Complaint volume
983 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2018 Tesla Model 3 Complaints
983 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Tesla Model 3, grouped by component category.
983 Total complaints
100 Crash reports
4 Fire reports
34 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are suspension, unknown or other, forward collision avoidance. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 100 crash reports, 4 fire reports, 34 injury reports, and 0 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 219 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 25,782 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to suspension, unknown or other, forward collision avoidance?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2018 Tesla Model 3?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2018 Tesla Model 3
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2018 Tesla Model 3 complaints?
100 Crash
4 Fire
34 Injury
0 Fatality
63 Towed
19 Medical attention
What are the most common 2018 Tesla Model 3 complaint categories?
SUSPENSION 116
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 82
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 73
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 49
AIR BAGS 42
SEAT BELTS 39
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 34
STRUCTURE 27
STEERING 26
AIR BAGS,SEATS 20
983 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On several occasions while driving with autopilot on the car has suddenly and inexplicably braked HARD while at highway speed. Each time there was nothing in the road, no car, no obstruction, no anything, but it was as if the car saw something that wasn't there and jammed on the brakes. I quickly took back over and returned to highway speed. Luckily we were not in heavy traffic or I would have been concerned about being rear-ended by another vehicle. I don't do a lot of road trips with the car and have used autopilot less as a result, but I would guess it has happened 4-6 times since I have owned the vehicle. I just thought it was a glitch that they would work out but just saw reports of others still experiencing this issue so thought I should report it so you were aware of the breadth of the problem. The date below is a total guess as to the last occurrence. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE,LANE DEPARTURE | the car tart to have sudden unintended acceleration at low speed after fully charge. The car will stop at the road Suddenly. leave car and back. The AC run for 1 min and shut down. I heard a sound which is from battery switch. 9/21, 11:15 am It happened again. I hear a sound and the car show alert. “”Pull over safely” — The autopilot system will slow down a lot passing a bride, even there is no car in the road. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The software on the car is and has always been updated to the latest standard. Driving on east and westbound on US 60 near Phoenix and Mesa AZ the car will emergency brake from time to time. This condition has continued for years off and on and is still happening as of this week. Generally speaking it appears to be caused by shadows from the overpasses and is far more prevalent at low sun angles that create significant shadows leading up to those overpasses.. I don't recall it happening after dark. On several occasions I have submitted "bug" reports via Tesla's online automated system. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I read in the news that you are investigating phantom braking in cars without radar. I want to make sure you are aware that this is also affecting cars with radar. Each software update makes it worse as they seem to use the radar less and less. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | “Phantom emergency braking” problem while autopilot engaged. Will go from 65 to 45 or sometimes lower. Occurrences are unpredictable. There are no apparent causes. If I set driving speed to be 65, I expect it to remain at 65 unless adaptive cruise control reduces the speed for a slower moving car in front of me or if there is a detected potential for a collision. This problem causes driver anxiety. The fear is someone behind who is not paying attention or following too close rear ending the vehicle if it brakes suddenly. Sometimes I wonder if a bug hit a sensor or camera and caused the braking, but it doesn't always happen in the same location. It's jarring. I've tried adjusting other settings like crash avoidance detection, but it hasn't made any difference. This has been happening since taking delivery of the car, but I expected a software fix to be implemented before now. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH with the Autonomous Self Driving function engaged, the vehicle would intermittently brake. The contact stated that the failure only occurred while on autopilot. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was erroneous because there was no other vehicle in close proximity. The local dealer was contacted and it was confirmed that the failure was common however, there was no current fix. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 28,000 |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While using Autopilot adaptive cruise control at speeds of 50-70 mph, the car suddenly applies the brakes even though there is no car or other hazard anywhere near the car. This phantom braking has been happening since I bought the car in 2018. I imagine it's a software problem. I read recently that NHTSA is investigating a similar problem on 2021 and 2022 Tesla Model 3s, so wanted to let you know that this problem is also affecting my 2018 model. Also I read that there's speculation that the problem was as a result of a software update over the past year, but in my vehicle the phantom braking has occurred since 2018. The problem most recently happened last week. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Tesla FSD beta/ autopilot has frequent phantom braking. Sometimes for oncoming traffic in opposing lane or because of parked cars or even a shadow or nothing at all. It’s dangerous especially when it slams on the brakes so hard items in car will fly to the front. Could cause rear end collision or startle driver and cause them to react poorly. I have been doing bug reports and sending emails to Tesla FSD beta team since 11/2021 after each new update and it has never been resolved even remotely to an acceptable safe feeling product for use. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The car breaks automatically when neighboring cars drive by during autopilot. I have a family of 4. This appears to happen when using autopilot almost every single time. It has gotten worse over the years. This car is becoming dangerous. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The car has been suddenly slowing from 70miles/hr to 50 miles/hr on the highway when on autopilot. I’ve been noticing this for about 6 months | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | As others have reported, please add my 2018 Model 3 to the list of reports of the vehicle having constant phantom breaking issues that Telsa needs to address. I'm glad you are conducting this investigation. Most times phantom breaking occurs I submit a "Bug Report" using the voice button in the car that sends car logs directly to Tesla so they will have records of these phantom breaking issues at the exact time and location my car experienced it. While it is random it also is very predicable at certain spots on highways I drive in the Bay Area. Namely 680 South in the HOV lane right before the Mission Blvd. exit. At least 90% of the time even I'm the only car in that stretch of road the car breaks hard for no reason. It is occurs so often in that section that I typically disconnect the Advanced Cruise Control in sections as well as other section of the Bay Area where phantom breaking consistently occurs. Two of my neighbors also have M3's and we have compared notes and we all typically see phantom breaking occur in similar areas in the Bay Area. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While driving to work, in 2021, I had experienced sudden deceleration and disengagement of the autopilot. It happened a few times. I have ignored it thinking it to be an electronic glitch. I did not know how to report to Tesla. But since I was sharing my data with them, I thought they will pick up some issue and alert me if there is really something malfunctioning. But I just found out that other customers has had similar issues and that I could report it to NHTSA, therefore I am reporting it albeit delayed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated to 40 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle responded and accelerated as needed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer also informed the contact that the failure was a known issue and that the manufacturer had been made aware of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,484. | Crash: No Fire: No | 14,484 |
| Feb 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Car constantly phantom braking seemingly because of oncoming traffic safely in their own lane. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds with the vehicle in auto pilot mode, the vehicle would erroneously reduce speed and on occasions nearly come to a complete stop. On one occasion while driving approximately 70 MPH, the speed was suddenly reduced to 10 MPH. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 5,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 5,000 |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On multiple occasions while my car was in Autopilot mode on highways and at highway speeds, I have experienced rapid braking (phantom braking) when there was no apparent reason for such. All of the phantom braking events have occurred on sunny days, usually around mid-day. Most often, the events have occurred when approaching a bridge or overpass. My supposition is that the system is mistaking dark shadows under bridges as obstacles that need to be avoided. As a result of the frequency of these events, I no longer use the system on sunny days. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My 2018 Tesla model 3 experiences “PHANTOM BRAKING” specifically and repeatedly traveling eastbound on the Loop 202 approaching 32nd street in Phoenix AZ. I have reported this issue to Tesla with no resolution. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES | Phantom braking- was driving at 65mph and car hard braked and decreased to 55mph in 1 or 2 seconds | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On several occasions, with Autopilot engaged my 2018 Tesla Model 3 has strongly applied the brakes while traveling at highway speeds, despite the fact that there were no obstacles up ahead. This has occurred throughout my ownership of the vehicle, and in each instance, it has been extremely unsettling. It required me taking manual control of the vehicle in order to return to highway speed. I do believe that on these occasions my safety and that of my passengers and other motorists has been at risk. It is worth noting that each time this has occurred there has been an overpass up ahead. I have hypothesized that the Autopilot interprets either the overpass or the shadow cast by the overpass as an obstruction. In my experience there is an apparent correlation here that is worth exploring. I was motived to report my experience after reading today's NY Times article (2/17/2022) about "phantom braking". The article indicates that you are "focusing on Tesla Model 3 compact sedans and Model Y hatchbacks that were made in 2021 and 2022 and sold in the United States." Based upon my experience, you may need to you broaden your inquiry to include other model years. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1. Phantom Breaking when on Adaptive Cruise Control. 2. Many times , unexpectedly there will sudden application of brakes, or slowing down of car when on highway and with speed in range of 55-65 mph. 3. Mostly this happens when big truck comes in front or passing thru a bridge. 4. Many times I am not able make any reason of this sudden brakes. 5. Many times due to sudden deacceleration , I have a car following in back, came very close , and honking. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I drive along the highway and all of a sudden while I'm in adaptive cruise control my car brakes suddenly for no reason. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SUSPENSION | On January 11, 2022 I was driving in Live Oak, Florida with my cousin when my left lateral link came loose from the chassis. The left driver’s side tire turned to the right and the linkage arm dug into the ground causing the car to veer right and bringing the car to an abrupt stop. By the grace of God we were driving in town and only going about 20 mile per hour and no one was hurt but the front driver’s side tire was shoved against the wheel well. The driver’s side door can’t be opened as a result of the left front quarter being pushed into the driver’s door which may indicate frame damage. This appears to be a manufacturer’s defect and I have found that there is a recall of 2019-2020 Model 3’s and 2020-2021 Model Y’s ( https://insideevs.com/news/544553/tesla-recall-suspension-issue-december/) for this same defect. I have a 2018 Model 3 that was delivered late in 2018. I was not informed of this recall and had not idea that this was a safety hazard. As I stated above, no one was injured in this incident. However, if I had been on the interstate going 70 miles per hour, this could have been fatal. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Consistently reverse backup camera is delayed appearing on screen. Camera views will be black for several seconds before video feed appears. After video feed appears it consistently freezes initially and then stutters when vehicle is in reverse motion. This legally required safety device puts pedestrians or property at risk as visibility is severely hampered. While over the shoulder visual checks can still occur a functional reverse camera provides additional visibility for shorter objects or children. No warnings appear, just degraded ability to view behind vehicle. Has happened over several years with various software versions, but lately has been consistently bad every time the car is put into reverse. Unclear if this is software only or a combo of hardware and software not being able to reliably handle reverse camera video feed. Current software is 2021.44.30.5 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When driving on autopilot on highways phantom breaking occurs for no reason. There are no warnings, the car just slams on the brakes. Elon Musk has state they were removing radars from cars to eliminate this issue and disabling it in cars with that hardware, but since my car have gone to all vision it is much worse. While following vehicles should always follow at a safe distance to prevent collisions, the reality is most drivers follow too closely and this could very easily result in a rear end collision. It could also trigger road rage from following drivers assuming the driver is doing a brake check on them. This has occurred numerous times over various software versions, but its much worse with the pure vision version of autopilot. Current software is 2021.44.30.5 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Tesla -- Front Driver Door Damage January 9, 2022. I recently had an accident with my 2018 Tesla Model 3 attempting to back out of my garage. On January 9, 2022, I put the car in reverse and started to back up the car when I noticed a potential obstruction. Alarmed, I jumped out of the car to move the obstruction behind the car, but in my haste I did not place the car in park. The car continued in reverse without me in the car. I quickly jumped back into the car to apply the brake and place the car in park. I was too late: the open car door hit the center post in the garage destroying the driver’s door. It all took place within one or two or, at the most, three seconds. The damage included a crumbled aluminum body panel, damaged hinges and damaged support beam. Total repair cost is $2900. I am surprised my Tesla Model 3 would continue to move in reverse without anyone in the driver's seat. Is this normal operation for Teslas? Is this a normal operation for other cars? (I have 2019 BMW X3 which immediately shifts from Reverse to Park when the car driver’s door is opened.) I believe this could have been a very dangerous situation. I have been advised that I should not have gotten back into the moving car, but I don’t know how much more damage could have resulted had I not been able to stop the car when I did. -------- 1. Car continued in reverse after I left car. 2. Dangerous jumping back into a moving car as car door is hitting garage support column. 3. The problem has not been reproduced. 4. Several auto repair shops provided estimates for repair. The car is at one of the auto repair shops now for repair. 5. There were no warning lamps, messages or other notifications. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |