Problems · NHTSA complaints
2024 Tesla Model 3 problems
Owners filed 222 complaints about the 2024 Tesla Model 3 with NHTSA between Mar 2024 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is forward collision avoidance (49).
Complaints
222
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
28
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
19
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Forward collision avoidance49
- Electrical system46
- Steering39
- Exterior lighting27
- Vehicle speed control21
- Lane departure17
- Air bags8
- Suspension7
- Wheels7
- Visibility/wiper6
- Structure5
- Back over prevention5
- Power train4
- Service brakes4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
96
83
43
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 96 |
| 2025 | 83 |
| 2026 | 43 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Forward collision avoidance
49 reports10 crashes
“My Tesla displays a mandatory FSD (Supervised) disengagement feedback survey on the center touchscreen while the vehicle is in motion. Whenever I disengage FSD and resume manual control, the vehicle automatically asks me to select a reason for the disengagement. On one occasion, after disabling the software due to fsd getting too close the construction, while being flustered,I attempted to disable the prompt and select a random option to get rid of it but kept pressing the wrong area of the screen due to trying to keep paying attention to the road and simultaneously trying to get rid of the prompt, in my frustration to do so,I side swiped one of the big construction cones, it was not a collision and there was no damage but it could have been worse, so I am selecting collision in the questionnaire. Attached as a file is the full complaint, the 2000 char limit is not enough.”
Electrical system
46 reports7 crashes1 fire
“On October 16, 2026, my 2024 Tesla Model 3 initiated a standard, factory-prompted over-the-air (OTA) firmware update. During this automated install process, the car's firmware crashed. Following the crash, the vehicle was left unresponsive. Tesla Service conducted a diagnostic review and isolated the problem to a physical failure of the internal hardware: Assembly - Power Conversion System - 48Amp - 1Phase. The vehicle was performing flawlessly and charging efficiently prior to the software update execution. The PCS module did not break due to driver abuse, mechanical wear, environmental damage, or physical aging. It failed strictly because Tesla’s proprietary software update process overtaxed, corrupted, or bricked the internal semiconductor boards during a forced rewrite command. A consumer should not be financially penalized for hardware damage caused by a manufacturer's remote software push.”
Steering
39 reports5 crashes
“Subject: Vehicle Safety Complaint — 2024 Tesla Model 3 RWD — Sudden Loss of Steering Control and Total-Loss Crash I am submitting this complaint concerning a serious safety incident involving my 2024 Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive. While driving manually on a wet highway in [XXX], my vehicle suddenly moved sideways and began to lose control. I was not using Autopilot or Full Self-Driving. Despite my attempt to maintain control using the steering wheel, I was unable to steer the vehicle back under control. The vehicle left the roadway and entered a pond, resulting in a total loss. I have video footage documenting the incident and surrounding road conditions. I am concerned that this incident may have involved a vehicle safety defect, potentially involving the steering system, electronic stability control, traction-control system, or another vehicle system responsible for maintaining directional control. I understand that wet-road conditions and hydroplaning are possible explanations; however, I believe the reported inability to regain steering control warrants a thorough technical investigation rather than assuming that weather alone caused the crash. I request…”
Exterior lighting
27 reports1 crash
“Tesla’s replacement of physical steering column turn signal stalks with capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel face creates an active safety hazard. First, the capacitive sensors frequently become entirely unresponsive. If a driver rests a finger near the buttons, the system triggers a timeout/lockout, rendering the signals non-functional for several seconds when pressed. They also fail to register inputs under normal pressure or when wearing gloves. Second, because the buttons rotate dynamically with the steering wheel, it is structurally impossible to signal by muscle memory during sharp or sequential maneuvers, like navigating roundabouts. To signal while the wheel is turning or when buttons fail to respond, the driver must repeatedly look away from the road to visually target the wheel. This defective layout causes delayed signaling, severe driver distraction, and elevates the risk of a collision.”
Vehicle speed control
21 reports1 crash
“While turning right, I slowed down and put on my turn lights. The vehicle accelerated all of a sudden and did a sharp right. There was a vehicle in front of me in the opposite direction and my car turned very sharply to avoid it. The accelerator pedal was fully pressed down and for that fraction of a second, it didn’t allow me to control the speed.”
Lane departure
17 reports5 crashes
“On XXX at approx. 10:30 AM EST, my 2024 Tesla Model 3 was operating on Full Self-Driving (Supervised) on [XXX]. Without warning, the vehicle steered off the paved roadway. The driver attempted to take control by [turning the steering wheel / pressing the brake], but the vehicle did not respond to her input and FSD did not disengage. The car left the road and struck [the curb / roadside edge] before coming to a stop on the grass. Damage: rims cracked and bent, tires deflated and unseated from the rims, grass and soil packed into the wheels, wheel covers torn off, and scrape damage to the fender/wheel arch. The car could not be driven and was towed. Photos attached. Injuries: [none / describe]. Component/system: Full Self-Driving (Supervised) - steering control and driver override. The vehicle is at the Tesla Service Center in [LOCATION] and is available for inspection upon request. I have asked Tesla in writing to preserve all vehicle logs, event data and camera footage, and submitted a data privacy request for the incident data on XXX Safety risk: The driver could not regain control of the vehicle. With oncoming traffic, pedestrians or a deeper roadside hazard,…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.