NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Tesla Model 3. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
Driving S/B on Ann Arbor Saline Road. Had FSD on the Tesla engaged. Needed to make left turn onto Maple. Left arrow light to Maple was red. Traffic light to continue straight on Ann Arbor-Saline was green. Despite left arrow being red, Tesla did not slow and ran red light to make left turn onto Maple.
Both front wheel and rear rims cracked under normal driving conditions. This is the third occurrence of rim failure on this vehicle. The most recent incident occurred in Ewing, NJ near Parkside Ave and Hillcrest Ave. There was no significant impact or major pothole at the time of failure. Multiple wheel failures indicate a potential structural durability issue. Cracked rims pose a serious safety risk due to the possibility of sudden tire pressure loss or blowout while driving. The vehicle has been operated under normal road conditions, and this repeated failure should not occur. The damaged wheels are available for inspection upon request.
My wife was cleaning the interior and wiped the center main display of her model 3. While doing that somehow she managed to Turn the heat on set the fan/temp controls to HI and popped the front frunk to open. When she exited and closed all doors, it looks like the heat kept running at max for more than 24 hours in the garage. When I entered the garage it was hot in there and inside temp of the car was at 87f. Not sure if there was a fire hazard due to heaters over heat. Just wanted to bring this to your attention.
The touch-screen only media center has an off-by-one error when using the media player for USB media. This results in unsafe conditions for the driver where the expectation of pressing "S" would navigate to music starting with "S", but instead navigates to music starting with "T". This creates momentary confusion for the driver, and pulls focus from the road. There is no mechanism to scroll through the music using non-touch related functionality. There is no warning to only use the media feature when stopped/parked. The manufacturer has acknowledged the issue, but refuses to provide any diagnostics or solutions without taking a downpayment for service.
My Tesla Model 3 was brought to Tesla Princeton Service Center on February 27, 2025 for a 12V battery replacement. During the service visit, Tesla also replaced the rear glass, citing the rear defroster as the root cause of the battery drain — a repair that was added without prior discussion and increased the total invoice from an original estimate of $180 to a final charge of $1,730. Upon picking up the vehicle, the rear backup camera, blind spot cameras, navigation system, Sentry Mode, and windshield wiper sensor were all non-functional. None of these systems showed any malfunction prior to the service visit. Tesla Princeton’s service advisor denied responsibility without performing diagnostics, and in a subsequent message admitted he could not determine the cause with certainty without diagnostics — which have still not been performed. The vehicle was discharged from a licensed Tesla Service Center in a condition non-compliant with FMVSS 111. I have escalated this matter to Tesla executive leadership in writing and am filing this NHTSA complaint to create a federal record of this safety violation.
When adaptive cruise control is enabled (Autopilot, not equipped with Full Self Driving) car will sometimes brake hard as if there is an obstacle ahead, with the words "Curve Assist Active" flashing on the screen. Seems to happen most often on state highways, vs interstate. In one case last night car slowed from 65mph to 30mph, on a straight road, with no object ahead. Thankfully no cars were immediately behind or I would have been rear-ended. Happened 4 times in 500 miles of highway travel.
Issue 1: While using Full Self-Driving (Supervised) at night on a two-lane road with a straight lane and a turn lane, the vehicle crossed the white lane markings and drifted into the adjacent lane. I had to manually intervene to correct many times. This happens regulary at night. I clean the lenses on the cameras but it doesn't reslove the issue. Issue 2: While using Full Self-Driving (Supervised), the vehicle positioned itself in the incorrect lane when entering a roundabout, selecting the wrong entry lane for my intended exit. This happens at day and night about 50% of the time. I report the issue via the Tesla feedback, but they do not fix it.
Incident Date: Feb 1, 2026, 2:45 PM PST Location: Camarillo, CA (Pleasant Valley Rd & Village Commons Blvd) Description: The vehicle (Tesla Model 3, FSD Supervised) attempted an unprotected left turn. The system identified a gap but paused excessively before initiating the maneuver. After the pause—when the gap was no longer safe—the system proceeded to turn anyway, directly into the path of a speeding oncoming vehicle. The system failed to abort the maneuver after its own hesitation. It also failed to accelerate with the urgency required to clear the path. I was forced to manually override with emergency acceleration and steering into an oncoming lane to avoid a high-speed T-bone collision. This appears to be a "stale data" failure where the car executed an old plan that was no longer valid.
Sunday [XXX] downtown Sacramento, driving about 25 mph. Heard a loud bang—bolt sheared off front subframe. Steering felt lagging upon making a right turn vehicle proceeded in a very wide turn, pulled into parking lot. Wheel locked right as I exited [XXX] parking spot; steering went slack, brakes scraped rotor. Two witnesses saw hardware hit pavement. AAA tech removed tire: lower control arm bolt missing, no Loctite, subframe raw. Second bolt loose—single point of failure. Tesla missed this on six different service visits and during their one-twenty inspection before delivery. Recall 21V835 should’ve flagged it but service personnel assured me all clear on every visit . Vehicle towed to Tesla service center at 1104 Tinker rd, Rocklin, CA. Tesla shop manager Sal confirmed this failure as manufacturers defect, and poor assembly. Safety was seconds from total loss. Need probe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle made thunking noise when driving over uneven surfaces such as bumpy roads, speed bumps, or railroad tracks. Diagnosis at Tesla service center showed front upper control arms assemblies (left and right), lower lateral link, and front lower compliance link (left and right) required replacement. Of note: upper control arm assemblies were previously replaced under warranty in November 2021 at 28000 miles. This short interval indicates defective suspension components leading to cascading failures putting driver safety at risk.
Vehicle Information: 2020 Tesla Model 3 AWD (Leased) Full Self-Driving (FSD) enabled Summary of Safety Issue: While Full Self-Driving (FSD) was engaged, the vehicle failed to detect roadside infrastructure and collided with multiple fixed objects, including a route sign board, a walkway sign board, and an underground electrical cable. The system did not provide adequate warnings or corrective action before impact. System jerk the steering confirmed system is engaged but did not break and drive to non-drivable area and not given any disengagement warning and totaled the car. Incident Details: • Date of incident: [XXX] • Location: On [XXX] {XXX] Piscataway, NJ 08854 • Road type: [XXX] • Weather/visibility: Clear • Speed at time of incident: <40 MPH (under the speed limit) Description: As soon as i trigger the FSD it immediately tried to navigated left or right and failed and unexpectedly veered into roadside infrastructure. The system did not slow down, steer away, or alert the driver in time to prevent the collision. The impact caused significant damage to public property and the vehicle is totaled. No injuries occurred. Evidence Available: • Photos of the scene and damage • Police report (number: [XXX] • Tow documentation • Tesla collision center estimate Reason for Reporting: This incident suggests a potential safety defect in Tesla’s FSD system related to object detection, path planning, and collision avoidance. The failure occurred without driver input and raises concerns about the system’s reliability in detecting fixed roadside objects. I request that NHTSA review this incident as part of ongoing evaluations of Tesla’s driver-assistance systems. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2020 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus, VIN [XXX] restraint control module fault codes RCM_a056 and RCM_a058. Passenger front seat occupancy sensor failure triggering "Service Required" airbag system alert. September 2024: fault code RCM a056: Tesla repaired this issue under the Supplemental Restraint System Limited Warranty (5 years, 60,000 miles) at Tesla Service Latham NY (326 Old Niskayuna Rd, Latham NY 12110). January 10, 2026: Fault code RCM_a058. Reported in writing through the Tesla app. Tesla scheduled a service visit for January 13, 2026. Technician assessed the vehicle in person and declined to repair, verbally stating the fault may be a one-time occurrence and to monitor and return if it continued. April 2026: Fault continues recurring. Tesla Service Latham issued estimate #XXX dated April 18, 2026 for $1,076.32 customer pay. Repairs include resistive occupancy sensor replacement and seat back trim cover replacement. This is a safety-critical system governing airbag deployment. Tesla has documented this failure mode in internal service bulletins citing electrical interference in the seat harness as a design issue. Tesla repaired this under warranty, dismissed a related restraint fault for the same seat when reported within months of the repair, and is now billing the owner for a safety system that failed due to a known design defect. A recall is warranted. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The newer versions of FSD do not allow driver control of the max speed. The current versions allow you to set a maximum speed with a scroll wheel on the steering wheel.
The front suspension control arms on my 2020 Tesla Model 3 are squeaking and show premature wear. The noise occurs during normal driving and is accompanied by clunking, which concerns me about potential control arm failure and loss of vehicle control. My vehicle is only 40k miles and it’s a very common issue that Tesla gets to make money on. Kind of funny it happens to everyone right when the warranty ends. I am aware that this is a known issue affecting multiple Model 3 vehicles. Despite proper maintenance, the problem persists and may present a safety risk. I request that this be officially recorded as a safety complaint.
The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk became inoperable. The contact stated that the trunk latch failed to open when the trunk release was engaged using the mobile application, the instrument panel, or the trunk release button. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The contact was informed by the dealer that the cable harness was not repaired and that a zip tie was placed on the cable harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after the dealer visit, the trunk failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,125.
My Tesla Model 3 is experiencing premature suspension failures involving the lower lateral links and stabilizer links. These components were already replaced once, and they are failing again in less than 30,000 miles. This is not normal wear for suspension parts on a modern vehicle. These failures cause clunking, instability, and looseness in the front end—conditions that affect the vehicle’s ability to track straight and maintain control, especially over uneven pavement or during emergency maneuvers. This isn’t an isolated case. There are extensive reports from other Tesla owners across multiple models (Model 3 and Model Y in particular) showing the same premature wear on these suspension links. Many owners have parts failing even earlier. Once the car is out of warranty, Tesla charges thousands of dollars to replace these components, despite clear indications that the suspension was under-engineered for the weight of the vehicle. Tesla knows this is a recurring issue but refuses to issue a recall or goodwill repairs. A repeated failure of critical suspension links in such low mileage suggests a defect. These parts should not be wearing out this fast, and the resulting instability poses a real safety risk. I’m requesting NHTSA investigate these premature failures.
Air bags did not deploy during crash. It is available for inspection upon request My face smashed into the steering wheel resulting in black eyes, swollen nose, cuts on my face and a concussion. Yes, the airbags clearly did not deploy during crash No No
I recently purchased a 2020 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (VIN [XXX] internal systems and service records show that all recalls for this vehicle have been completed and closed. However, the NHTSA VIN lookup still shows seven open recalls. This is causing a major issue because I am participating in a California clean transportation incentive program (Replace Your Ride), which requires that all recalls be shown as closed specifically on the NHTSA website. Tesla states that the recalls are complete but has not updated the recall status with NHTSA. NHTSA customer service informed me that recall data can only be updated by the manufacturer. I am requesting that NHTSA notify Tesla’s regulatory or safety compliance team so they can update the recall reporting for this VIN. The outdated recall data is preventing my state incentive from being processed and is causing significant financial harm. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
While driving my Tesla Model 3 with self-driving engaged in excellent conditions, the car suddenly braked to a full stop. There was no apparent reason to do so and the driver did nothing. The road ahead was free of traffic, and no obstacles, pedestrians or animals were visible. It was possible to resume driving by turning self-driving off. Tesla forums online show many instances of others reporting similar problems in various Tesla models over several years. A rear end collision will ultimately be the result of this flaw if it hasn’t yet occurred.
The car has message saying "Safety Restraint System issue" . There has been no event to cause this. No recent MVA or any stress or damaging incident to the seat belt or seat in general. Reviewing this on the internet, this is a common defect on Tesla's. The company won't fix it unless you pay them to do so which is crazy considering it is a defect in their safety system. And a well known one to them from my communication with their Tesla service centers which have a monopoly on fixing Tesla's. He said there would have to be a recall. So that is exactly what needs to happen from the NHTSA.
The complaint was filed on behalf of the contact's daughter. The contact's daughter owned a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the contact's daughter was driving at 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the contact's daughter stated that the brake pedal felt spongy and unusual. The contact's daughter stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floor; however, the vehicle still did not stop. The contact's daughter enabled the emergency braking system; however, the vehicle still did not stop. The contact's daughter beeped the horn to alert the nearby driver, and the dash cam independently activated. The contact stated that because of the failure, the contact's daughter's vehicle rear-ended the vehicle in front of the contact's daughter's vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The contact stated that after the crash, the emergency braking system failure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned as a total loss by the insurance company. A Police report was filed. The contact's daughter was treated at the local hospital on the following day. The contact's daughter sustained headaches, whiplash, and a concussion. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
I am writing to formally report a critical safety incident involving my 2020 Tesla Model 3, where the bumper detached while driving through a puddle of water on Oct 9th, 2025. This occurred on a busy street, and fortunately, another driver alerted me just in time, averting a potentially serious accident. Following the incident, I arranged for my vehicle to be towed to a Tesla-authorized collision center and opened a claim with my insurance company. I have since learned that this issue is recognized internally by Tesla, as they have created a service incident regarding it, but have failed to communicate this to customers effectively. Tesla's lack of accountability is concerning. Despite repeated attempts to address this with their support and service teams, they have deflected responsibility and continue to downplay the seriousness of this matter, insisting I must rely on insurance to cover the costs. This situation raises significant safety concerns, not just for myself but for all Tesla Model 3 drivers. I urge NHTSA to take the following actions: 1. Investigate this safety issue regarding the bumper detachment on Tesla Model 3 vehicles. 2. Pressure Tesla to publicly acknowledge this known issue and take immediate corrective action to prevent future occurrences. 3. Ensure that affected customers are compensated for damages and repairs due to this defect. I appreciate your attention to this serious safety issue and look forward to seeing NHTSA hold Tesla accountable to protect all consumers and ensure vehicle safety. I have attached proof of diligent efforts on my part to get this resolved: - Claim number with Progressive - Communication with Tesla giving them proof of this issue - Earlier NHTSA bulletin acknowledging the issue and the Tesla internal service incident created for this issue. Thank you for your urgent attention to this matter.
Full Self Driving mode (with Hardware 3) consistently will enter the carpool lane when I am driving solo. In the vehicle navigation settings, I have, "use carpool lanes," unselected. It doesn't seem to use this input in it's decision to enter the carpool lane. Sometimes it is very quick to signal and then enter the carpool lane illegally that I can't respond quick enough to correct. However, it only seems to need 1 correction for it to ignore the carpool lane for the remainder of the trip. This then can/will repeat each new trip (it doesn't always occur for each new trip, sometimes it won't make an attempt to get into the carpool lane). I have sent Tesla dozens of recorded messages that it needs to be fixed. It will enter at an illegal point, crossing the solid line, this can sometimes be a dangerous maneuver as well as being illegal for a solo occupant. Also, I don't want to want to be ticketed. It's quite a stressful situation each time this occurs.
Incident #1 Vehicle sitting at a red light. After several seconds the vehicle operating under Tesla FSD suddenly started to drive as if the light had turned green, which it had not. I stopped it immediately. Incident #2 Vehicle was stopped a t a red light and started forward again as it the light had changed but had not. I noticed a flashing red light at the next intersection a few hundred feet away. So, I went around the block and tried again and it behaved the same. After a few seconds it started to go again. There was not another light near where the first incident occurred.
I have been getting an alert: Front passenger safety restraint system issue/Service is required. It has come on when there is no one in the seat and goes away shortly after I start to drive. I contacted Tesla and they sent an estimate to repair it which includes a bunch of different bolts, Passenger Airbag, Airbag Harmiss Retaining Clip. Also replacing Occupant Classification System (OCS) of Front Passenger Seat while Servicing Supcomponents. List of parts for that is First Row Seat Harness Assembly-Right Hand, First Row - Seat Belt Reminder Sensor Box Clip, First Row Occupancy. All of this will cost over $700 . Aren't these items required safety equipment that they should responsible to maintain? I have seen that there are a lot of other people having the same issue, I think that there should be a recall on this that they shoud have to pay for.
