2018 TESLA MODEL 3 Complaints

In the last 18 months I have had 8 service visits relating to electrical issues. In the last 30 months: - I had my car computer replaced after it shorted out, and then had to have it replaced again the next week. - I had the same taillight short out twice in a row. - I have had the 12V battery replaced three times. - I have had multiple low voltage controllers short out over multiple service visits. - The sound system has shorted out once as well. - One time, I was unable to shift to drive because a heater had shorted out. Now, I have to replace my right headlight and passenger airbag occupancy sensor due to shorts as well. The right headlight goes out intermittently and the passenger airbag alert fires sometimes. Tesla Corte Madera submitted a buyback request on my behalf after witnessing all these issues, but Tesla corporate denied it. I am sure the electrical issues will continue to affect the safety and drivability of my car. Thank you for your help.

The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on multiple occasions, the message "Front Left Safety Restraint System Issue RCM_a021" was displayed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

My car experienced a loud clunking noise when turning for the past few weeks. After doing some research and inspecting behind the front right tire, I found a front suspension lateral link bolt nearly falling off. It was only being held on by a few threads. It was so loose I could unscrew it completely or tighten it more by hand with no resistance. It sounds related to an existing recall for 2018 Tesla model 3’s (my year and model), but my car is not included in the recall. The other joints around it appear prematurely worn as well. See picture to show exactly how loose it was upon inspection. Requesting to review and likely expand the existing recall to more 2018 Tesla Model 3s

Tesla notification that front left safety restraint system has an issue. Service is required. Who isn't going to take their car in when there is an alert saying the safety restraint system has an issue. Then $232 in parts and $484. in labor. After taking in it was diagnosed that seat harness being pinched against the outboard shield causing the pretensioner to fault. Need to replace the seat harness and the pretensioner. Ended up being $232 in parts and $484 in labor. My safety was at risk because this system affects the seatbelt and airbags. Problem was diagnosed, confirmed, and repaired at my cost. Tesla dealership inspected. Thousands of tesla owners repairing at their own cost- maybe should be recall.

My vehicle should've been included in a recall. While exiting my garage to pick up my son from school, a loud mechanical banging noise came from the front of my car. I abruptly stopped and proceeded to reverse back into my garage to inspect my vehicle. While inspecting my vehicle and the surrounding area, I discovered a large bolt on the ground. A quick image search says "on a Tesla Model 3, this specific high-strength 10.9 Class metric hex flange bolt is a critical structural component that almost certainly backed out of [my] front suspension lower control arm/ lateral link assembly or the front subframe structural mounts." So the loud banging noise came from my suspension falling apart after the bolt fell out. Upon further inspection, I confirmed that this was the issue and that a second bolt on the same side had partially backed out as well. My vehicle was not safe to drive, so I had to have my vehicle towed to the nearest service center for repairs. I took photos and video of the areas, as well as the bolt, which showed no signs of any damage to the head or threads - so the bolt simply backed out and appears to be a manufacturing/ assembly issue. After a quick search, we learned that there were previous NHTSA recalls (ie Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-235) for this particular issue, including for my same vehicle make, model, year (2018 Tesla Model 3) and production dates (Jan 5, 2018 - Mar 30, 2019). Unfortunately, I never received a recall notice. I barely drive my car, so bolts shouldn't just be backing out on their own. Unfortunately, my car is no longer under warranty, but was advised by the service managers to file a report and to get reimbursed thru NCDS. This is a huge safety issue. I had no warnings or alerts from the car. My alignment was checked a year ago. My wheels and tires get checked often and are well maintained, so I didn't even need air or rotation, yet my suspension just fell apart on its own before 60K miles.

High voltage fast charge contactors experienced partial weld failure (BMS_a167_SW_FC_Partial_Weld) during routine Supercharging, causing complete HV system shutdown (hvState = HV_DOWN). Vehicle also threw BMS_a085/a086 Pack and Fast Charge Contactor Mismatch codes. Tesla service is refusing to cover repair under the 8-Year HV Battery Warranty, claiming fast charge contactors are not a warranted component despite being integrated into the HV battery assembly. Vehicle has been at Duluth, GA Tesla Service Center since approximately June 8, 2025.

I have received a dashboard warning from Telsa that there is a “Front passenger safety relevant safety issue”. Upon follow-up with the Tesla service team, I’ve learned that the sensor has failed and since they can only replace it with a new and different type of sensor, they also need to replace the air bag. The initial cost was estimated at some $2,100. I bought the “2018” Tesla Model 3 in 2019. I’ve never had to replace an air bag in my some 40 years of owning a car. I hope this is helpful info for NHTSA to have. Please let me know if you have any questions.

The front passenger safety restraint system is triggering an on-screen warning error that says service is required. This puts my front passenger at risk of death in the event of an accident. I have sent the manufacturer (Tesla) a request for service and received a confirmation of the errors with a list of parts to be replaced for a sum of $1200.65. I understand there is a service bulletin for this issue (Bulletin SB-19-20-003), but Tesla still will not fix it for free even though it is a safety issue. In the estimate, Tesla listed the following components as failure points that need to be replaced: 1) FIRST ROW OCCUPANCY SENSOR(1099592-00-F) 2) FIRST ROW - SEAT BELT REMINDER SENSOR BOX CLIP(1130363-00-B) 3) FIRST ROW SEAT HARNESS ASSEMBLY - RIGHT HAND(1489060-03-G) 4) AIRBAG HARNESS RETAINING CLIP(1028053-00-A) 5) BOLT,EHS,M6X19,[88],ZN,SMAT,ADH. - KNEE AND PASSENGER AIRBAG BOLT(1116594-00-B) 6) BOLT RC M6-1.25x26(1036655-00-A) 7) PASSENGER AIRBAG(1077823-00-G) 8) BOLT,HF,M6X7,STL[88],ZN,SHLDR[8X18]. (1105061-00-E)

It showed message that emergency brakes not available. It was related to wire hardness inside the trunk lid. I had to get it replaced. Tesla did not cover it.

The door handles have a defect. The chrome peels off unexpectedly, outside of normal wear and tear, and may cause a deep cut to a person’s finger. It cut my son’s finger, causing bleeding. After researching, I found online that that this has happened to many other people.