Total Complaints
720 filings
TESLA MODEL 3 · model year
720 NHTSA complaints, 94 crash reports, and 20 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2020TESLAMODEL 3 carries 720 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 94 crashes, 5 fires, 48 injuries, and 5 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2020 MODEL 3 is forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control with 102 filings, followed by forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking (80) and unknown or other (76). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 20 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 2020 MODEL 3, and 3 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
720 filings
Crashes Reported
94 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 102 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING | 80 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 76 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 65 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 45 |
| STEERING | 43 |
| SUSPENSION | 34 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 34 |
| AIR BAGS | 29 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS | 24 |
| SEATS | 22 |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | 21 |
| LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST | 21 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 18 |
| SEAT BELTS | 18 |
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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 vehicle
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
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 requirem
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT
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 Sta
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
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 c
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
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 Sa
SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS
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.
SEAT BELTS
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Model 3 and 2019-2021 Model Y vehicles. One or both fasteners that secure the front seat shoulder belt to the b-pillar may not be properly attached.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling all 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles. The rearview camera cable harness may be damaged by the opening and closing of the trunk lid, preventing the rearview camera image from displaying.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE
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.
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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 Vehi
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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 an
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Model S, Model X, and 2017-2020 Model 3 vehicles equipped with Autopilot Computer 2.5 and operating certain firmware releases. The rearview image may not immediately display when the vehicle begins to reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to compl
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
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 co
STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING
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 st
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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 veh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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 veh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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 Fede
Sunday [XXX] downtown Sacramento, driving about 25 mph. Heard a loud bangâbolt sheared off front subframe. Steering felt lagging upon making a right turn vehicle proceeded in a very wide turn, pulled into parking lot. Wheel locked right as I exited [XXX] parking spot; steering went slack, brakes scraped rotor. Two witnesses saw hardware hit pavement. AAA tech removed tire: lower control arm bolt missing, no Loctite, subframe raw. Second bolt looseâsingle point of failure. Tesla missed this on six different service visits and during their one-twenty inspection before delivery. Recall 21V835 shouldâve flagged it but service personnel assured me all clear on every visit . Vehicle towed to Tesla service center at 1104 Tinker rd, Rocklin, CA. Tesla shop manager Sal confirmed this failure as manufacturers defect, and poor assembly. Safety was seconds from total loss. Need probe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Sunday [XXX] downtown Sacramento, driving about 25 mph. Heard a loud bangâbolt sheared off front subframe. Steering felt lagging upon making a right turn vehicle proceeded in a very wide turn, pulled into parking lot. Wheel locked right as I exited [XXX] parking spot; steering went slack, brakes scraped rotor. Two witnesses saw hardware hit pavement. AAA tech removed tire: lower control arm bolt missing, no Loctite, subframe raw. Second bolt looseâsingle point of failure. Tesla missed this on six different service visits and during their one-twenty inspection before delivery. Recall 21V835 shouldâve flagged it but service personnel assured me all clear on every visit . Vehicle towed to Tesla service center at 1104 Tinker rd, Rocklin, CA. Tesla shop manager Sal confirmed this failure as manufacturers defect, and poor assembly. Safety was seconds from total loss. Need probe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Incident Date: Feb 1, 2026, 2:45 PM PST Location: Camarillo, CA (Pleasant Valley Rd & Village Commons Blvd) Description: The vehicle (Tesla Model 3, FSD Supervised) attempted an unprotected left turn. The system identified a gap but paused excessively before initiating the maneuver. After the pauseâwhen the gap was no longer safeâthe system proceeded to turn anyway, directly into the path of a speeding oncoming vehicle. The system failed to abort the maneuver after its own hesitation. It also failed to accelerate with the urgency required to clear the path. I was forced to manually override with emergency acceleration and steering into an oncoming lane to avoid a high-speed T-bone collision. This appears to be a "stale data" failure where the car executed an old plan that was no longer valid.
The front suspension control arms on my 2020 Tesla Model 3 are squeaking and show premature wear. The noise occurs during normal driving and is accompanied by clunking, which concerns me about potential control arm failure and loss of vehicle control. My vehicle is only 40k miles and itâs a very common issue that Tesla gets to make money on. Kind of funny it happens to everyone right when the warranty ends. I am aware that this is a known issue affecting multiple Model 3 vehicles. Despite proper maintenance, the problem persists and may present a safety risk. I request that this be officially recorded as a safety complaint.
