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
    - Cerritos, CA

    I was driving Tesla on the freeway using adaptive cruise control at 65 miles per hour and the car suddenly brake and the sped jumped from 65 to 20 in seconds. It was scary. There was no one in front of nothing in the road to cause that to happen. It did say on the screen something about visibility. I had to take control of the car after. It has happened several times before. When I spoke with Tesla they said it’s a safety feature and it only happens when you pass certain cities. I find that hardly true

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

    I was driving with the Autopilot on, traveling about 65 mph on the freeway when the automatic emergency braking system kicked in for no reason. There was absolutely nothing in front of the car when it aggressively braked, very suddenly. I was very lucky no one was behind me. I have not reported this directly to Tesla, no one has inspected or confirmed this event.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - St. Clair Shores, MI

    AC/Heat pump total failure at 18,317 miles. Due to cold weather in Michigan and simply running the car, the heat pump went out entirely which creates the climate control in the vehicle. This caused dangerous driving conditions since the windows could not be defogged and the vehicle was below freezing temperatures inside. The service agents I spoke with seemed to understand this was a common occurrence in cold weather climates. The reason I am reporting this, is although mine was replaced at no cost to me under warranty, this is a manufacturing oversight and needs to be addressed by the company. This can cause very unsafe driving conditions for many people, and cost thousands of dollars in repairs all because they sell a vehicle that has parts not suitable for the climates they operate in.

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

    i am slowly coming into the driveway. All of a sudden the car accelrated while i was applying brake. the air bags didn't come on either. it hit the car in front which then got pushed into the garage

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Loveland, OH

    This incident happened last summer, 2022 but I recently read that it is happening to many other people and thought I should report it. I was driving on Hwy 71 south in the Cincinnati area with the ADAS with the cruise control and auto steering in operation. All of a sudden the brakes slammed on with me not doing anything to cause it. There were no cars behind me and I touched and released the brake pedal and it went back to a normal driving mode. I don’t believe I hit a pothole or bump on the highway. I did not report it to Tesla.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - BUCKEYE, AZ

    Tesla software release 2022.44.25 My Tesla autopilot continues to exhibit phantom braking while in traffic aware cruise control and autopilot. The vehicle will suddenly slow down either gently or harshly. This behavior was observed after Tesla released software that disabled the cars radar. Since then, multiple updates have remedied the issue but 2022.44.25 has introduced phantom braking again. No accidents have occurred but luckily I live in a remote area of Arizona and can take control of the car as it phantom brakes. After Tesla working in autopilot for years, I think it’s time for additional validation to start happening on autopilot and traffic aware cruise control. I’m also of the belief that normal cruise control should be banned. Thanks!

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

    The heat pump failed in 12/2022. The defroster would not work and heating was an issue. I encountered 2 dangerous situations in snowstorms where I could not see out the window and the heating was inconsistent and difficult to control.This was fixed by Tesla. The heat pump failed again (less than a month later). I was told today that there was an ice buildup in the coils possibly due to car wash (?). This problem, I am afraid, is going to continue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Cookeville, TN

    While charging Model 3 the amperage went from 32amps and was capped at 16amps. This is a wide spread issue with Tesla’s model 3 Power conversion system (PCS). There is 3 controllers in the PCS system. When all 3 are working correctly it will charge at 48amps. If one stops it will drop to 32 amps or drop to 16 amps if two fail or not even charge if 3 fail. This is a known issue and and costly repair as Tesla refuses to fix these under the battery warranty.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2021 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Hawthorne , NJ

    While using the base level of "autopilot," remaining in a lane and maintaining speed, the car will randomly slam on the brakes even when there are no vehicles or objects in front of it. The first incident occurred while driving late at night on an interstate. There were no vehicles in front of the car, but it rapidly reduced speed from 75mph to 30mph, before immediately speeding up again. The camera based "autopilot" is essentially useless and I have decided not to use it when driving.

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

    Autopilot failed. Driver had head, neck injuries , and the passenger had head, neck, and knee injuries. CRASH REPORT: Date - 1/14/23; Time - 10:30 am. NCIC Number - 9565; Officer's Name: Garduno #22857

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE