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2024 Tesla Model 3 Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20261 Critical Recalls
Ethan Miller
2024 Tesla Model 3 Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 has 274 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve unknown or other and steering.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

5.6/ 10

Based on 274 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

57 20.8%

STEERING

33 12%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

32 11.7%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

25 9.1%

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

24 8.8%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, accounting for 20.8% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 30 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 2024 Tesla Model 3

The 2024 Tesla Model 3 has 274 owner complaints in this dataset. UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the most common complaint category, representing about 21% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2024 Tesla Model 3 are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (57), STEERING (33), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (32).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 92 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 2024 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 intervals2023 Model 3 complaints2025 Model 3 complaints2022 Model 3 complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 29 of 29 systems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

54 Reports22% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The left and right turn signal indicator buttons gets stuck sometimes. But I noticed on my vehicle it is the left turn indicator button is the one gets stuck most. When it is stuck I cannot make left turn signal. Before I asked Tesla to fix it the issue happens every time on my 8 mile trip. After Tesla attempted to fix it it happens a lot less now but this could mean it can go worse as the component wears out. This can put me and others at risk as sometimes I get panicked and depending on the situation.

5/13/2024

I took delivery of my ordered 2024 Tesla Model 3 LR 3/30/2024. Later in the day when I put the car into reverse, I had no back-up view on the touch screen. When it occurred, it also froze the illustrated car on the touch screen when car was put into Drive. There was also no movement of the vehicle on the touch screen's map. After contacting Tesla two times and rebooting the touch screen, I was asked to do time stamps on the date and time when the problem occurred, which I did. The problem comes and goes which, in addition to the noted problems, also results in Park Assist being unavailable. I had an appt on Memorial Day to bring the car to my Service Center so it could figure out what the problem was. I was given a loaner older model Model 3 to use while it was in the shop. When I picked up the car, I was told it "may be" the rear-view camera, which was not in stock and had to be ordered. I was scheduled for a Mobile Service visit to have it installed while working from home the following week, which it was. Later in the day when I was going to the grocery store, I encountered the exact same problems after putting the car into reverse: no back-up view; frozen illustrated car on the touch screen; no movement on the right-side map; and no Park Assist availability. That evening (Friday, 6/07) I contacted my SC to let it know what happened, and asked "What's next?" I'm still awaiting a response. Today I contacted my SC by phone and was told to bring it in again, but that such appt would be weeks away. I contacted the Tesla Consumer Assistance # later this morning and was told it would contact my Service Center about expediting an appt; I'm to hear from it within 24 hours about setting an expedited appt. As of this writing, it's only been about 10 hours since my call. Hopefully I'll hear from the SC tomorrow morning. I'm very discouraged as I had hoped to show the car off in the coming weeks to friends and family and go on a mini-vacation. Nearly 2.5 months & counting.

6/10/2024

52 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

31 Reports12% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Tesla officially confirmed as I brought my car in a THIRD time that the repeated turn signal failure I was/am experiencing is now a known software issue. They looked at the timestamps and video I shared and saw that I had indeed applied pressure to the turn signal buttons to no avail/effect. Out of the three times I took the car in and shared timestamps for when this issue occurred this is the only time they identified the issue in the logs, which leads me to believe they never even looked at the logs the previous two times I had brought the car in and they failed to ID the issue or a fix. They have been unable to reproduce in person, as the issue occurs at random while the vehicle is in motion. I brought it in a third time after multiple instances in one day of the turn signal not working and putting me in highly precarious situations on the highway. There is still NO FIX currently and the technicians even acknowledged/admitted it is a serious safety issue, yet they are returning the car to me unfixed. This feels like an extremely dangerous problem to not address urgently via a software fix. There is no message or warning displayed related to the issue.

4/12/2024

I have my phone mounted to the back of the computer screen, and I also have the phone power cord running from the center console 12V plug up to my phone. I have found that if the power cord comes in contact with the computer screen, it can inadvertently put the car in Neutral (it acts like a finger touch). This could be extremely dangerous if, for example, the car is making a left turn in front of oncoming traffic and the car unexpectedly goes into Neutral. I think consumers should be aware that a phone power cord can cause changes on the computer screen if there is contact, especially if it switches the car to Neutral.

5/1/2024

29 more complaints are available in this category.

STEERING

31 Reports12% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Incident Description: One week after purchasing our new Tesla Model 3 2024 , we encountered several error messages upon returning to our car after a brief stop: "APP_w264 - Lane Departure Avoidance feature unavailable," "GTW_w075 - Steering assist reduced," and "UI_a020 - Steering assist reduced." With no cell signal available, we had to drive back slowly with hazard lights on. The steering was extremely tight, making it very difficult to maneuver. Tesla Roadside Assistance suggested towing the car and using an Uber coupon, which was impractical due to our location in the outskirts of Vancouver, Canada, with no Uber services, and our home in Seattle, USA.We drove over 100 miles to the nearest service centre in Vancouver, posing a significant safety risk on curvy freeway roads. The service centre confirmed that the wire supplying power to the steering was cut due to contact with the fan, and they repaired the issue. Conclusion: The steering failure of our Tesla Model 3 was a major safety concern. Driving with impaired steering could have led to a severe accident. The issue was due to a design flaw, with the wire contacting the fan. We request a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences and consideration for the inconvenience and risk we faced. Component/System Failure: The wire supplying power to the steering mechanism was severed due to contact with the vehicle's fan. Safety Risk: The steering became extremely tight, making large turns nearly impossible and small turns very difficult. This posed a significant safety risk, especially while driving on curvy freeway roads. Inspection & Problem Confirmation: The problem was confirmed by the Tesla service centre in Vancouver. They verified that the wire was cut due to contact with the fan. Errors: "APP_w264 - Lane Departure Avoidance feature unavailable" "GTW_w075 - Steering assist reduced" "UI_a020 - Steering assist reduced"

6/8/2024

Turn signal buttons are sticking regularly, preventing turn singal lights from flashing to make safe lane changes

6/13/2024

29 more complaints are available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

25 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Tesla officially confirmed as I brought my car in a THIRD time that the repeated turn signal failure I was/am experiencing is now a known software issue. They looked at the timestamps and video I shared and saw that I had indeed applied pressure to the turn signal buttons to no avail/effect. Out of the three times I took the car in and shared timestamps for when this issue occurred this is the only time they identified the issue in the logs, which leads me to believe they never even looked at the logs the previous two times I had brought the car in and they failed to ID the issue or a fix. They have been unable to reproduce in person, as the issue occurs at random while the vehicle is in motion. I brought it in a third time after multiple instances in one day of the turn signal not working and putting me in highly precarious situations on the highway. There is still NO FIX currently and the technicians even acknowledged/admitted it is a serious safety issue, yet they are returning the car to me unfixed. This feels like an extremely dangerous problem to not address urgently via a software fix. There is no message or warning displayed related to the issue.

4/12/2024

The rear tail light on the driver side of the vehicle is filling with water. Additionally, the brake light is occasionally not working, presenting a potentially serious safety issue. The vehicle is brand new. Tesla has a history of this issue with previous generations of this vehicle, but the problem persists in the new model. I have been waiting for a new tail light to come in for two weeks. A quick internet search reveals other drivers with the same problem. Tesla is doing nothing to expedite the parts needed for the repair, but they sure continue to sell new cars. They should not be selling any cars until they figure out how to successfully seal the light and keep standing water out of the unit.

4/15/2024

23 more complaints are available in this category.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

21 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Incident Description: One week after purchasing our new Tesla Model 3 2024 , we encountered several error messages upon returning to our car after a brief stop: "APP_w264 - Lane Departure Avoidance feature unavailable," "GTW_w075 - Steering assist reduced," and "UI_a020 - Steering assist reduced." With no cell signal available, we had to drive back slowly with hazard lights on. The steering was extremely tight, making it very difficult to maneuver. Tesla Roadside Assistance suggested towing the car and using an Uber coupon, which was impractical due to our location in the outskirts of Vancouver, Canada, with no Uber services, and our home in Seattle, USA.We drove over 100 miles to the nearest service centre in Vancouver, posing a significant safety risk on curvy freeway roads. The service centre confirmed that the wire supplying power to the steering was cut due to contact with the fan, and they repaired the issue. Conclusion: The steering failure of our Tesla Model 3 was a major safety concern. Driving with impaired steering could have led to a severe accident. The issue was due to a design flaw, with the wire contacting the fan. We request a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences and consideration for the inconvenience and risk we faced. Component/System Failure: The wire supplying power to the steering mechanism was severed due to contact with the vehicle's fan. Safety Risk: The steering became extremely tight, making large turns nearly impossible and small turns very difficult. This posed a significant safety risk, especially while driving on curvy freeway roads. Inspection & Problem Confirmation: The problem was confirmed by the Tesla service centre in Vancouver. They verified that the wire was cut due to contact with the fan. Errors: "APP_w264 - Lane Departure Avoidance feature unavailable" "GTW_w075 - Steering assist reduced" "UI_a020 - Steering assist reduced"

6/8/2024

While driving in the right lane of an Interstate using Full Self Driving (Supervised) mode (version 12.3.6), I was behind a motorcycle that was traveling slower than I. FSD was gaining on the motorcycle, but failed to move to the passing lane. I had to disengage the system so that the car didn't get too close to, or strike, the motorcycle. I manually moved to the passing lane and reengaged FSD. The car eventually decided to move to the right lane, behind the motorcycle. Again, it was gaining on the motorcycle and got too close, so I once again had to disengage FSD. It seems like the system didn't recognize the motorcycle or didn't recognize that it was traveling than slower than my vehicle.

8/3/2024

19 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

17 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I have my phone mounted to the back of the computer screen, and I also have the phone power cord running from the center console 12V plug up to my phone. I have found that if the power cord comes in contact with the computer screen, it can inadvertently put the car in Neutral (it acts like a finger touch). This could be extremely dangerous if, for example, the car is making a left turn in front of oncoming traffic and the car unexpectedly goes into Neutral. I think consumers should be aware that a phone power cord can cause changes on the computer screen if there is contact, especially if it switches the car to Neutral.

5/1/2024

There is a a very dangerous software issue with new Tesla models where there is a 1-2 second lag between when cruise control is disengaged and when it actually disengages. Especially, at high speeds this is dangerous because the car can continue maintaining acceleration for several hundred feet against driver controls. I’ve had to slam on the breaks several times because of this. This is not a glitch, and this is not unique to my tesla. It’s a known issue reported by the community that needs Tesla’s attention.

8/28/2024

15 more complaints are available in this category.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

10 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Driver set cruise control has FSD imbedded that causes the vehicle to slow down drastically on its own. The car has brake tested several following vehicles so far. I’ve seen this before many times of other Teslas but thought it was the driver and now I know it was not. This causes a chain reaction of braking and smoking tires. I am positive this has created accidents but the ones involved have no idea how it started many vehicles ahead. The lane keep assist pillar cameras do not work in the dark, this has taken me by surprise already. The phantom braking on highways is awful, it is so bad that I am afraid to drive in the winter. The torque of the wheel sensor is not safe, when auto steer disables it can take you by surprise causing you to swerve into on coming traffic. The car accused me of using a cheat device one time so I decided to try it and surprisingly I found that it is actually much safer than using my body weight. These are extremely unsafe for busy traffic and slippery roads. I have videos showing it and will get more.

10/13/2024

While driving at highway speeds, the driver initiated what was to be a standard lane change from right to left to accommodate traffic merging onto the highway into the right-hand lane. About halfway through the lane change, the vehicle automatically and unexpectedly braked hard, locking the wheels. This led to high stress and back/neck pain. If traffic had not been light at the time, the vehicle would likely have been rear-ended. The vehicle was operating in traffic-aware cruise control during this event.

10/23/2024

8 more complaints are available in this category.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

9 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

About two weeks ago with driver set cruise control, the phantom braking was so severe that it took me down from 75 to around 15 if I remember correctly. The braking was so severe and at the same time self steered to the edge of the road along the guard rail that my body was unable to move quicker to correct the vehicle. Your system gets jolted violently without notice which takes a couple seconds to recover from and I decided to report this one after watching the San Francisco video. Fortunately, the two vehicles behind me were far enough away. This is absolutely not OK, I have had several severe braking incidents and each time it not only takes about 2-3 seconds to correct but also created back pain.

11/2/2024

Car randomly breaks or swerves when using cruise control. When there is nothing ahead of me have called tesla and been told it is called phantom breaking and that it is normal happens multiple times a day, almost causes collisions. Very dangerous.

11/19/2024

7 more complaints are available in this category.

LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST

7 Reports3% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

While driving in the right lane of an Interstate using Full Self Driving (Supervised) mode (version 12.3.6), I was behind a motorcycle that was traveling slower than I. FSD was gaining on the motorcycle, but failed to move to the passing lane. I had to disengage the system so that the car didn't get too close to, or strike, the motorcycle. I manually moved to the passing lane and reengaged FSD. The car eventually decided to move to the right lane, behind the motorcycle. Again, it was gaining on the motorcycle and got too close, so I once again had to disengage FSD. It seems like the system didn't recognize the motorcycle or didn't recognize that it was traveling than slower than my vehicle.

8/3/2024

The right scroll wheel used to turn on/off adaptive cruise and lane centering doesn't register inputs every time the button is pressed in. This makes turning the system on and off unpredictable and dangerous.

8/15/2024

5 more complaints are available in this category.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Automatic wipers are unreliable and vehicle does not accurately detect amount of rain. This led to obstructed view of the road during heavy rain. Only option was to choose manual speed wipers but had to keep choosing different speeds through my 3.5 hour drive due to constantly changing rain amount. Having to focus on constantly changing wiper speed takes focus off the road each time which increases risk. Tesla has many complaints against the auto wiper function not working across various models and hopefully this will be addressed.

3/25/2024

The buttons on the steering wheel stick and do not work. These include the turn signals and also bright lights and windshield wipers. They stick on my car, and I am renting a 2024 model 3 that they stick on as well. It’s not possible to signal a turn or wipe the windshield when this happens, which is a safety issue.

12/11/2024

2 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The rear motor failed on my car. It has less than 4,000 miles on it. It is already being worked on. The car barely gave me 10 seconds before it lost power, locked up and wouldn’t move. Yes. They told me the rear motor failed and needed to be replaced. Tesla inspected it themselves and confirmed the issue. Yes, they appeared 10 seconds before it died, I had no other warnings prior to that. This was extremely dangerous as I barely had time to get to a safe place.

9/7/2024

Specifically when in somewhat cool and cold temperatures the Front Drive Unit is emitting abnormal high pitched sound that is intermittent at times and that is causing a distraction while driving and is very bothersome. Tesla acknowledged they hear it but nothing is being done about. Front Drive Unit should be replaced.

1/31/2025

2 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS

4 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

12/26/2024 around 5-6pm, Full Self Drive abruptly tried to accelerate into the intersection while sitting at a stop light. I stopped it immediately but was very surprised as FSD v13 has been exceedingly reliable and a pleasure to drive. This is the 2nd time this has happened after the holiday update of FSD 2024.45.25.5 (v13.2.2). Both times mine was the lead car at the light with no others ahead of me. This behavior has been reported multiple times in social media groups this past week by other FSD users. I entered a Tesla service request but have not heard back other than an automated appointment scheduled at the service center 8 weeks from my request and the incident.

1/8/2025

This is the 3rd or 4th time I have observed sudden unexpected acceleration when at a full stop at a light while using FSD Supervised (v13.2.7 just updated). It first happened 2 or 3 times on FSD v13.2.6 when mine was the lead car at stop lights. This time I was at a stop light but obviously not the lead car. The truck in front of me was blocking view of the traffic lights. Each time, I have hit the brakes immediately, so I don't know if the vehicle would stop on its own during these situations, but I have no issues with it safely braking at any other time. Other than this intermittent glitch, FSD has been flawless on the HW4 next generation computer, which may lead to driver complacency not expecting this. I am reporting for awareness & hopefully correction. I have MP4 video files of the incident, but I cannot upload them here.

2/17/2025

2 more complaints are available in this category.

LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Incident Description: One week after purchasing our new Tesla Model 3 2024 , we encountered several error messages upon returning to our car after a brief stop: "APP_w264 - Lane Departure Avoidance feature unavailable," "GTW_w075 - Steering assist reduced," and "UI_a020 - Steering assist reduced." With no cell signal available, we had to drive back slowly with hazard lights on. The steering was extremely tight, making it very difficult to maneuver. Tesla Roadside Assistance suggested towing the car and using an Uber coupon, which was impractical due to our location in the outskirts of Vancouver, Canada, with no Uber services, and our home in Seattle, USA.We drove over 100 miles to the nearest service centre in Vancouver, posing a significant safety risk on curvy freeway roads. The service centre confirmed that the wire supplying power to the steering was cut due to contact with the fan, and they repaired the issue. Conclusion: The steering failure of our Tesla Model 3 was a major safety concern. Driving with impaired steering could have led to a severe accident. The issue was due to a design flaw, with the wire contacting the fan. We request a thorough investigation to prevent future occurrences and consideration for the inconvenience and risk we faced. Component/System Failure: The wire supplying power to the steering mechanism was severed due to contact with the vehicle's fan. Safety Risk: The steering became extremely tight, making large turns nearly impossible and small turns very difficult. This posed a significant safety risk, especially while driving on curvy freeway roads. Inspection & Problem Confirmation: The problem was confirmed by the Tesla service centre in Vancouver. They verified that the wire was cut due to contact with the fan. Errors: "APP_w264 - Lane Departure Avoidance feature unavailable" "GTW_w075 - Steering assist reduced" "UI_a020 - Steering assist reduced"

6/8/2024

My wife and I recently purchased a new 2024 model 3 Tesla with the Autopilot and Full Self-Driving feature. We chose this vehicle because my wife has a long daily commute and we wanted to make the drive easier for her. We test drove a similar model in early August. When we were testing the Full Self-Driving feature, the car failed to safely exit the freeway three times in our short test drive, causing my wife to have to take over. Both times, the car seemed to become confused by traffic cones as it prepared to exit the freeway, causing it to either miss the exit or to change lanes rapidly and unexpectedly, nearly colliding with other vehicles. When we reported this to the employees at the Tesla dealership, we were told that the car needed a software update to address the issue. It is now a month later and we received our vehicle a couple of weeks ago. I have not heard of the release of any software update addressing the issue we experienced. Given that this is the exact feature that prompted us to purchase the car and our intention was to make things safer for my wife, not the other way around, I would very much like to find out when this will be addressed. There are many drivers who currently use the Full Self-Driving feature and I am concerned that it is extremely unsafe.

9/8/2024

1 more complaint is available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The rear motor failed on my car. It has less than 4,000 miles on it. It is already being worked on. The car barely gave me 10 seconds before it lost power, locked up and wouldn’t move. Yes. They told me the rear motor failed and needed to be replaced. Tesla inspected it themselves and confirmed the issue. Yes, they appeared 10 seconds before it died, I had no other warnings prior to that. This was extremely dangerous as I barely had time to get to a safe place.

9/7/2024

Specifically when in somewhat cool and cold temperatures the Front Drive Unit is emitting abnormal high pitched sound that is intermittent at times and that is causing a distraction while driving and is very bothersome. Tesla acknowledged they hear it but nothing is being done about. Front Drive Unit should be replaced.

1/31/2025

1 more complaint is available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

About two weeks ago with driver set cruise control, the phantom braking was so severe that it took me down from 75 to around 15 if I remember correctly. The braking was so severe and at the same time self steered to the edge of the road along the guard rail that my body was unable to move quicker to correct the vehicle. Your system gets jolted violently without notice which takes a couple seconds to recover from and I decided to report this one after watching the San Francisco video. Fortunately, the two vehicles behind me were far enough away. This is absolutely not OK, I have had several severe braking incidents and each time it not only takes about 2-3 seconds to correct but also created back pain.

11/2/2024

The contact owned a 2024 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 65 MPH, and was driving on the exit ramp, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond. The contact's daughter stated that the brake pedal felt hard. The contact's daughter used the emergency brake but failed to function as intended. In addition, the steering wheel locked. The contact's daughter, to avoid hitting the vehicle in front, was able to pull over to the side of the road using excessive force on the steering wheel, and hit a tree, where it came to a stop. The driver-side air bags and side curtain air bags deployed. Three of the contact’s daughters were taken to the hospital by ambulance. The contact's daughter suffered three fractures in her left eye, three fingers on her left hand were fractured, and the seat belt left a burn on her neck. The contact's three other daughters were passengers inside the vehicle. The daughter who sat in the front passenger seat suffered hematomas on the abdomen and had bruises on her face, legs, and arms. The daughter who sat behind the driver in the back suffered injuries, scratches on the legs, the glass debris from the window caused cuts on the head, and had bruises on her chest and back. The daughter who sat in the front passenger seat was not seriously injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the towing yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company was notified. The contact filed a claim, and it was denied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied assistance. The failure mileage was 13,816.

8/27/2025

1 more complaint is available in this category.

SUSPENSION

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

Complaint: I took delivery of my new Tesla Model 3 on [XXX], and noticed it pulls hard to the right from day one. The steering shakes constantly, feels unstable, and loses traction—sliding sideways and lurching above 40 mph. It’s dangerous on highways; I’ve nearly lost control multiple times. Service wait times delayed my first visit over a month. Service History: Tesla Service, Dedham, MA, three visits: [XXX]: Techs confirmed pulling, performed alignment—issue unchanged. [XXX]: Pulling replicated, alignment redone—no fix. [XXX]: Supervisor test-drove, claimed no issues, said “normal operation,” and refused further action. Third-Party Input: On [XXX], Electrified Garage (Amesbury, MA), a Tesla/EV specialist, replicated the pulling, shaking, and instability. They suspect a suspension or steering defect (e.g., rack/control arm) and urged Tesla review, citing warranty coverage and parts limits. They called it a safety risk. Current State: The car’s unusable—shaking intensifies above 40 mph, slides unpredictably, and steering resists. I’ve stopped highway driving after near-misses. Tesla’s “normal” ignores this danger. Available for inspection on request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2/27/2025

Travelling south on [XXX]just south of [XXX] on [XXX] at [XXX]. Climate was medium-rain. Car began to hydroplane due to regenerative breaking. Lost control and began to swerve between lanes. Completely swerved 180 degrees so that car was facing wrong direct. Swerved back to right way on highway. No cars around and did not hit anything. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

10/3/2025

1 more complaint is available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I was in a drive thru of a fast food restaurant and the car rapidly accelerated on its own and crashed into a wall. The air bags deployed and we were injured. We also narrowly missed hitting a pedestrian. The car hasn’t been inspected by anyone yet, however it is available if someone wants to inspect it.

6/21/2025

The rear motor became completely disabled while driving. The rear motor suddenly made noise and locked up when I was driving about 10 mph. I received a red alert on my screen saying to pull over now and another alert saying the car is shutting off. The car suddenly stopped on its own before I could do anything. I then got a yellow warning message saying that the rear motor is disabled. I was luckily driving slowly in a parking lot when this occurred but if it happened on a public road, things could have gone much worse. I contacted Tesla support when it occurred but I cancelled the support request because the alerts went away once I exited the car. The vehicle drives normally but not sure if it will happen suddenly again.

7/19/2025

1 more complaint is available in this category.

AIR BAGS

3 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owned a 2024 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph and making a right turn, due to a blind spot, another vehicle driving at full speed almost crashed into the contact. The contact quickly steered the vehicle away, avoiding a collision with the other vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The contact ultimately crashed into a nearby light post. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The light post had fallen to the ground. There were no injuries or medical attention needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to a local Tesla dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed with a cause for failure. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,571.

7/22/2025

The contact owned a 2024 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH on the freeway, the central touchscreen interface displayed a blank screen. The contact mentioned the autopilot engaged independently, causing the vehicle to merge to the left and collide with another vehicle in front of the driver's side. No air bags deployed. The contact stated that she sustained injuries on the left side of her wrist and arms, and a bruise on her right arm near her elbow and upper right thigh swollen on her neck, shoulders, and full back and both hands are swollen. Medical attention was required. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a collision garage. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the dealer diagnosed and informed the contact to speak with a lemon law expert. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The contact stated the vehicle has been in the dealer over nine times. The manufacturer was notified and opened a case, then closed it. The approximate failure mileage was 9,611.

8/21/2025

1 more complaint is available in this category.

SEATS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2024 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that the driver lowered the front driver's seat using the seat adjustment mechanism while seated in the rear driver's seat. The contact stated that the front driver's side seat crushed his toe. The big left toe was crushed. The contact had to have medical attention. The contact stated that the medical attention consisted of an x-ray and pain medication. The contact stated that the injury was extremely painful. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.

7/15/2024

I was sitting in the back seat adjusting my seat belt. The person sitting in the front seat ahead of me was adjusting their seat position. When they did this, the steel seat mechanism came down on the big toe of my left foot. It crushed the toe so hard that I was not able to remove it from the lowering seat mechanism. This was extremely painful and required medical attention at urgent care and at my primary care physician. I consider this a serious safety defect and design error in this model and possibly other models of this car.

7/15/2024

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The buttons on the steering wheel stick and do not work. These include the turn signals and also bright lights and windshield wipers. They stick on my car, and I am renting a 2024 model 3 that they stick on as well. It’s not possible to signal a turn or wipe the windshield when this happens, which is a safety issue.

12/11/2024

The contact owns a 2024 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while using the right turn signal, the signal seized and failed to turn off and remained engaged. The vehicle was taken to the Tesla Service Center; however, the service tech was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The Tesla Service Center declined to provide a steering wheel replacement. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 1,800.

1/6/2025

WHEELS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

This is an ongoing issue since I bought this car. There is a vibration felt in the steering and throughout the entire car when driving both at low and high speed. It is felt more when driving at higher speeds.Does not seem to be an alignment issue. Car was taken to service center multiple times and will be going again in a few days to attempt to diagnose this issue. I do not know the source of this issue but it causes a lot of concern while driving. Unsure whether something will break apart or will lose control of car etc.

1/11/2025

Travelling south on [XXX]just south of [XXX] on [XXX] at [XXX]. Climate was medium-rain. Car began to hydroplane due to regenerative breaking. Lost control and began to swerve between lanes. Completely swerved 180 degrees so that car was facing wrong direct. Swerved back to right way on highway. No cars around and did not hit anything. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

10/3/2025

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

2 Reports1% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

When backing out, software doesn’t emergency brake or scream/beep/siren etc (no audible sound) when car is coming, just shows a red light on the screen. Every other manufacturer has this audible and emergency feature. My relative had hit their Tesla with another car since there was no beep or emergency braking with another car behind them. I have talked to many other people and they have said the same thing. It’s just a tiny red line that’s on the screen camera which makes no sense for a high tech car.

1/16/2025

In early 2025, while reversing the vehicle, the backup camera proximity alert system failed to provide audible warnings of an obstacle. The visual display worked, but the system provided no beeping or audible alerts as I reversed toward a pole in the vehicle's blind spot, even though I was within the range where warnings should have been activated resulting in over $4K in damages. The same alert failure happened on 10/23/25 as I backed out of a parking space. I no longer live in the local area, but reported the safety issue in person during a visit on August 27, 2025. The acting service manager told me to expect a response in 10-14 days. After not hearing back, I followed up via the app on September 28, 2025. When I received a response on October 2, 2025, I was told my request is beyond the timeframe of when this could be inspected (30 days). The vehicle is covered under Tesla's 4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which covers defects in materials and workmanship. A failed backup camera system is precisely such a defect. California Song-Beverly Act: California's lemon law (Civ. Code § 1790 et seq.) requires manufacturers to repair defects covered by warranty. There is no 30-day reporting requirement under CA law. Federal Safety Standards: The backup camera is required safety equipment under 49 CFR 571.111. A malfunctioning backup camera renders the vehicle non-compliant with federal safety standards. Presumption of Manufacturing Defect: Under California law, defects occurring within 18 months/18,000 miles are presumed to be manufacturing defects (Civ. Code § 1793.2(d)(2)). This accident was well within that window. When I reported this defect to Tesla, they initially refused to: Conduct a safety inspection of the proximity alert/parking sensor system Retrieve diagnostic data or video footage to verify the system failure Test or repair the defective equipment under warranty As of 10/30/25, the local dealer agreed to a vehicle inspection

11/3/2025

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Today is June 25,2024 I took delivery of my 2024 Tesla model 3 long range on May 26,2024. At time of delivery I visually observed crease in metal of rear right door and damage to paint after Tesla over polished the vehicle with electric equipment. Tesla representatives created a due bill for this repair but decided to do smaller repair by buffing & polishing door panel (and not address the physical crease damage observed on right rear door). Over past 28 days the left and right turn signal buttons located on steering wheel have frequently been inoperable while I drive vehicle. Unfortunately turn signals have failed to activate on multiple occasions while I was driving on highway and trying to change out of far left fast lane. Tesla Burbank service center was notified prior to my 1st scheduled service appointment on June 5,2024 that I experienced times while driving where left and right turn signal buttons didn’t activate after being pushed. Tesla elected not to do anything to resolve customer stated problem during the June 5,2024 service appointment. From June 5,2024-June 25,2024 I have sent 6 messages to Tesla Burbank service center with date and time stamp when turn signal buttons on steering wheel didn’t activate. Tesla Burbank service center feels that this car continues to be safe to drive. As vehicle owner it is my opinion that Turn signals not operating properly creates condition that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury if the vehicle is driven; Defective turn signal buttons are in vehicle owner opinion a Significant impairment of the motor vehicle Tesla should proceed to immediately recall 2024 Tesla model 3 vehicles to correct the operation of turn signal buttons.

6/25/2024

BACK OVER PREVENTION: AUTOMATIC SYSTEM BRAKING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

When backing out, software doesn’t emergency brake or scream/beep/siren etc (no audible sound) when car is coming, just shows a red light on the screen. Every other manufacturer has this audible and emergency feature. My relative had hit their Tesla with another car since there was no beep or emergency braking with another car behind them. I have talked to many other people and they have said the same thing. It’s just a tiny red line that’s on the screen camera which makes no sense for a high tech car.

1/16/2025

LANE DEPARTURE

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

See attached document for complaint.

2/21/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

See attached document for complaint

3/12/2025

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

Lost all cameras including rear view camera. Tesla diagnosed that I need to replace AP4 computer. This seems exactly like the case of 25V002000 with circuit board failure. But my VIN was not included in this recall, which seems to indicate that Tesla does not have complete understanding of the scope of this failure.

4/8/2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2024 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that whenever it rained, the horn was filling with water that was entering through the grill, and the horn would not function when needed. The contact stated that when the horn had dried out, the horn worked normally. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that water was leaking through the grill and causing the horn to malfunction. The dealer determined that the horn system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,500.

4/8/2025

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION

1 Report0% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

In early 2025, while reversing the vehicle, the backup camera proximity alert system failed to provide audible warnings of an obstacle. The visual display worked, but the system provided no beeping or audible alerts as I reversed toward a pole in the vehicle's blind spot, even though I was within the range where warnings should have been activated resulting in over $4K in damages. The same alert failure happened on 10/23/25 as I backed out of a parking space. I no longer live in the local area, but reported the safety issue in person during a visit on August 27, 2025. The acting service manager told me to expect a response in 10-14 days. After not hearing back, I followed up via the app on September 28, 2025. When I received a response on October 2, 2025, I was told my request is beyond the timeframe of when this could be inspected (30 days). The vehicle is covered under Tesla's 4-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle Limited Warranty, which covers defects in materials and workmanship. A failed backup camera system is precisely such a defect. California Song-Beverly Act: California's lemon law (Civ. Code § 1790 et seq.) requires manufacturers to repair defects covered by warranty. There is no 30-day reporting requirement under CA law. Federal Safety Standards: The backup camera is required safety equipment under 49 CFR 571.111. A malfunctioning backup camera renders the vehicle non-compliant with federal safety standards. Presumption of Manufacturing Defect: Under California law, defects occurring within 18 months/18,000 miles are presumed to be manufacturing defects (Civ. Code § 1793.2(d)(2)). This accident was well within that window. When I reported this defect to Tesla, they initially refused to: Conduct a safety inspection of the proximity alert/parking sensor system Retrieve diagnostic data or video footage to verify the system failure Test or repair the defective equipment under warranty As of 10/30/25, the local dealer agreed to a vehicle inspection

11/3/2025

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 2024 Tesla Model 3?

The most reported complaint category for the 2024 Tesla Model 3 is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, with 57 owner reports. That is about 21% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Are complaints about the 2024 Tesla Model 3 a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 92 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 2024 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 2024 Tesla Model 3 severe?

92 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
274
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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