Vehicle made thunking noise when driving over uneven surfaces such as bumpy roads, speed bumps, or railroad tracks. Diagnosis at Tesla service center showed front upper control arms assemblies (left and right), lower lateral link, and front lower compliance link (left and right) required replacement. Of note: upper control arm assemblies were previously replaced under warranty in November 2021 at 28000 miles. This short interval indicates defective suspension components leading to cascading failures putting driver safety at risk.
Vehicle Information: 2020 Tesla Model 3 AWD (Leased) Full Self-Driving (FSD) enabled Summary of Safety Issue: While Full Self-Driving (FSD) was engaged, the vehicle failed to detect roadside infrastructure and collided with multiple fixed objects, including a route sign board, a walkway sign board, and an underground electrical cable. The system did not provide adequate warnings or corrective action before impact. System jerk the steering confirmed system is engaged but did not break and drive to non-drivable area and not given any disengagement warning and totaled the car. Incident Details: ⢠Date of incident: [XXX] ⢠Location: On [XXX] {XXX] Piscataway, NJ 08854 ⢠Road type: [XXX] ⢠Weather/visibility: Clear ⢠Speed at time of incident: <40 MPH (under the speed limit) Description: As soon as i trigger the FSD it immediately tried to navigated left or right and failed and unexpectedly veered into roadside infrastructure. The system did not slow down, steer away, or aler
Vehicle Information: 2020 Tesla Model 3 AWD (Leased) Full Self-Driving (FSD) enabled Summary of Safety Issue: While Full Self-Driving (FSD) was engaged, the vehicle failed to detect roadside infrastructure and collided with multiple fixed objects, including a route sign board, a walkway sign board, and an underground electrical cable. The system did not provide adequate warnings or corrective action before impact. System jerk the steering confirmed system is engaged but did not break and drive to non-drivable area and not given any disengagement warning and totaled the car. Incident Details: ⢠Date of incident: [XXX] ⢠Location: On [XXX] {XXX] Piscataway, NJ 08854 ⢠Road type: [XXX] ⢠Weather/visibility: Clear ⢠Speed at time of incident: <40 MPH (under the speed limit) Description: As soon as i trigger the FSD it immediately tried to navigated left or right and failed and unexpectedly veered into roadside infrastructure. The system did not slow down, steer away, or aler
Vehicle Information: 2020 Tesla Model 3 AWD (Leased) Full Self-Driving (FSD) enabled Summary of Safety Issue: While Full Self-Driving (FSD) was engaged, the vehicle failed to detect roadside infrastructure and collided with multiple fixed objects, including a route sign board, a walkway sign board, and an underground electrical cable. The system did not provide adequate warnings or corrective action before impact. System jerk the steering confirmed system is engaged but did not break and drive to non-drivable area and not given any disengagement warning and totaled the car. Incident Details: ⢠Date of incident: [XXX] ⢠Location: On [XXX] {XXX] Piscataway, NJ 08854 ⢠Road type: [XXX] ⢠Weather/visibility: Clear ⢠Speed at time of incident: <40 MPH (under the speed limit) Description: As soon as i trigger the FSD it immediately tried to navigated left or right and failed and unexpectedly veered into roadside infrastructure. The system did not slow down, steer away, or aler
After loading our two children ages 2 and 5 in to vehicle and securing in car seats, the car doors were closed and would not reopen. The children were unable to open the doors themselves. The trunk and other entries did not open. There was no obvious way to open the doors or the issue the car was experiencing. The battery cover would not open. Eventually after I searched the Internet I determined that the 12V battery died (no warning whatsoever, doors worked before loading children) and this caused all occupants to be detained in vehicle as the emergency release is the mechanical means of opening the door and this emergency release is not intuitive or obvious. Within 20 minutes I was able to use an arcane hot wiring method to unlatch a door with a spare 12 V source and a hidden 12 V port not immediately obvious either. Thankfully not in setting of an emergency, not a sunny or excessively warm day and had internet access to research this event. If any of the above were true, life limb a
After loading our two children ages 2 and 5 in to vehicle and securing in car seats, the car doors were closed and would not reopen. The children were unable to open the doors themselves. The trunk and other entries did not open. There was no obvious way to open the doors or the issue the car was experiencing. The battery cover would not open. Eventually after I searched the Internet I determined that the 12V battery died (no warning whatsoever, doors worked before loading children) and this caused all occupants to be detained in vehicle as the emergency release is the mechanical means of opening the door and this emergency release is not intuitive or obvious. Within 20 minutes I was able to use an arcane hot wiring method to unlatch a door with a spare 12 V source and a hidden 12 V port not immediately obvious either. Thankfully not in setting of an emergency, not a sunny or excessively warm day and had internet access to research this event. If any of the above were true, life limb a
The newer versions of FSD do not allow driver control of the max speed. The current versions allow you to set a maximum speed with a scroll wheel on the steering wheel.
The car has message saying "Safety Restraint System issue" . There has been no event to cause this. No recent MVA or any stress or damaging incident to the seat belt or seat in general. Reviewing this on the internet, this is a common defect on Tesla's. The company won't fix it unless you pay them to do so which is crazy considering it is a defect in their safety system. And a well known one to them from my communication with their Tesla service centers which have a monopoly on fixing Tesla's. He said there would have to be a recall. So that is exactly what needs to happen from the NHTSA.
The car has message saying "Safety Restraint System issue" . There has been no event to cause this. No recent MVA or any stress or damaging incident to the seat belt or seat in general. Reviewing this on the internet, this is a common defect on Tesla's. The company won't fix it unless you pay them to do so which is crazy considering it is a defect in their safety system. And a well known one to them from my communication with their Tesla service centers which have a monopoly on fixing Tesla's. He said there would have to be a recall. So that is exactly what needs to happen from the NHTSA.
Steering wheel covering delaminates and peels during normal use, creating loss of grip and distraction while driving.
I recently purchased a 2020 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (VIN [XXX] internal systems and service records show that all recalls for this vehicle have been completed and closed. However, the NHTSA VIN lookup still shows seven open recalls. This is causing a major issue because I am participating in a California clean transportation incentive program (Replace Your Ride), which requires that all recalls be shown as closed specifically on the NHTSA website. Tesla states that the recalls are complete but has not updated the recall status with NHTSA. NHTSA customer service informed me that recall data can only be updated by the manufacturer. I am requesting that NHTSA notify Teslaâs regulatory or safety compliance team so they can update the recall reporting for this VIN. The outdated recall data is preventing my state incentive from being processed and is causing significant financial harm. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) INFORMA
Air bags did not deploy during crash. It is available for inspection upon request My face smashed into the steering wheel resulting in black eyes, swollen nose, cuts on my face and a concussion. Yes, the airbags clearly did not deploy during crash No No
The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk became inoperable. The contact stated that the trunk latch failed to open when the trunk release was engaged using the mobile application, the instrument panel, or the trunk release button. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The contact was informed by the dealer that the cable harness was not repaired and that a zip tie was placed on the cable harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after the dealer visit, the trunk failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,125.
Mileage: 69,215
The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk became inoperable. The contact stated that the trunk latch failed to open when the trunk release was engaged using the mobile application, the instrument panel, or the trunk release button. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The contact was informed by the dealer that the cable harness was not repaired and that a zip tie was placed on the cable harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after the dealer visit, the trunk failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,125.
Mileage: 69,215
The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk became inoperable. The contact stated that the trunk latch failed to open when the trunk release was engaged using the mobile application, the instrument panel, or the trunk release button. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The contact was informed by the dealer that the cable harness was not repaired and that a zip tie was placed on the cable harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after the dealer visit, the trunk failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,125.
Mileage: 69,215
My Tesla Model 3 is experiencing premature suspension failures involving the lower lateral links and stabilizer links. These components were already replaced once, and they are failing again in less than 30,000 miles. This is not normal wear for suspension parts on a modern vehicle. These failures cause clunking, instability, and looseness in the front endâconditions that affect the vehicleâs ability to track straight and maintain control, especially over uneven pavement or during emergency maneuvers. This isnât an isolated case. There are extensive reports from other Tesla owners across multiple models (Model 3 and Model Y in particular) showing the same premature wear on these suspension links. Many owners have parts failing even earlier. Once the car is out of warranty, Tesla charges thousands of dollars to replace these components, despite clear indications that the suspension was under-engineered for the weight of the vehicle. Tesla knows this is a recurring issue but ref
Emergency egress controls are not readily accessible and clearly identifiable.
Loss of steering control
Loss of steering control
Unexpected Brake Activation
Tesla Passenger Play
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.