Complaint volume
748 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
2022 Tesla Model 3 Complaints
748 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2022 Tesla Model 3, grouped by component category.
748 Total complaints
52 Crash reports
3 Fire reports
27 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, vehicle speed control,forward collision avoidance, service brakes,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 52 crash reports, 3 fire reports, 27 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 56 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 14,263 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to forward collision avoidance, vehicle speed control,forward collision avoidance, service brakes,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 2022 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.
2022 Tesla Model 3
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2022 Tesla Model 3 complaints?
52 Crash
3 Fire
27 Injury
1 Fatality
34 Towed
22 Medical attention
What are the most common 2022 Tesla Model 3 complaint categories?
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 262
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 75
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 72
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 48
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 35
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 14
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE 12
SERVICE BRAKES 11
748 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | We have regular phantom braking issues. This has been happening since we got the car new. I have videos. We have nearly been rear ended twice and this has happened before n almost a daily basis. The problem has been reported to Tesla and of course they say “nothing is wrong with the hardware” and won’t fix anything. This is a well known issue. It’s gotten worse. Slamming on the brakes for what appears to be a shadow or perhaps a tar strip and sometimes nothing but concrete pavement. It’s really scary and dangerous. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2022 TESLA 3. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO DESIGN DEFECTS ON VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TESLA HAS 2 DESIGN DEFECTS WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AUTO MODE THEY CANT BE TURNED ON WITH VOICE COMMAND AND THE TOP LINE OF THE LED SCREEN WAS ILLEGIBLE. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Driving across Texas, cruise control with traffic assist was enabled in the 2022 Tesla model 3 long range sedan. The vehicle suddenly braked and went from 84 mph to 68 mph in a matter of seconds. There were no cars in sight, no weather conditions or obstacles around the highway. Unsure of what or why that happened the first time, cruise control was re-enabled and the same thing happened very shortly after re-engaging cruise control. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact leased a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving approximately 70-80 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 38,000 |
| Dec 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | To Whom It May Concern: Been meaning to submit this complaint for a while but have not had the time until now. My issue regards ‘phantom breaking’ related to Tesla’s TACC (Traffic Aware Cruise Control). Whenever I take long road trips on the highway and attempt to use TACC, the car will invariably hard brake on its own without reason or warning, even when there are no cars, animals, or other objects nearby in either direction. When this occurs, it is incredibly scary. If there had been cars close behind me, I have no doubt they would have rear ended me. It also causes panic to my family and baby, as the breaking is sudden and hard. As a result, I do not use the system when driving which means a tired foot for long trips. I know this is an ongoing issue, and the NHTSA is aware of it. I’d like to ask that the government REQUIRE Tesla and (and perhaps other car companies with similar challenges) to offer standard ‘old fashioned’ cruise control as an option for those customers that want it. Because Tesla’s TACC doesn’t work, I personally would just prefer to be able to set the speed on highways and then be responsible for slowing down and taking it off when I deem it to be appropriate. Being forced to rely on a Tesla’s faulty system is paternalistic and removes an important choice from drivers. Ultimately it is not safe. Please help change this. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Suffering from phantom braking even when all safety options turned off. This occurs even when just using standard cruise control. Very dangerous to the point do not feel safe using cruise control. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | SEATS,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While driving the car suddenly the car applied sudden breaks & moved opposite road. luckily no traffic opp side otherwise we are having the same day as last day. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Tesla model 3 year 2022, making too much noise while driving noise. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | while driving on north on I79 with auto cruise / steering on, the car tried to stop by itself at a speed of 70mph....almost causing the cars behind me to re-end me...this is the 4th time the car has had a phantom brake issue at speed...very scary and very dangerous | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | During cruise control on straight highways with no other cars nearby, the car would brake for no reason. Very scary. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Dec 2022 | VISIBILITY | The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that within the first week of purchasing the vehicle, he noticed that the front driver's side window would independently lower upon opening the front driver's side door. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred with the rear driver's side window and the front and rear passenger's side windows. The contact stated that the windows would lower when opening the doors and would roll up when closing the doors. The contact later received recall notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V702000 (Visibility), however, the parts were not available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200. | Crash: No Fire: No | 200 |
| Nov 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | We have experienced many instances of ‘phantom braking’. On a recent trip from St George, UT to Salt Lake City, UT (about 250 miles) we had eight instances going 65-80 mph. We finally discontinued using cruise control or auto pilot. We began keeping a log stamps, which I will now include. Tesla Log - 2022 Sudden breaking (on its own) 1. 8/20 at 1504 hours - on I-15 2. 8/21 at 1050 hours - 3. 8/21 at 2005 hours - 4. 8/30 at 1148 hours in cruse control brakes were applied for no apparent reason 5. 8/30 at 1734 hrs. In cruse control brakes were applied 6. 8/31 at 1029 hrs. In cruse control. 7. 9/11 at 6:30 pm In auto pilot 8. 10/25/22 - 1803 hrs - abrupt braking - no apparent reason. 9. 10/25/22 - 1835 hrs - abrupt braking - no apparent reason - 10. 11/10 @ 2:21 pm in auto steering - severe braking 11. Three times - 11/11 @ 2:20 pm, 2:21 pm, and again at 2:22 pm in auto steering and the in cruise control, the car abruptly and very seriously applied brakes (on I-15 traveling at 80 mph!!) 12. 11/11 @ 3:56 pm in auto pilot - brakes were applied strongly. 13. 11/11 @ 4:23 pm on cruse control 3 dramatic braking instances in a row. 14. 11/11 @ 4:42 pm on cruise control brakes applied abruptly. 15. 11/21 @ 2:10 pm on auto pilot brakes were applied. 16. 11/21 2:32 pm on autopilot brakes were applied. 17. 11/22 8:35 am on cruise control brakes were applied. 18. 11/22 11:47 auto pilot brakes were applied 19. 11/22/22 @ 1655 hrs Severe braking for no apparent reason We have had one service visit with Tesla and we thought the issue had been addressed - the Phantom Braking continues. We have another appointment on 12/5/22. We hope Tesla has a solution now. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Recall is not being corrected in a timely manner. Window has pinched my finger before retracting | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I did not have cruise control on but do have the full self driving car simulation on. I believe that had I cruise control on that a rapid speed change could have occurred. While driving in Indiana, the car recognized state highway signs as speed limit signs. For example, on a couple of occasions, it changed when seeing a highway 25 sign but changed a few seconds later when it recognized the 55 mph sign. While in Illinois, it changed its notion of the speed limit for speed limit signs that were only valid when flashing. The firmware number of the car is 2022.36.20 | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving on US interstate I-44 in Missouri at 74 miles per hour. I was using adaptive cruise control and not autopilot, when for no reason at all the car slammed on its brake and started slowing down at a fast rate. I had to push the accelerator to the floor to make it stop slowing down. If there would have been someone behind us we more than likely would have been in a serious accident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Recall 22V702 was issued for my 2022 Model 3 Tesla. It was said that the recall would be delivered OTA starting in October. This software update has not been made available and when I called Tesla, they said that they do not know when it will be available. It is worth mentioning that I have sense received two software updates but neither have remedied this recall. As a mom of two young children, this is deeply concerning | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | After purchasing my Model 3, I have experienced numerous times of what they call "Phantom Braking" and have tried to have it repaired and have been told that there is not anything Tesla can do at this time, but inform the driver to be aware! I was never told/informed/warned about this issue when I ordered and picked up my car. I have almost been in accidents at least 3 times while using my cruise control on the interstates. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Phantom braking. Driving down 395 going the speed limit, no other cars or any obstacles in the road whatsoever, the car would slam on the brakes hard to the point I almost lost control of the vehicle. This happened 3 times in a row before I turned off adaptive cruise control. This is the most glaring obvious example of a vehicle safety hazard that should be recalled that I’ve ever seen on a new car. If someone was driving behind my car I have no doubt this would have caused a rear and accident. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | While driving with Adaptive Cruise control on a two lane highway, as I was entering a curve in the highway and there was another car in the opposite lane, my Tesla rapidly decelerated to the point that it almost caused an accident. The car following me had to slam on their brakes to avoid hitting me. I just learned that there is ongoing deceleration problem with Tesla's and don't feel it is safe to drive with this technology on. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | I am not sure if this is the correct avenue to address this concern; however, I feel it is a valid concern. I purchased my Model 3 Tesla in March of 2022. After having it about a week I conducted a supercharge for the first time after charging it at home. While I was supercharging I noticed an immediate head rush and the sensation of my skin feeling prickly. I then began to experience vertigo. I assumed it was a result of the high levels of electricity being pumped into the car. I didn't think much of it and subsequent supercharging yielded a similar yet less intense full-body-brain sensation. A few days after my initial supercharge I began experiencing major headaches; debilitating headaches. To the point to where I scheduled a CT scan. The result was a diagnoses of "Cluster Headaches." Though I find it odd that these intense headaches did not start until I began driving a Tesla. My concern is that the Tesla emits high levels of EMF's/RF's and that, because this is a field that is relatively unstudied, has not been truly vetted by Tesla or the NHTSA. There is little evidence to support that EMF's are harmful to the brain simply because the technology itself is in its infancy. However, a large and powerful battery in a Tesla could be cause for concern in relation to the levels of radiation it emits to passengers. I would hope there have been sufficient testing put in place to assuage any negative effects of this type of radiation on Tesla owners/passengers. My hope in writing this is to raise the alarm that there could be a potential oversight of the damage these batteries can have on the population operating them; lest we become too fixated on the excitement of an electric vehicle and overlook the very real detriment it has to its consumes. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | AIR BAGS | The SRS indicator will come on and stay on. From my research there has been many other Teslas with same issue resulting in the chair having to be replaced at owner cost when out of warranty. This is a safety system that is known to be faulty so Tesla is obligated to fix it for whoever has this issue. Just adding a report so a recall happens. Mine is still under warranty so I’m fine. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Regardless of which cruise control function you are operating in the system will suddenly brake for no reason, sometimes slowing down by only a few miles an hour and sometimes by as much as 30 or 40 miles per hour. This can potentially lead to a rear end accident. System has far fewer failures at night than during the day and far fewer if there is traffic in front of the car than if there is an open road in front. This cruise control is almost unusable during the day on an open road. This has happened within 45 miles of owning the car to present 5000 miles + and has happened at every speed we have used it at This has been an on-going issue since the day we bought it and not something the Dealership tells you about in advance | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | owner/I can not program tire monitor sensor by themself/myself due to no option to reset, I have to go to their service center, and they are rip off , it is unsafe to have tire monitor | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Nov 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Experiencing phantom braking at high speeds when there is nothing there. This has happen 5-6 times during a recent road trip of 1000 miles | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Oct 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | since ownership phantom braking has occurred while the adaptive cruise control, autosteer and/or autopilot have been engaged. IT is completely random and occurs at both high speeds and during local street speeds. It doesnt matter the terrain either. It has happened while on a straight and even road as well as curvy and rolling hills. It also doesnt matter if its daytime or night. The applications will also disengage (turn off) if the rolling hills are frequent. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |