Complaint volume
587 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
2019 Tesla Model 3 Complaints
587 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2019 Tesla Model 3, grouped by component category.
587 Total complaints
58 Crash reports
5 Fire reports
19 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 forward collision avoidance, suspension, unknown or other. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 58 crash reports, 5 fire reports, 19 injury reports, and 3 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 134 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 21,753 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to forward collision avoidance, suspension, unknown or other?
- 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 2019 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.
2019 Tesla Model 3
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2019 Tesla Model 3 complaints?
58 Crash
5 Fire
19 Injury
3 Fatality
47 Towed
15 Medical attention
What are the most common 2019 Tesla Model 3 complaint categories?
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 63
SUSPENSION 53
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 35
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE 26
LANE DEPARTURE 26
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24
AIR BAGS 20
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 18
STEERING 17
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 17
587 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The screen on my Tesla fails routinely (everyday) while driving and then reboots after about 3 minutes. This happens abruptly with no warning. Tesla has told me (verbally) that it was reproduced in their service location in Palo Alto. During this time, I have no idea of my speed or any other vehicle status, such as lane keeping, collision warning, navigation, heating, etc. I have tried to remedy this issue with Tesla service repeatedly over two months, and the interactions have been unsatisfactory. Tesla does not seem to appreciate the potential seriousness of this issue and the risk to ourselves and others. Tesla Service at Sunnyvale, CA, encouraged me to continue driving, even though I pointed out the risk of "driving blind". My family is very wary of this vehicle now. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Tesla implemented a software "update" 2021-12-24 and removed basic functions making driving in everchanging CA weather a hazard. Both Front and Rear defrost buttons were constantly across the bottom bar of the touchscreen in the car before the software update on 2021-12-24. After the software update, the functions have been removed from the ever-present bottom bar. Because the touchscreen is the only way to turn on the defrost, this is a hazard. Now istead of simply pressing a button on the bottom of the screen, you have to press the car, then go to "climate" then turn on defrost. This is now a 2 or 3 step process. The other way to turn on defrost is to "Swipe" up on the temperature, and this (if the climate control is off) will automatically turn ON the climate control. On the new screen, I then have to hit "climate off" and also "defrost on". This is unsafe. Standard functions such as: Volume, Temperature Control, Defrost should be a SINGLE PRESS away, not hidden behind several menus. Attachments Description: OLDUI.PNG this is the OLD User Interface. Notice bottom bar on bottom of "Screen" I have circled the defrost buttons in pink. NEWUI.PNG this is NEW User Interface. Notice the bottom bar now does not have the defrost buttons, but instead a "Toybox", Phone, and other icons that have nothing to do with driving a car. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Heating in the vehicle suddenly stops working in cold weather. I have been in the midst of a drive home in sun zero temperatures where I lose heat from my climate control and the cabin temperature plummets very quickly | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The most recent OTA update, V11, poses a severe safety risk and potential for future incidents. The update has moved visibility/safety activation into sub-menu's requiring the driver to take their eyes off the road for longer periods of time and search for these controls while the vehicle is moving. The main safety feature which is no linger available on the main screen is defrost, but other controls such as climate control, seat heating, TPMS, and more are now 2-3 clicks/swipes away when they used to be one. Not only does it take 5-10 seconds to turn on the defroster which could be deadly in the event of a quickly fogging windshield, but one has to then take their eyes off the road to adjust all of the other climate functions that come on automatically by simply activating the defrost, such as a/c, seat heaters, etc. There is also no fan speed control to defrost, so on a very cold day if one does not want the defrost blowing at full power (very loud) the entire time they are driving they must keep toggling the touch button on and off, each instance requiring 2-4 clicks/swipes and 5-10 seconds of taking eyes off the road. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | VISIBILITY,VISIBILITY/WIPER | The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that the manufacturer had provided a new software update for the vehicle. The contact stated that the update made it difficult to use some functions. The contact was concerned that he had to take his eyes off the road to use the windshield wipers, defroster, and other features. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000. The VIN was not available. | Crash: No Fire: No | 18,000 |
| Dec 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Software Update Version 11 makes it dangerous to drive when the front and/or back windshield fogs up. Getting the defogger to turn on requires multiple attempts to find icons and then more icons and then more options while attempting to drive the car (or pull over out of traffic to hunt down the defrost "button".) My windshield fogged up in a matter of seconds and it was impossible to SEE who was ahead of me, see the road, or get pulled over to avoid an accident while I struggled to find the software "button" hidden deep in the menus/screens somewhere. Also, blind spot warning camera is DANGEROUS. It requires the driver to look away from the road and traffic, attempt to interpret complex visual data, and make a split-second decision (all while driving is traffic). It's way WORSE than not having the distraction at all. I love my Model 3, but someone needs to reign-in Tesla and keep them from forcing owners to drive their cars in an UNSAFE manner. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | update 2021.44.25.2 hid the defrost, defog, windshield wiper controls. these are safety concerns for me. the update also hid the seat heaters which is irritating but only a safety concern if i get cold and become distracted. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Tesla's new user interface / software to navigate the screen (adjust climate, radio, seats, vehicle settings, odometer, trip settings, etc.) has been destroyed in their latest update. Their cars are now too complicated to drive and pose a serious safety risk as drivers are trying to adjust simple controls in their vehicles which now require much more focus and effort to adjust. Tesla needs to revert their changes to their user interface. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | SUSPENSION | The left front lower control arm came loose while I was getting out of my garage. The vehicle immediately became undrivable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | During autopilot driving on highway, the car applied the brakes hard 2 times during my drive for no apparent reason. I was fortunate that no one was close behind me. This is a significant safety hazard. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | This is my primary car and I have been driving the Model 3 for more than an year. The side view mirrors provide very limited visibility. It doesn't provide the necessary field of view needed for safe driving. Many a time I find myself missing a car in the side lane when I turn my head. My spouse will not drive the car for same reason. The mirrors itself is very small and so is the viewing angle coverage. For context, I often travel for work and drive numerous different rentals cars - I have never felt this issue on other cars. I sincerely feel something is wrong with Tesla Model 3 side mirrors. I also the feel the same way about the rear view mirror. It is small and has to precisely adjusted. It is however less of a safety issue compared to the side view mirror. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | We have two Tesla Model 3s - 2019 and 2020. Both vehicles are experiencing increased issues with phantom braking where the car unexpectedly applies the brakes for no apparent reason when using cruise control or AutoPilot. Often times the braking is sever and abrupt. There have been incidents where we were nearly rear ended by the car behind us because of this. This is a major safety issue and I am asking the NHTSA to investigate. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On three occasions while driving on the expressway the vehicle slammed on the brakes while TACC was enabled. One occasion the vehicle behind me had to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid hitting my vehicle. There was no threat or obstacles in the road, it was totally random. I’m afraid to use TACC and have no option for traditional speed based cruise on my vehicle. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Tesla model 3 is a cat death trap. There is a large platform cats can easily crawl into. . Cats jump out of the moving car when it's too late. Over two years period, two of my cats were killed the exact same way. When I took the car to the Tesla service center, they refused to even take a look and diagnose the issue. Tesla needs to provide a fix for owners with cats or even have neighbors with cats. I'm attaching a picture showing the space with cat hair still stuck to it. The car behind me almost hit me when I tried to suddenly stop when I saw the cat jumping out. Cats died anyways. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | June 2021 I had an accident while Tesla Auto Pilot was engaged. I was paying complete attention to the road, there was vehicle merging to the highway from right. Neither Tesla slows down neither it have any warning and vehicle collided. Tesla Auto Pilot is misleading, and have serious safety concerns. I reported this issue to Tesla, its been months I have not heard back. I am enclosing the incident video below. https://youtu.be/orB5qq3XsJU I will be happy to share more details. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | STRUCTURE | The casing that the batteries are covered in will sometimes "pop" during charging or preconditioning events. I think it's made from AL and the temperature increase during cold days causes this pop. This may cause high cycle fatigue in colder climates while the vehicle is being charged constantly. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | After getting a shingles vaccination and eating lunch, a vaccine side-effect suddenly caused me to become extremely sleepy while driving. But AutoPilot drove me safely to my destination parking lot where I took a two hour nap. AutoPilot saved my life and car from an accident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2021 | STRUCTURE | In August 2021, I discovered that the glass roof of my car had major cracks even though I had not had a collision and was not aware of any specific cause for such major damage. According to Tesla technicians who examined the damage, the roof glass had "a small crack running in top layer of glass along with a small star crack on the front left"; the back glass had "several cracks all over it with two large impacts"; "both glass pieces showed external damage on both front and rear." As a result, it was necessary to replace the glass, at a cost of over $2000. A hickory tree stands next to the uncovered driveway where the Tesla is normally parked since it was bought over two years ago. I am incredulous that falling hickory nuts might have caused such extensive damage, as Tesla theorized happened. In any case, if the roof glass is so fragile that a few falling hickory nuts could destroy the roof, it seems that the roof is not sufficiently strong and sturdy and could therefore be a safety hazard. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | LANE DEPARTURE | I was driving on I-80 eastbound at between Dixon, CA and Davis, CA with the Tesla Autopilot engaged (adaptive cruise control and lane assistance, NOT full navigation), hands on the wheel, in the rightmost lane. The autopilot suddenly started drifting to the left and the car partially entered the lane to the left of me before i disengaged autopilot and resumed control of the vehicle. At the same time, the center console display froze and "glitched" and became unresponsive. The car steering, acceleration and braking worked as normal, but turn signals did not work and i couldn't see my speed (the display had frozen). After a few seconds, the display turned off (still unresponsive). I pulled over to the shoulder and put the car into park and the display seemed to automatically reboot (the screen turned back on and displayed the tesla logo). After a minute, the car had completed rebooting and appeared to operate as normal again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Ever since I have owned the car, there have been intermittent bouts with what most Tesla owners refer to as phantom braking while using the Traffic aware cruise control (TACC) or autopilot (AP). In all instances, I'm driving along the I-15 highway in Southern California at or near the speed limit with the flow of traffic, with no visible obstacles to safe driving in my lane or lanes adjacent to me, the car suddenly slams on the brakes out of nowhere and it is absolutely terrifying and unsafe. Today, had someone been tailgating me at 80mph and this occurred, I am certain I would have been rear-ended. The deceleration was so sudden and aggressive that I felt the blood rush to the front of my face and I became dizzy momentarily. I can't remain silent on this any longer as I hoped Tesla would have fixed this through software updates. I no longer have trust in the system. I've reported phantom braking to Tesla numerous times through their in-car bug report feature and there still is no fix. No other automakers are experiencing this with their ADAS systems and yet Tesla is apparently leading us into Full Self Driving. Please look into and investigate this for the safety of all drivers out there today. Thank you. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Sep 2021 | STEERING | Steering wheel locks up on my 2019 Tesla three it has done this two days in a row the car was and the customer service shop for seven days they text me told me the car was to be picked up and was all fixed I went to the Tesla dealership in Orlando to get my car when they try to retrieve my car from the shop the wheel froze again they gave me another loaner car. Estimate time to be referred for this problem is seven days The days that this problem has occurred August 31 September 1 September 10 2021 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,LANE DEPARTURE | I was going 45 mph with autopilot engaged and in fact the autopilot actually caused the accident. The car suddenly turned to the right and hit the curb then spinned 180 degrees midair, landed on the sidewalk and then rolled back fishtailed a wooden pole. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Towed | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 1. In three occasions while using FSD I approached red lights but the vehicle did not initiate a stop. I took control to do so. 2. Yesterday the car seemed to reboot. It was about 9PM, quite dark at 70 or 80MPH on I80 in a construction area. The headlights stayed on and the car continued driving but the dash went black as it seemed to fail, and then seemed to reboot with the "T" coming back up before the full dash came up again. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Aug 2021 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | We were driving our Model 3 on autopilot on the LIE from Southampton to New York. We have the “Full Self Driving” software from Tesla. We drove past a parked SUV about halfway through the ride, but the Tesla did not notice. It drove straight through the side of the SUV, ripping off the side mirror and skullcap from our car. We checked and the SUV driver was totally fine, scared. We called Tesla immediately and told them that in our opinion, our car had gone crazy and did not see the but my wife and I were other car stopped in the shoulder as we drove by at 60 mph. We have the invoices from Tesla service documenting this issue and their repair of it, but we were then and remain now really scared when a car has its hazards on in the shoulder. | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jul 2021 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while charging the vehicle, the contact was coughing and had sinus issues. The contact's wife informed the contact that she had difficulty breathing while driving the vehicle. The contact stated that there may be an ozone leakage from the battery, underneath the vehicle and the fumes came into the cabin. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |