NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2019 Tesla Model 3. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Broken control arms
Car is on cruise control on a two lane highway, posted speed 55 mph. It has ghost emergency stops on cruise control not auto pilot . My car doesn’t have it. It renders a simple feature unusable.
The “auto-defogger” came on when the windshield was not fogged up and started to fog up the windshield instead of de-fogging it. It remained on the rest of the day and the only way I could figure out to get my window to stop fogging up was to turn off AC entirely. If I turned it back on, it immediately started “auto-defogging” which just kept fogging up my windshield. It was a dangerous situation trying to drive while the car was fogging up it’s own windshield. I contacted Tesla to look into it and they would not look at it under warranty.
Yesterday I had the most frightening driving experience of my entire life. It was raining heavily and I was going about 35 mph on the local road in my model 3 standard, 3 years old. Suddenly I lost all traction and was slipping side to side +/-90 degrees from the direction of traffic. I immediately took my foot off the accelerator and tried to slow down but didn’t brake. I swung 180 degrees each way about 5 times. Luckily no one hit me but I was taking up all lanes as I careened all over the road. I can’t believe how easily the model 3 loses traction in the rain. This is unacceptable.
The rear windshield cracked with no impact, an interior stress crack on the bottom passenger corner formed. Researching this issue, I found many complaints with model 3 owners who have had this same issue with 2018 and 2019 model 3s. This seems to be a design flaw and quality issue with the glass Tesla uses.
While driving on the freeway tonight at about 11:45 pm with no one nearby and no shadows or debris in the road, the car on autopilot slammed on the brakes, taking the car from 68MPH to below 45MPH in less than a second, which could have resulted in a rear end collision had someone been behind the car. The car has done this many times in the past but this time was unusual in that three beeps occurred right as the car slammed on the brakes. I saved the video and will see if the video shows the incident.
Suspension lateral links attached to subframe became loose causing the lateral links to separate from the sub-frame. Wheel alignment shifted causing instability, which adversely impacted vehicle controllability and nearly caused a collision while driving. Problem was inspected, reproduced, and confirmed by the dealer/manufacturer/service center. Before the failure occurred, the primary symptoms were abnormal noises from steering/suspension area. Service center attempted to address these noises by inspecting and retightening the bolts, but unfortunately, this action did not resolve the issues and, eventually lead to a failure of the suspension system. It should be noted that parking brake functions and vehicle hold feature may have been affected by this failure. This incident may be associated with with the following recalls, NHTSA Recall: 23V-235 or Manufacturer Recall: SB-23-31-001. However, my VIN does not appear to be included.
1. Phantom braking while on autopilot in a freeway (I15, I215, etc) 2. Disengaging auto pilot when it is making a curve in a freeway to another freeway (San Diego freeway)
I was coming out of the park and getting on the main road, when the Tesla accelerated without warning in huge burst of speed. I don't use AutoPilot. I had to drive the car out of the road to avoid the incoming traffic and the Tesla hit a tree and a parked car. Then it came to a stop. Then the airbags also failed to deploy. I reported to the police .
I was driving with my 5 yo in a car. We had to swerve to miss a truck pulling out in front of us, and when we swerved slightly, the systems of the car shut down. I could not drive the car to get us out of the middle of the road, but I also could not put the car into park. In order to prevent the car from rolling down the hill with my daughter and I inside, I had to keep my foot on the break. The emergency flashers also did not work, so there was a material risk of being rear ended. The AC also stopped working. It was 100+ degrees outside. The doors and windows did not work, so we were trapped in a hot car, in the middle of the road, without emergency flashers. Tesla Roadside refused to come. They also refused to help me because the car was in my husband's name. My 5 yo daughter and I could have died either of suffocation or by collision.
Squeaking suspension not allowing for a safe drive.
When heavy down rain falls and the streets start to collect water of 1-2 or more the uderbody skid plates with collect water and the body panels fasteners will fail and the skid plate tears. This has happed twice since I've owned the car. This last time happed last week when a heavy rain came through. I'm now over my warranty but the problem keeps happening. Tesla has a bulletin specifically for this dated September 19, 2019 address this problem. Tesla TSB SB-19-12-00. Tesla service in Austin, TX is denying my car a replacement skid pad since I'm at 55,000 miles, just 5K past my warrenty. Even though they know this part will fail if the car happens to go through enough water from a heavy rain. If this part is not replaced water can then get into the rear bumpers and then cause them to be ripped off which could then cause an accident if this were to happen at hwy speeds.
Frontal head-on collision - I went too fast while making a left turn (at least 50mph) - vehicle drifted and I lost control and it hit a lamp post - damage was pretty severe in front left drivers side of car but airbag never deployed
My friend was driving the car (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The Tesla attempted to cut across the freeway while merging from the on-ramp. The auto-steer function attempted to drive perpendicular to the on-ramp and cross the lanes on the freeway, forcing the driver to disengage Full Self-Driving mode to avoid a collision with high-speed traffic approaching from the rear. The extremely dangerous event was recorded by using a GoPro camera, and a link to a video of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/729927123/a5cd8eeb15 The car was originally positioned in the wrong lane of the on-ramp, and then suddenly lurched to the left while making the right-hand turn to merge with the freeway. With traffic approaching at such a high speed, the sudden movement into the middle of the freeway was highly dangerous and the FSD Beta 10.12.2 did not give the driver much time to react.
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. While FSD Beta was engaged, the road transitioned from being single lane and one-way only to two lanes and with traffic travelling in both directions. As we travelled over an intersection, the Tesla ignored this change in its surroundings and proceeded to travel in the wrong lane, towards oncoming traffic. Its failure to read road markings could have seriously endangered the driver and other road users. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/733967979/01bc3c3795
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The Tesla was in traffic waiting to turn left at an intersection. As the vehicle made the turn it decelerated from 18mph to 10mph at a secondary red light - for no reason. The driver had to take control of the vehicle in order to maintain progress and not cause a hazard to other road users. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/729935224/032493c7fd
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The vehicle was travelling at 21mph approaching a railroad crossing in moderate to busy traffic. The crossing was open. The Tesla slowed quickly to 7 mph for no reason. The driver had to take control of the vehicle in order to maintain progress and not cause a hazard to other road users. A link to the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/729934579/b3e3d6438a
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. While FSD was engaged, the driver approached a road closure sign due to road works occurring. Ignoring these well-marked signs, which clearly said 'Road Closed', the Tesla proceeded past these signs until the driver had to perform a stop to prevent the vehicle from colliding with the road works. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/733970645/9ef2ad21d2
I was driving on Tesla “autopilot” and instead of noticing the exit from freeway , the car thought it was still on freeway as it had to take the next exit, it just on full speed went into the exit, it did not break or slow down and just before the sharp exit turn on 65 mph it just disengaged autopilot with message “system error “ luckily I was aware and was able to avoid a major crash . If I was a second late, the car would have gone through the road barrier. I’m sure if I had a crash Tesla would find reasons to blame me for the crash even though it was its software. Autopilot is junk piece of software with little regards to customer safety. I am not sure how something like this is even allowed to be sold and used on public roads
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. While cruising at 30 mph the vehicle crossed a solid white line veering left into a bike lane. The vehicle then corrected itself, though this is an incredibly dangerous defect which could seriously endanger cyclists and other road users. This is a consistent error which is committed by Tesla Full Self-Driving Beta version 10.12.2 software. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/733576651/b62fd06772
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. Whilst preparing to make a right turn the vehicle moved lanes too quickly, at just under 20 mph, and came very close to parked vehicles before correcting and completing the manoeuvre. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/733575296/1285b49f58
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The vehicle, when FSD was engaged, made a left turn at an intersection when in the right turn lane. Its lane position was entirely incorrect, and is a consistent failure within this software. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/733571685/fb22a84a02
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. Whilst indicating to turn left the vehicle carried on straight. The driver had to disengage from FSD mode and complete the turning. The unexpected late deviation from its plotted course gave the driver very little time to respond, and presented a potential hazard for other road users. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/733569655/e65e5888e5
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. While travelling at 32 mph the vehicle moves to the right in preparation for an upcoming right turn. However, there is a parked truck in the lane the Tesla intended to enter, and the vehicle passes far too close to it before over-correcting and veering back into the original lane before once again moving back to the right-hand lane. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/733567653/6d929fc7d6
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. While FSD Beta was engaged, the driver approached an intersection, the FSD stopped correctly to yield to oncoming traffic on a one-way street. The vehicle was travelling across the intersection according to its navigation. There was also a cyclist ahead of the Tesla at the intersection. As the cyclist entered the intersection, the Tesla followed and attempted to travel around the cyclist to complete the manoeuvre and continue travelling straight ahead. However, the Tesla then deviated from its course and instead travelled left at the intersection, travelling the wrong way on one-way street, causing the driver to perform an emergency stop and reverse out of the dangerous situation. The Tesla appeared to panic at the presence of the cyclist when attempting to travel around it, and then headed directly into oncoming traffic while travelling the wrong way up the one-way street. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/733972674/ce244b3a69
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The Tesla fails to slow down when approaching a curve in the road resulting in taking the corner far too quickly, despite the fact that there is a sign by the road warning drivers to slow down to 15mph. Tesla also failed to recognise the change in speed limit due to a blind turn in the road approaching, the car continued to go at a rapid speed (30mph) and even turned left when the road curved toward the right, leading to the driver taking control to steer the car back on path. During the turn, the Tesla was engaged in FSD Beta 10.12.2 and crossed the dividing line into the opposite lane. If another vehicle was approaching this incident would have resulted in a collision as the Tesla strayed into the path of oncoming traffic. A link to a clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/730269602/ae8bd9f3b1
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The vehicle completed a right turn at an intersection then veers to the left, encroaching into the next lane. The FSD display shows no vehicle present at the driver's side left, but the driver had to take back control of the vehicle in order to avoid a collision as there was a car in the lane the Tesla was attempting to enter. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/732403629/851c8377fc
My friend was driving the vehicle (Tesla Model 3, 2019) while Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode was engaged. The FSD Tesla makes a left turn at an intersection on a protected left turn, but slows down considerably just before the traffic lights - which did not apply to the Tesla but rather the traffic from the opposite side of the intersection - after making the turn, stopping in the middle of the lane. The driver disengages and accelerates to complete the manoeuvre, to avoid a rear collision. The Tesla may have mistaken the red traffic light showing for other traffic as one it should pay attention to, almost causing a collision and displaying the inadequacies of its vision and cameras. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/732401882/8837a257a0
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. As the vehicle approached a rail crossing, with lights indicating it was safe to cross, the vehicle rapidly reduced speed from 21 mph, creating a hazard for the vehicles behind. The driver had to take back control of the car to mitigate the risk of a collision. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/732400249/c1dbfe39dd
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. Entering an area where there were roadworks, at more than 30 mph, in FSD mode the vehicle veered to the right into a lane that was closed off. The driver had to take back control of the vehicle and put it back into the correct position on the road to avoid colliding with the concrete barriers in the road works. A link to a clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/732399072/8ae3aeaaee
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. Cruising at 49mph on a road that was opening up from one lane, into two, the vehicle veered to the right where a cyclist was present in the cycle lane. The driver had to take action to ensure the vehicle did not come too close to the cyclist. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/732397659/c27b5b751d
The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the Forward Collision-Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking was disabled independently. The contact stated that the Forward Collision-Avoidance warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was driven to work safely. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 89,050.
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The vehicle was negotiating a series of bends and sharp corners travelling at speeds between 11 mph and 34 mph. The vehicle failed to respond to changes in the speed advice signs telling the car to slow down for sharp corners, taking corners too fast, and crossing the median line into the oncoming lane. The driver had to take action to adjust the lane position of the vehicle to avoid a collision. A link to a clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/730270943/1bdcab7a7a
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The vehicle approached a stop sign ahead of a single lane bridge at 14 mph. The vehicle braked and left the road coming to a halt on a private driveway. In FSD mode the vehicle attempted to approach a metal gate. The driver had to disengage FSD mode to safely manoeuvre the vehicle. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/730266676/f170446e7d
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. Whilst travelling at 24mph the FSD informs the driver to “avoid traffic cones” and brakes to 12mph for no apparent reason . The video of the incident clearly shows there were no traffic cones to avoid. The vehicle automatically disengages from FSD mode whilst crossing an intersection, creating a hazard for other road users. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/730258398/e0f8b28291
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The vehicle was stationary at a “no right turn on red light” intersection. In spite of the sign, in FSD, the vehicle took the turn in “autopilot creeping forward” mode, making an illegal turn on a busy intersection. Please see a link to a clip of the incident below: https://vimeo.com/731427985/e4d022bdea
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. Travelling on a narrow and winding road the driver had set the max speed to 20 mph. After re-engaging FSD mode the Tesla “reset” the max speed to 35 mph. Clearly too fast for the road conditions, the vehicle had difficulty negotiating the road safely and almost veered into the wrong side of the road. A link to a clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/731691467/e336068d60
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The vehicle was travelling at approx 35 mph - too fast for a narrow and winding road. The vehicle crossed the central line into the oncoming lane and a moment later veered towards the right - nearly making contact with the curb and causing a collision. The driver had to take back control of the vehicle. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/731689228/485219aa71
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The vehicle was cruising at 35 mph whilst indicating right as per the Sat Navigation instruction. In FSD mode the vehicle ignored the junction and continued straight ahead, deviating from its plotted course on the navigation. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/731688075/d3f31fd060
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. Cruising at 30 mph, on a very straight road, the vehicle twice veered across solid white road markings and into the cycle lane before correcting. This is a repeated problem with FSD Beta 10.12.2 and presents a very real danger to cyclists. A link to a clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/731686163/0ec7f7f428
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The vehicle was travelling at speeds between 12 to 18 mph. As two lanes merged into one the Tesla came dangerously close to the vehicle in front and the driver had to take action in order to avoid a collision. A link to a clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/731683998/17e89131be
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The vehicle failed to recognise a speed limit change approaching a sharp left turn. The vehicle took the turn too fast at 29mph veered into the oncoming lane. The quick reactions of the driver, who took control averted a collision. There is Go_Pro video of the incident here https://vimeo.com/736115753/289c3413e9
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. At 25 mph the vehicle veered across two solid white lines and into the cycle lane. There is Go_Pro video of the incident here. https://vimeo.com/736112946/2d0d7a4ed3
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. At approx 20 mph the vehicle entered a stretch of road works with temporary signage and cones. The vehicle performed an emergency stop for no reason to the frustration of other road users. The driver had to take control of the vehicle. There is Go_Pro video of the incident here. https://vimeo.com/736110202/bcedc1c516
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. At 10mph the vehicle attempted to change lanes whilst there was another vehicle in the other lane. If the driver had not intervened there may have been a collision or the other vehicle would have to brake hard to avoid contact. There is Go_Pro video of the incident here. https://vimeo.com/736107290/2a01155c84
My friend was driving my Tesla Model 3 while Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 was engaged. The Tesla Full Self-Driving Beta software caused the car to stop at right turn onto highway on ramp and hesitated whilst it waited for traffic to pass, causing a queue of cars behind it and frustrated drivers honking their horns. The Tesla could have taken the turn into the right hand lane and merged ahead. Instead, it pulled out into the turn lane while traffic was passing and had to steer around the Tesla to avoid colliding with it. Please find a link to the clip of the incident below: https://vimeo.com/729932395/315ccb9ffb
My friend was driving my car (a Tesla Model 3) at the time of this incident. At the time of the incident the Tesla’s Full Self-Driving Beta system (version 10.12.2) was active. The Tesla fails to slow down when approaching a series of sharp bends in the road resulting in taking the first corner far too quickly. The posted speed limit according to the sign was 15 mph, however, the Tesla was travelling at approximately 30mph, double the posted speed limit. The Tesla therefore drives into the turn too widely and tries to steer into the oncoming traffic lane, forcing the driver to intervene quickly to correct the manoeuvre and reposition the car back into the lane. During the entire incident, the car was travelling, autonomously, at 25mph. Please see below a link to a short video showing this incident: https://vimeo.com/720341558/004264b711
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The vehicle was travelling at 29 mph, slowing to 15 mph, as it approached an intersection on a dual lane highway. As the vehicle slowed it veered to the right, crossing into the adjacent lane, even though there was another vehicle present. The driver had to intervene and take over control of the vehicle from FSD mode to prevent the risk of a collision. A link to the clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/731425264/4b09cb1e7a
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. Whilst cruising at 30 mph the vehicle leaves its lane crossing two solid white lines and veering into the adjacent cycle lane before correcting and returning to the original lane whilst maintaining speed. A link to a clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/731422280/c39fc14a23
My friend was driving the vehicle (a 2019 Tesla Model 3) while it was engaged in Full Self-Driving Beta 10.12.2 mode. The vehicle approached an intersection, on a bend in the road, at more than 30 mph and braked to a near halt whilst in the middle of the intersection. The speed limit is signed at 15mph. The vehicle then proceeds in FSD mode and takes another corner 5 to 10 mph in excess of the speed limit of 20 mph. A link to a clip of the incident can be found below: https://vimeo.com/731419136/51bfb24df3
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026