Complaint volume
650 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
2021 Tesla Model 3 Complaints
650 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2021 Tesla Model 3, grouped by component category.
650 Total complaints
45 Crash reports
5 Fire reports
16 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, service brakes,forward collision avoidance, 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 45 crash reports, 5 fire reports, 16 injury reports, and 5 fatality reports. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 42 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 18,076 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to forward collision avoidance, service brakes,forward collision avoidance, 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 2021 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.
2021 Tesla Model 3
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2021 Tesla Model 3 complaints?
45 Crash
5 Fire
16 Injury
5 Fatality
38 Towed
18 Medical attention
What are the most common 2021 Tesla Model 3 complaint categories?
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 199
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 57
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 53
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 41
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 33
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21
VISIBILITY/WIPER 12
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11
SERVICE BRAKES 10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 10
650 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2024 | STEERING,SUSPENSION | Please note that the VIN I have used is not the VIN of the actual vehicle which is the subject of this complaint. There has been a fatal crash in San Diego. Here is a video of the aftermath. [XXX] I have taken stills from that video that show the Tesla wheel lying on the roadway well before the crash site and marks on the road that show the car slewed sideways after the wheel fell off and then crashed and burned incinerating the young driver. Photos are attached. You know full well that Tesla has defective suspensions. You have blood on your hands for failing to take action against Tesla. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: Yes Fire: Yes Fatalities: 1 Towed | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | SERVICE BRAKES,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | My 2021 Tesla Model 3 has various issues with the auto pilot feature. When engaged the car makes sudden and abrupt stops while driving. This has happened various times while driving on the freeway when there were no obstructions present. The autopilot feature also prompts to change to the right lane, when dismissed the prompt appears again repeatedly. This is repeated throughout the drive and poses a major distraction. There was supposed to be an “over-the-air” correction but my vehicle has never received the software update. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While traveling west on [XXX] in Dane county just before exit [XXX], I experienced unexpected braking while using TACC. My cruise speed was set at 72 MPH and I observed the set speed changed itself to (I think) 40 MPH. This caused the car to quickly begin braking to slow my speed to this new speed. I had to intervene and accelerate manually while also trying to reset the set speed. Thankfully no one was directly behind me, as this was incredibly unsafe. This has occurred at this location more than once. I'm not sure if the GPS perhaps thought I was on the exit ramp instead? TACC and autopilot seem to work normally elsewhere. It has not otherwise been inspected. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER | Auto wipers do not speed up in heavy rain forcing me to manually change the speed which can be dangerous while driving on the highway in heavy rain. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | You guys have ruined auto pilot and made it less safe. Quit trying to get a promotion or recognition by going after Tesla. My model 3 was the safest car to drive hands down. I've had 17 different cars in the last 20 years, Tesla's are like anything else I've ever driven. The problem you caused by forcing stricter safety for autopilot, actually makes it way less safe. Before it assisted on highways so I could briefly do things like change temperature, music, or navigation without accidently running off the road or colliding with another vehicle. Now it's so sensitive with warnings to pay attention, it's actually a distraction. Look at my speed, warning to pay attention. Check my surroundings in mirror, warning. Change temperature, warning. It's to the point where it's distracting me more then anything I would do in a traditional car. Seriously, NHTSA can go [XXX] itself. Someone in the government always trying to make a name for themselves acting like a savior for the people. Why don't you make yourself useful and go after those [XXX] traditional company's like Ford. Ford always rolls out vehicles with serious safety defects, but weigh the cost of recalls/lawsuits against profit. Ford shouldn't be allowed to sell vehicles in the US, yet you go after Tesla, who in my opinion makes the safest car ever created. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I leased a Tesla Model 3 on [XXX] in Tampa, Florida On [XXX] the car went into Sudden Unintended Acceleration as I was coming out of a "Hold" at a Yield sign where I was at a complete stop waiting for traffic to fully clear for a right hand turn onto a two lane street. I was coming off of [XXX] onto [XXX] in St. Petersburg, Florida. As I started the turn, the Tesla tossed me onto the curb and along a pedestrian sidewalk at high speed. I tried to brake, but the car continued plowing towards a traffic sign that I avoided hitting by making a hard left to try to get back onto the street. Instead of returning me to the street and my lane, the Tesla threw me left across two lanes of traffic, over a grass divider, and into two lanes of oncoming traffic heading straight for a head on collision. At this point, the steering wheel went out, was completely unresponsive and just kept spinning around. The brake was still not responding. I kept spinning the wheel towards the right until at the last minute the car sped back onto the correct side of the road where I was abruptly and without any kind of a jolt, able to regain control of the car: the brake responded and the steering wheel stopped spinning. I then drove at a speed of about 20 miles an hour to the closest residential street. After stopping to gather my wits for about half an hour, I slowly drove home with the emergency lights on and parked it in the parking lot. The Tesla had damage to the front and undercarriage. The Tesla's steering wheel pulled to the right. I did not get into that Tesla again and demanded that they tow the car away and warn others that it is a death trap. They towed the car. I am never getting into any other Tesla again for as long as I live. 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 | I am encountering a serious problem with FSD 2023.44.30.8 06f534d46010. When navigating to a destination the vehicle will drive in a clearly identified bus turn off stop on the right side of the right driving lane. It then abruptly stops and is unsure what to do. The vehicle should not navigate to a bus turnoff stop. The vehicle repeatedly does this at not one but numerous bus turnoff stops in my area. The abrupt turnoff and stop is a hazard. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,BACK OVER PREVENTION | My car computer touchscreen has been rebooting with every entry since/start since software update 2023.44.30.5.1. in mid December, 2023. Software update 2023.44.30.8 did not resolve the issue. During the reboot process I am able to move my vehicle but the safety systems (parking sensors, back-up camera, wipers, etc) are inoperable for up 3 minutes during the reboot process. I have reported the issue to Tesla and brought my vehicle in for service 1/29/24. The service center claims that reboot issue is due to a software bug and is a “known characteristic” with this release. They also claim that the lack of the ability to use cameras/sensors while operating the vehicle is convenience related, not safety. Tesla can give me no ETA on when I can expect a software update to remedy the issue which has been outstanding for 5 weeks now. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The recall you required has made my Tesla car far less safe to drive. I am an attentive driver and had grown accustomed to using Tesla autopilot to help me drive more safety to and from work. Without it I feel that I drive more aggressively and less safe. You should consider supporting Tesla in it's efforts to improve safety through technology | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The cruse control is unable to keep its speed and sometimes the vehicule breaks suddently on the highway, especially when the road is wet. The cameras are obstructed by mist or other dirt and the system does not work properly. Related to this problem, the wipers are dangerous to operate. When the cruse control is engaged, then the wipers are forced to automatic mode, which does not work properly. It could start to swipe the dirty mist and actually reduce visibility. Operating the wipers with the touch screen is a hazard, forcing the driver to leave the eyes from the road. I contacted Tesla about these problems last year and the company did nothing. Even worst, on their new cars they removed the stalks completely, which is a non sens. The NHTSA has to intervene. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While using adaptive cruise control, at highway speeds, there was aggressive, automatic braking when there was no vehicle in front of me. It happened about half a dozen times on a three-day trip from Indiana to Florida. Luckily, in each case there was no vehicle directly behind me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,VISIBILITY/WIPER | Heating failed in -10 temperature for approx 40 miles. Window became ice covered and would not clear. Interior of car was 33 degrees and heat came back on when plugged into charger. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Heat failed a second time in a few days. There was no heat in -7 temperature for 60 miles until I could get it to a supercharger. The car was at 60% charge when heat failed. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | SEATS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER | The rear seat doesn’t detect kids under 50lbs. Putting the seat in car seat mode only disables the seatbelt alert and doesn’t keep the rear fans on. You can turn them on manually, but the car forgets that they should stay on if you precondition the cabin from the mobile app. Meaning that my child cooks in the back seat due to lack of rear cabin conditioning unless I remember to turn it back on in a buried menu every time. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Back up camera not functioning. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | WHEELS,BACK OVER PREVENTION | Ever since Tesla pushed a software update to my vehicle on or around 12/20/23, the vehicle screen crashes and reboots every time I enter enter my vehicle. The software version is 2023.44.30.5.1. The vehicles systems; backup cameras, parking sensors, etc. are in operable for approximately 2 minutes during the reboot process rendering the vehicle unsafe to operate. I have reported this issue to Tesla on multiple occasions with no resolution offered other than a note that this is “considered” normal with the current software version. I was pushed software update 2023.44.30.8 on 1/8/24 and the issue persists. I have scheduled a service center appointment for 1/29/24. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | FSD Computer module (AP3 module) when starting to fail causes all active safety systems to top functioning, including but not limited to Lane Assistance, Automatic Emergency Breaking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Assistance, Blind Spot Warning, Pre-collision systems, etc. This is due to the ECU that processes the video feeds from the cameras needed for these function begins to fail, and is not surprising. What is surprising is there are absolutely zero customer or service facing alerts for this issue. Customers simply are unable to manually activate some features, vehicle display has difficulty recognizing objects and lane markings, and the service menu (meant for vehicle service/repair) shows part of the ECU as critical in diagnostics, but does not provide an alert. I can only guess that as previously only half of the module was used at a time, with the second half being for redundancy incase of a failure on one part of the unit, still allowing for full functionality. However, in newer versions of the vehicles software both halfs of the module are used simultaneously to increase processing power, thus eliminating redundancy. It is possible that due to the past redundancy that a failure of one half of the unit was not considered a cause for alarm (though I would have hoped a failing component would have caused an alert, unless the companies hope was that one half would work long enough on its own until it no longer needed to be covered under warranty). However, given both processors and now being actively used there should definitely be alerts and warnings. In addition to losing the convenience of several of these systems there is also a negative safety aspect of systems such as accident avoidance, pre-collision seatbelt tensioning, and others may not work in a pending collision (not that I have seen these systems function properly in past collisions when the module was fully working). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When autopilot is engaged, car unexpectedly brakes with no obstacle in front of car. Some called it “phantom braking”. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,LANE DEPARTURE | Autopilot feature is now unstable as I get constant nags if I look away for a few seconds to check my surroundings or check my navigation.i have been locked out of the feature multiple times over the past week forcing me to make navigation changes while manually driving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The latest software update version: 2023.44.30.5.1 08a3a7856854 Is too stringent with having to keep eyes on the road that looking in the mirror causes it to beep. Also having to touch the steering wheel constantly is dangerous because if you move with slightly too much force, it disengages autopilot. I only use the autopilot feature on the freeway and I have never had an issue until this update, which I believe was made to make the system safer. In my view it is now much less safe since I’m not able to check my mirrors and ultimately I think it makes the autopilot feature useless. (I will not be using it) this is also less safe, in my view. Because before I would watch the road as the car steered, ready to take over, so it was like having redundant safety (human + machine). Now I’m back to just human safety. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Jan 2024 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Driver assisst function for cruise control/autosteer failed/malfunctioned. Applied Emergency braking systems while autosteer/driver control active. Multiple times on freeway. OTA software Updates require additional data downloading and are not required to install. Never received update and safety issues resolved via OTA are already being exposed and they are not allowed to do anything to prevent any damage or loss to the vehicle. Wifi at all government EV charging stations is a basic requirement. | Crash: No Fire: No Injuries: 1 Medical attention | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | After the latest update the Tesla autopilot feature is very unsafe to use. The screen constantly pings and nags the driver to pay attention drawing my attention away from the road. The system has become so sensitive that adjusting the AC down a degree causes the warning to pop up which distracts the driver and in my opinion is significantly less safe than the older version. The warnings are too sensitive and the noise/warnings flashing are significantly more distracting | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | concerns about the latest software update for the Tesla Model 3’s autopilot system, which, in my view, significantly compromises safety. As a Model 3 owner for over two years, I have generally found the vehicle and its features to be reliable and safe. However, the recent update has introduced an overly stringent hands-on-wheel detection mechanism that is not only inconvenient but also potentially hazardous. The new update requires frequent and often forceful interaction with the steering wheel to assure the system of driver presence. This change is drastically different from my previous experience, where I received only one hands-on-wheel violation in two years. The current sensitivity of the system disrupts the smooth operation of the autopilot, leading to frequent and abrupt disengagements. I have found myself struggling to maintain the system’s activation, inadvertently causing the vehicle to exit autopilot mode multiple times. This issue goes beyond mere inconvenience; it actively detracts from driving safety. The need for constant and sometimes aggressive adjustments to satisfy the system’s requirements is distracting and can lead to erratic vehicle behavior. The irony is stark: a system designed to enhance driving safety and ease is now a source of potential danger and stress. The unpredictability and over-sensitivity of the updated system could lead to dangerous situations, especially on highways or in heavy traffic, where sudden disengagement of the autopilot can be particularly risky. As a driver, I now find myself more focused on keeping the autopilot engaged than on the actual driving conditions and surroundings, which is surely contrary to the feature’s intended purpose. I urge the NHTSA to investigate this issue as a matter of urgency. The balance between ensuring driver engagement and maintaining the operational safety and rel | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2023 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | The contact owned a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that after reversing out of a parking space, then shifting to the drive position and lightly pressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove forward at a very high rate of speed. The vehicle drove across a street and crashed into a building. During the crash, the driver sustained an upper torso and neck injury and was transported to the hospital. One person inside the building was also injured during the incident. No further information was available. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 12,400. | Crash: Yes Fire: No Injuries: 2 Towed Medical attention | 12,400 |
| Dec 2023 | POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | My 2021 Tesla Model 3 shuts/powers down WITHOUT warning while driving with a battery charge >0%. This unsafe event has occurred twice now! While the battery gauge displayed 10%, I was driving about 60mph when all of these warning messages appeared prompting me to pull over. As soon as these messages displayed, my car lost all propulsion and I was left stranded in the middle of the road. Both times I narrowly avoided being hit by other vehicles traveling at high speeds since my car died in the roadway. The car was towed to Tesla on both occasions, and they weren't concerned about my safety issue in the slightest. Instead, they said the battery just ran out; however my car displayed that I had about 6-10% charge remaining. So, if the battery were completely depleted (like Tesla says), then the meter should have displayed a 0% reading at the time of the breakdowns or, there is something defective with the battery/computer. Tesla service has refused to investigate the cause of the safety issue and, thus, refused to replace the EV battery (even though my car is still under the manufacturer's warranty). Electric vehicles should not die/run out of battery at 10% charge. However, my EV has done so TWICE! Tesla says that I just ran the car out of battery but has no response when I show them the pictures and video proving that the car died when there was, in fact, a decent amount of charge remaining on the vehicle (PLEASE SEE ATTACHED VIDEO AND PICTURES). If your phone died at 10%, then you would take it back to the manufacturer and demand that they fix the defective product. However, Tesla refuses to help fix my defective vehicle and just tells me that it is "operating as intended". EVs should not just lose all propulsion mid-drive. This creates an unsafe vehicle for me to drive, for my two young daughters in their car seats, and for other drivers who might hit me. I can provide other Tesla owners who have had a similar experience. Please force Tesla to take action! | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |