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
    - mission viejo, CA

    There is a recent recall for suspension related issues with this model. Recently there is a suspension related knocking sound coming from front drivers side area that seems suspension related. I am unable to schedule appt for inspection/ repairs due to another unrelated scheduled service. Tesla requires scheduling through the Tesla application and does not allow scheduling for service when another appointment is pending. I have no way to contact them directly. They have not responded to my concern through customer service app.

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

    there were 2 phantom braking incidents today traveling between pasadena and berkeley onhighway 5. it was getting cloudy. the first incident occurred just after i passed under an overpass, and thought it might have been due to the lighting. the braking was mild . there were other cars passing me on the left. i had the cruise control set to around 74mph. i probably slowed to 65mph the second phantom braking incident was about an hour later, and it was HARD. fortunately the cars behind me were far enough away. the cruise control was also set around 74mph. interestingly, no audio alerts were issued with either incident. normally, when driving without cruise control, the car will issue audio alerts (loud, urgent beeping) if a car gets too close. in both of my cases, there were no cars in front of me as i was in the slow lane.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Cody, WY

    The car will apply the brakes suddenly when in control when there is no obstacle to be avoided.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Lancaster, PA

    When driving on the highway on autopilot (not full self driving or enhanced auto pilot), the vehicle will experience “phantom braking” where it will suddenly brake with full regenerative braking force without any perceivable reason/cause. I have noticed this event occurs every time at the same location as it is on my commute to work. I’ll be on the highway with my speed set to around the speed limit of 65mph in autopilot mode, and when approaching the merge of a specific on-ramp, the car’s set speed will suddenly change from 65 to 55 and then the full power of regenerative braking is applied until I manually disengage them. There can be no vehicles around me or any logical reason for it to brake, and it will do so anyways. This is a safety concern as a vehicle following behind me may not anticipate a random and hard braking event for no apparent reason or cause to do so. The car acts if the speed limit decreases, which it doesn’t, and then its reaction is to brake very very hard and abruptly. If I don’t manually disengage the brakes, I’m not sure if it would come to a complete stop on the highway or just brake until a certain speed is reached. This phantom braking event has occurred in other areas as well, but I have noticed it always happens at this one specific location every day. There are no speed limit signs/changes in the area.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Humble, TX

    My car no longer makes any sound when driving in parking lots or alley lanes to warn pedestrians or bicycle riders of my approach. This needs to be addressed for the safety of myself and others.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - El paso, TX

    My model 3 on crusing speeds on high ways, automatically applies brakes and makes sudden,abrupt, jolted slowing down which causes extreme pressure on persons body

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Myrtle Beach, SC

    The car suddenly braked hard when there were no obstacles or other reason. If someone was behind me I would have been hit.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Missouri City, TX

    Car put on brakes unexpectedly during use of adaptive cruise control (autopilot). This phantom braking happens often at highway speed. Bug reports have been sent from vehicle to Tesla

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Emporia, VA

    While driving on the interstate I was using Autopilot (cruise control). I started into a slight curve when the vehicle suddenly emergency braked. The roadway was clear and thankfully no vehicle was following close behind me. Also there was no warning alarms, just a sudden, aggressive braking. This has happened several times before but the first time with no alarms beforehand.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Joplin, MO

    My operating my Model 3 in autopilot mode, there is one particular location that my car "phantom brakes" every time I pass. I travel this location an average of 4 times per week. I have been reporting the phantom braking to Tesla for almost two (2) years and they still have not fixed the problem. They claim the car is doing what it is supposed to do. The phantom braking occurs on a divided highway on an overpass that passes over a highway with a lower speed limit ( 37° 4'54.40"N 94°18'48.09"W). It only occurs in the east bound direction. Tesla says their mapping information is provided by Google and until Google updates or corrects their mapping data, the problem will persist. On a day with no traffic behind me, I did not intervene and allowed the car to brake as it saw fit. I went from 70mph to 40mph all while in a 70mph zone. As I have mentioned, I have been telling Tesla about this since March of 2021 yet it is not resolved.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE