Complaint volume
427 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
2020 Tesla Model 3 Complaints
427 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2020 Tesla Model 3, grouped by component category.
427 Total complaints
50 Crash reports
2 Fire reports
24 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, unknown or other, vehicle speed control,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 50 crash reports, 2 fire reports, 24 injury reports, and 2 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 73 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 12,664 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to forward collision avoidance, unknown or other, vehicle speed control,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 2020 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.
2020 Tesla Model 3
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2020 Tesla Model 3 complaints?
50 Crash
2 Fire
24 Injury
2 Fatality
35 Towed
24 Medical attention
What are the most common 2020 Tesla Model 3 complaint categories?
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 72
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 34
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 24
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 18
SUSPENSION 17
AIR BAGS 14
STEERING 14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 14
STRUCTURE 13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10
427 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Received safety recall letter from tesla 23v-838. Asked tesla to implement the software update; they told me to do it via WiFi. I do not have WiFi and asked them to do an over the air update. I have not heard back from them. Please compel them to update me to the most recent version of the software to fix the safety recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING | FSD Beta 11.4.9 - A concern documented in NHTSA Complaint ID 11555478 and subsequently remedied with later releases has returned in the current FSD Beta build 2023.44.30.14. When engaging FSD ,the display screen enters an AUTO brightness mode and requires driver intervention to adjust brightness back to the driver's desired setting, as described by the following. When FSD is engaged, display AUTO brightness is activated and the screen adjusts up in brightness from the previous setting, which is often too high. The driver's attention is then taken away from road and traffic ahead while the screen is reset to the driver's preferred setting. In the current build the following anomalies also occur. When FSD is engaged and the display is set to AUTO brightness, if the driver opens the Display menu and adjusts brightness down, that driver setting is held even though the Display brightness is still shown to be in AUTO mode. However, if after activating FSD and the AUTO brightness is engaged, and the brightness is then adjusted down using the left scroll wheel, the display remains in AUTO mode and the screen is automatically adjusted back up to the AUTO set point. This is true when the driver's preferred setting is lower than the AUTO set point, but not true if the driver's preferred setting is higher than the AUTO set point. When the initial driver setting is higher than the AUTO set point, the screen remains at the driver's preferred setting. While these anomalies are not safety concerns, per se, they do require that the driver's attention is diverted to resetting the desired display brightness. If, as if often the case, FSD is disengaged and then reengaged, the process described above is repeated. In the course of a 30 minute drive this can require that the driver adjust screen brightness multiple times, sometimes repeating the adjustment process within minutes after prior adjustment. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE | Car did not react to uncoming car and accident happened. Car was totaled. RECALL NO. 23V-838 involved as the car didn’t have the right safety controls and caused collision | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STRUCTURE,SEATS | Sold car with defective parts. Scratched rocker panels that Tesla refuses to take responsibility for. Broken and rattled center console dash. Crooked front hood that the service center has not fixed. Broken driver seat that has foam missing on one side that tilts the seat and makes driving uncomfortable. The service center has not fixed these issues and the car was sold defective. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | The Rear Drive Unit of our Tesla failed on our Tesla Model 3 2020 (2 years at the time of incident). It is no longer available for inspection as it was replaced by Tesla. We had our drive unit fail for our 2020 M3 driving in the middle of what is considered one of the most dangerous freeways in [XXX] . After all the warnings came online, we had 30 seconds before the entire car stopped. Of the warnings (Power Reduced, Acceleration and Top Speed Reduced, Automatic Emergency Breaking is Disabled) there was no indication that the car would shut down. We made it to the exit ramp, but couldn’t make it to the shoulder so we blocked the entire exit. [XXX] was able to come in and help tow our car to a safer location. We took it to Tesla to be serviced and when asking the service rep if there’s any way we could have seen this coming, she just brushed it off as “it happens” and that there was no way to tell. It took us a while to feel comfortable with that. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | When driving in "Autopilot" mode which uses adaptive speed control, the car suddenly slows down without any warnings. This happens even when there is no vehicle in front of the car and therefore slowing down is not expected. This has happened several times while driving on freeways. If it weren't for my immediate reaction, serious multiple-car accidents would have happened. My reaction has been to quickly disengage the "Autopilot" system and manually accelerating to avoid rear collisions. The other issue is the car suddenly steer the wheel and drag the car to the side even when there is no reason to do so. In such cases, I have to forcefully steer the wheel to the opposite direction to avoid collision with other cars moving on either side, or parked cars on the streets. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | STEERING | i believe the steering over steered and the tire strut got broekn due to a pot hole. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | FSD Beta 11.4.9 and past versions. A possible explanation for some degree of phantom braking on controlled access roadways. FSD Beta reacts to a stop light at the end of an offramp when the direction of travel is inline with the ramp. This reaction does not occur in daylight, only in darkness. It occurs across multiple versions of FSD Beta and is consistent and repeatable at night under similar conditions. The point at which normal speed is resumed appears to coincide with the beginning of the offramp, but that may be coincidental. Since it doesn't occur in daylight it is less likely that the reaction is triggered by lane topography or some other factor relating to the converging right hand lane that occurs after the ramp is passed. In one test pass that was not recorded, the stoplight at the top of the ramp turned green while the braking was happening and the car seemed to react to the green light and resume speed, but that may have been coincident to the turn in the roadway or being adjacent to the beginning of the offramp. Another example where the light turned green has not happened again during tests. This test was at 3:08 am on a weekday with almost zero traffic in this direction and there were no vehicles within 0.25 mile behind the test vehicle at the time this was recorded. LINK TO VIDEO: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | SUSPENSION | Car has 39,445 miles on it. Groaning noise started in front tires. Took it in for inspection and Tesla replaced the upper control arm and lower lateral link for both the front left and front right tires. I see that there was a recall for these parts in many Tesla 3, including my model year but my VIN didn’t qualify. Seems coincidental that I would have an issue with the same part that was recalled at only 40k miles but not under the recall. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | SUSPENSION | Driving the vehicle will start doing several noises in the front and back suspension. It’s very stressful to hear that kind of noise besides that people isn’t really sure it suspension going to fail at some point which potentially could be really dangerous. Tesla has recall this kind of issues outside the us but refuses to do a recall in the us where the have most of their cars risking the roads. added to that they should’ve included a spare tire kit on their cars. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | I am writing to provide feedback on the recent mandated Tesla Full Self Driving software update (recall). When I keep both hands on the steering wheel, I now get constant warnings. Specifically, even when I drive with both hands firmly on the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock and maintaining what I feel is adequate control, the system nags me with disruptive alerts. It tells me to apply pressure and flashes visuals that my hands are not properly positioned, despite both remaining clearly in contact with the wheel the whole time. I typically drive responsibly with proper grip, yet these frequent notifications are frustrating and stress-inducing. The sensors seem to be calibrated too sensitively if they are detecting grip issues when both my hands are correctly and securely holding the wheel. Prior to the mandated update, I didn't receive nearly as many warnings. The update was not helpful and makes driving more stressful and less safe if anything. I understand the goal is to enforce safe driving, but the current warnings are excessive even when drivers are maintaining proper hand positioning. Perhaps the regulations could be relaxed so alerts only activate when grip is legitimately inadequate, rather than routinely throughout normal driving. Please let me know if any further details on my experience with both hands on the wheel would be helpful. I would be happy to provide additional information to aid review of this system. Thank you for your consideration. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH at night with self-driving assist mode, the auto high beams lights engaged three times within 20 seconds. The contact stated that the driver ahead of him then decelerated and veered to the side of the road because it appeared that the contact was sending him an alert through the activation of the high beams. Additionally, the contact was pulled over by a Police Officer. The contact stated that the auto high beam feature was distracting to other drivers. The contact stated that he was unable to disengage the feature. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the driver did not have control over the feature. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 70,000 |
| Jan 2024 | AIR BAGS | The vehicle was in a frontal crash and the knee airbags exploded the glovebox and broke my leg in 3 different places. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 1 Towed Medical attention | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | The windshield wipers do not have proper functional control. There is no adequate manual control over the windshield wipers without being distracting, further more the windshield wipers constantly put themselves in "auto" mode when you turn them off. This causes unnecessary distraction while driving and because the only feedback you have is either on the main touch screen or the bottom left touch screen this is a severe safety issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | This morning, I was waiting in the left turn lane on [XXX] turning east onto [XXX] in Moorpark, CA. Waiting at the light, I tapped to turn on autopilot and expected it to turn left… it tried to make a right turn from the left turn lane. This is not the first time autopilot has tried to make an unsafe and illegal turn from the wrong lane. I once had it attempt a U turn from the right lane on [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE | Dear NHTSA, I am contacting you regarding campaign #23V-838 and the recent Tesla software update, which I believe has compromised the safety features of my Tesla Model 3. For over two years, I’ve trusted my Tesla’s capabilities, notably its autopilot feature. However, the latest update has introduced a wheel detection system that’s overly sensitive and disruptive. Previously, my driving experience was smooth, responsible and safe, with hands on the wheel and autopilot assist for when I needed to make blind lane changes, allowing me to look over my shoulder briefly at the blind spot while the wheel kept straight without rear ending anyone. Now, with this mandated update, I’m forced to make frequent, forceful adjustments to the steering wheel. I can’t look away from the front of the car even briefly to check my surroundings. This constant intervention and forbidding drivers from looking around to check for safety is distracting and dangerous, leading to abrupt autopilot disengagements and brief rapid ways in which the car behaves as the car disengages and throws you into manual when you weren’t expecting it. This isn’t just about inconvenience; it’s a safety hazard. I’m now more focused on maintaining autopilot than on the road and surrounding conditions. This undermines the very purpose of the feature. As someone who’s always vigilant about my surroundings, especially at intersections, I find this update counterproductive. It forces me to turn off the feature, leaving me without the assistance that I’ve come to rely on for safer driving. I urge you to review this matter with utmost priority. The balance between driver engagement and the autopilot system’s safety has been significantly disturbed by this update. Necessary adjustments are needed to prevent potential accidents and ensure that this technology continues to enhance driving safety and efficiency. Thank you for addressing this critical issue. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Tesla vehicles have an automatic wiper mode that is supposed to clear the windshield, without driver intervention, when it becomes obscured due to rain, snow, or water buildup. While driving on December 19, 2023, our Model 3 was passed by a large truck, throwing a large amount of water across the windshield. When this happened, the forward visibility was completely obscured momentarily. The automatic wipers did not clear the windshield as expected. The vision was obscured until the driver was able to manually enable the wipers. Obviously, driving at highway speeds on the freeway, without being able to see forwards, even momentarily, is a safety concern. Thinking the car had a failure, we tried to arrange for a repair from Tesla service. Their response was: "This issue has been identified as a known firmware issue, to be resolved on a future firmware release. For now, we recommend using the manual wipers as needed when auto wipers are not detecting rain. When a fix is available it will be sent to your vehicle automatically over the air. Unless you had any other questions, I will go ahead and close out this service request. Thanks!" Looking through Tesla owner forums, this appears to be a much discussed issue for the last 4-5 years. Many owners are having issues with functionality of the automatic wipers. We don't have any photos of the incident, but I recreated a similar situation in a local touchless car wash. With the car being completely deluged in water and soap, the automatic wipers never came on. The included pictures show the touchscreen with the Auto wiper mode and the windshield completely obscured, but no wiper activation. The last photo is a screenshot of part of the conversation with Tesla support about the repair request. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | My FSD Beta-equipped Tesla sometimes makes inappropriate lane choices while following the navigation route. After watching a video made by a Beta volunteer driver while testing a similar lane selection issue they had experienced across several FSD Beta firmware releases, I checked a Google Map navigation route that took the same turn onto the same street shown in the video. The path in the Google Map route correlated closely with the erroneous route driven during the test video. The vehicle initially turned into the correct targeted lane. The car was then moved left into the "suicide lane" with a median island in the path directly ahead. Tesla's Level 2 ADAS correctly "changes lane to follow route" and moves the car out of the incorrect center turning lane. I've experienced similar errors at times. This complaint concerns the route that brought the car into the center turn lane after making the left turn correctly. I documented these findings in a video. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning issue regarding the recent update related to recall alerts in my vehicle, which has inadvertently led to an increase in distraction while driving. I received a software update for my vehicle, which included new features aimed at enhancing autopilot alerts. However, instead of improving safety, these updates have unintentionally resulted in an increased level of distraction while driving. Issues Identified: Frequency of Alerts: The frequency of recall alerts has become excessive, leading to a constant stream of notifications while driving. This has proven to be highly distracting and has compromised my ability to focus on the road. Alert Presentation: The visual and auditory presentation of the alerts is intrusive and often occurs excessively during driving. The alerts are not sufficiently streamlined to ensure minimal disruption, causing a significant distraction. Impact on Driving Behavior: The continuous alerts have forced me to divert attention away from the road, leading to an increased risk of accidents and compromising overall road safety. Recommendations: As per most other vehicle brands that benefit from self-driving technologies, like Cadillac and Ford, they are not affected by this recall, and do not make the driver continually look at the display for information regarding to the alert. Intelligent Alert Timing: Incorporate a smart algorithm that considers the driving context before issuing an alert. This can prevent alerts during critical driving moments, reducing distraction. Comprehensive Testing: Conduct thorough testing of software updates before release to identify and address any unintended consequences, such as increased distraction. Before this update, it was a lot less distracting to drive this vehicle, due to the limited notifications. Since this update, I've found myself removing my eyes from the road because of the increased notifications. A reversal of this recall is in need. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Re: California Highway Patrol Accident Report [XXX] (see doc: [XXX] ). The driver of the Tesla noted that Tesla's FSD Beta version was engaged, and "When (the Tesla) was in the tunnel, (the Tesla) moved from the #2 lane into the #1 lane and started slowing down unaccountably. When (the Tesla) was about 20 miles per hour, he felt a rear impact." In January 2023, I reviewed available Google map data at the approximate GPS location of the accident. (see video: [XXX] ). Multiple conflicting data layers corresponding to that location may have contributed to the accident if the FSD Beta-controlled vehicle referenced the same or similar map data. The ADAS may have read a road closure on the island surface above the tunnel at [XXX] as relating to the lower level of the tunnel, and the lane change and subsequent slowing of the vehicle described by the driver may have been in response to this map data anomaly. In early 2023, I made multiple attempts to recreate the error while driving a Tesla Model 3 with the then-current FSD Beta version engaged. I drove in both directions of the tunnel and observed no abnormal reactions in any lanes of the eastbound tunnel. In one instance on a Sunday at approximately the same time of day and GPS location as the [XXX] accident, while driving in one of the tunnel's upper-level centermost lanes in the westbound direction, an ADAS alarm was triggered, and the system advised that the driver should take over immediately. It did not automatically slow the vehicle or change lanes. I noted that both occurred when GPS Navigation routing information may have been referencing weekend and holiday data versus weekday commute hours data. Previously, I had observed a difference between weekday and weekend navigation routes into San Francisco. A subsequent retest in the westbound direction on a later Sunday at a different time of day did not trigger an alarm. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STRUCTURE | My Tesla Model 3 was involved in a 'fender bender' almost 9 months ago. It took 3 months just to get an appointment at a "Tesla Certified Collision Center" in my town (and I live in a fairly major city - Portland, Oregon). After the vehicle went to the shop it has now been there for OVER 5 MONTHS! This is a result of parts being incorrectly sent from Tesla, parts being unavailable from Tesla, parts being mislabeled and/or 'hidden' in their Ordering system and so many other unbelievable problems that Tesla has had. I have now been without the vehicle for over 5 months and still waiting on some other part that was now ordered over 2 weeks ago. The whole process is completely unacceptable and Tesla has really dropped the ball. I will be selling the vehicle and never owning another Tesla again, the moment it is finally done being repaired. Do I have any recourse? Can I sue Tesla to cover the 5 months of insurance I just spent my money on? Thanks! | Crash: Yes Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | STEERING | On Oct 9, 2023 1:45 pm I was driving home southbound on [XXX] . The vehicle was pulling hard to the right. I got home and made an appointment with Tesla service in Costa Mesa for the following day. Two days later I was told that they had tried to do a wheel alignment twice and failed, and that the car needed a new steering rack after 52000 miles. I agreed to the repair and demanded the return of the replaced parts. They returned a steering rack and two connecting bolts. They were inspected by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair. I still have the parts and will make them available to aid the investigation. I have a paid invoice in the amount of $3114.53. What began as a concern about wheel alignment quickly became an alarming safety issue when I realized that if the steering rack had failed I could have lost control at any time. It was since that I learned that NHTSA is actively investigating early steering rack failures in Tesla vehicles. I have the part for you to dissect. I look forward to working with you. Best regards, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While operating TACC with lane keeping assist, I experienced multiple iterations of phantom braking when the road and weather was clear ahead. This phantom braking could potentially cause other drivers to collide with the vehicle that unexpectedly braked in the middle of the highway. This problem has been a common issue with multiple people taking their cars to the service center to get checked out with no problem identified. There are no warning lights or indicators that the Tesla is going to phantom brake on the highway. Recommend having Tesla provide information regarding this phantom braking. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | At 11:47 AM Pacific time on December 23, 2023 my Tesla model three auto pilot system failed after a recent update mandated by the NHTSA. Ever since the update, the vehicle, cruise control and auto pilot systems no longer function properly, and while I was in, cruise control and auto pilot traffic stopped ahead and the auto pilot system disengaged while I was waiting while it was slowing down, which has never happened in four years of ownership and over 60,000 miles of driving. The new recall software update has made the vehicle unsafe and it should be retracted and corrected. What once was a safe feature is now unsafe. Please investigate this with Tesla to prevent possible injury or death resulting from this programming failure. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | LANE DEPARTURE | Your latest mandates has arguably made the car less safe by removing what allowed the system to operate safely. Please roll back this “recall” it’s not a recall in the slightest it’s a shot at someone or multiple people that dislike Tesla. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |