2020 Tesla Model 3
Common Problems
Ranked from 181 federal NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls. Every problem links to the complaint IDs behind it.
20 Common Problems
Ordered by how often owners reported each one to NHTSA. The bar shows how common a problem is relative to the most-reported on this vehicle. Expand any problem to see the federal complaint IDs.
- 1
Phantom Braking
88complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe car suddenly and unexpectedly applies the brakes for no apparent reason.
Related recall: 21V387000
- 2
Phantom braking during adaptive cruise control or autopilot
43complaintsSafety riskBrakesThe car brakes suddenly and forcefully without any apparent reason or obstacle.
Related recall: 21V387000
- 3
False positive forward collision warnings
18complaintsSafety riskElectricalThe forward collision warning system triggers false positives frequently, causing unnecessary alerts.
Related recalls: 22V037000, 22V045000, 21V00D000, 22V063000, 22V235000, 22V263000, 23V838000, 24V051000
- 4
Phantom braking during adaptive cruise control
12complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe vehicle suddenly applies hard brakes without any external stimuli, causing potential collisions and panic among drivers.
Related recalls: 22V037000, 22V045000, 21V00D000, 22V063000, 22V235000, 22V263000, 23V838000, 24V051000
- 5
Unintended Acceleration
12complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe vehicle experiences sudden and unexplained acceleration, leading to loss of control and potential collisions.
Related recalls: 22V037000, 22V045000, 21V00D000, 22V063000, 22V235000, 22V263000, 23V838000, 24V051000
- 6
Suspension Component Failure
9complaintsHigh severitySuspensionSuspension components repeatedly fail, leading to unusual noises and instability.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V835000
- 7
Forward Collision Avoidance Failures
8complaintsHigh severityOtherThe vehicle fails to detect obstacles or incorrectly initiates braking, leading to potential collisions.
Related recall: 22V798000
- 8
Forward Collision Avoidance System Malfunction
7complaintsSafety riskOtherThe forward collision avoidance system incorrectly applies brakes, increasing the risk of accidents.
Related recall: 22V798000
- 9
Passenger Seat Safety Restraint System Fault
7complaintsSafety riskOtherThe passenger seat safety restraint system frequently malfunctions, causing alerts and requiring repairs.
Related recall: 22V798000
- 10
Suspension Control Arm Noise and Vibration
7complaintsMedium severitySuspensionControl arms and links produce noise and vibration during driving, indicating potential premature wear or design flaws.
$300–$900est. control arm / ball joint replacement · 1.5–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V835000
- 11
Lane departure and auto-pilot malfunction
3complaintsHigh severityElectricalThe auto-pilot system and lane departure warning fail, leading to unexpected lane changes and accidents.
Related recalls: 22V037000, 22V045000, 21V00D000, 22V063000, 22V235000, 22V263000, 23V838000, 24V051000
- 12
Service brake failures
3complaintsHigh severityBrakesThe service brakes apply unexpectedly, causing sudden deceleration and potential collisions.
$150–$1,000est. brake system diagnosis + repair · 1–4 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V387000
- 13
Steering Assist Reduced Error
3complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering assist system frequently reduces performance, requiring the driver to manually correct the steering angle.
Related recall: 23V085000
- 14
Suspension Component Failures
3complaintsHigh severitySuspensionSuspension components, including control arms and links, fail prematurely, leading to instability and safety risks.
$150–$1,200est. suspension diagnosis + repair · 1–5 hrs laborGet local quotesRelated recall: 21V835000
- 15
Visibility Issues
3complaintsMedium severityOtherVisibility is impaired by issues with the windshield wipers or camera systems, reducing situational awareness.
Related recall: 22V798000
- 16
Lane Departure Assistance System Failure
2complaintsSafety riskOtherThe lane departure assistance system frequently malfunctions, causing the car to make unsafe lane changes or turns.
Related recall: 22V798000
- 17
Steering assist failure
2complaintsMedium severitySteeringThe steering becomes stiff and difficult to control, sometimes requiring the driver to pull over and restart the vehicle.
Related recall: 23V085000
- 18
Structural issues with underbody components
2complaintsMedium severityOtherUnderbody covers and shields fall off or drag on the highway, posing a risk of damage to the vehicle and surrounding objects.
Related recall: 22V798000
- 19
Unreliable Rear Door Mechanism
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe rear door mechanism fails to latch properly, posing a risk of accidental opening during driving.
Related recall: 22V798000
- 20
Windshield Wiper Malfunction
2complaintsLow severityOtherThe windshield wipers malfunction, failing to clear the windshield properly and causing poor visibility.
Related recall: 22V798000
Other years & sources
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls. Problems are clustered and ranked from the complaint record; occurrence counts reflect corroborating complaints, not total incidence. Vehicle image is illustrative. Repair-cost figures are typical U.S. independent-shop ranges (parts + labor) for the class of repair shown — actual quotes vary by region, engine, and diagnosis; always confirm with a local shop.