The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while attempting to exit a parking lot, the rear sensors failed to operate as designed. The contact stated that the rearview sensor failed to provide an audible warning, which resulted in the vehicle bumping into another vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,238.
Summary Complaint – 2020 Tesla Model 3 (VIN: [XXX] ) I am reporting a defect with the passenger side airbag system in my 2020 Tesla Model 3. Tesla Service identified the passenger airbag sensor as defective and quoted a $1,600 repair cost. This raises concern that the problem is not isolated, but may represent a broader safety defect affecting other Model 3 vehicles of the same year. Why this is a safety issue: - Airbags are federally required safety systems. A defective sensor risks non-deployment, delayed deployment, or incorrect deployment. - Tesla has already recalled 2020 Model 3 vehicles for airbag issues (twisted side curtain airbags – NHTSA Campaign ID 21V834000). - In 2024, a Model 3 recall was issued for a defective driver airbag module. - Other automakers (GM, Hyundai/Kia, Takata) have recalled vehicles for similar airbag sensor/module failures. Requested Action: I respectfully request that NHTSA: 1. Open a defect investigation into passenger side airbag sensor/module failures in the 2020 Tesla Model 3. 2. Require Tesla to issue a recall and provide free repairs if systemic defects are confirmed. 3. Ensure reimbursement for owners who have already paid out-of-pocket. Airbag integrity is essential. I urge NHTSA to investigate and protect the safety of Tesla Model 3 owners and passengers. Complainant Information: [XXX] [XXX] Phone: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Subject: Urgent Complaint Regarding Power Steering Failure in 2019 Tesla Model 3 Hello NHTSA, I am writing to file a complaint regarding a very dangerous situation I recently experienced with my 2019 Tesla Model 3. While driving on the freeway at approximately 65 mph, the power steering failed unexpectedly. I struggled significantly to change lanes in order to exit the freeway, and it felt as though my vehicle was going to collide with other cars. After managing to get off the freeway, I nearly hit the guardrail while attempting to turn onto a side street, creating a hazardous situation. I am deeply concerned about the potential consequences; for instance, what if I had struck a pedestrian, or if the car had collided with another vehicle at high speed? I live on a winding mountain road, where I could have easily driven off a cliff. Turning the car off and back on temporarily resolved the issue. However, there are numerous complaints regarding steering rack failures with Tesla vehicles. Tesla has quoted me $2,700.00 to fix what appears to be a known manufacturing defect. They are aware of this potentially hazardous situation but are not taking responsibility for the repairs. This is a serious safety issue, and I urge Tesla to accept responsibility and cover the repair costs before someone is seriously injured or killed—if such an incident has not already occurred. Please let me know what further actions I can take to facilitate Tesla's resolution of this dangerous problem. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely,
I am getting "Safety Restraint System Fault" on my car. This puts my family at risk if the safety features are faulty. When I contacted Tesla, they want me to drive 41(!) miles away and charge me almost $500.
Essentially, I find the lack of emergency, unpowered door release for the back doors a little concerning. There is no way to open the door in the event that all power to the door latch fails. Even in newer models (at least of 3/Y/Cybertruck, that i know of) the emergency release is buried under the cupholder liner in the rear seat. Here is a youtube video showing a homebrew retrofit. It seems like something like this should probably be provided to owners of this model of car. The internals of the door seem to make this feasible. [XXX] The front seats, on the other hand, have an easily accessed and intuitive emergency door release. I imagine that the rear seats differ from this model because of child safety locks. Just removing all emergency handles from the door seems like a pretty bad solution. I further understand that there are situations in which even an emergency door release will fail to open the door, and a glass break device is probably the ultimate recourse to this situation. But rear seat emergency egress really seems like a blind spot in NHTSA requirements at least. I shouldn't have to do an airline style safety briefing to my rear passengers in a consumer vehicle. Thanks for your time, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I received a proactive service alert from Tesla car stating: Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Issue. Tesla wants to charge me to fix this and said there may be issues with the restraint system, such as seats belts or airbags if I don’t pay out of pocket to fix it. This seems ridiculous I have to pay to fix this safety concern.. please issue a recall for this… seems a lot of people are getting this after researching on google and Reddit. Thanks
Experienced sudden unintended acceleration (SUA) while parking the car. Was pulling into a parking spot at a very slow speed, approx 5 mph and the car accelerated to an extremely high speed on its own without any input from me. Tried to brake to stop the car but the car did not respond or stop or slow down. Due to the SUA event, the car crashed into the side of a building, all air bags in the car were deployed, and the car is a total loss per insurance.
Software update was pushed onto my car, after the update the car autopilot ECU no longer works. When the ECU finally failed these features were stuck or are completely broken/not working: - Auto dim rear view mirrors (these were stuck in dim mode, preventing me from seeing in rain or darkened environments such as at night or under shade, 0% visibility under these conditions when changing lanes or reversing) - Rear view camera completely stopped functioning, as did all cameras on the car - Forward collision warning no longer works - Autopilot (ADAS features in general) no longer functioning including lane keep assist - On screen navigation is locked in place where the car failed (screen shows location where the car ECU presumably failed). I am further unsure if the following features function as required: - Airbag deployment - AEB (Automatic emergency braking)
Steering rack failed
Vehicle must have thought a shadow line in the road from a bridge indicated a wall I was about to hit, as it slammed on the breaks in the middle of the freeway. Car behind had to swerve to avoid. On the same trip, several nags of 'keep eyes on the road' were incorrect, as my eyes were directly on the road, but phone was in hand functioning as a microphone taking voice memos. Car proceeded to shut itself down while in the middle of the freeway, causing me to go slower than traffic and put me in danger as cars behind me had to swerve or lane change to avoid me as I tried to pull off to the shoulder. These forced shutdowns from incorrect 'nag fails' are causing safety issues. Nag failures should not forcibly shut the car down. Not sure if this is being enforced by NHTSA, or why Tesla is choosing to disable their auto steer or FSD when drivers are detected to be failing nags - nags should be there to help drivers, and potentially the nag data/cab video can be used after the fact should a user failing nags be involved in an accident for insurance dispute resolution, but shutting the cars down themselves is causing issues.
While driving south bound on [XXX] in Torrance and intending to go [XXX] , the GPS suggests to take a left turn for the ramp. The left turn is illegal. The ramp is on the right side of the road. With FSD, I have to intervene and take control. This has happened multiple times in last 1 year, since the time the ramp on right side was opened and left side became illegal. GPS data is wrong. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I am reporting a spontaneous windshield crack that developed on my 2020 Tesla Model 3 Performance under normal operating conditions. After exiting a routine drive-through car wash in Las Vegas on a hot day, I noticed a hairline crack in the windshield. It originates from the very bottom edge within the black ceramic frit area, curves upward, and spans across the glass. There are no impact points, chips, or pits of any kind. I brought the vehicle to Tesla Service, where the Service Manager visually confirmed it is a stress crack not caused by external damage. Despite this, they stated that Tesla does not offer goodwill or warranty repairs for windshields, regardless of the nature of the failure. This raises a serious safety concern. A windshield is a structural component of the vehicle and critical for driver visibility. A spontaneous failure like this without external cause compromises safety, especially at highway speeds. There are numerous reports of similar spontaneous cracks in Tesla Model 3 vehicles, often originating from the same area. This suggests a potential systemic defect in the design, installation, or bonding of the windshield. I am requesting that the NHTSA investigate this issue for safety implications and possible structural design flaws.
Automatic breaking was initiated as I was pulling in a driveway as I got closer to a large trashcan. The braking was aggressive and I now have concerns that it might've given me minor whiplash as it was so sudden. I have pictures of where I parked. I was about 6-8 feet away from the trashcan when the car automatically braked. I've pulled into this spot numerous times and never had this reaction.
I am writing to report a repeated and potentially dangerous defect in my 2020 Tesla Model 3. On four separate occasions, the front trunk (frunk) latch has opened on its own, without any input from me. This has occurred while parked in my garage and poses a serious safety risk, especially at highway speeds where the hood could flip up and obstruct the driver’s view. I am aware that Tesla has issued recalls for this exact problem involving the frunk latch mechanism on certain Model 3 vehicles. However, I have been told by Tesla that my VIN is not included in the recall, despite my car exhibiting the same malfunction. I brought my vehicle to the Carlsbad CA Tesla service center, but they found no issue and have since told me they consider the matter closed. I also want to note that I previously experienced a failure of the rear camera cable, which Tesla also initially claimed was not part of a recall—only to later repair it under warranty when the problem became undeniable. I believe this hood latch issue poses a critical safety hazard that may be more widespread than Tesla currently acknowledges. If the frunk opens while driving, it could cause a catastrophic accident. Tesla’s dismissal of this issue leaves me driving a car that could endanger myself and others on the road. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this defect and consider whether the existing recall should be expanded to include additional vehicles like mine. I would also like NHTSA to contact Tesla and direct them to address the situation in my vehicle…to do more than say “we could not reproduce the reported issue." Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
I have to pay over $1444 to Tesla to change the airbag because it is not working properly. Tesla will: Update front passenger Airbag to Maintain compatibility with front passenger seat. Replace Occupant Classification System (OCS) of Front passenger Seat. Install OCS filter module.
Tried to put on seatbelt and would not click locked. Have never had issues and nothing has changed that could cause any damage or malfunction. Nothing inside or stuck just won’t lock.
Airbags did not deploy when vehicle hit 75 ft highway guardrail driving over 70 mph. The car was totaled, the driver's head hit the steering wheel, requiring stitches. EMS and police at the scene were surprised to find airbags not deployed. Vehicle has been inspected by insurance. Manufacturer has not yet been informed, to my knowledge. There were no warning lights or messages indicating a problem with airbags or anything else for that matter. Driver was wearing seatbelt.
Front lower and upper control arms started generating noise around 100,000 miles. This was confirmed by an independent service center. So far, have spent $1400 on the lower control arms, only to find out that the noise is still there and the upper control arms need to be replaced as well.
License plate light has a recall
The front suspension is failing. I have already replaced the upper control arms. Now I need to replace the bushings on compliance and lateral linksare tearing. There have been recalls for this model and year, for this issue. My VIN, is not included in the recall. I was notified of the aditional needed repairs when I had the upper control arms replaced.
The Tesla windows have a window sensor in the door. It appears these fail. When they fail, the door does not shut securely. More specifically, it stays paritally ajar. I would like to report this a safety issue. More specifically, it is possible a passenger could fall out when the window does not shut properly. Additionally, it seem to impact the drivablity and safety. This should be considered a recall item.
Had to drive through water about 8” deep and while going through the water the rear bumper, and the skid plate underneath the car was yanked off breaking 2 brackets that hold the skid plate on and it broke the manufacturer welds on the other two brackets. This is a known defect with 2017-2019 but obviously it is also a defect with the 2020s.
Back and buttocks area suffered electrical burns and pain from Tesla Seat Heaters (in heated seats) twice 1. Happened in 2024 on temperature level 3 2 Although I turned it down it happened again in 2025 on temperature level 2
My Model 3 failed at under 50,000 miles and gave out a series of failure warnings. It was unable to drive anymore and steering became stiff and unresponsive. In researching this I see it is a common issue with hundreds of thousands of cars affected. And the NHTSA has an open investigation into it. Tesla as usual is denying the problem exists.
I keep receiving an alert: “Front Passenger Safety Restraint System Fault”. I contacted Tesla and they informed me that my airbag sensor needs to be recalibrated and may jeopardize a child sitting in the seat if the airbag is deployed. I understand that this is a common problem with the Model of Tesla.