2020 Tesla Model 3 problems
Owners have filed 774 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Tesla Model 3. Forward collision avoidance is the most reported problem area, at 28% of complaints. After that come cruise control (9%) and brakes (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 774 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Forward collision avoidance 28% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 101 and 5
- Injuries and deaths
- 58 and 5
- Typical mileage
- 3,000 miles 127 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 98 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 13 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 5 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 1 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 127 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 3,000 miles. For forward collision avoidance specifically, the median reported mileage is about 10,000 miles (12 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 101 complaints mention a crash; 5 complaints mention a fire; 58 injuries reported; 5 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2020 ranks 6th most-complained-about out of 10 model years of the Tesla Model 3 with enough data (716 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 21 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
my son-in-law went straight off country road and into a tree car burnt to ground was burnt to death date was [XXX] sheriff Spokane county investigating teal front suspension repaired 1 month before at local Tesla shop Spokane wa
The contact owned a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH in traffic on a sunny day, the vehicle drove over a pothole, and the traction control and ABS warning lights illuminated. The brake pedal was checked; however, fifteen minutes later the vehicle crashed into a 26-foot box truck. The contact stated that the box truck left the scene of the crash. The tire skid marks were 100 feet long. The air bags failed to deploy.
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.