Complaint volume
984 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
984 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2018 Tesla Model 3, grouped by component category.
984 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
984 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2019 | AIR BAGS | FREQUENT ERROR STATING "FRONT PASSENGER SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM FAULT", WITH A RED INDICATOR FOR THE AIRBAG ON DISPLAY. ERROR OCCURS AT ANY TIME, STATIONARY, IN MOTION, ON A CITY STREET AND A HIGHWAY. SEE ATTACHED PHOTO | Crash: No Fire: No | 8,000 |
| Jun 2019 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | I FOUND A STRESS CRACK ON MY REAR WINDSHIELD, WHICH THE TESLA SERVICE CENTER IN SAN RAFAEL, CALIFORNIA DENIED WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECT IN THE GLASS. MY SERVICE ASSOCIATE, PATRICK GERETY WAS PARTICULARLY UNHELPFUL AND I AM LODGING A COMPLAINT DIRECTLY WITH THE MANAGER OF THE CENTER, ASTON MARTIN (NO, REALLY), AS WELL. MANY OTHER TESLA MODEL 3 CAR OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING FAILURES IN THEIR REAR WINDSHIELDS. SOME ARE BEING REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT MANY - LIKE MINE - ARE BEING DENIED. IN SOME CASES, THE FAILURE SEEMS TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH THE REAR WINDSHIELD HEATING SYSTEM. I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT. I'M UPLOADING A PORTION OF THE INVOICE ALONG WITH THIS DESCRIPTION. NOTE THAT THE CAR WAS STATIONARY AT THE TIME THAT THE CRACK WAS DETECTED. | Crash: No Fire: No | 11,000 |
| Jun 2019 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | IN ORDER TO CANCEL CRUISE CONTROL OR AUTOPILOT IN A TESLA MODEL 3, THE PRIMARY MECHANISM IS TO PUSH THE RIGHT STALK UPWARDS AS FAR AS IT WILL GO. HOWEVER, PUSHING THE SAME STALK UPWARDS ONLY PART OF THE WAY WILL CAUSE THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THIS CAN CAUSE A DRIVER TO PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE IT IS UNDERWAY. THIS IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS IN A TESLA BECAUSE IF THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL REGENERATIVE BREAKING IS DISABLED AND IT IS THE COMMON DRIVING HABIT TO USE REGENERATIVE BREAKING AS THE PRIMARY BRAKING MECHANISM. ESSENTIALLY, A DRIVER CAN ACCIDENTALLY MAKE THE CAR UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND UNABLE TO USE PRIMARY BRAKING WHEN IN MOTION. IN ADDITION, THERE IS NO AUDIBLE ALERT THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND ONLY A VERY SMALL VISIBLE CHANGE TO THE TOUCHSCREEN. I ALERTED TESLA TO THIS ISSUE IN AUGUST OF 2018 AND THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE TO THE CAR'S BEHAVIOR SINCE THEN, DESPITE NUMEROUS OVER THE AIR SOFTWARE UPDATES. | Crash: No Fire: No | 9,500 |
| May 2019 | AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | ON APRIL 24 19 MORNING [XXX](MY WIFE) DROVE UP MULTILEVEL PARKING LOT AT WORK 8100 JONES BRANCH DRIVE, SHE INITIALLY CHOSE A HEAD IN PARKING SPOT, THEN ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE CAR FORWARD TO THE NEXT AISLE, SO THE CAR WOULD BE FACING FRONT WHEN SHE GOT OUT. THE CAR PICKED UP UNCONTROLLABLE AND EXTREMELY HIGH SPEED AND SHE FELT OUT OF CONTROL AND COULD NOT MOVE FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR TO BRAKE IN THE SPLIT SECOND, ALL SHE COULD DO WAS TO STEER SLIGHTLY TO HIT A POLE AT THAT NEXT SPOT, AND AVOID GOING ACROSS DRIVE LANE AND OVER THE BARRICADE TO A DROP. THE CAR SUFFERED SEVERE FRONT DAMAGE AND AIRBAGS OPENED, SHE HAD MINOR BRUISE. REPAIR ESTIMATES CAUSED INSURANCE COMPANY TO CALL IT A TOTAL LOSS. 1. TESLA CLAIMS TO BE REVIEWING ELECTRONIC DATA BUT HAS NOT RELEASED CONCLUSIONS SO FAR. 2. WHY SUCH HIGH SPEED WAS PICKED UP WHEN ALL SHE WANTED TO DO WAS CRAWL OVER TO THE NEXT SPOT DIRECTLY AHEAD (ABOUT 20 FEET) FROM THE PREVIOUS SPOT. 3. WHY VARIOUS ELECTRONIC SYSTEM, FRONT COLLISION WARNING, FRONT COLLISION AVOIDANCE, VIDEO SENSORS ABOUT OBSTRUCTIONS, AVOIDANCE BASED ACCELERATION CONTROL ETC, FAILED TO APPLY ANY SPEED REDUCTIONS. PHOTOS OF EVENT, ESTIMATE FROM INSURANCE ARE ENCLOSED. I REQUEST YOUR KIND ATTENTION, AND YOUR ANALYSIS AS TO THE SAFETY FAILURES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *PM *TR | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | 1,280 |
| May 2019 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | MY WIFE ( DRIVER FOR OVER 40 YEARS, NO ACCIDENTS, NO TICKETS) WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT ON A DOWNGRADE, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, IN OUR BRAND NEW TESLA MODEL 3 WHEN IT SUDDENLY BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD AND CRASHED INTO CARS STOPPED AT THE LIGHT IN FRONT OF HER. MY WIFE TRIED DESPERATELY TO STOP THE TESLA WITH THE BRAKES AND EMERGENCY BRAKE. OU CAR WAS STOPPED BY THE CAR IN FRONT. I HATE TO THINK OF WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD THERE NOT BEEN CAR IN FRONT. WE PURCHASED THE TESLA IN DECEMBER OF 2018 AND THE CRASH OCCURRED IN FEBRUARY OF 2019. AFTER THE CRASH I CALLED TESLA, THEN I WENT TO THEIR SHOWROOM IN SAN DIEGO, THEY REFERRED ME TO TESLALEGAL.COM. SO I ASKED MY ATTORNEY TO HELP. IN THE MEANTIME, AFTER THE TESLA WAS RELEASED FROM THE BODY SHOP IT WAS SENT TO THE TESLA SERVICE CENTER IN SAN DIEGO. IMMEDIATELY, MY ATTORNEY EMAILED SERVICEHELPNA@TESLA.COM FOR TESLA TO PRESERVE AND PROVIDE THE ELECTRONIC DRIVING RECORD TO DETERMINE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR. SERVICE CENTER DID NOT RESPOND TO OUR REQUEST. AT THIS POINT TESLA DEFINITELY KNOWS THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM. OUR ATTEMPTS AT CONTACT BEGAN IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CRASH IN FEBRUARY. AS OF MAY 15TH THERE IS NO CONTACT YET. WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT I HAD AN ATTORNEY, TESLA SERVICE STILL SENT ME DOCUMENTS TO SIGN. THEY RECENTLY SENT ME A TEXT THAT THEY HAVE 'UPDATED FIRMWARE WITH THE LATEST VERSION' AND THE CAR 'IS SAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS TIME.' TO ME IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY MODIFIED THE TESLA. MY ATTORNEY HAS CALLED AND EMAILED TESLA SERVICE, TESLA CUSTOMER SERVICE, TESLA LEGAL, AND TESLA HEADQUARTERS IN FREMONT. SHE HAS WRITTEN LETTERS TO ALL OF THE ABOVE AND MAILED THEM CERTIFIED MAIL. IN THE LETTERS SHE HAS EXPLAINED THAT MY WIFE AND I ARE FEARFUL OF DRIVING THE CAR AND DEFINITELY DON'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO GET KILLED. THE TESLA SITS IN THE SERVICE CENTER STORAGE. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 2,400 |
| May 2019 | STRUCTURE,WHEELS | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR BUMPER AND REAR WHEEL HUBCAP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD FALLEN OFF. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO AN ACT OF GOD AND THEY WOULD CHARGE FOR TOWING THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED COLLISION CENTER. THE CONTACT CALLED HER INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE CERTIFIED COLLISION CENTER FOR OVER A WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER REITERATED THAT AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE CAUSED THE PARTS TO FALL OFF AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WANTED THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE COSTS WITH THE INITIAL WARRANTY SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS JUST PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2018. THE CONTACT SUSPECTED THAT THE PARTS BEING USED WERE OF INFERIOR QUALITY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *AS | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| May 2019 | STRUCTURE | I TURNED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND WAS GOING TO PULL INTO MY GARAGE TO PARK THE CAR, WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED SUDDENLY AND VIOLENTLY AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT STONE WALL OF OUR HOUSE. THE STONE WALL IS DAMAGED AND THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE OF THE TESLA HAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | 2,000 |
| Apr 2019 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | THE SCREEN FREEZES AND REBOOTS WHILE DRIVING.I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST I'M GOING THE ENTIRE CARE GOES DARK. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 2 MONTHS.I HAVE TAKEN IT IN. BUT THEY TELL ME THERE IS NO FIX. CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WHEN YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOUR GOING. | Crash: No Fire: No | 15,000 |
| Apr 2019 | POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | ON 04/13/2019 THE CAR ABRUPT STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE I DROVE IT ALONG NORTHBOND SANTA RITA ROAD IN PLEASANTON CA. . CARS COMING FROM BEHIND HAD TO MAKE URGENT BRAKING OR LANE CHANGE TO AVOID HITTING US. MY YOUNG CHILD WAS CRYING IN HORROR, AND WE HAVE NO WAY TO GET OURSELF TO SAFETY WITH THE CAR TOTALLY UNABLE TO MOVE. WE CALLED 911, AND LOCAL POLICE WAS DISPATCH TO HELP OTHER CARD AVOIDING HITTING US, WHILE WE WAITING FOR TOW TRUCK TO ARRIVE. THE CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES, WITH THE DISPLAY SHOWING MESSAGES: "UNABLE TO DRIVE, PULL OVER TO SAFETY. CAR SHUTTING DOWN". THE CAR RESUMED OPERATIONAL AFTER ABOUT 20 MINUTES, WITHOUT ANY NOTICEABLE CHANGE. I DROVE THE CAR TO NEAREST SERVICE CENTER (PLEASANTON CA). AFTER A FEW DAYS, I WAS CONTACT BY THE SERVICE CENTER STATING THE CAR CAN BE PICKED UP, WHILE NOTHING WAS DONE TO FIX THE ISSUE. THEIR OFFICIAL INVOICE STATES: "THIS IS CURRENTLY SCHEDULED TO BE FIXED IN 2019.20, BUT THE CUSTOMER CAN CONTINUE DRIVING. IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN (SEEMS UNLIKELY), THEY CAN JUST GET OUT OF THE CAR AND GET BACK IN TO RESUME OPERATION.". I POINTED TO TESLA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEIR RECOMMENDED SOLUTION IS UNACCEPTABLE - JUST LIKE WHAT HAPPENED TO US ALREADY - IT WOULD BE ILLEGAL AND UNSAFE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IF IT STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, WITH NO CHANCE TO PULL OVER EVEN TO THE CURB. THE TESLA REPRESENTATIVE BROUGHT AN ENGINEER TO HELP "EXPLAIN" THE INFORMATION, WHEN HE MENTIONED THAT THIS ISSUE IS A KNOWN CHARACTERISTIC RELATED TO USE OF CRUISE CONTROL. AND THE ENGINEER SAID HE WOULD PERSONALLY BE OK TO DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT USING CRUISE CONTROL. I ASKED IF THAT MEANS THE CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT SAFE, THEY SAID IT WOULD BE MY OWN JUDGMENT. I THINK THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD TESLA IS INTENTIONALLY IGNORING AND NEED THOROUGH INVESTIGATION. | Crash: No Fire: No | 13,350 |
| Apr 2019 | POWER TRAIN | VEHICLE HAS A "BRAKE HOLD" FEATURE. THIS FEATURE IS ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR, STOPPED, AND THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AN ADDITIONAL DISTANCE. THIS FEATURE KEEPS THAT VEHICLE AT A STANDSTILL WITHOUT A NEED TO CONTINUE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. PER THE INSTRUCTION MANUAL, BRAKE HOLD CAN BE RELEASED BY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, BRAKE, OR BY SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO "NEUTRAL". THE RIGHT STEERING COLUMN STALK, HOWEVER, CAN BE USED TO SWITCH THE VEHICLE FROM BRAKE HOLD INTO THE OPPOSITE TRAVEL DIRECTION (D TO R OR R TO D) BY MOVING THE STALK TO THAT SETTING. FOR EXAMPLE, A VEHICLE IN D WITH THE BRAKE HOLD ENGAGED, CAN BE SHIFTED INTO R BY MOVING THE RIGHT STALK FULLY UPWARD (TO THE "R" SETTING). THIS BEHAVIOR, I BELIEVE, SHOULD BE PROHIBITED UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS FIRST PLACED INTO "P" OR "N". | Crash: No Fire: No | 15,000 |
| Apr 2019 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET AT APPROXIMATELY 67 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO 75 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AN ENGINEER WAS SENT TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINEER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE INDEPENDENT ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE EITHER SLOWS DOWN SUDDENLY OR SPEEDS UP. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.*JB | Crash: No Fire: No | 4,000 |
| Apr 2019 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | VEHICLE ENTERED A SHOPPING PLAZA AT SPEED UNDER 10MPH AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO HIGH SPEED ON IT'S OWN. IT HIT THREE STATIONARY VEHICLES AND KNOCKED DOWN A SMALL TREE. TRIED STOPPING THE CAR BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED AFTER HITTING THE THIRD VEHICLE. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Mar 2019 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | WHILE OPERATING IN AC COOLING MODE, WITHOUT FOREWARNING, WOULD SWITCH TO HEATING OPERATION. DURING THIS UNUSUAL BEHAVIOR, THE DISPLAY DOES NOT INDICATE ANY CHANGE IN THE HVAC SYSTEM BEHAVIOR. THIS DEFECT CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN THE REAR PASSENGERS ARE CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS. THEY ARE EXPOSED TO HIGH HEAT FOR THE DURATION OF THE DRIVE WHILE THE DRIVER IS UNAWARE OF THE FAST DEVELOPING DANGEROUS SITUATION IN THE REAR THAT MAY LEAD TO HEATSTROKE OR WORST. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=4GVDXQCPAPI | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 2 | 500 |
| Mar 2019 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | VEHICLE PRIMARY DRIVE MOTOR FAILED SUDDENLY WITH ON SCREEN MESSAGES LIKE: "UNABLE TO DRIVE - PULL OVER SAFELY", "CAR SHUTTING DOWN - PULL OVER SAFELY". THE VEHICLE BECOMES TOTALLY IMMOBILE WHEN THIS HAPPENS, IN MY CASE ON A BUSY ROAD AT AN INTERSECTION AFTER EXITING A HIGHWAY AND MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. | Crash: No Fire: No | 423 |
| Mar 2019 | SERVICE BRAKES | WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROAD, TRAFFIC STOPPED AHEAD. I PRESSED THE BRAKES, BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND. THE COLLISION WARNING AND EMERGENCY AUTO-STOPPING SYSTEM ALSO DID NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH THE CAR IN FRONT. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE COLLISION, THE TESLA RECEIVED A FIRMWARE UPDATE. I NOTICED THE DRIVING BEHAVIOR WAS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. BRAKE FAILURE LIKE THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE THIS FIRMWARE UPDATE. THE FIRMWARE VERSION WITH THIS ISSUE IS 2019.5.4. 4C3C414 | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention | 1,255 |
| Mar 2019 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH FRONT SIDE AMBER REFLEX REFLECTORS AS REQUIRED UNDR FMVSS 205 REQUIREMENTS | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Mar 2019 | STRUCTURE | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO OF THE FOUR ROOF RACK CLIPS FRACTURED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED THE ROOF RACK TO FRACTURE, WHICH COULD HAVE IMPACTED OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROADWAY. THE TESLA SERVICE CENTER (LOCATED AT 5700 S BROADWAY, LITTLETON, CO 80121, (303) 632-4200) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERENCED A REPAIR INSTRUCTIONAL FROM TESLA REGARDING AN UPDATE IMPROVEMENT FOR THE MODEL 3 ROOF RACK. IT WAS NOT SPECIFIED IF THIS WAS THE SAME OEM PART OR A NEWLY DESIGNED OEM ROOF RACK CLIP SET. THE CONTACT ORDERED THE PART AND THE CLIPS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2019 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. BUT WOULDN'T MOVE TO GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE). IT WAS GIVING THE MESSAGE "CANNOT MAINTAIN VEHICLE POWER". HAD I LOST THE POWER WHILE DRIVING, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A CLEAR SAFETY ISSUE. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,500 |
| Feb 2019 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | HELLO, I OFTEN FOLLOW TESLA MODEL 3 CARS IN DENSE TRAFFIC, AND STOP BEHIND THEM AT RED LIGHTS. I HAVE TO SAY, THEIR TAIL LIGHTS (MORE EXACTLY, BRAKE LIGHTS IN THE CENTER OF TAIL LIGHT) ARE EXTREMELY BRIGHT WHILE BEING VERY SMALL. THEY ARE ALMOST AS BRIGHT AS LASERS. WHEN IT'S DARK, LOOKING AT THEM EVEN WITH PERIPHERAL VISION IS PAINFUL, I HAVE TO LOOK TO THE SIDE TO AVOID BEING BLINDED. I AM SURE LOOKING AT THESE LIGHTS IS DANGEROUS TO MY VISION. INSTEAD OF THESE VERY SMALL AND VERY BRIGHT LIGHTS, TESLA SHOULD HAVE USED BIGGER LIGHTS WITH SMALLER INTENSITY (EMITTED POWER PER SQUARE INCH). I AM ATTACHING A STOCK PICTURE OF MODEL 3'S TAIL LIGHTS. UNFORTUNATELY, A CAMERA COULD NOT CAPTURE THE VERY HIGH INTENSITY OF THE LIGHT. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2019 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE MAIN 15 INCH SCREEN COMMAND CENTER WAS BLACK AND NONE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES APPEARED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TESLA (50 OGDEN AVE, WESTMONT, IL 60559) TO BE DIAGNOSED SIX TIMES, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 6,000 |
| Feb 2019 | TIRES,WHEELS | BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH 2 TIRES HAVING SIDE WALL BUBBLES. NO ROUGH DRIVING . SEEMS TO BE AN INNER TIRE PROBLEM. MAYBE A DEFECT .CONTINENTAL BRAND TIRES. | Crash: No Fire: No | 3,000 |
| Feb 2019 | STRUCTURE | THIS CAR HAS A FRONT TRUNK, AKA "FRUNK". IT IS OPENED ELECTRONICALLY, NOT MECHANICALLY. THERE IS NO OWNER ACCESSIBLE MECHANICAL OVERRIDE. IT FAILED TO OPEN ON OCTOBER 31 WHILE PARKED IN A GARAGE, 2018. IT WAS BROUGHT TO TESLA SERVICE THE NEXT DAY, AND THE "M3 FRUNK LATCH ACTUATOR PRIMARY RELEASE (1098789-00-C)" WAS REPLACED. THE FRUNK OPERATED NORMALLY THEREAFTER UNTIL JANUARY 26, 2019, WHEN IT AGAIN FAILED TO OPEN WHILE PARKED IN A PUBLIC PARKING LOT. IT WILL BE 3 WEEKS BEFORE IT CAN BE REPAIRED AGAIN, DUE TO TESLA SERVICE BACKLOG. | Crash: No Fire: No | 9,000 |
| Feb 2019 | SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES | I WAS DRIVING ON AUTO PILOT MODE WHEN I WAS GOING TO MAKE A RIGHT HAND TURN WHEN IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN AT THE TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME, I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THERE WAS NO BRAKE ACTION WHATSOEVER. THIS WAS NOT A PANIC SITUATION, IT WAS JUST NORMAL BRAKING. WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED TO ACTUATE AND THE VEHICLE ACCORDINGLY WASN'T SLOWING DOWN, IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING PEDESTRIANS OR THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, I SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND ENDED UP HITTING A TREE. I SUSTAINED INJURIES AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT AND TOTALED MY CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS THE FAILURE OF THE TESLA (2018 MODEL 3) BRAKE SYSTEM TO WORK. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | 8,137 |
| Jan 2019 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | THE PANO ROOF CRACKED, THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER OWNERS WITH THIS ISSUE, TESLA IS TRYING TO BLAME ROAD CONDITIONS .WHEN I DROPPED IT OFF TODAY TESLA GAVE ME A LOANER BRAND NEW MODEL S AND IT HAS A CRACKED PANO ROOF | Crash: No Fire: No | 12,000 |
| Jan 2019 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | WHEN WIPERS ARE SET TO 'AUTO' MODE, THEY ARE FAR TOO SLOW TO REACT. DO TO THE MANUAL MODE REQUIRING THE TOUCH SCREEN TO CHANGE, A NOVICE TO THE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE A VERY HARD TIME CHANGING TO THE WIPERS TO WORK MUCH FASTER. THIS WOULD CAUSE A VERY UNSAFE AND HAZARDS CONDITION. AS IT IS NOW, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE LETTING ANYONE ELSE DRIVE THIS CAR IN THE RAIN. | Crash: No Fire: No | 567 |