https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the Tesla Model 3. en-us Sun, 18 Oct 2026 03:29:07 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2177809 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT While driving, the front driver-side suspension collapsed due to a complete detachment of the front lower lateral link. The fastener (bolt) backed out entirely and fell onto the road/under-shield. This matches the failure mode described in NHTSA Recall 21V-835, although Tesla has previously claimed my specific VIN was not included. The failure caused an immediate loss of steering control and struc https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2177415 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT While I was making a left turn my steering wheel suddenly got stuck. A vehicle almost hit me. https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2177272 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT A bolt securing the rear subframe assembly is loose and missing its nut. This condition has caused damage to the rear subframe assembly, which now requires replacement. The vehicle was inspected by a licensed dealer who confirmed on video that no impact damage, scraping, bending, or collision damage is present on any surrounding components. The only affected area is the bolt and nut connection poi https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2177009 Sun, 15 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT There is no checkbox for Full Self Driving (Supervised): 3 times in the last 4 weeks, my Tesla has become impatient at long red lights and lurches out into the intersection. I am very concerned because one of those times (first time) it did not creep forward, but just took off thru the red light. I had to accelerate thru to get ahead of those cars that still had the green light. Fortunately, nothi https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2176563 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT HVAC system which provides cooling/heating for all the systems including the powertrain, battery, inverters, Full-Self Driving computer malfunctions randomly shutting itself off due to a known issue of failing pressure and temperature sensors. Tesla is aware of this issue where the sensors may fail prematurely and in 2021 they issued a service bulletin SB-21-18-002. I was told It would be fixed wi https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2176653 Fri, 13 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT RECURRING 12V LOW-VOLTAGE SYSTEM FAILURE AND DEFECTIVE REAR DEFROSTER HEATER GRID VEHICLE: 2022 Tesla Model 3 (VIN: [XXX] ). ODOMETER: 114,093 miles at time of third service visit. SUMMARY OF DEFECT: Vehicle has experienced recurring low-voltage (12V) system alerts since late December 2025. The 12V battery has been replaced three times by Tesla service. After each replacement, the low-voltage aler https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2176268 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT COMPONENT: Battery and Charging System SUMMARY: 2023 Tesla Model 3 Long Range lost 15% battery capacity (345→300 miles) in 2 months at 9,816 miles. Comparison vehicle shows this is a defect, not normal wear. DESCRIPTION: Vehicle: 2023 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, VIN: [insert VIN], 9,816 miles Defect: Between September 2025 and November 2025, displayed range at 100% charge dropped from 345 miles to 3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2176269 Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT COMPONENT: Battery and Charging System SUMMARY: 2023 Tesla Model 3 Long Range lost 15% battery capacity (345→300 miles) in 2 months at 9,816 miles. Comparison vehicle shows this is a defect, not normal wear. DESCRIPTION: Vehicle: 2023 Tesla Model 3 Long Range, VIN: [insert VIN], 9,816 miles Defect: Between September 2025 and November 2025, displayed range at 100% charge dropped from 345 miles to 3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2175739 Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rearview camera became inoperable while opening the trunk. The message “Camera Not Available” was displayed. The contact stated that the rearview camera functionality returned after opening and closing the trunk several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was determined that the rearvi https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2175476 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Tesla has completely removed the rear door manual release latch in my late 2023 Model 3 Performance. This elevates the concern of the ongoing NHTSA Defect Petition DP25002 (opened December 2025), which investigates similar issues with emergency egress controls on Model 3 vehicles, citing them as "hidden, unlabeled, and not intuitive." Again, in my late 2023 Model 3 Performance, these are entirely https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2174975 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving with the Autonomous Self Driving feature activated in rainy weather, the vehicle suddenly turned towards the left onto railroad tracks. The contact regained control of the vehicle and was able to drive off the railroad tracks. The tires and rims were damaged due to the failure. The vehicle was taken for repairs, and the t https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2174769 Sun, 08 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) drove the vehicle onto a curb inadvertently, a few days after a software update. The incident caused a scratch to the wheel and a cut in the tire. Tesla has refused to cover the repair, stating that FSD requires driver attention. The issue is that the vehicle had never driven into a curb on a 90-degree turn before. I had my hands on the wheel and did not anticipate th https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2174489 Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Description of the Defect: While driving with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged, the vehicle's primary computer shuts down and reboots, causing a sudden loss of all safety features, including Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and the driving visualization. The cameras go black while the vehicle is in motion. The Trigger: The failure is triggered by high elect https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2174490 Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Description of the Defect: While driving with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged, the vehicle's primary computer shuts down and reboots, causing a sudden loss of all safety features, including Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and the driving visualization. The cameras go black while the vehicle is in motion. The Trigger: The failure is triggered by high elect https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2174491 Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Description of the Defect: While driving with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged, the vehicle's primary computer shuts down and reboots, causing a sudden loss of all safety features, including Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, and the driving visualization. The cameras go black while the vehicle is in motion. The Trigger: The failure is triggered by high elect https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2174585 Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT The rear doors are not equipped with manual door releases. In the event of a crash or fire the rear seat passengers would be trapped and would only be able to exit over the front seats and front seat passengers. If the front doors were damaged or front passengers incapacitated the egress for the back seat passengers would be severely impacted. If a fire would occur the situation would be exacerbat https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2174606 Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT There is no manual door release for rear doors in the Tesla model 3 RWD. This can pose a safety issue if the car has no power and passengers need to evacuate the vehicle. https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2174346 Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT 2018 Tesla model 3 front chassis subframe welded nut to the chassis is come off now left side control arm keep getting loose https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2173352 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT My 2018 Tesla Model 3 started squeaking at 36k miles at the end of 2023 (5 year old) I took to the Tesla service center where they quoted me $570. The squeaky control arm issue in Tesla is well known on the internet with may forums complaining about it. Not sure if there is a safety issue but wanted to report this incase there is a pending case regarding this issue. I was happy to pay for parts bu https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2173145 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT At approximately 30,000 miles, the front left suspension lateral link/control arm separated while driving due to a missing mounting fastener (bolt), resulting in sudden steering instability and abnormal front wheel movement. Vehicle handling became unpredictable and felt unsafe to control, creating risk of loss of steering control. I stopped driving immediately. There was no collision, curb strik https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2173061 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Sunday [XXX] downtown Sacramento, driving about 25 mph. Heard a loud bang—bolt 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 m https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2173062 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Sunday [XXX] downtown Sacramento, driving about 25 mph. Heard a loud bang—bolt 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 m https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2173448 Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT I wrote several months ago about my 2021 tesla model 3 that the rear doors do not have any mechanical door handle release and is a big safety concern also how can a manufacturer get away with this and also not informing the consumer that anyone sat in the back may perish if involved in a accident and can't get out. https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2172240 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT After downloading Tesla’s update (no. 2025.44.25.4) software my heater (with the window defrost functionality) in winter stopped operating. I made my update while at my nearest Tesla service compound (location verifiable per system location log) on 01/25/26 when that same day software began throwing HVAC error codes with blowing cold air, when previously my heat ran well. This is not coincidental; https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2172241 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT After downloading Tesla’s update (no. 2025.44.25.4) software my heater (with the window defrost functionality) in winter stopped operating. I made my update while at my nearest Tesla service compound (location verifiable per system location log) on 01/25/26 when that same day software began throwing HVAC error codes with blowing cold air, when previously my heat ran well. This is not coincidental; https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2172242 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT After downloading Tesla’s update (no. 2025.44.25.4) software my heater (with the window defrost functionality) in winter stopped operating. I made my update while at my nearest Tesla service compound (location verifiable per system location log) on 01/25/26 when that same day software began throwing HVAC error codes with blowing cold air, when previously my heat ran well. This is not coincidental; https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2172643 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The steering system failed due to corrosion and water ingress affecting both the steering rack and the associated steering wiring harness. These components were replaced by Tesla and are no longer available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The steering syste https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2172644 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The steering system failed due to corrosion and water ingress affecting both the steering rack and the associated steering wiring harness. These components were replaced by Tesla and are no longer available for inspection. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The steering syste https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2172684 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT 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 pause—when the gap was no longer safe—the system proceeded to turn anyway, directly into the path of a sp https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3 https://plaincars.com/make/tesla-model-3#complaint-2172686 Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT Full self driving system (fsd) has ran a red light twice. It slows almost to a stop then takes off.