2021 TESLA MODEL 3 Complaints

View complaints related to 2021 TESLA MODEL 3. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 640 complaints submitted for the 2021 TESLA MODEL 3. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Madison, WI

    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)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - San Diego, CA

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Anderson Island, WA

    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)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - ST PETERSBURG, FL

    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)

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Johns Creek, GA

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Cary, NC

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Tulsa, OK

    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

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Champlain, NY

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - South Bend, IN

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Minneapolis , MN

    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.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE