Problems · by component

2019 Tesla Model 3 service brakes problems

61 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2019 Tesla Model 3 cite service brakes, 10% of all 623 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
61
10% of all complaints
Crashes
8
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
4
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the service brakes

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Every time I press, my horn and error pops up that my cameras are unavailable, and that features may be restored on the next drive also it sends an error that my regenerative brakes are also out and will be restored on the next drive. It does this consistently every day which causes a safety hazard when driving my vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2026Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11774786
“My brake lines have corroded to the point where half a liter of brake fluid has leaked out rendering the vehicle unsafe. Tesla admits that this is a design flaw but says that it does not affect this particular VIN number but the damage is exactly as described: [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2026Service brakesODI 11753838
“The Tesla was hit on the passenger side by a Honda civic that ran a red light traveling more than 25 mph The Tesla spun 180 degrees after impact. No airbags deployed. Immediately after impact the Tesla turned on hazard lights. However the vehicle would not come to a stop after pressing on the brakes. After impact the vehicle was coasting backwards at probably less than 5-6 mph. It would not respond to brake presses. Oddly the vehicle had regen braking enabled which should have brought it to a stop, but it didn’t. The vehicle kept coasting backwards as if it was in neutral for about 20 meters until it hit a curb and stopped. BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK!!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 27, 2026Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11734115
“Brakes failed to stop the car. The car sat at Tesla service center for one month with no action from Tesla.My wife rear ended another car. The air bags deployed. No one was injuryed and the other was not damaged. Both people could have been seriously hurt or killed. Car was finally towed to Classic Collision November 24 by State Farm Insurance for repair. Estimate to be repaired January 8, 2026.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 22, 2025Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11706446
“The vehicle’s front suspension began making loud squeaking noises and felt unstable while driving, especially when turning or going over uneven surfaces. At times, the vehicle does not make a proper turn and almost feels like it loses grip, which is extremely unsafe. I brought the vehicle to a Tesla service center. After inspection, Tesla provided a service estimate and documentation confirming the failure of the front lower lateral links — the exact part and condition described in NHTSA Safety Recalls 21V835000 and 23V235000, which cover defective front suspension lateral link fasteners on this vehicle make, model, and year. Despite the clear match, Tesla did not recognize the repair as recall-related and categorized it as a customer-pay service. This raises concern that some affected vehicles are being excluded from proper recall coverage, despite experiencing the same safety defects. There were no warning lights or alerts prior to the failure. The issue was confirmed by Tesla and the part is available for inspection upon request.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2025Steering, Suspension, Service brakesODI 11677252
“[XXX]- [XXX]am. Trying to park in YMCA located in camp hill PA. Took soft right turn to park. Car accelerated instead of recognizing break, which I applied when I see it accelerating. Then I left break so it can take emergency break that didn’t happened it keep going and cross over the parking curb about six Torah inch high and went in a ditch. I did not hurt but car front damaged. Tesla was informed and they have the log of the time but told they don’t see any issue. My insurance is paying all the expenses. This was the third incident where car did not tool emergency break itself or recognized the break. I did reported last incident to Tesla. It only happened three times in last six years.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2025Service brakes, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11671507

Showing 6 of 61 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.