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2018 Tesla Model 3 Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20262 Critical Recalls
Ethan Miller
2018 Tesla Model 3 Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2018 Tesla Model 3 has 1,588 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve unknown or other and suspension.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

4.4/ 10

Based on 1,588 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

165 10.4%

SUSPENSION

154 9.7%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

149 9.4%

AIR BAGS

123 7.7%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

122 7.7%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, accounting for 10.4% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 54 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2018 Tesla Model 3

The 2018 Tesla Model 3 has 1,588 owner complaints in this dataset. UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the most common complaint category, representing about 10% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2018 Tesla Model 3 are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (165), SUSPENSION (154), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (149).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 629 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2018 Tesla Model 3?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2017 Model 3 complaints2019 Model 3 complaints2020 Model 3 complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 27 of 27 systems

SUSPENSION

40 Reports16% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

HERE IS A MODEL 3 IN THE JUNKYARD HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=28782924&ROWNUMBER=52&LOADRECENT=TRUE THE LOWER BALL-JOINTS ON THE FRONT SUSPENSION HAVE SNAPPED. THIS IS VERY LIKELY THE CAUSE OF THE ROLLOVER AND NOT THE RESULT OF IT. A PHOTOGRAPH IS ATTACHED OF ANOTHER MODEL 3 (THE RED ONE) WHICH HAS THE SAME SNAPPED OFF BALL-JOINTS. THESE BALL JOINTS APPEAR TO BE THE SAME RIDICULOUSLY WEAK TWO PART FRICTION WELDED BALL JOINTS THAT ARE USED ON THE MODEL S AND MODEL X. PHOTOGRAPH OF A SNAPPED BALL JOINT IS ALSO INCULDED IN THIS SUBMISSION. THANK YOU. DRIVE SAFELY AND WATCH OUT FOR TESLAS.

7/17/2018

HERE IS ANOTHER MODEL 3 IN THE JUNKYARD WITH A THE FRONT SUSPENSION FALLEN OFF. THIS CAR HAS ONLY TRAVELLED 1000 MILES SINCE IT WAS FACTORY GATED. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=29216371&ROWNUMBER=83&LOADRECENT=TRUE NO CRASH DAMAGE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE SUSPENSION BOLTS HAVE SNAPPED AGAIN. I HAVE SEARCHED YOUR DATABASE AND IT SEEMS THAT NEITHER THE VEHICLE OWNER NOR TESLA HAVE BOTHERED TO FILE A REPORT OF THIS ALARMING FAILURE. YOU CAN SEE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHS THAT THE BOLTS HAVE SNAPPED THIS IS AN INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. PLEASE TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT LOSS OF LIFE. THANK YOU. CONCERNED CITIZEN WHO REFUSES TO MIND HIS OWN BUSINESS.

9/1/2018

38 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

35 Reports14% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

HERE IS A VIDEO THAT HAS JUST BEEN UPLOADED TO YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=4GUHSMIPIQ4 THIS OWNER THINKS IT IS PERFECTLY SAFE TO JAM SOME FRUIT IN THE STEERING WHEEL TO ELIMINATE THE "HOLD STEERING WHEEL" NAGS. HE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A COMPLETE IDIOT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE HAS BEEN MISLEAD BY THE HYPE SPREAD BY TESLA AND CEO ELON MUSK. DESPITE SEVERAL FATAL CRASHES MUSK IS STILL SPREADING THE MESSAGE THAT NHTSA FOUND AUTOPILOT IS 40% SAFER THAN A HUMAN DRIVER. NHTSA HAS NOW REVEALED THAT THE CLAIM WAS BASED ON TESLA'S OWN (UNVERIFIED) DATA. MORE PEOPLE WILL DIE UNLESS THIS UNCONTROLLED AND HIGHLY DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT IS HALTED IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THANK YOU. DEEPLY CONCERNED CITIZEN.

5/7/2018

WHOSE CRIMINAL LIABILITY IS THE INDEPENDENT GUIDE? SELF-DRIVING CARS MUST BE BANNED FOR LEGAL REASONS WITHOUT PERSONAL LIABILITY.

5/20/2018

33 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

32 Reports13% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. ISSUE DESCRIPTION: ISSUE OCCURRED ON 05/04/18 AT APPROX. 11:52 AM WHILE TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT OF A GROCERY STORE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARKING SPACE POSITION WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER THEY FELT INOPERATIVE. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL OVER BRAKING AND THE VEHICLE HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. THE DRIVER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO AVOID DIRECTLY HITTING A DUMPSTER WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THEN HIT A CURB AND A PONY WALL. AFTER THE IMPACT, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THAT EVENTUALLY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. PROBABLE CAUSE: UNKNOWN. GIVEN THE VEHICLE IS NEW, IT IS DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY A REASON WHY WOULD IT ACCELERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ENHANCED AUTO PILOT WHICH WAS NOT ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. THE NIGHT PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED SOFTWARE GLITCH WHERE IN IT WOULD NOT CONTROL THE VOLUME OF THE RADIO WHILE DRIVING WITH THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS STUCK IN CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION. CAR IS RUNNING SOFTWARE VERSION 8.1 (2018.14.13 9E3B7FF)

5/4/2018

HERE IS A VIDEO THAT HAS JUST BEEN UPLOADED TO YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=4GUHSMIPIQ4 THIS OWNER THINKS IT IS PERFECTLY SAFE TO JAM SOME FRUIT IN THE STEERING WHEEL TO ELIMINATE THE "HOLD STEERING WHEEL" NAGS. HE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A COMPLETE IDIOT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE HAS BEEN MISLEAD BY THE HYPE SPREAD BY TESLA AND CEO ELON MUSK. DESPITE SEVERAL FATAL CRASHES MUSK IS STILL SPREADING THE MESSAGE THAT NHTSA FOUND AUTOPILOT IS 40% SAFER THAN A HUMAN DRIVER. NHTSA HAS NOW REVEALED THAT THE CLAIM WAS BASED ON TESLA'S OWN (UNVERIFIED) DATA. MORE PEOPLE WILL DIE UNLESS THIS UNCONTROLLED AND HIGHLY DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT IS HALTED IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THANK YOU. DEEPLY CONCERNED CITIZEN.

5/7/2018

30 more complaints are available in this category.

STRUCTURE:BODY

25 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

SAFETY ISSUE WITH REAR DOORS. REAR PASSENGERS AND SPECIALLY CHILDREN WHO ARE UNABLE TO EXIT THROUGH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE CAN BECOME TRAPPED IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR MAJOR COLLISION THAT DISABLES THE ELECTRICAL POWER TO THE DOORS. FRONT DOORS ARE EQUIPPED WITH EMERGENCY RELEASE LATCH HOWEVER, REAR DOORS HAVE NO SUCH SAFETY BACKUP IN A LIFE AND DEATH SITUATION.

6/18/2018

PASSENGER DOORS OPENED ELECTRICALLY. I BELIEVE MANUAL BACKUP OPENING EXISTS ONLY WITH FRONT DOOR. WILL REAR SEAT PASSENGERS BE ABLE TO EVACUATE ARITHMETIC FIRE, OR IN WATER, OR WILL THEY BE TRAPPED? HAS NOT HAPPENED, BUT MIGHT IT HAPPEN?

7/14/2018

23 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

24 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I HAVE NOTIFIED TESLA SEVERAL TIMES THAT MY VEHICLE SHUTS OFF ON ITS OWN. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE TESLA SERVICE CENTER TWICE WHERE I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT IS A "FIRMWARE" ISSUE AND WILL BE RESOLVED WITH AN OVER THE AIR UPDATE. HOWEVER THERE IS NO TIMEFRAME ON WHEN THIS UPDATE WILL HAPPEN. THIS MORNING AT 8:20AM WHILE DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK ON VINCENT STREET TURNING LEFT ON IRWINDALE AVE IN THE CITY OF IRWINDALE, CA THE VEHICLE DISPLAY COMPLETELY SHUT OFF LEAVING ME WITH NO WAY TO SEE MY SPEED, CONTROLS, OR GAUGES. OBVIOUSLY THIS WAS QUITE CONCERNING AS ALL THE CONTROLS FOR THE CAR ARE LOCATED ON THE TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY. AFTER A SOLID 5-10 SECONDS THE DISPLAY WENT BACK ON AND I ARRIVED TO AT MY WORK LOCATION.

10/25/2018

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.

2/12/2019

22 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

14 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. ISSUE DESCRIPTION: ISSUE OCCURRED ON 05/04/18 AT APPROX. 11:52 AM WHILE TRYING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT OF A GROCERY STORE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARKING SPACE POSITION WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HOWEVER THEY FELT INOPERATIVE. IT FELT AS THOUGH THE DRIVER HAD NO CONTROL OVER BRAKING AND THE VEHICLE HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. THE DRIVER TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO AVOID DIRECTLY HITTING A DUMPSTER WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE THEN HIT A CURB AND A PONY WALL. AFTER THE IMPACT, THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THAT EVENTUALLY BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. PROBABLE CAUSE: UNKNOWN. GIVEN THE VEHICLE IS NEW, IT IS DIFFICULT TO IDENTIFY A REASON WHY WOULD IT ACCELERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH ENHANCED AUTO PILOT WHICH WAS NOT ENGAGED AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. THE NIGHT PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED SOFTWARE GLITCH WHERE IN IT WOULD NOT CONTROL THE VOLUME OF THE RADIO WHILE DRIVING WITH THE BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND WAS STUCK IN CONTROLLING THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION. CAR IS RUNNING SOFTWARE VERSION 8.1 (2018.14.13 9E3B7FF)

5/4/2018

TESLA'S CEO, MR. ELON MUSK, HAS MADE SO MANY FRAUDULENT STATEMENTS IN THE PAST 10 YEARS. YET, NO GOVERNMENT AGENCY INCLUDING THE SEC, HAS DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THESE DELIBERATE, FRAUDULENT AND OBVIOUS STATEMENTS. PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING FACT: CONSUMER REPORT TODAY ANNOUNCED THAT IT IS NOW RECOMMENDING MODEL 3 OF TSLA BECAUSE THE BRAKING PROBLEM HAS BEEN SOLVED. ACCORDING TO AN ARTICLE THAT I READ TODAY, A SENIOR ENGINEER WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS AND SIMILAR ISSUES FOR THE PAST 28 YEARS, INDICATED THAT THE RETEST THAT CONSUMER REPORT CONDUCTED WAS ON DRY ASPHALT. ACCORDING TO HIM, NOW THAT THE CALIBER HAS CHANGED, IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THE BRAKING DISTANCE ON WET AND SNOWY ASPHALT HAS BEEN IMPACTED NEGATIVELY. ACCORDING TO HIM, THIS IS A FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE WHICH ENDANGERS PUBLIC SAFETY. LET'S GET TESLA, CONSUMER REPORT AND AN INDEPENDENT THIRD PARTY TO TEST THE BRAKING DISTANCE ON WET AND ALSO SNOWY ASPHALT, AND SEE IF THOSE DISTANCES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED NEGATIVELY. AGAIN, ACCORDING TO AN EXPERT WITH 28 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, IT IS VERY LIKELY THAT THE NEW CALIBRATION HAS AFFECTED THE BRAKING DISTANCE NEGATIVELY ON WET AND SNOWY ASPHALT. ALSO ACCORDING TO THIS EXPERT, TESLA KEEPS RUSHING AND DOESN'T CONDUCT ENOUGH SAFETY TESTS THAT IS STANDARD IN THE INDUSTRY. TESLA AND CONSUMER REPORT HAVE FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE WORLD TO CONDUCT THESE TESTS AS WELL. IT'S A MATTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY. THE CAR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY HAS BEEN AROUND FOR OVER 100 YEARS. ALSO, ACCORDING TO THIS EXPERT,THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT A CAR MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ABLE TO REDUCE THE BRAKING DISTANCE OF ITS CAR ON DRY ASPHALT OVER THE AIR BY USING A SOFTWARE RECALIBRATION. THE EXPERT IS WARNING THAT WE ARE DEFINITELY IN UNCHARTERED TERRITORY, AND THESE TESTS ABSOLUTELY MUST BE CONDUCTED TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE WORLD. LET'S PROTECT THE WORLD AND THE HUMAN BEINGS. THANKS.

6/5/2018

12 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

12 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

HERE IS A VIDEO THAT HAS JUST BEEN UPLOADED TO YOUTUBE: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=4GUHSMIPIQ4 THIS OWNER THINKS IT IS PERFECTLY SAFE TO JAM SOME FRUIT IN THE STEERING WHEEL TO ELIMINATE THE "HOLD STEERING WHEEL" NAGS. HE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A COMPLETE IDIOT. THE PROBLEM IS THAT HE HAS BEEN MISLEAD BY THE HYPE SPREAD BY TESLA AND CEO ELON MUSK. DESPITE SEVERAL FATAL CRASHES MUSK IS STILL SPREADING THE MESSAGE THAT NHTSA FOUND AUTOPILOT IS 40% SAFER THAN A HUMAN DRIVER. NHTSA HAS NOW REVEALED THAT THE CLAIM WAS BASED ON TESLA'S OWN (UNVERIFIED) DATA. MORE PEOPLE WILL DIE UNLESS THIS UNCONTROLLED AND HIGHLY DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT IS HALTED IMMEDIATELY. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. THANK YOU. DEEPLY CONCERNED CITIZEN.

5/7/2018

I HAVE HAD A SERIES OF ESCALATING INCIDENTS (SEE ATTACHED PDF) THAT HAVE EACH INVOLVED THE VEHICLE DISABLING AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), TRACTION CONTROL, PARTIAL STEERING CONTROL, REGENERATIVE BRAKING (FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE), AND MOST RECENTLY EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING FUNCTION WHILE REVERSING AS WELL AS AN ADDITIONAL WARNING THAT MY AIRBAG WAS DISABLED. INITIALLY I WAS ADVISED TO RESET MY CAR SINCE IT MAY BE A SOFTWARE GLITCH SIMILAR TO A COMPUTER OR PHONE NEEDING A RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL INCIDENTS, I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A FIRMWARE ISSUES KNOWN TO TESLA, BUT EXPERIENCED A CRITICAL SHUT DOWN OF MY VEHICLE'S PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY FUNCTIONS THE NEXT DAY. I HAVE SEEN BEEN INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED THE HIGH VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND THE WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN UPDATE SINCE CONFIRMING THAT THEY BELIEVE THE LATEST REPAIR WILL MAKE THE CAR WHOLE, SAFE, AND FUNCTIONAL.

7/2/2018

10 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

10 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

DRIVER FELT SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHILE PARKING THE CAR. THE ACCELERATION HAPPENED WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF SECONDS WHEN THE CAR WAS TURNING 90% AT PRETTY NORMAL SPEEDS TO PARK. THE CAR HIT A TREE, AND SUFFERED SIGNIFICANT FRONTAL DAMAGE.

5/22/2018

I HAVE HAD A SERIES OF ESCALATING INCIDENTS (SEE ATTACHED PDF) THAT HAVE EACH INVOLVED THE VEHICLE DISABLING AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS), TRACTION CONTROL, PARTIAL STEERING CONTROL, REGENERATIVE BRAKING (FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE), AND MOST RECENTLY EXPERIENCED COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING FUNCTION WHILE REVERSING AS WELL AS AN ADDITIONAL WARNING THAT MY AIRBAG WAS DISABLED. INITIALLY I WAS ADVISED TO RESET MY CAR SINCE IT MAY BE A SOFTWARE GLITCH SIMILAR TO A COMPUTER OR PHONE NEEDING A RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL INCIDENTS, I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS A FIRMWARE ISSUES KNOWN TO TESLA, BUT EXPERIENCED A CRITICAL SHUT DOWN OF MY VEHICLE'S PERFORMANCE AND SAFETY FUNCTIONS THE NEXT DAY. I HAVE SEEN BEEN INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE REPLACED THE HIGH VOLTAGE REGULATOR AND THE WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN UPDATE SINCE CONFIRMING THAT THEY BELIEVE THE LATEST REPAIR WILL MAKE THE CAR WHOLE, SAFE, AND FUNCTIONAL.

7/2/2018

8 more complaints are available in this category.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

10 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE VISIBILITY IN THE SIDE AND REAR VIEW MIRRORS IS VERY LIMITED. THE VISUAL INDICATOR FOR THE TURN SIGNALS IS HARD TO HEAR AND VIEW IN THE CENTRAL CONSOLE, WHICH IS ALSO CAUSING DISTRACTION FOR THE DRIVER AND TAKING AWAY HIS ATTENTION FROM THE ROAD. THERE IS ALSO NO WARNING INDICATOR FOR THE BLIND SPOTS DURING LANE CHANGES AND THE CONSOLE SHOW ONLY CARS IN FRONT, BUT NOT ON THE SIDE BLIND SPOTS. BLINKERS IN THE SIDE-VIEW MIRRORS FOR TURN SIGNALS AND BLIND SPOT VEHICLES LIKE IN TOYOTA AND OTHER MODELS IS MUCH SAFER. THIS VEHICLE AND MODEL NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND A POSSIBLE RECALL SHOULD BE MADE.

9/28/2018

WHEN WIPERS ARE SET TO 'AUTO' MODE, THEY ARE FAR TOO SLOW TO REACT. DO TO THE MANUAL MODE REQUIRING THE TOUCH SCREEN TO CHANGE, A NOVICE TO THE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE A VERY HARD TIME CHANGING TO THE WIPERS TO WORK MUCH FASTER. THIS WOULD CAUSE A VERY UNSAFE AND HAZARDS CONDITION. AS IT IS NOW, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE LETTING ANYONE ELSE DRIVE THIS CAR IN THE RAIN.

1/19/2019

8 more complaints are available in this category.

WHEELS

9 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE BOTTOM FRONT UNDER PIECE COMPOSITE MATERIAL WHICH IS PART OF THE UNDER CARRIAGE SPONTANEOUSLY BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE RAIN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS IN THE INTERNET OF THE COMPOSITE UNDER PIECES BREAKING FROM WATER OR MISSING/LOOSE BOLTS.

1/8/2019

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.

2/9/2019

7 more complaints are available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

7 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

RE: 2018 TESLA MODEL 3: VIN# [XXX] WE WANT TO CLARIFY THE POWERTRAIN OF THIS VIN # IS STANDARD DUAL MOTOR OR PERFORMANCE DUAL MOTOR; AS ALL THE PAPER WORKS INDICATED THAT THE POWERTRAIN IS STANDARD DUAL MOTOR; BUT THE FINAL CONTRACT STATED IT'S PERFORMANCE DUAL MOTOR; SO THE PRICE DIFFERENCE IS $10K HIGHER. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR CONFIRMATION OF THE ACTUAL POWERTRAIN TYPE OF VIN# [XXX] UPON RECEIPT OF THIS REQUEST. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

10/4/2018

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.

2/15/2019

5 more complaints are available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

5 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I WAS AT THE SUPERCHARGING STATION IN DUBLIN ( CALIFORNIA) . WHEN I WANTED TO TAKE REVERSE AND PARK MY CAR FOR SUPERCHARGING.MY CAR SHOWED THE OPTION OF AUTOPARK. SINCE THERE WAS AN OPEN SPOT AVAILABLE FOR PARKING MY CAR (WHERE MY CAR FITS PROPERLY - AS PER TESLA GUIDELINES) .I STARTED AUTO PARKING ,IN AUTOPARK FEATURE USUALLY THE CAR COMES CLOSE TO THE OTHER CAR AND THEN TAKES NECESSARY TURN. BUT IN MY CASE THE CAR CAME VERY CLOSE TO THE OTHER CAR AND INSTEAD OF STOPPING IT SPEEDED UP AND DASHED TO THE OTHER CAR IN THE PARKING SPOT. MY CAR HAS COLLISION PREVENTION PLUS IT PROVIDES ACCURATE DISTANCE IF THERE IS SOME OBJECT BEHIND MY CAR, BUT IN THIS CAR NEITHER OF THE SYSTEMS ALERTED ME AND LED TO A CRASH.I RAISED A COMPLAINT TO TESLA ABOUT THE AUTO PARK FEATURES PROBLEM BUT HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY ANY WORD FROM THEM. I HAVE ATTACHED THE IMAGES OF THE CAR.

8/3/2018

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.

2/14/2019

3 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

1. WE PICKED UP THE CAR ON DEC 30TH, FROM THE FREMONT FACTORY, THE CAR WAS NOT EVEN FULLY CHARGED, AND THERE WAS A MESSAGE ON THE CONSOLE SAYING, THAT, 'IT NEEDS A SOFTWARE UPGRADE.' WE WENT BACK INSIDE AND ASKED ONE OF THE SALES PEOPLE, HE SAID, 'THIS IS THE END OF THE YEAR, THE CARS ARE NOT COMING FULLY CHARGED, AND HE LAUGHED ABOUT THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE.' WE CAME HOME AND UPGRADED THE SOFTWARE. NO-ONE WENT OVER THE OPERATIONS OF THE CAR. 2. ON JAN 1ST, THE 30 DAY TRIAL FOR THE AUTOPILOT FEATURE POPPED UP ON THE CONSOLE, AND WE CLICKED YES. WE DECIDED TO TRY THE AUTO-TRIAL FEATURE IN THE EVENING FROM SANTA CRUZ TO OUR HOME. WE ENABLED THE AUTO-PILOT ON ROUTE 880, IT KEPT ASKING TO KEEP YOUR HANDS LIGHTLY ON THE STEERING WHEEL, WHILE THE HANDS WERE ON THE STEERING WHEEL AT ALL TIMES. AFTER MAYBE 10 MINUTES, IN THE CENTRE LINE, AT A SPEED OF 63 MPH, RED WARNING STARTED SAYING, 'THE CAR CAN NO LONGER AUTO STEER.' WE CANCELED THE AUTOPILOT, MANUALLY DROVE THE CAR. ON LOCAL STREET ON MOWRY AVENUE, BETWEEN 6:30 PM AND 7 PM, WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR IN FRONT OF US SLOWED DOWN, REMOVED THE FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, CAR CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE, WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED. NO COLLISION WARNING, AND CAR KEPT GOING UNTIL IT RAN INTO THE NEXT CAR AND STOPPED. WE PULLED OVER AND ASSESSED THE DAMAGE, OUR CAR HAS SMALL NICK ON THE CENTER OF THE BUMPER. 3. ARRIVED HOME, WITH ABOUT 80 MILES CHARGE LEFT. AFTER PLUGGING IN THE CHARGER, ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER, MESSAGE ON THE PHONE CAME THAT CHARGING INTERRUPTED, AS IT HAS 78% OF CHARGE ON THE BATTERY. ADDITIONALLY, THESE ARE THE SOME OF THE OTHER CONCERNS, -RATTLING NOISE ON THE RIGHT SIDE DURING DRIVING -WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY AT ABOUT 5 MILES AN HOUR, THERE IS A BRAKE NOISE -THERE IS WIND LEAK ON BOTH FRONT WINDOWS AND DOORS. -RIGHT REAR SEAT BELT DOES NOT ALWAYS LOCK

1/4/2019

DRIVING ON THE 101 FREEWAY IN SANTA BARBARA. ROAD WAS WET AFTER A LIGHT RAIN AT AROUND 6:30AM. WAS IN THE MIDDLE LANE, VERY LIGHT TRAFFIC, ON A WIDE CURVE. WAS NOT SPEEDING, ACCELERATING, BRAKING OR STEERING. WAS NOT USING AUTOPILOT. TIRES HAD 11,000 MILES AND TREAD WAS STILL GOOD. CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, TURNING 180 DEGREES AND CRASHED AGAINST A CONCRETE CENTER DIVIDER. I HAVE A VIDEO SAVED FROM THE CAR'S CAMERAS OF THE ENTIRE ACCIDENT. YOU CAN SEE A CAR PRECEDING ME IN THE SAME LANE AT A SIMILAR SPEED, WAS NOT AFFECTED. WHEN DRIVING THE TESLA ON OTHER RAINING DAYS DURING THE YEAR I HAD THE SENSATION THAT THE CAR DID NOT HANDLE WELL ON WET ROADS, SLIPPING WHEN ACCELERATING. THE INSURANCE NOW OWNS THE CAR SO I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE BLACK BOX BUT I KNOW THAT TESLA HAS THE DATA FROM THE CRASH WHICH THEY ARE NOT SHARING WITH ME. THE CALLED ME 10 MINUTES AFTER THE CRASH NOTING THAT I HAD CRASHED AND ASKED ME IF I WAS OK. A SHORT VIDEO OF THE CRASH IS AVAILABLE HERE: HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/GYQYXGEOT94 I HAVE VIDEO FROM THE OTHER CAMERAS TOO, AS WELL AS VIDEO FOOTAGE BEFORE THIS SEGMENT.

1/7/2020

2 more complaints are available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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.

2/15/2019

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 CHARACTERISTIC RELATED TO USE OF CRUISE CONTROL. AND THE ENGINEER SAID HE WOULD PERSONALLY BE OK TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT USING CRUISE CONTROL. I ASKED IF THAT MEANS THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT SAFE, THEY SAID IT WOULD BE MY OWN JUDGMENT. I THINK THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD TESLA IS INTENTIONALLY IGNORING AND NEED THOROUGH INVESTIGATION.

4/26/2019

2 more complaints are available in this category.

SEATS

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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

10/8/2019

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.

10/9/2019

2 more complaints are available in this category.

SEAT BELTS

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I WAS AT A STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND WAS REAR-ENDED CHRISTMAS EVE NIGHT, CAUSING MY CAR TO BE PUSHED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AT THE RED LIGHT. I REMEMBER MY ABDOMEN HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL AND COMPLAINING OF STOMACH DISCOMFORT IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE ACCIDENT (I'VE SINCE GOTTEN X-RAYS AND WILL NEED 12+ MONTHS OF CHIROPRACTOR THERAPY). I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL INSIDE THE CABIN, SIMILAR TO THE SMELL AFTER FIRING A PISTOL. I FIGURED IT WAS THE AIRBAG, HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF AN AIRBAG. I WAS ABLE TO UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT, BUT ALSO NOTICED THAT IT WAS NOT RETRACTING AND WAS STUCK. THE MECHANISM WHERE IT COMES OUT OF LOOKED LIKE IT WAS DISLOCATED AS WELL. I NOTICED THAT THE TESLA'S SCREEN/DISPLAY INDICATED "FRONT LEFT SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT." THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW 9 DAYS PRIOR (DECEMBER 15) AND HAD NEVER BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT PRIOR. I'M CONCERNED THAT IT COULD'VE BEEN A WORSE CRASH THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN MAJOR INJURY IF THE SEAT BELT DID NOT ACT AS IT WAS DESIGNED TO. I'M ALSO CONCERNED OF THE SMELL OF THE AIRBAG (OR WHAT I BELIEVED TO BE AN AIRBAG POST-DEPLOYMENT ODOR) WHEN THERE WAS NO ACTUAL DEPLOYMENT. IS THIS COMMON? THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT A BODY SHOP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT BELT NEEDED REPLACING. MY INSURANCE IS COVERING THE FRONT, REAR, AND SAFETY SYSTEM REPLACEMENT COSTS. HOWEVER, I HAVE HESITATION ABOUT TRUSTING THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY SYSTEM, EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEE INSTALLED.

1/7/2019

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

10/11/2019

1 more complaint is available in this category.

ENGINE

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

CAR INTERFACE BUGGED OUT AND WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE WITH THE PHONE KEY OR KEY CARD TO START AFTER ENTERING THE PARKED VEHICLE. TOUCH SCREEN FLASHED ON AND OFF. ATTEMPTED RESETS TO NO AVAIL. SYSTEM WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT ITSELF OFF AND NOT TURN BACK ON.

12/20/2020

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION RESULTING IN A CRASH WITH A TREE. MY CAR WAS TOTAL. THE CAR WAS WAS STATIOANARY WAITING TO PUT AIR IN MY TIRE.

2/16/2021

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

2018 TESLA MODEL 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO SAFETY ISSUE WITH BACKUP CAMERA. CAMERA WILL STOP DISPLAYING IMAGE WHILE VEHICLE IS REVERSING. *AS *JS

11/13/2018

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

2/5/2019

TIRES

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

2/9/2019

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

3/12/2019

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

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.

12/18/2019

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THREE SEPARATE PROBLEMS: (1) REAR CAMERA GOES BLACK WHEN BACKING UP. (2) FORWARD FACING CAMERA GIVES ERROR ON SCREEN "DRIVING VISUALIZATION TEMPORARILY DEGRADED" WHEN DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS ON ROAD AND FREEWAY. (3) SCREEN BECAME COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE TO INPUT. MAP DISPLAY WAS WORKING. FOLLOWING SOFTWARE RESET PROCEDURE FIXED THIS.

11/17/2020

BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THREE SEPARATE PROBLEMS: (1) REAR CAMERA GOES BLACK WHEN BACKING UP. (2) FORWARD FACING CAMERA GIVES ERROR ON SCREEN "DRIVING VISUALIZATION TEMPORARILY DEGRADED" WHEN DRIVING. THIS HAPPENS ON ROAD AND FREEWAY. (3) SCREEN BECAME COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE TO INPUT. MAP DISPLAY WAS WORKING. FOLLOWING SOFTWARE RESET PROCEDURE FIXED THIS.

11/17/2020

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

VEHICLE WILL EMERGENCY BRAKE ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING AND NO OTHER CARS AROUND. ALSO UNABLE TO ACCESS CHARGING PORT TO CHARGE VEHICLE.

11/20/2020

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

-MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THE SCREEN HAS GONE BLACK WHILE ACTIVELY DRIVING THE CAR (BOTH ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY) -EPISODES WHERE THE SCREEN IS UNRESPONSIVE; THUS, BEING UNABLE TO USE ANY FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR USING THE TOUCHSCREEN BOTH WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR -CAR NOT REBOOTING/RESETTING DESPITE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS WHILE STATIONARY -CAR SOUNDS SUDDENLY BEING CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING- UNABLE TO HEAR TURN SIGNAL, GPS, ETC-AND WHILE DRIVING -CAR/SYSTEM IMPLEMENTS AUTO-CORRECTION MEASURE TO REPOSITION THE CAR THINKING THE CAR IS DEPARTING FROM THE LANE, WHEN IN FACT, THE CAR IS NOT SWERVING OR TRYING TO DO A LANE SWITCH (CAR IS DRIVING IN LANE ON A HIGHWAY). DUE TO THIS FAULTY SYSTEM, CAR HAS UNSAFELY DRIFTED WHILE IN MOTION AND DOES NOT LET HUMAN GUIDANCE TRUMP THIS MECHANICAL ERROR.

1/8/2021

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

-MULTIPLE TIMES THAT THE SCREEN HAS GONE BLACK WHILE ACTIVELY DRIVING THE CAR (BOTH ON CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY) -EPISODES WHERE THE SCREEN IS UNRESPONSIVE; THUS, BEING UNABLE TO USE ANY FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR USING THE TOUCHSCREEN BOTH WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING THE CAR -CAR NOT REBOOTING/RESETTING DESPITE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS WHILE STATIONARY -CAR SOUNDS SUDDENLY BEING CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING- UNABLE TO HEAR TURN SIGNAL, GPS, ETC-AND WHILE DRIVING -CAR/SYSTEM IMPLEMENTS AUTO-CORRECTION MEASURE TO REPOSITION THE CAR THINKING THE CAR IS DEPARTING FROM THE LANE, WHEN IN FACT, THE CAR IS NOT SWERVING OR TRYING TO DO A LANE SWITCH (CAR IS DRIVING IN LANE ON A HIGHWAY). DUE TO THIS FAULTY SYSTEM, CAR HAS UNSAFELY DRIFTED WHILE IN MOTION AND DOES NOT LET HUMAN GUIDANCE TRUMP THIS MECHANICAL ERROR.

1/8/2021

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2018 Tesla Model 3?

The most reported complaint category for the 2018 Tesla Model 3 is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, with 165 owner reports. That is about 10% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SUSPENSION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Are complaints about the 2018 Tesla Model 3 a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 629 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2018 Tesla Model 3?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2018 Tesla Model 3 severe?

629 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Tesla Model 3: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
1,588
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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