 S BROADWAY, LITTLETON, CO 80121, (303) 632-4200) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERENCED A REPAIR INSTRUCTIONAL FROM TESLA REGARDING AN UPDATE IMPROVEMENT FOR THE MODEL 3 ROOF RACK. IT WAS NOT SPECIFIED IF THIS WAS THE SAME OEM PART OR A NEWLY DESIGNED OEM ROOF RACK CLIP SET. THE CONTACT ORDERED THE PART AND THE CLIPS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 15, 20191,500 milesTX

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. BUT WOULDN'T MOVE TO GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE). IT WAS GIVING THE MESSAGE "CANNOT MAINTAIN VEHICLE POWER". HAD I LOST THE POWER WHILE DRIVING, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Feb 14, 2019WA

HELLO, I OFTEN FOLLOW TESLA MODEL 3 CARS IN DENSE TRAFFIC, AND STOP BEHIND THEM AT RED LIGHTS. I HAVE TO SAY, THEIR TAIL LIGHTS (MORE EXACTLY, BRAKE LIGHTS IN THE CENTER OF TAIL LIGHT) ARE EXTREMELY BRIGHT WHILE BEING VERY SMALL. THEY ARE ALMOST AS BRIGHT AS LASERS. WHEN IT'S DARK, LOOKING AT THEM EVEN WITH PERIPHERAL VISION IS PAINFUL, I HAVE TO LOOK TO THE SIDE TO AVOID BEING BLINDED. I AM SURE LOOKING AT THESE LIGHTS IS DANGEROUS TO MY VISION. INSTEAD OF THESE VERY SMALL AND VERY BRIGHT LIGHTS, TESLA SHOULD HAVE USED BIGGER LIGHTS WITH SMALLER INTENSITY (EMITTED POWER PER SQUARE INCH). I AM ATTACHING A STOCK PICTURE OF MODEL 3'S TAIL LIGHTS. UNFORTUNATELY, A CAMERA COULD NOT CAPTURE THE VERY HIGH INTENSITY OF THE LIGHT.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 12, 20196,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE MAIN 15 INCH SCREEN COMMAND CENTER WAS BLACK AND NONE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TESLA (50 OGDEN AVE, WESTMONT, IL 60559) TO BE DIAGNOSED SIX TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.

Tires
Filed Feb 9, 20193,000 milesNY

BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH 2 TIRES HAVING SIDE WALL BUBBLES. NO ROUGH DRIVING . SEEMS TO BE AN INNER TIRE PROBLEM. MAYBE A DEFECT .CONTINENTAL BRAND TIRES.

Structure › Body
Filed Feb 6, 20199,000 milesME

THIS CAR HAS A FRONT TRUNK, AKA "FRUNK". IT IS OPENED ELECTRONICALLY, NOT MECHANICALLY. THERE IS NO OWNER ACCESSIBLE MECHANICAL OVERRIDE. IT FAILED TO OPEN ON OCTOBER 31 WHILE PARKED IN A GARAGE, 2018. IT WAS BROUGHT TO TESLA SERVICE THE NEXT DAY, AND THE "M3 FRUNK LATCH ACTUATOR PRIMARY RELEASE (1098789-00-C)" WAS REPLACED. THE FRUNK OPERATED NORMALLY THEREAFTER UNTIL JANUARY 26, 2019, WHEN IT AGAIN FAILED TO OPEN WHILE PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT. IT WILL BE 3 WEEKS BEFORE IT CAN BE REPAIRED AGAIN, DUE TO TESLA SERVICE BACKLOG.

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 5, 20198,137 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING ON AUTO PILOT MODE WHEN I WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN WHEN IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN AT THE TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME, I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THERE WAS NO BRAKE ACTION WHATSOEVER. THIS WAS NOT A PANIC SITUATION, IT WAS JUST NORMAL BRAKING. WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED TO ACTUATE AND THE VEHICLE ACCORDINGLY WASN'T SLOWING DOWN, IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING PEDESTRIANS OR THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND ENDED UP HITTING A TREE. I SUSTAINED INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT AND TOTALED MY CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS THE FAILURE OF THE TESLA (2018 MODEL 3) BRAKE SYSTEM TO WORK.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2018 Tesla Model 3 → · Every Model 3 year → · How the figures are calculated →