2018 TESLA MODEL 3 Complaints

Vehicle Information: Make: Tesla Model: Model 3 Mid Range Year: 2018 VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 60,000 Issue Description: My 2018 Tesla Model 3 is experiencing premature wear of the front upper control arm ball joints and lower links at only 60,000 miles, despite the sealant fix from Tesla Service Bulletin SB-20-31-006 being previously applied. This premature wear suggests a defect in materials or design and poses a potential safety risk due to compromised handling. Request: I would like some information on the current situation, if tesla has already told their stance on the issue, if I qualify for any coverage even out of warranty. Anything that can help others when their suspension front goes out extremely prematurely. Contact Information: Name: [XXX] Phone: [XXX] Email: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The car started making a strange high pitched creak sound whenever I would turn the steering wheel, or go over bumps in the road. I brought the car to Tesla and they informed me that the following parts needed to be replaced. 1. Front Lower Compliance links (left and right) 2. Front Lower Lateral Link (left and right) I was notified that the failure of those components was a potentially serious safety issue, and that the parts needed to be replaced as soon as possible. I had Tesla replace the parts, so the issue cannot be inspected. The problem was verified by the Tesla Service Center, and was not seen by any other professionals. There were no real warnings, other than the annoying squeak sound whenever the sterring wheel was turned. The sound first appeared in November of 2024.

The front suspension lateral link on our Model 3 came detached from the subframe as the bolts someone loosened. This is a known issue and Tesla has issued a recall (NHTSA Recall No: 23V-235) on this year Model 3, but our VIN is not included in the recall. It seems that this issue is wider than the cars the original recall has included. Upon detachment, the wheel steering did not work, and if it highway speeds, could have cause a fatal accident.

Warning message appeared on center screen stating: "Front left safety restraint system fault". This appears to be a safety related problem , Tesla dealer wants $500 to repair because the vehicle is "out of warreanty" . This is the second Model 3 we have had. Previous version also experienced this fault. Is this a safety problem and if so should the car manufacturer be responsible to repair at no cost to owner? I have receoved a notice from NHTSA dated 5-31-2024 stating recall 24V376 may affect my vehicle - Seat Belt warning Sustem. I have not receoved a specific recall from tesla for this recall. Is it the same as the fault referenced above?

The suspension on this car developed a persistent noise that worsened over time, prompting me to schedule a service appointment at the Tesla dealership. Although my car has less than 40,000 miles and has been driven primarily on well-paved city roads, both front suspensions were found to require extensive repairs, a final bill of approximately $2,100. Safety Concerns: Frequent Suspension Issues in Teslas: Online research and data from the NHTSA indicate a disproportionately high number of suspension and steering complaints for Tesla vehicles. In 2023, Tesla owners filed over 260 complaints, significantly higher proportionally than Toyota, despite Tesla's much smaller sales volume. Such trends suggest potential systemic quality issues in Tesla’s manufacturing process. Simultaneous Suspension Failure: The need to replace multiple components in both front suspensions at just 30,000+ miles raises serious questions about the reliability and safety. A single suspension failure could be a bad luck, but simultaneous failures point to broader design or manufacturing problems. Risk of Accidents: Suspension failure compromises vehicle control, increasing the risk of accidents that endanger drivers, passengers, and others on the road. Transparency Issues in the Repair Process: The initial repair estimate of $200 excluded labor costs and was revised to $400 without prior clarity. After inspection, the cost escalated to $2,100, leaving me no option but to approve the repairs without the ability to verify their necessity. Lack of transparency in repair recommendations, coupled with Tesla’s track record of suspension complaints, undermines customer trust and raises concerns about the integrity of the repair process. In conclusion, my experience highlights potential safety risks and quality control issues with Tesla vehicles. Suspension defects not only burden customers with significant costs but also pose a serious hazard on the road.

I received an onboard alert that says ‘Safety Restraint System Issue/Service is required.’ According to online Tesla Forums, this is a very common issue with the Model 3 drivers side air bag system. Although some relate it to a wire under the seat that becomes worn with movement of the seat, Tesla gives an estimate of over $1,000 to fix the problem. There repair estimate involves updating the front passenger airbag ($444), and replacing the occupant classification system ($426).

Tesla 3 was self parking backwards and failed to stop when the car in the adjacent parking spot started moving. The result was a small scratch, but this is definitely a bug in Tesla self-parking software: it had to stop when another car moves into the stop Tesal selected for self-parking. Here is link to 30 sec video: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that on several occasions while making left or right turns, there was a loud clanking noise emanating from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the lower control arm bushings had deteriorated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several months later where it was diagnosed that the bushings and one of the well nuts had sheared off, and the subframe needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.

I was at a stoplight behind a Toyota Tacoma. I must have stopped around 8 feet behind it. I was not using FSD and I was not one-pedal driving. My foot was on the brake. I must have been at a complete stop for approximately 10 seconds when my Model 3 suddenly accelerated full throttle on its own and rear ended the Tacoma, directly hitting its trailer hitch, causing my car's driver-side airbags to deploy. When it happened, the light was still red and my foot was still on the brake. I never touched the accelerator. Luckily I was driving alone. After the inital contact, my car sort of bounced off of his hitch then slowly lurched forward before it stopped. After that, it was immobile, leaving me stuck in traffic until it was towed away.

Control arm of the left front suspension system detached with no warning other than an occasional noise that started about 2 weeks before the incident, usually when turning the front wheels at slow speed. This was a potentially dangerous situation for the driver, passengers, and any other vehicles on the road as the tire could have come off at any time. Fortunately the car was being parked (0-1 mph) in a non-congested area when the control arm detached. The vehicle (total mileage approximately 42k) was towed to a Tesla Service Center 2 days later where the problem--first diagnosed by the tow truck driver--was confirmed by a Tesla service representative. There was no warning of any problem other than the occasional noise mentioned previously. If this parts failure had occurred at high speed on an interstate highway, it would likely have been deadly!