2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD

2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD

Electric Sedan · AWD

353 mi 20 recalls 631 complaints
66 /100
TrimIndex Score

Based on battery health, build quality, owner data, EPA range, and market pricing

Above average for 2021 EV Sedans (class avg 65 · top 37%)

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TrimIndex Intelligence
Synthesized 1 day ago · v2.4
50 NHTSA Complaints
20 Active Recalls
16 Reddit Threads r/TeslaModel3
11 Forum Excerpts avg +0.18 sentiment

Autopilot linked to 6 crash-involved NHTSA complaints. Six severity-5 complaints document crashes with Autopilot or FSD engaged, including one fatality. Phantom braking appears in 5 additional independent reports, with abrupt stops at highway speeds. Recalls 23V085000 and 23V838000 address FSD behavior.

20 NHTSA recalls span brakes, suspension, and airbags. 20 recall campaigns cover brake caliper bolts (21V387000), suspension link fasteners (21V835000), curtain airbag mounting (21V834000), and swapped camera harnesses (22V317000). Multiple consequences cite crash or injury risk. Tesla remediates most via OTA.

Seat belt and airbag sensor failures repeat across owners. Rear middle seat belt locking irreversibly appears in 3 independent reports. Passenger SRS airbag sensor faults are documented in 5 separate complaints; one owner reports airbags not deploying in a collision. Tesla service response varies.

Build quality trails the class average by 29 points. Build quality scores 67 against a class benchmark of 96, a 29-point gap. Rust on door sills appears in owner reports for 2021 production units. Long-term owners (4+ years) report no creaks or panel separation, suggesting batch-level variance.

Owner satisfaction holds at 80 with proven long-term durability. Owner satisfaction scores 80/100. One verified owner reports 216,000 miles with only 12% battery capacity loss. Multiple 4-year accounts cite zero mechanical failures. Current market pricing of $19,862–$26,359 sits 45–59% below the original $48,190 MSRP.

Full Synthesis

The 2021 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD scores 66/100, driven by strong software and tech (88) and solid owner satisfaction (80), but weighed down by 20 NHTSA recall campaigns and a safety record that includes 6 crash-involved complaints linked to Autopilot. Phantom braking recurs across 5 independent reports; seat belt and airbag sensor faults appear in 8 additional cases. Build quality (67) trails the class average of 96 by 29 points. Current market pricing of $19,862–$26,359 puts this vehicle 45–59% below its original $48,190 MSRP. For buyers: this is a technologically capable vehicle with documented safety risks—verify all 20 recalls are closed before purchase, inspect seat belts and passenger airbag sensors at delivery, and treat FSD-assisted features as driver-assistance only.

Analyzed by TrimIndex Data Engine · Scoring methodology →

Pricing & Market Value

Original MSRP $48,190 When new (2021)
Current Market Value $19,862 – $26,359 Composite from KBB & J.D. Power
▼ 45 – 59% high depreciation loss
KBB
Fair Purchase Price
$23,600
J.D. Power
Consumer Verified™
$23,111 Verified Fair Price

Score Breakdown

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Your Score
66
/100
Battery Health
55
Weight25%
Owner Satisfaction
80
Weight20%
Build Quality
67
Weight15%
Value
46
Weight15%
Range & Efficiency
68
Weight15%
Software & Tech
88
Weight10%

Vehicle Specifications

353
miles
EPA Range
25.1
kWh/100mi
Efficiency
AWD
 
Drivetrain

NHTSA Recalls (20)

Dec 2024
Tires — Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
Campaign #24V935000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2024 Cybertruck, 2017-2025 Model 3, and 2020-2025 Model Y vehicles. The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light may not remain illuminated between drive cycles, failing to warn the driver of low tire pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Jul 2024
Electrical System — Software
Campaign #24V554000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.

An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
May 2024
Seat Belts — Front — Warning Light — Devices
Campaign #24V376000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Feb 2024
Forward Collision Avoidance — Warnings — External — Pedestrian Alert
Campaign #24V153000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Jan 2024
Electrical System — Instrument Cluster — Panel
Campaign #24V051000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Dec 2023
Electrical System — Adas — Driver Monitoring — Software
Campaign #23V838000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.

In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Feb 2023
Steering — Automated — Adaptive Steering
Campaign #23V085000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation.  The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.

FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Oct 2022
Seat Belts — Rear — Other — Anchorage
Campaign #22V798000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The second-row left seat belt buckle and second-row center seat belt anchor may have been incorrectly reassembled during vehicle service.

An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Sep 2022
Visibility — Power Window Devices And Controls
Campaign #22V702000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."

A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
May 2022
Forward Collision Avoidance — Automatic Emergency Braking
Campaign #22V317000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model 3 and 2021 Model Y vehicles. The fisheye and narrow camera cable terminals were incorrectly installed in the cable harness connector, resulting in swapped camera views.

Swapped camera views can prevent the vehicle's cameras from detecting crossing objects and high-curvature lane lines, impairing the Autosteer and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) performance, and increasing the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Apr 2022
Electrical System — Instrument Cluster — Panel
Campaign #22V263000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Model 3 Performance vehicles. The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedometer while in Track Mode. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."

The driver may not know how fast the vehicle is traveling without the mph or km/h unit display, increasing the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Apr 2022
Forward Collision Avoidance — Warnings — External — Pedestrian Alert
Campaign #22V235000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Feb 2022
Forward Collision Avoidance — Warnings — External — Pedestrian Alert
Campaign #22V063000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Feb 2022
Electrical System — Software
Campaign #22V050000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."

Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Jan 2022
Seat Belts — Front
Campaign #22V045000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Jan 2022
Steering — Automated — Adaptive Steering
Campaign #22V037000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.

Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Oct 2021
Forward Collision Avoidance — Sensing System — Camera
Campaign #21V846000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.

Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Oct 2021
Suspension — Critical Fasteners
Campaign #21V835000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.

A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
Oct 2021
Air Bags — Side — Window — Curtain
Campaign #21V834000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

A twisted side curtain air bag may improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury or occupant ejection during a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov
May 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Critical Fasteners
Campaign #21V387000

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.

Contact with the rim may cause a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Check VIN status at NHTSA.gov

NHTSA Complaints (631 total)

471
Safety
66
Build Quality
56
Battery
29
Software

Severity: 1 cosmetic  ·  2 minor  ·  3 repeat visit  ·  4 stranding  ·  5 crash / injury

5
Safety
Feb 17
The car was in an accident on 10/5/2022 when the autosteer over corrected causing the vehicle to strike the median of the road. It was subsequently totalled.
Crash involved
5
Safety
Jan 31
I leased a Tesla Model 3 on [XXX] in Tampa, Florida On [XXX] the car went into Sudden Unintended Acceleration as I was coming out of a "Hold" at a Yield sign where I was at a complete stop waiting for traffic to fully clear for a right hand turn onto a two lane street. I was coming off of [XXX] onto [XXX] in St. Petersburg, Florida. As I started the turn, the Tesla tossed me onto the curb and along a pedestrian sidewalk at high speed. I tried to brake, but the car continued plowing towards a traffic sign that I avoided hitting by making a hard left to try to get back onto the street. Instead of returning me to the street and my lane, the Tesla threw me left across two lanes of traffic, over a grass divider, and into two lanes of oncoming traffic heading straight for a head on collision. At this point, the steering wheel went out, was completely unresponsive and just kept spinning around. The brake was still not responding. I kept spinning the wheel towards the right until at the last minute the car sped back onto the correct side of the road where I was abruptly and without any kind of a jolt, able to regain control of the car: the brake responded and the steering wheel stopped spinning. I then drove at a speed of about 20 miles an hour to the closest residential street. After stopping to gather my wits for about half an hour, I slowly drove home with the emergency lights on and parked it in the parking lot. The Tesla had damage to the front and undercarriage. The Tesla's steering wheel pulled to the right. I did not get into that Tesla again and demanded that they tow the car away and warn others that it is a death trap. They towed the car. I am never getting into any other Tesla again for as long as I live. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash involved
5
Safety
Jul 18
This is a report of the accident I was in on July 15, 2023 at 3:00 PM. I was going south on two lane Hwy 160 a couple south miles of Hwy 12 when I pulled out onto a wide, long pullout. When I decided to get back on the highway, I looked back to see a long line of cars coming. My Tesla’s Full Self Driving has Auto Lane Change which switches lanes for you when safe. I figured I would use Auto Lane Change to merge onto the road when safe. I already had the Tesla Navigation on. I turned on the Full Self Drive and my blinker, thinking that it would be a while before the Tesla decided it was safe to merge onto the road. However, the car started moving toward the road almost immediately. I realized that there couldn’t have been a break in traffic already. I turned in disbelief. Just then the left side of the was smashed. I looked ahead to see a SUV swerving back and forth down the road trying to regain control. Then the blur of another car. The SUV was sailing through the air, then it was sliding on its roof. I rushed to the SUV feeling like there was a good chance that people were really hurt or dead. I couldn’t see inside because of the airbags.The driver’s door wouldn’t open. I rushed around the back of the car and saw a dog getting out of the front passenger door followed by a man. The man helped his wife out. Thankfully, they were not hurt. While waiting for the tow truck, one of the fishermen who were hanging around for some reason asked me for my ID. I asked why. He said his car was in the accident and pointed across the highway to over a 15 foot embankment and to about 500 hundred yards away where I saw his car. He said that his car had been parked and was hit by the SUV. With the stress and adrenaline of the accident and because there was only my car and the SUV on the side of the road, I realized that this was the car I had seen in a blur during the whirlwind accident.
Crash involved
5
Safety
Apr 20
I was driving to school which is about an hour away from my home. I was in the carpool lane when all of a sudden I got a notice that the top speed of the vehicle was reduced to 35 MPH second later it said it was in low power mode. The screen starting flashing red and it began to shake and shut down. I had seconds to get into the shoulder of the freeway and the car and the car lost all power. This was an unprovoked incident and I feel that if put me in grave danger. In order for the car to start driving I had to exit and enter it again while on the freeway. I was thankfully able to pull into the shoulder because I was in the carpool lane but had I not been I would have had to do this in full traffic.
5
Safety
Jan 19
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
Crash involved
5
Safety
May 25
The contact's son owned a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that his son was involved in a fatal collision while driving at an undisclosed speed with the autopilot activated. The contact was informed by his son's friend, who was a passenger in the vehicle, that the autopilot malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to inadvertently drive off the road, hit a tree, and then catch fire. An unknown bright orange light was seen on the windshield right before the failure occurred. The contact's son's friend was able to exit the vehicle, but the contact's son was unconscious and was not able to exit the vehicle. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A fire department report was filed. The contact's son's friend received medical attention for burns and bruises on his legs. The contact's son's autopsy report stated that his son died as a result of intense thermal heat and smoke inhalation. The vehicle was towed and remained with the Highway Patrol. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Crash involved
5
Safety
Aug 18
When accessing the on-screen owner's manual, the Tesla screen freezes completely and no controls or signals are available. After the screen freezes, the air conditioning starts to blow at a full blast for about 30 seconds. The Tesla screen then goes blank for about two minutes, at which time the driver has no access to signals, speedometer, alerts, or any other car information detail. It is not clear if lights or doors are impacted. The car is able to accelerate and brake during this period, but the driver is essentially "driving blind." After approximately two minutes, the screen flashes a Tesla logo and reboots. Once the screen reboots, the screen - and car operation - appear to operate normally. This has occurred four times over a period of several weeks. This is a safety hazard. In one instance the screen went blank while driving on a highway on-ramp. It was frightening to have all car controls disappear. I appeared to have control of the steering wheel, accelerator and brake, but since there was no instruction or warning, there was no way of knowing if or when the car would simply stop on the highway. Since the speedometer, turn signal indicators, and traffic alert features disappeared, the car became hazardous to drive. In at least two of the incidents, there was no place to pull the car over while the car (hopefully) reset. Tesla automated software updates have not yet corrected this problem. The Tesla "bug report" was used to report the problem after the systems resumed function, but there has been no communication from Tesla on the matter. According to Tesla forums, other Tesla owners have experienced the same problem.
4
Safety
Mar 30
The components involved are the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system and the airbag system. During the collision, the AEB system did not activate, and the airbags did not deploy. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I was driving on a main roadway with no stop signs or traffic controls in my direction when another driver entered from a side street with a stop sign and pulled directly in front of me. I was unable to avoid the collision, and my vehicle was struck the other vehicle. The failure of the AEB system to engage and the airbags not deploying increased the risk of injury to myself and could have posed a risk to others involved. The issue has not been reproduced, and it has not yet been confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. The vehicle has been inspected by police and insurance representatives. The other driver was determined to be at fault. I am in the process of addressing the incident with the manufacturer. There were no warning lights, messages, or prior symptoms indicating any issue with the braking or airbag systems before the collision.
Crash involved
4
Safety
Mar 10
- The rear middle seatbelt became locked and will not unwind or extend. The seatbelt remained stuck in the retracted position, making it unusable. The vehicle and seatbelt assembly are available for inspection upon request. However, Tesla has already fixed the issue, but I feel we were wrongly charged because I believe this should be a recall. I searched this issue online, and others have reported the same issue. Because we rarely have the need to use our rear seats, it wasn't until years later we discovered this issue. - Because the rear middle seatbelt cannot be extended, that seating position cannot safely be used. Any passenger sitting in that position would not have a functioning restraint system in the event of a collision, creating a safety risk. - Yes, Tesla service inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the rear middle seatbelt was locked and not functioning properly. - The vehicle has been inspected by Tesla service. It has not been inspected by police, insurance representatives, or other third parties. - No warning lights, alerts, or messages appeared prior to discovering the issue. The seatbelt was found to be locked when we attempted to use it, and it would not extend.
4
Safety
Jan 23
The driver’s side belt makes a “click” sound when latch is inserted into the locking component but at times does NOT remain lock and the belt is released shortly after. The issue is sporadic. The belt is released with a low amount of force i.e. adjusting the body in the seat or twisting body to look over the shoulder
4
Safety
Nov 14
Tesla full self driving software malfunctioned and turned into oncoming traffic lanes instead of crossing over to the correct opposite side of the roadway. This occurred after getting off a on ramp in Ukiah, California around 2am Nov 15, 2025. This could have put others in serious danger if there were cars coming in the oncoming lanes heading in the different direction. The problem has not been reproduced by a dealer or other entity. Yet This has happened to other tesla drivers as well using FSD as you are probably already aware. No inspection and it was sudden and unexpected.
4
Safety
Oct 23
I drove into my neighbor’s driveway to drop her off. As I slowed down and applied the brakes to stop, the car failed to respond. It continued forward, running over the flower and plant pots at the edge of the driveway, crossing the backyard, and finally colliding with the trees and bushes at the rear of the property. All airbags deployed, and the vehicle was damaged beyond repair.
4
Safety
Sep 18
Steering wheel is peeling/degrading and causing difficulties with steering and control.
4
Safety
Sep 12
Steering rack failure. Steering assist, auto pilot and lane departure prevention failed and would not work properly so this is a safety issue. Manual steering worked fine but the safety and auto pilot functions would no longer function. Paid for Tesla service over $3,000 to replace steering rack and now is working properly. Reporting this as this may happen to others and probably should be a proactive recall on the steering racks so others don't lose these safety features. Maybe related to computer as it failed, worked again and then failed again and was then repaired by Tesla service center.
4
Safety
Aug 31
Driver belt latch failed while driving
4
Safety
Aug 26
While driving a Tesla 2021 model 3 tonight at 8:45 P.M. turning left the wheels locked to the left and would not turn straight causing me to hit a concrete divider. After hitting concrete divider steering released to normal driving but driver side car front rim tire was damaged and wheel alignment misdirected.
4
Safety
Jul 29
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - ABS, Automatic Emergency Braking, Traction Control, Stability Control failed while braking using the regenerative braking. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - While coming to a stop using the regenerative braking, the regenerative braking immedietely ceased to work, and the driver had to immediately apply the hydraulic brakes to avoid a rear end collision Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - No Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No, they appeared while braking. This issue is not new to this vehicle and has happened in the past, however the errors cleared themselves out.
4
Safety
Jul 27
On [Wednesday, 07/09/2025], I was driving my Tesla Model 3 in rainy conditions when the vehicle suddenly swerved and crashed into a sidewall. The road was wet but not flooded, and I was traveling at a moderate speed. As I lifted my foot off the accelerator to slow down, the car's regenerative braking system engaged abruptly, which I believe shifted weight forward and caused the rear tires to lose traction. This led to hydroplaning and complete loss of control. There were no warning lights or alerts prior to the incident. The road surface did not have visible hazards or standing water that would typically explain a spinout. The tires were moderately worn but within usable limits. As a result of the crash, the car was declared a total loss. The insurance company now has possession of the vehicle. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the crash was severe. After the incident, I researched similar cases and found multiple reports and articles (e.g., AutoEvolution) linking Tesla’s regenerative braking to increased risk of hydroplaning or loss of control in wet or slippery conditions. The regen system eliminates coasting and applies braking force immediately upon throttle lift-off, which appears to be a safety risk in reduced-traction environments like rain, snow, or ice. I believe this issue deserves investigation, as it may affect the safety of other Tesla drivers in similar weather conditions.
Crash involved
4
Safety
Jul 21
Correction: Retrofit SBR in OCS Equipped Front Passenger Seat - Remove and Replace. FIRST ROW - SEAT BELT REMINDER SENSOR BOX CLIP (1130363-00-B), FIRST ROW OCCUPANCY SENSOR(1099592-00-F) FIRST ROW SEAT HARNESS ASSEMBLY - RIGHT HAND (1489060- 03-G). This car has 69k miles and I'm informed this is out of warranty and has a cost of $696.75 to repair on a car that is less than 4 years old. Saying the sensor failed is not accurate as the error does not exist unless there is someone in the passenger seat which tells me the sensor is working somewhat. Tesla will not inform me of what will and will not work in the event of a collision but that these items need to be replaced to ensure safety of occupant's. I am skeptical since safety is your number one concern and should be the concern of every auto manufacturer. Unless damage by the owner specifically, how and why is this not covered for the life of the vehicle?
4
Safety
Jun 30
Incident Details: • Date of Incident: [XXX] • Time: [XXX] • Location: San antonio, Tx • Weather/Road Conditions: Clear, dry highway; 90 F • Speed: 60 mph; • Description: while driving my 2021 Tesla Model 3 with Full Self-Driving (FSD) software version 12.6.4 engaged, the vehicle unexpectedly changed lanes without my input, likely due to the Auto Lane Change feature. Immediately after, it braked hard for and unrecognized slowing traffic ahead. This sudden jolt caused immediate pain in my upper back, neck, and chest, which persists. I believe FSD misjudged traffic patterns or road conditions, a known issue with v12.6.4 based on online reports. The incident occurred in heavy traffic and no crash occurred, but the abrupt braking posed a safety risk and caused injury. I’m unable to see a doctor today but plan to soon for a diagnosis. This is a serious safety concern, as FSD’s erratic behavior could cause collisions or further injuries. Injuries: Yes, back, neck, and chest pain caused by sudden braking. No medical diagnosis yet; planning to see a doctor soon. Crash: No Fire: No Police Report: No accident Attachments: i have video INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
4
Safety
Jun 19
RCM2_a636 Front passenger safety restraint system fault Service is required Passenger airbag turns OFF when a passenger is sitting in it. Error is intermittent and while occasionally turn off and on. Seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen should someone get in a car accident.
4
Safety
Jun 6
On [XXX] at approximately [XXX] on [XXX] in Oakland, CA, I was intending to park the car on the street at the curb. As I started to pull to the side of the road to park, the brake suddenly fully engaged, bringing the car to an immediate complete stop. My foot was not on the brake at the time. There were no obstructions of any kind in the road or in front of the vehicle. No warning sounds, messages or lights were activated before, during or after the incident. The incident caused no injuries, because of the low speed at the time, just a sudden jerk forward. However, if the event had occurred at a higher speed, some kind of injury would have been likely. I am also reporting the incident directly to Tesla. There has been no testing or inspection of the vehicle. The vehicle will be made available for inspection or testing if requested. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
4
Safety
May 27
Attempting to park. Slowly inching forward while turning left. Vehicle accelerated. (Sudden Unintended Acceleration: SUA) Vehicle jumped a curb, bounced off a tree, dropped off the curb before comping to a stop. Internet search shows other similar reports; attributed, by Tesla, as pedal misapplication. This was not "pedal misapplication". I am not looking for anything. But NHTSA should increment occurance counter by 1. Tesla has a problem. Electrical or Mechanical...do not know. They have also lost me as a customer. The car will be sold. I have video...mp4
Crash involved
4
Safety
Dec 2
UNKNOWN
Crash involved
4
Safety
Nov 30
vehicle constantly phantom brakes while driving. i have reported 100+ incidents thru my tesla "report bug" feature. It will read the speed limit sign on the off ramp and slow the vehicle down 20mps abruptly, it will see a car on an onramp and slam the brakes on thinking there is a collision coming. it is every single day using cruise control
4
Safety
Nov 23
The rear doors in this vehicle have no manual open option in case of a power outage such as a fire or submersion. This is a huge safety risk for back seat passengers, who are more likely than average to be children who could not figure out what to do in the case of an emergency
4
Safety
Nov 21
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while a family member was attempting to use the rear middle seat belt, the seat belt failed to extend and was unusable. The vehicle was taken to a Tesla Service Center, where the seat belt was replaced. The vehicle was repaired as an out-of-pocket expense. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
4
Safety
Oct 17
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the braking system erroneously activated, causing the vehicle to abruptly decelerate. The contact stated that the failure was due to a failure with the computer reading the speed limit as 45 MPH instead of 65 MPH. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
4
Safety
Oct 17
1. Autosteer/Lane assist failure, yes its available for inspection upon request with Tesla 2. Due to above failure met with a crash which led to severe medical issues 3. The car has been totalled and the car is not functional, waiting on Tesla to inspect and confirm 4. Police has filed a crash report but manufacturer, insurance yet to inspect the vehicle or component 5. Absolutely NO WARNING lamps/messages prior to the failure.
Crash involved
4
Safety
Sep 30
While driving, I started to hear a creaking sound while backing up and turning the wheel left. The sound became worse over the course of a few weeks. The steering also felt a little loose. I reached out to the manufacturer for a service appointment, and could only be scheduled about a month out. After a few weeks, while trying to parallel park, the car felt like a tire was stuck, or had a flat. I stopped the car to look at all of the tires and they looked fine. When I returned home, I tried to recreate the issue with my wife moving the car slowly from the driver seat while I looked at the wheels. As she turned and backed up, the creaking sound was very loud, but the tires looked fine. When she put the car in drive and began to pull back into the driveway, I could see the front passenger tire was turned abnormally far to the left, looked like it was leaning, and it was locked (not rolling). Once we had the car in a safe position, I jacked up the car and looked at the passenger control arm to see a bolt completely missing from the front suspension lateral link. The other bolt was 1/2 of the way out and barely holding on. If this had come apart at highway speeds, I am afraid it could have killed or seriously injured my family.
4
Safety
Sep 8
Front passenger safety restraint system fault in sensor, sensors won’t stop going off and giving me warnings while driving.
4
Safety
Sep 8
Front passenger safety restraint system fault alert popping up every few minutes while driving. It is the most irritating thing and there is no way for me to fix it without spending over $500 dollars. This is seemingly a common problem for this make and model through reddit posts and car forums. I was also told by a employee at the tesla service center that they see this very often. It is shocking that Tesla hasn’t taken responsibility in fixing this, when there is nothing any of us could’ve done to have this happen. I’ve seen people get quoted anywhere from $500-2,000 for this exact problem. It is so beyond distracting while driving.
4
Safety
Sep 3
lost power steering suddenly on the road.
4
Safety
Aug 19
I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding a critical malfunction that occurred with my Tesla Model 3 on [XXX], in West Palm Beach, Florida. This incident raises significant concerns about the safety and reliability of Tesla vehicles, particularly following software updates. Incident Overview: On [XXX], around 5:00 PM, I placed my French Bulldog in the back seat of my Tesla Model 3 and closed the passenger side rear door. As I walked around to the driver’s side, all the doors locked automatically, and I was unable to open any of them. Despite multiple attempts to unlock the car using both my iPhone and key fob, the vehicle remained locked. My dog was trapped inside the car, and I became increasingly panicked, especially considering the extreme summer heat in Florida. I immediately contacted Tesla customer service, but after a 15-minute conversation, they were unable to unlock the car remotely. I was forced to call 911, and the fire department had to break the passenger side window to retrieve my dog. Even after the window was broken, the doors still wouldn’t unlock, and I had to pull my dog out through the shattered glass. Additional Details: The car was charged to 80% just a couple of days before this incident. After this incident, the car is completely dead. It is non-functional, and I cannot power it on or access any of its systems. The day before this incident, I completed a software update on my Model 3, which I believe may have caused or contributed to the malfunction. There is CCTV evidence of the entire incident, which I can provide upon request. My dog was severely traumatized by this experience and is now fearful of being in the car, even when it is parked in the garage. I was also extremely distressed during the incident, and the situation could have resulted in a much worse outcome. Please advise on the next steps for an investigation, and let me know if you require any further information or evidence. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 5
4
Safety
Aug 10
Rear left seatbelt randomly stopped latching properly. Seat belt buckle goes into the latch but doesn't stick inside and just slides right out.
4
Safety
Aug 8
I am writing to report a serious safety concern regarding the non-deployment of airbags during a recent traffic accident. The incident involved a collision where I was struck on the driver’s side front. Despite the severity of the impact, the airbags did not deploy, which raises significant concerns about the effectiveness and reliability of the airbag system in such scenarios. Incident Overview •Accident Type: Collision with impact on the driver’s side front •Airbag Response: No airbag deployment Safety Concerns The non-deployment of the airbags during this incident is alarming, as airbags are a critical safety feature designed to protect occupants during a collision. In this case, the failure of the airbags to activate could have resulted in serious injury or even death, depending on the circumstances. The lack of deployment suggests a potential defect in the airbag system that may compromise the safety of other vehicles of the same make or model.
Crash involved
4
Safety
Jun 30
Passenger SRS system fault. Initial error is due to a fault with the occupancy sensor. Presumably disabling or degrading seatbelt pre accident tensioning and proper airbag deployment. Also causes repeated & distracting beeps throughout drive.
4
Safety
Jun 19
Ever since Tesla rolled out an update for everyone to beta test FSD, the adaptive cruise control has been changing speeds when near interstate type exits and entrances. I've had it change from 75 down to 40 mph which is dangerous in traffic. This change in speed some times is just a drop to the next 5mph increment, such as from 73 to 70. Sometimes it is more from 73 to 65 at the same place/exit. It is not consistent. The only thing consistent is it's near exits even when not in an exit lane or nearest lane to the exit. This "Feature" needs to be removed as it is unpredictable which makes it dangerous. Owners manual [XXX] Cruising Near or On Exits INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
4
Safety
Apr 30
Tesla ADAS detects non existent objects and issues collision alerts and phantom brakes randomly if there is no cars in front of the Tesla, braking abruptly and almost getting me into rear end accidents. Tesla ADAS freaks out when making lane changes randomly, shaking violently and giving the driver and its passengers a fishtailing simulation. Auto wiper triggers randomly while it's sunny, distracting the driver and forcing an interaction on the center console to stop it. Auto wiper cannot be turned off as it reengages upon using Tesla ADAS. The rear view camera lags. It stutters and shows me a delayed view. Compounded by the Model 3's very small rear view mirrors and side mirrors, this is incredibly dangerous as I have no way of gaining sufficient visibility of the back of the car. Tesla service told me this is all normal.
4
Safety
Apr 28
I have a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The current owners manual shows how to open the rear doors in the event of loss of power using an emergency latch at the bottom of the door pocket. Our car doesn’t have that latch in the rear doors (though the front doors each have one). This concerns us and we feel it is unsafe for the back seat passengers.
4
Safety
Apr 24
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle made a violent right turn inadvertently crashed into a ditch, and rolled on the driveway. The contact sustained a concision. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 44,410.
Crash involved
4
Safety
Apr 12
This car, like many Teslas, is experiencing what has been come to be known as phantom braking. When in the autopilot or full self driving, this car will occasionally to frequently, depending on the day, suddenly break where it will decelerate from say 65 mph to 45 or 50 in a very short period of time. This can happen in very busy traffic conditions. It seems to happen when I'm going faster rather than slower. For example, I haven't experienced it so much on City Street. It seems much more prominent on highways. This is an issue that has many YouTube videos about. It has been reported by many Tesla owners as well as the media.
4
Safety
Apr 5
Latest update changed the cruise control to force inclusion of autopilot. Cruise control function is now unavailable with without this autonomous feature. It's not only distracting, but aggravating. What's worse, is there's no online ability to inform or complain directly to Tesla. This isn't the first safety-related software glitch. Please get them to fix these issues.
4
Safety
Apr 4
I was driving in the street at 10 miles, I turned to the right and I push the break but the car didn't break and I crashed with the car in front of me.
Crash involved
4
Safety
Mar 9
While driving [XXX] on [XXX] in Texas, the Tesla autopilot abruptly and forcibly applied the brakes while I was driving approximately 77 mph. I was almost rear ended by a semi truck due to this issue. This happened again about 20 miles down the road and I disengaged the cruise control and autopilot altogether at that point. This is a continuous problem that needs to be addressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
4
Safety
Feb 13
My 2021 Tesla Model 3 has various issues with the auto pilot feature. When engaged the car makes sudden and abrupt stops while driving. This has happened various times while driving on the freeway when there were no obstructions present. The autopilot feature also prompts to change to the right lane, when dismissed the prompt appears again repeatedly. This is repeated throughout the drive and poses a major distraction. There was supposed to be an “over-the-air” correction but my vehicle has never received the software update.
4
Safety
Dec 13
The contact owned a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that after reversing out of a parking space, then shifting to the drive position and lightly pressing the accelerator pedal the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration and drove forward at a very high rate of speed. The vehicle drove across a street and crashed into a building. During the crash, the driver sustained an upper torso and neck injury and was transported to the hospital. One person inside the building was also injured during the incident. No further information was available. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 12,400.
Crash involved
4
Safety
Nov 20
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while attempting to park at 5 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed however the vehicle accelerated independently. As a result, the contact crashed into the two parked vehicles on the side of the parking space she was attempting to park. No air bags were deployed. One parked vehicle had an occupant and the other was unoccupied. There were no injuries or medical attention required. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer where it was unable to be diagnosed due to no available appointment. The dealer then suggested the vehicle be towed to the contact's residence where it currently remains in the garage. Tesla informed the contact that the brake system would not be inspected until she repaired the crash cosmetic damage to the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 33,000.
Crash involved
4
Software
Oct 6
Ul_a022_ApeFusesEtc Audience [service-fix, factory) Description Driver Assistance ECU (APE) is not fused or not locked or missing credentials Set Condition Driver Assistance ECU is not fused or not locked or missing credentials Clear Condition Driver Assistance ECU is fused, locked and has proper credentials Potential Impact Driver Assistance ECU is in an unsecured state (unfused)
4
Safety
Sep 21
The rear middle seatbelt has permanently locked and is unusable. It occurred after having the rear seats folded down and was observed when replacing the seat-backs to their normal position. Tesla has refused to repair due to vehicle being out of warranty despite the vehicle not having been involved in any collision.

Showing top 50 of 631 complaints (sorted by severity, most recent first). Full dataset available via NHTSA ODI search.

What Owners Are Saying

▲ +0.90Satisfaction

"Despite the three years and six months that have since elapsed, I stand by everything I wrote then. The Model 3 has been a completely reliable, durable, comfortable, fun-to-drive and technically satisfying experience. It has almost been too good to be true, and I rather regret I haven’t unearthed some gremlins to balance this end-of-ownership report. Forgive me if this sounds like a Tesla fanboy statement. While this article is very much off-piste for a photography magazine, previous articles and road tests of EVs have proved popular with readers. The Jaguar test, mentioned below, regularly brings in hundreds of readers every month, some five years after it was published. Buoyed with this level of interest, I intended to do a one-year review of the Tesla, then a two-year and three-year. But the car passed all these milestones and I had nothing new to report. Still, I did promise an update, and here it is. I am no stranger to electric vehicles, having leased a Nissan Leaf back in 2014 and owned a 2019 Jaguar I-Pace for twelve months until early 2021. I wrote about my experiences with the Jaguar and concluded that, as a luxury SUV, it has few equals, irrespective of the method of propulsion."

— Macfilos · 2026
▲ +0.90Satisfaction

"I am now one of you. My entire experience shared. Speed: I ordered on 9/11/24 half expecting a couple months out wait time, only to be notified the next day I had a vin assigned. Literal 1 day turnaround, what the hell. Human help: Tesla advisors were helpful every time I was able to reach someone through the well known 818 customer service number, they answered my questions, and of course my main concern was on build quality, and of the horror stories of delivery day experiences I’ve read all across Reddit. I was assured that the m3p 2024 I wanted was a flagship and get the most attention in terms of quality control. Actual delivery day: flawless experience, I was in queue so the line was long and took some time, but by the time I saw the condition of my vehicle, I knew the wait was worth it. Impeccably solid. I came prepared with a flashlight and a checklist ready to reject the vehicle as soon as anything irked me. I found nothing. I was nitpicking hard and still couldn’t find anything to be unhappy about. She’s beautiful. Thank you Tesla. Thank you Tesla of Riverside. You guys did an amazing job. Enjoyment: I was waiting for the right time to pull the trigger and my cars broke down suddenly and I took it as a sign from God to enjoy life for once and I decided to get a Tesla Model 3 Performance at that. I couldn’t be happier now, the smile on my face upon stepping on the pedal for the first time was unforgettable. I am now one of you."

— r/TeslaModel3 · 2026
▲ +0.85Build Quality

"There are urban myths about Tesla quality, with panel fit being a major trope. All I can say is that I am perfectly happy with the fit and finish. There were certainly problems in early cars, but I cannot complain about this Chinese-made version. After four years, there are no annoying creaks or squeaks, the white “vegan” leather upholstery is as good as the day it left the factory, and no faults have arisen in the car as a whole. Before I got the Tesla, I would have run a mile to avoid vegan leather and would have insisted on real animal skins for my car. But I am now converted, both by the appearance and feel of this material. We’ve come a long way since those sweaty beige-plastic “taxi” seats of lower-rent Mercedes and BMW cars in the Seventies and Eighties. Before 2021 I would have run a mile at the thought of plastic seats. But Tesla’s “vegan leather” is something of a triumph and, in my experience, feels and looks just like real leather. The white trim is easily kept clean with a damp cloth and there isn’t a blemish after four years of use."

— Macfilos · 2026
▲ +0.85Software

"Tesla’s software update system must be the best in the business. It happens automatically overnight, and you wake up to find new or improved features ready to use. It’s all part of the company’s policy of ensuring that older cars have the same driving experience, where physically possible, as the latest models. The user interface has changed dramatically, and for the better, since I bought the car. A recent and immensely impressive update changed the auto-park system radically. Overnight, it was transformed into a system I look forward to using. Auto-park before was too much trouble to use, as it is on most cars, and I found it quicker to park manually. Now, in complete contrast, I drive around looking for the chance to demonstrate the car’s new-found parking prowess. Spot a slot, press a button on the screen, and the car parks itself. It’s quick, precise, and turns a chore into an enjoyable experience. I hope it will help prevent wheel-rim scuffing in the future. The central screen, looking like a large iPad, is the control centre of a Tesla. In the 2025 models, the few buttons and levers have been eliminated. Doing everything from one screen sounds mad, but it works. Moreover, the customisable interface means that my four-year old car is as up to date in its UI as a 2025 model."

— Macfilos · 2026
▽ 0.95Software

"Tesla assigned my Model 3 to some random person in Europe Maybe you’ve heard of me. I’m the guy who managed to reverse-engineer the Tesla Key Cards that are used on the Model 3 and Model Y. But that’s not what this post is about. This is the story about how Tesla accidentally assigned my vehicle to some random person “in Europe”, giving them the ability to remotely control various aspects of my vehicle—even the garage door to my home—without my knowledge or consent. It started a few days ago, when my partner told me that the garage door was open and I walked out to investigate. This seemed strange: I didn’t remember opening the garage door. “Maybe I’m just being forgetful?”, I thought to myself. A little later in the day, my partner told me that our Tesla Model 3 had been acting strangely. When walking up to the car, she would notice the trunk and frunk open, and the AC blowing at full blast. After closing both, she said they opened again a short while later. At this point I was a little more concerned, but I was quite busy with work and didn’t have time to investigate. When I did finally get around to looking into it, the vehicle was already taken by another family member to run an errand. Concerned that my account might have been hacked, I logged into my Tesla account on the website to see what might be going on. Nothing. My car was gone. Now very concerned, I checked the Tesla app on my phone. For a moment I saw a brief flash of the picture of my car, which was immediately replaced with options to look into new vehicles to purchase. My car was gone. I then checked the Tesla app on my partner’s phone. Again: My car was gone. My mind raced. Had my account been hacked? That seemed implausible. My passwords are high-entropy and unique per account. Had the guys at Costco changing my tires somehow figured out a way to override my account? That seemed implausible too, but…maybe? Was my vehicle being stolen right now? Clearly, someone else knew where the car was, maybe they were just waiting for it to be left in a public parking lot before making their move? I texted the family member to check if the vehicle was still where she parked it and that all the doors, trunk, and frunk were still locked. I then urgently searched for Tesla’s customer service phone number, which is surprisingly difficult to find on their website when stressed out about your vehicle no longer being under your control. Google came to the rescue: 1 (888) 518-3752 I luckily got a human on the line relatively quickly. I explained the situation, told her my account info. She then asked for the last six digits of the VIN. After nervously scraping around the filing cabinet, I found a document with the VIN and gave her the digits. She then asked me to read it back to her. Her responses after this point started to sound puzzled. She asked for the full VIN. Then after a few moments of typing, she said she"

— r/teslamotors · 2026
▽ 0.95Software

"Software Update Glitch Advice Since the most recent update, my Tesla Model 3 has stopped working entirely. These issues started immediately after the most recent software update where I think the software may have improperly updated. As soon as I try to start the car up, numerous alerts simultaneously sound and any attempts to drive the car are dangerous as the car’s brakes cease to function properly. I tried a soft reset and hard reset but that didn’t fix anything. My other attempts at fixing the car consisted of switching between driving modes (hold, creep, roll) and keeping the car powered off for a longer time in hopes the software would repair itself. Usually, I drive on the “hold” driving mode and the car does “hold” after coming to a stop; in this instance, as soon as I started the car and switched into reverse, the car immediately started moving even without touching any pedal. When I had backed up into my incline drive way, unless I was holding my brakes down, the car would immediately roll down the driveway. When I tried to engage my parking brake, a new alert sounded saying I couldn’t engage my parking brake. Does anyone know of any ways to fix this? I’ve tried scheduling an appointment and calling the center, but the “advice” they’ve given so far is lackluster and generic. Is there another way to reboot the car or the software?"

— r/TeslaModel3 · 2026
▽ 0.50Build Quality

"2021 Tesla Model 3 Rusting? Recently bought this car and noticed it's rusting on the sills, previous owner never fitted mud guards, has anyone else seen this or have any ideas what I can do to prevent/fix this before it gets worse? As far as I'm aware the warranty doesn't cover it unless there's a hole? :( This isn't the only side either! I've never had a car that rusted, and I'm shocked it's rusting on a car so new."

— r/TeslaModel3 · 2026
▽ 0.40Range

"Range in Tesla model 3 Hi guys, I recently bought a model 3 dual motor in the uae. Now i have driven it for a couple of days. The average wh/km consumption i have found to be 242 wh/ km. Now considering this with the 75kwh battery i have my range should last around 309 km against rhe advertised 678 km with the 18 inch rims Can someone guide with the real world range they are getting in the UAE or in general. Please mind the road speed in UAE is mostly 100 KM/hr and 120km/hr is allowed. However for me the average speed has been around.75 km/hr Edit Temperature in UAE is around 41 C and i keep my AC at 23 -24 Celsius. Any help or suggestion to improve the range will be helpful and appreciated."

— r/TeslaModel3 · 2026

Showing 8 of 111 owner excerpts (sorted by sentiment strength)

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