2018 Tesla Model 3
Problem Areas
Complaints Over Time
Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH through an intersection, another vehicle t-boned the driver's side from the driver's side front bumper to the rear passenger door. The contact stated that the air bags did not deploy as intended. Medical attention was needed after the contact sustained lower back, left shoulder, neck, tailbone, and internal bleeding injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was taken to a collision center, where it was currently pending an inspection. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,894.
Main incident: Time: 2025-08-28 ~12:41 PM PST What happened: After searching for a parking space, the driver was preparing to reverse into the spot, the driver pressed up the stalk to shift the gear into reverse, a sound was heard and something showed up on the screen, the vehicle once again started accelerating and running forward suddenly and sharply (3 mph to 28 mph in 3 secs), driver tried to steer the vehicle away from cars and buildings to minimize danger, the car rushed onto a concrete curb, hit one blue Tesla, then hit the side of a concrete utility pole, and ran over a plant and last crashed into the chain-link french before it finally stops Injuries: * Spine pain for one passenger Damages: ** All tires blown out, tire falls off ** Severe damages throughout the vehicle body * One Tesla parked on the parking lot was severely damaged * The utility pole's base box was scraped and deformed * One plant was knocked down Similar case 3 few mins ago: Time: 2025-08-28 ~12:38 PM PST What happened: The driver entered a oneway parking lot, but found no available spot and was trying to back up, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. The driver performed an emergency brake and stopped the vehicle. At the time the vehicle stopped, it was only about 20 inches away from two cars in front of it Injuries and damages: None What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Malfunctioning of the electronic control or braking system leading to abnormal acceleration Conflicting gear shifting and autopilot engagement design The right stalk is used to both shift gears and engage autopilot features, this design makes it very easy for the system to confuse the two actions Autopilot feature safety issues Autopilot features (whether its FSD or cruise control) should not be allowed to initiate abrupt acceleration to a dangerous speed in a low speed area (for example parking lot) Insurance claim filed, number: 25-647243342
Tesla Model 3 autopilot engaged. The car steered itself off the road and into a tree as it was accelerating on a residential street from 8 mph to approx. 30 mph.
Unknown
My car left the road traveling at 60mph, and after leaving the road it was quickly approaching a metal pole. At this time it seemed that the breaks were not able to stop the vehicle. After totaling the car, and what I thought would be the loss of my life, my airbags did not deploy. To further explain the extent of the accident: the front bumper is destroyed, the hood is destroyed, the windshield is destroyed and caved in onto me, the roof was destroyed, the back glass was also destroyed, along with much more extensive damage to the build of the car. The pole involved in the accident came out of the ground and through the car. It is unfathomable how I am still alive with manageable injuries. Yet- no airbags. This could have ended much differently.
Driving in Full Self Driving mode, the vehicle made a left turn into oncoming traffic.
Side airbags did not deploy in a major side impact.
While attempting to park the car in a parking lot, the car did not respond to the release of the accelerator or the press of the brake but just continued. Car continued to jump the curb and run into a concrete wall without slowing or stopping. No auto functions were enabled on the car. Car was attempting to park in the spot on the right side of the photo but just continued on and ran into the stone wall.
On Sept. 9th, around 9:05pm, my wife was on the driver's seat, FSD was engaged. so the Tesla model 3 car was driving itself on highway 395 close to susanville. Then suddenly a car coming, we had a head-on collision, the other car's front left hit our front left. The other driver passed away, my wife and I got serious injuries, we are recovering from 3 surgeries. 1.FSD did not give alert or warning, 2.FSD did not break the car, 3.FSD did not slowing down the car 4.FSD did not change direction of the car. 5.FSD just kept the speed and direction. “Disabling FSD” needs time, my wife did nothing, because there was only few 10th of a second. But I am afraid if she was driving without engaging FSD, she might be able to steer the car slightly to the right to avoid the accident. CHP will pull data from the car in the next few days. We would like to request NHTSA has a full investigation of the accident. Attached please find a form we received from CHP, a picture of both cars, and driving data downloaded from Tesla web site.
My vehicle received the Full Self Driving Beta (FSD-B) update Software Version 2022.20.17. I took the vehicle for a ride near my office in The Heights area of Houston, Texas, and when stopped in traffic at a red light briefly placed the vehicle into park to engage the FSD-B via the touchscreen. When I engaged Autopilot with the FSD-B active, the vehicle made a right turn from the MIDDLE lane of the roadway which had just opened into three lanes a short number of feet beforehand crashing into another vehicle causing damage to both vehicles and injury to my hand. It appears the Full Self Driving Computer failed to recognize that the roadway had just changed from two to three lanes whereas there were not vehicles in the third lane until the moment my Tesla Model 3 turned suddenly and aggressively. Had it been less than a second earlier, my vehicle would have been fully into the turn and the accident likely of a catastrophic "T-Bone" nature. The manner in which the computer turned the wheel was especially shocking. I am accustomed to Autopilot having used the system for several years, but not with the vehicle making full-turn maneuvers as is the case with the new FSD-B software. I was holding the wheel firmly close to the "six and nine" positions and beneath the "V" areas of the steering wheel. The wheel turned so aggressively and suddenly that there was no possible way to counter the maneuver and soft-tissue injury occurred to may hand requiring prescribing of steroids to reduce inflammation and pain. Tesla was notified of the accident and provided with video from the vehicle's Dashcam system, but denies liability for the accident claiming it is driver responsibility.
Car was stop at left turn lane waiting for light to change to green arrow. Car just accelerated on its own . Car crashes into to car in front of me and pushes us onto center island and continues to accelerate sending us on to crossing traffic, endangering others and my family life . Tesla never investigated or tried to respond. Insurance company couldn’t or never did any investigation and made me at fault for the accident. Tesla certified body shop told me they can’t pre scan Tesla and print out reports like any other vehicle. Cars driver front camera was coming on and off prior to acceleration for no apparent reason . Camera is part of ADAS system.
This car was hit in a T bone on March 15th 2022 by a Toyota RAV4 on the driver side , the driver side was completely smashed and the car spun 2 times and came in the middle ramp. In spite of this heavy impact there were no airbags deployed , after several follow ups with Tesla I have no answer so far. The car was deemed total loss last month and even after consistent follow ups I have no answer from. Tesla. The impact was very heavy that my wife had whiplash and she went through chiropractic treatment for 2 months .. I’m very worried as the impact was so bad that this is a fatal flaw in Tesla and they do not have the airbag curtain deploy to protect the driver side at all - my wife was lucky and she is alive but this could happen to anyone .. I need an answer from Tesla and I found I could get it through this website and need the right measures take so that no one will get injured or cause life in any accident in future
The enhanced autopilot failed to recognize a divider/Jersey barrier or alert the driver of the obstacle, as the software is advertised and was relied on to do, at an exit ramp and ran into the barrier without any type of maneuver or breaking to avoid the collision causing substantial injury to the driver. This exit is a very busy exit on I-95 with many commuters going to work at this time. It was by sheer luck that no other vehicles were involved. The driver endured an immediate stop from above 50mph to 0 in about a second. As far as I know, no inspection was performed. There were no warning messages, symptoms or problems related prior to the incident.
The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving at 45 to 50MPH in auto-pilot, the vehicle inadvertently veered into the left turn lane but continued straight into oncoming traffic. The contact stated that the vehicle collided head-on with the other vehicle. The contact was unaware of any warning lights or audio warnings. The contact stated that the front driver side and the knee air bags deployed. The contact stated that he sustained chest injures and a scrape on the right wrist and left knee. The contact declined transportation by ambulance so no medical attention was required. The contact stated that the other driver was complaining of pain but also denied transportation by ambulance but informed the contact that she would seek medical attention later. Both divers were seen on the scene by emergency personal. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle failure cause was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was awaiting to hear from the insurance company to determine if the vehicle would be a total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact inquired of the Event Data Recorder (EDR) information from the manufacturer, however, was informed that it would take several weeks for that information to be retrieved and provided. The failure mileage was approximately 16,115. Consumer stated Tesla's messenger, from their Superior, CO office, stated that the Autopilot did not fail.
WE RECENTLY GOT INTO AN SUA WITH OUR CURRENT TESLA 3. I WAS TURNING INTO MY DRIVE WAY AND I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHILE I WAS WAITING FOR THE GATE TO OPEN AND WHEN I BRAKED, THE CAR SUDDENLY SPED UP VERY FAST AND I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AGAIN BUT THE CAR DID NOT STOP. THE CAR WAS ALSO IN HOLD MODE WHEN I LATER CHECKED I NEVER STEPPED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR HARD ENOUGH TO REACH THE SPEED OF RUNNING THROUGH 2 CEMENTED METAL GATES. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T POP OUT AND TESLA'S SENSOR BREAK SYSTEM ALSO DID NOT ACTIVATE. I ALSO BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM OF MY CAR A SHORT WHILE AFTER I PURCHASED MY CAR (APRIL 18, 2018). I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME WHEN THE DISPLAY SCREEN WAS STUCK ON THE PARK MODE FOR THE WHOLE ENTIRE DRIVE BACK. I COULDN'T TURN ON MY SIGNALS, OR SEE MY MPH. EVEN AFTER I GOT HOME, IT WOULDN'T TURN OFF EVEN AFTER TRYING FOR 2 HOURS SO I HAD TO CALL ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND SHE TOLD ME A WAY TO RESET THE CAR. ( I HAVE VIDEOS TO PROVE THIS.) THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN INCIDENTS WHEN I AM BRAKED AND WAITING AT A RED LIGHT. I OBVIOUSLY PRESSED ACCEL WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, BUT THE CAR WENT INTO PARK MODE AND I WOULD GET STARTLED AND QUICKLY MANUALLY TURN IT INTO DRIVE MODE. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY 4-5 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR AND EVEN RECENTLY IN 2021.
AS I RETURNED HOME FROM WORK AND ENTERED MY DRIVEWAY AT VERY LOW SPEED TO PARK, THE TESLA JUST TOOK OFF AT WHAT FELT LIKE FULL POWER ACCELERATION. IT COULD NOT BE STOPPED AND HIT MY TWO CAR GARAGE. BOTH GARAGE DOORS AND THE CENTRAL COLUMN WERE UNHINGED AND DAMAGED. THE CONTENTS STORED IN THE GARAGE WERE DAMAGED AND AN INTERNAL WALL WAS ALSO KNOCKED OFF. THE CAR WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS AND PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS EXTENSIVE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT SUCH SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAD HAPPENED WITH THIS CAR A FEW MONTHS EARLIER ALSO AND WAS REPORTED TO TESLA WITH A REQUEST THAT A SAFETY ANALYSIS BE PERFORMED. THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR WHICH I DO NOT AGREE WITH IN VIEW OF THIS SECOND INCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY FIRST TIME SINCE THERE WAS NO CAR PARKED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DRIVEWAY AND I WAS ABLE TO TURN RIGHT, DRIVE ON TO THE GRASSED AREA, AND THEN ON TO THE ROAD. TESLA HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. IT MUST BE INVESTIGATED AND FIXED.
ON 7/18/2020, I PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT AND MY TESLA ACCELERATED SUDDENLY WENT OVER THE CURB, HIT THE WALL OF A BUSINESS, HIT THE DOORS OF A BUSINESS AND A PERSON COMING OUT OF THAT BUSINESS THEN IT HIT POLE AND STOPPED. AMBULANCE TOOK A PERSON HIT TO THE HOSPITAL ( I PRAY FOR HIS WELLBEING), I HAVE POLICE REPORTED AND CAR TOWED AWAY ( TOTALLY RUINED). IT WAS LIKE A NIGHTMARE WHEN CAR SPED UP SUDDENLY AND YOU SEE PERSON THROWN INTO YOUR WINDSHIELD. SOMETHING MUST BE DONE BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE HURT AND LIVES ARE TAKEN. TESLA THIS IS SERIOUS. WE JUST HAVE UPGRADED THE SOFTWARE, LAST WEEK.
SEVERAL ONGOING ISSUES WITH TOUCH SCREEN FAILURE (BLACK OUTS) MALFUNCTION, HAS BEEN REPAIRED MORE THAN 3 TIMES CONTINUES TO BE ISSUE * ONGOING ACCELEROMETER MALFUNCTION * ALL OF SUDDEN RECEIVE ERROR MESSAGE STABILITY CONTROL DISABLED * --REGENERATIVE BRAKING DISABLED * --AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING IS DISABLE * ONGOING PHONE KEY AND CONNECTION ISSUES, ANTENNA ISSUES, UNABLE TO CONNECT TO BLUETOOTH. REPEATED ISSUES HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED BY TESLA SERVICE DEPT * TOUCH SCREEN FAILURE (BLACK OUTS)AND CONSISTENT ISSUES WITH CONNECTIVITY WIFI. * MASS MALFUNCTION OF INTERNAL HARDWARE * VOICE CONTROL BARELY WORKS * SEATBELT SENSOR MALFUNCTION * ISSUE WITH BREAKING NOISE, SCREECHING * UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION WHILE ONGOING CHRONIC UNINTENDED ACCELERATION PROBLEMS, SUCH A ACCELERATE OUT OF CONTROL, JERKING, BRAKING ALL OF SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING. SUDDENLY ACCELERATION * THESE ARE ONGOING ISSUES WITH OUR TESLA MODEL 3. SEVERAL OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED WITH TESLA SERVICE DEPARTMENT MORE THAN 3 TO 4 IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS. FILED COMPLAINT ON 8/30/2019 NHTSA ID# 11301634. *TR
VEHICLE ENTERED A SHOPPING PLAZA AT SPEED UNDER 10MPH AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO HIGH SPEED ON IT'S OWN. IT HIT THREE STATIONARY VEHICLES AND KNOCKED DOWN A SMALL TREE. TRIED STOPPING THE CAR BUT THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED AFTER HITTING THE THIRD VEHICLE.
WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROAD, TRAFFIC STOPPED AHEAD. I PRESSED THE BRAKES, BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND. THE COLLISION WARNING AND EMERGENCY AUTO-STOPPING SYSTEM ALSO DID NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH THE CAR IN FRONT. TWO DAYS BEFORE THE COLLISION, THE TESLA RECEIVED A FIRMWARE UPDATE. I NOTICED THE DRIVING BEHAVIOR WAS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT. BRAKE FAILURE LIKE THIS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE THIS FIRMWARE UPDATE. THE FIRMWARE VERSION WITH THIS ISSUE IS 2019.5.4. 4C3C414
