Complaint volume
741 consumer-submitted complaints are matched to this model year. Treat the count as a research signal, then read the actual summaries for repeated symptoms.
Complaint records
2022 Tesla Model 3 Complaints
741 consumer-submitted complaints on record for the 2022 Tesla Model 3, grouped by component category.
741 Total complaints
51 Crash reports
3 Fire reports
26 Injury reports
Complaint data reflects consumer-submitted reports. A complaint is not proof
of a defect, recall, or manufacturer fault. Enriched severity fields come
from official bulk records when the complaint can be matched by ODI number.
Buyer interpretation
How to use these complaints before buying
Complaint records are most useful when they turn into inspection points, seller questions, and comparison checks against nearby model years.
Pattern to inspect
The most common categories are forward collision avoidance, vehicle speed control,forward collision avoidance, service brakes,forward collision avoidance. Use those categories as a test-drive checklist instead of judging the vehicle from the total count alone.
Severity flags
Enriched records include 51 crash reports, 3 fire reports, 26 injury reports, and 1 fatality report. These fields come from complaint records and should be read in context.
Mileage clue
Mileage is available on 55 complaints, with an average reported failure mileage of 13,827 miles. Compare that with the mileage on the listing.
Questions to ask the seller
- Have you had any problems related to forward collision avoidance, vehicle speed control,forward collision avoidance, service brakes,forward collision avoidance?
- Can I see recent maintenance and repair records?
- Has the vehicle ever been towed, involved in a crash, or repaired for the same issue twice?
- Can we also check the recall record for this 2022 Tesla Model 3?
Used-car checklist
Use these complaints before the test drive.
Build a buyer checklist to turn these issues into questions and inspection points.
2022 Tesla Model 3
Build buyer checklist Compare with other years Sends year, make, and model to pre-fill your checklist.
How severe are the 2022 Tesla Model 3 complaints?
51 Crash
3 Fire
26 Injury
1 Fatality
32 Towed
21 Medical attention
What are the most common 2022 Tesla Model 3 complaint categories?
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 261
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 75
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 72
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 48
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 34
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 14
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE 12
SERVICE BRAKES 11
741 total complaints on record
Latest complaints
| Date | Component | Summary | Severity | Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Car randomly brakes while the autopilot feature is turned on, it has also happened while just in normal cruise control. Car will brake unexpectedly even in broad daylight on a straight road with no other vehicles around. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Vehicle brakes on cruise/autopilot for no reason occasionally | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Took delivery of 2022 Tesla Model 3 on Wednesday February 16, 2022. 3 incidents since taking delivery when autopilot adaptive cruise control is engaged and car randomly slams on brakes. 2 incidents with no known hazard in view of direction of travel and the other when approaching oncoming traffic driving in opposite lane. No indication (such as beeping on normal lane departure) that the vehicle was going to engage automatic braking. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving on the highway with cruise control activated at 60mph. The vehicle randomly broke and slowed. No other car was on site and no other person or object was around us. This has happened several times. This random braking on cruise control. This is dangerous. Please help with this issue and let me know what the next steps are. Thanks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I own a 2022 Tesla model 3 I am having issues with the Problem known as Phantom Braking which occurs while driving in cruise control. This happens somewhat randomly but especially when the road takes a curve, or when a large vehicle comes in the opposite direction. For example, if going 60 mph, it brakes immediately to 30 mph, and if going 30 mph, it brakes fast to 15 mph. This results in groceries sliding forward and seat belts being activated, not to mention the car behind having to brake to avoid a collision. The Tesla service department says there is no fix for it, it is just part of the current full self driving package. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When cruise is turned on the wipers turn on. This was their response. Hello Dominic, This is Ken from Tesla virtual service center. We have been getting some push back on the most recent update doing what you are saying regarding autopilot/autowipers. Our auto wipers and sensors with our windshields need improvement and is still in beta. I am not sure why the factory has decided to lock in the auto wipers function during autopilot for that reason on last months firmware update. Your comments along with others have been reported back to the factory to provide feedback to them on the problems you are facing as a customer. Unfortunately, there is no way for us to override this or turn it off. hopefully it will no longer be the case after the next update but a mobile tech coming out on the 19th will not be able to rectify this concern. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I only picked this car up on 2/16/22. Several times with the cruise control or autopilot/autosteer engaged on a two lane road the vehicle braked suddenly and severely in response to semi-trucks in the oncoming lane. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I purchased from Tesla Motors, Inc. (“Tesla”) a Tesla Model 3, VIN: [XXX] (the “Defective Vehicle”) and took delivery of the vehicle on December 10, 2021, from the Loveland, Colorado, service center located at 1606 N. Lincoln Ave. (the “Service Center”). Since the day I took delivery of the Defective Vehicle in December 2021, the Defective Vehicle dangerously, suddenly, and repeatedly slams on the emergency brakes while I am driving on the two-lane roads that are my route to commute to work. This defect has existed and the Defective Vehicle has been unsafe and noncompliant with Tesla’ warranty since the day I took delivery of it. The defect substantially impairs the use and market value of the Defective Vehicle, as the Defective Vehicle is a danger to anyone who drives it. My daily commute is approximately 25 miles each way to and from my home, and, on average, the vehicle will slam on the brakes no less than fifteen times per commute. Often, the occurrence is much higher than fifteen times per commute. Vehicles following behind me have had to swerve to avoid the Defective Vehicle and my belongings fly into the dashboard. One morning, the emergency braking caused my vehicle to slip in the snow, and I was fearful I would hit an oncoming vehicle head on because of the unexpected emergency braking. This defect is severe and endangers my life and safety and the life and safety of any passengers. I have attempted several to have the vehicle repaired at the Service Center, but the Service Center has either refused or been unable to bring the Defective Vehicle in conformity with the warranty. I have asked repeatedly when the repairs will be made, but no one at the Service Center responds to me in the app and the Service Center unilaterally cancels and closes service appointments I attempt to make. I have notified Tesla that the vehicle is a Lemon under Colorado law. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The vehicle when autopilot is engaged, sometimes when passing large vehicle like a semi truck or for no reason the vehicle will slam on the breaks, sounds warnings for forward collision. Could cause an accident if traffic around is paying attention or a road rage incident. Phantom Braking it's mostly called | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES | The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60-70 MPH, the vehicle independently stopped without warning. Also, while driving approximately 80 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently to 20 MPH abruptly. The contact stated there was an abnormal beeping alert prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where they informed him, they were waiting for a firmware update. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Tesla (9140 E Independence Blvd, Matthews, NC 28105. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no further assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 7,826. | Crash: No Fire: No | 7,826 |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I was driving on the highway on autopilot, I had my vehicle traveling at around 75mph when suddenly it slowed down abruptly all the way down to 58 for no reason at all. There were no cars behind or around me. Phantom braking is a real thing. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When driving on two lane roads using adaptive cruise control, the car will often decelerate or brake suddenly when there is oncoming traffic or lighting conditions change. There is no warning when this happens. I recently made a 200 mile trip and this occurred at least 15 times during the drive. I felt unsafe especially when there was a vehicle behind me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When using auto pilot (adaptive cruise control), the car randomly slams on its brakes on its own, specifically when near semi trucks. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE | The vehicle suddenly brakes quite significantly and without warning periodically when cruise control or automatic steering is in place. It happens most often on two lane roads when a truck or a vehicle with headlights on approaches in oncoming traffic. There is no warning and it is so startling that it causes the driver to overcorrect or worry that the car will completely stop with traffic moving behind us. It is totally unpredictable and unanticipated. Once the vehicle has passed, it rapidly resumes speed. It feels as if the car has total control, not the driver. I have not notified Tesla, but plan to. Very dangerous and unnerving. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When I drive this car in cruise control, I never know when it will suddenly brake without warning, trying to bring the car to a stop whether I am going 65 or 30 mph. It will see a shadow in the road, a pedestrian on a sidewalk, an oil spot on the pavement, and will abruptly throw the car and me into rapid deceleration. If it is sees a car in the oncoming lane, driving appropriately in its own lane, my car in the opposite lane will suddenly brake like I am about to have an accident. It will brake if it sees a vehicle coming around a bend in the opposite lane. Not only is my vehicle's braking uncomfortable and alarming, it is exceedingly dangerous. On urban and semi-urban highways, multiple times someone has almost rear-ended my car. Only because I was hyper-alert to the situation was an accident averted. I am an excellent and conscientious driver, with both hands on the wheel, not using my phone. I am not using the "self-driving" mode and never have. It is an option I paid $10K for but have never used. My main concern is for the safety of my current vehicle and for the other cars on the highway around me. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I have experienced the phantom braking problem commonly reported on in the news. On several occasions when the cruise control is set, the car will randomly slam on the brakes endangering my safety and those around me. This has happened on city streets in a 45 MPH zone (for no apparent reason), a 2 lane state highway (when a car approaches from the other lane traveling in the opposite direction of me), and on an interstate (when approaching an overpass). This happens very frequently regardless of whether I use automatic steering. I have not taken it to a service center or otherwise reported the problem as it appears to be common amongst other owners of this make/model. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle stopped independently and without warning. An unknown dealer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000. | Crash: No Fire: No | 1,000 |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | On multiple occasions while driving at highways speed on freeways, vehicles adaptive cruise control activates emergency braking when there are no obstacles in front of the vehicle. Cause of braking appears to be caused by high contrast shadows from overhead signs, billboards, and other tall vehicles that are on the road. This has caused moments where an accident could occur from the vehicles emergency braking activating when there is no actual reason that the system should activate. It also creates concern for the use of the cruise control system and autopilot while driving on the freeway. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Phantom braking on highways, multiple times on full self driving (auto pilot) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Driving on I-26, 4:30am, no cars around and my car aggressively brakes causing me to react quickly and disable smart cruise control. Making a return trip 1 week later on I-95, the car at various times brakes for no reason multiple times on a700 Mile trip. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Have had several phantom braking espisodes when driving with cruise control on both at 45 mph. It brakes by itself and there is nothing in front of me that would of caused this | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | The auto emergency braking consistently brakes for no apparent reason while using adaptive cruise control or autopilot. The Tesla Model 3 will consistently slow and brake while passing a semi or larger vehicle while myself and the vehicle I am passing are both within our lanes with no abnormalities. This "phantom braking" is the worst on a two way (one lane each direction) highway at night. It was so bad I could not use and trust the autopilot/cruise system because it was more unsafe to use it than to just turn if off. I feared that I would get rear ended or it could aggressively brake in a corner causing me to loose traction. I also had the vehicle brake with no vehicle approaching and no one behind. It just randomly applied the brakes and the collision warning went off. Literally nothing in front or behind me on a two lane highway (one lane in each direction). My cameras were clean | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | Sudden unexplained braking while in cruise control on an interstate. Unexplained very, very loud warning alerts out of the blue. Usually happening when there was a an adjacent white truck in daylight conditions. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | I have approximately 3300 miles on the car since new. I cannot safely use the adaptive cruise control feature because the car randomly applies significant braking. This has happened about 10 times in a variety of conditions including completely clear with the car recently cleaned. | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |
| Feb 2022 | VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | When using the autosteer function and also the adaptive cruise control, the vehicle seems to have a phantom braking issue. The car will apply brakes in an aggressive manner when the vehicle is faced with oncoming traffic in the opposite lane headed the other direction on a 2 lane road. This seems to occur when a large truck such as UPS or semi tractor trailer is approaching in the other lane headed the other direction - the vehicle seems to recognize that as an imminent forward collision and begins to aggressively brake the vehicle, which could cause a following vehicle to rear end me. This has happened on several occasions with varying degrees or severity (how hard it applies the breaks) | Crash: No Fire: No | Unknown |