2018 TESLA MODEL 3 Complaints

View complaints related to 2018 TESLA MODEL 3. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. There are more than 1,000 complaints submitted for the 2018 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.

  • 2018 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Buffalo Grove , IL

    I have noticed unwarranted braking while using cruise control. I have been able to confirm at least some of it is due reconstruction of the highway. At certain places the car thinks I am on an exit ramp with a 45mph limit when I am actually on the main highway. It then suddenly slows the car until I correct it using the accelerator.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Livonia, MI

    After purchasing the Autopilot feature on February 9th, 2022, on our first trip next day (Feb 10th), we experienced phantom braking with adaptive cruise control turned on, barely avoiding a hit from the rear by a truck in Toledo, OH. Later, during same trip, we experienced phantom braking with both ACC and Autopilot features turned on, and stopped using them out of safety concerns. After a new occurrence, while on cruise control on June 4th, I informed Tesla service in Clarkston, MI, but no repair, deletion of Autopilot and reimbursement was possible as I requested. We never had similar issues form November 2nd 2018 to February 9th 2022 (44.159 miles) , before purchasing and installing Autopilot.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Irvine , CA

    My Tesla 3 suddenly braked while driving on the road from about 40 mph to 10 mph. There was nothing obstructing my car from the front or sides. It was a scary experience. My neck was jolted forward and the seatbelt pressed very tightly against my chest. I immediately scheduled for service with Tesla. I then got a call from them and was told I should be okay to drive my car until my scheduled appointment a week from now! How is this not an emergency?!

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Encinitas, CA

    Constant phantom breaking while using cruise control, autopilot or FSD. A reoccurring problem that happens more and more often.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Assonet, MA

    When the vehicle's directional is activated, the side camera on the activated side of the directional is activated and displays the blindspot area on the car's center screen. I.e. you want to change lanes and you activate the left directional to signal moving into the left lane, the left side camera activates and displays on the screen what is in the left lane. This is a very handy feature, unfortunately at night the "blinking" of the directional completely blinds the camera. It also completely saturates the center screen with a orange/red light when the directional is blinking. Tesla has fixed this problem with newer vehicles, they have an updated side camera that has a partition in the camera to block the light coming from the directional. Tesla will not replace the earlier side cameras. I was advised by Tesla service to shut off the camera at night. I find this solution to be completely unacceptable as I am accustomed to using the blind spot feature. This is a software/hardware incompatibility/defect and I believe there should be a recall in regards to this issue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Pittsburg, CA

    The car brakes by it and accelerates by it. Some time it says I am not holding the steering wheel and it cancels the autopilot in the middle of the long distance driving. The defective cabin camera does not see the hand position at all and randomly keeps on distracting from the front road view to the screen which is not in the same line as the road. Too many errors of auto pilot are very frustrating and distracting. The Tesla’s team tries to repair something and keeps on blaming their own departments not to fix things correctly. I have tried many times to make an appointment thru their app which is very buggy and it’s like one way communication. I have multiple recalls on my car but they don’t have time or parts to fix it. They will not allow making any weekend or within 20 mile radius service center. Once they do any repair their technician drops the ball and do not want to fix the original problem correctly. The full self driving is ridiculous I have not been able to complete even 10 miles trip without taking over in few minutes. This FSD software/hardware needs to be more accurate as soon as possible so that there is no harm done to the driver and passenger to the Tesla and other cars.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL 3
    - San Francisco, CA

    1) Ongoing issue with car braking suddenly when no other cars are ahead of it. 2) When in auto-pilot, the car brakes late when carrying speed. This has happened when the car is less than 1 car length behind the car ahead of it forcing me to disengage and brake hard to avoid a collision. In one incident, I had to swerve the car and drive onto shoulder of the highway to avoid a collision. 3) On 7-16 the the undercarriage cover detached from car while driving on highway.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL 3
    - San Mateo, CA

    There was a recall for the Model 3 trunk harness on Dec 21, 2021. Manufacturer Recall Number: TBD NHTSA Recall Number: 21V-00D Recall Status: Recall Incomplete I attempted to schedule a service appointment with Tesla to remedy this situation but they rejected my appointment. It has been more than 6 months and they still have not reached out on fixing this recall.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL 3
    - San Mateo, CA

    Tesla no longer automatically turns on headlights when the automatic wipers are enabled, this used to be a functionality of the vehicle. The ability to turn on headlights is extremely difficult and requires going through multiple screens while driving, something that is extremely dangerous. Tesla also does not allow you to turn on headlights with voice command. Proposed Fixes #1) Restore functionality that turns on headlights when wipers are enabled #2) Same as #1, but as a preference setting that requires a driver to enable that setting #3) Allow a driver to turn on headlights via voice command. If there is a safety concern that the voice system may turn OFF headlights, disable the ability to turn OFF but enable the ability to turn ON. Long story short the vehicle needs to automatically turn on the headlights when the wipers are on.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Rockville, MD

    Since I purchased this car new in Sept 2018, the car has had a "front Left safety restraint system fault". It has been fixed over 3 times and it is going for the 4th time now. The car is going out of warranty this year and I am afraid I will be stuck with the bill if it happens again. Even though all the fixes have been free so far, it is an ongoing problem Also, the known phantom breaking, just add to the numbers. it is more than common. I almost see it coming when going under overpasses because of the shadow. The computer must see it as an object. I have inquired about the lane departure warning and they keep saying it is just a software issue. If it is activated at any point during the drive, then it says that "lane departure warning" is not long available and may be restored on the next drive.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE