2019 Tesla MODEL 3

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2019 Tesla MODEL 3 has 1026 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 12.8x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2019 tesla model 3. the contact stated that he purchased the special feature adaptive auto pilot back in 06/2020. the contact stated that the automatic emergency braking activated independently while driving 65 mph, almost bringing the vehicle to an abrupt stop three times on . ⚠️ 6 fire reports filed.

6 fire reports 78 crash reports 24 injuries

1026

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

12.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

212 complaints

21%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED THE SPECIAL FEATURE ADAPTIVE AUTO PILOT BACK IN 06/2020. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, ALMOST BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO AN ABRUPT STOP THREE TIMES ON
• MY SON WAS DRIVING ON THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE WHEN THE AUTO PILOT APPLIED THE BRAKES. HE SAID A TRAFFIC CONE APPEARED ON THE SCREEN. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC CONE OR ANY OTHER OBJECT IN THE ROAD. THIS ISSUE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BEHIND HIM BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN BRAKE APPLICATION. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TO ME W
• B PILLAR CAMERAS TEND TO GET CONDENSATION IN THEM CAUSING THEM TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED TO TESLA SERVICE IN ROCKVILLE, MD, TO NO EFFECT. ACCORDING TO TESLA, THEY DO NOT HAVE A SOLUTION FOR IT, YET THE CAMERAS CONTINUE TO INTERMITTENTLY FAIL TO PROVIDE COVERAGE, ESPECIALLY IN WEA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 15 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED THE SPECIAL FEATURE ADAPTIVE AUTO PILOT BACK IN 06/2020. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, ALMOST BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO AN ABRUPT STOP THREE TIMES ON ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

195 complaints

19%

• WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE AND A VEHICLE CROSSES MY TRAFFIC LANE FAR ENOUGH AWAY TO POSE NO HAZARD TO ME, MY CAR SLOWS VERY SUDDENLY. THIS SLOWING FOR NO APPARENT REASON PUTS ME IN DANGER OF BEING REAR-ENDED BY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. A SIMILAR SLOW DOWN HAPPENS IF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME MAKES A RIGHT
• MY TESLA MODEL 3 JUST SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS I WAS TURNING RIGHT TRYING TO THE LOT TO PARK THE CAR. MY CAR HIT THE WALL AND THEN THE HAZARD LIGHT CAME ON.
• MY CAR WAS FIVE WEEKS OLD. WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME ON MY COMMUTE I REALIZE THE SCREEN HAD FROZE, AND THEN SUDDENLY BLACKED OUT. I THOUGHT IT WAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE AS I AM A FAMILY THAT OWNS TESLA, BUT IT WASN'T BECAUSE SUDDENLY THE ABILITY TO STEER AND BREAK OR COMPROMISED AND THE CAR HAD SPED WIT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 24 crashes

“WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE AND A VEHICLE CROSSES MY TRAFFIC LANE FAR ENOUGH AWAY TO POSE NO HAZARD TO ME, MY CAR SLOWS VERY SUDDENLY. THIS SLOWING FOR NO APPARENT REASON PUTS ME IN DANGER OF BEING REAR-ENDED BY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. A SIMILAR SLOW DOWN HAPPENS IF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME MAKES A RIGHT ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

91 complaints

• MY WIFE HAS A TESLA MODEL 3 CAR, PURCHASED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND HAVING ABOUT 8000 MILES ON IT. THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN AND CANNOT INSERT THE SAFETY BELT TO THE BUCKLE. MY WIFE SCHEDULED A SERVICE FROM THE APP. THE COMPANY SENT AN INVOICE FOR OVER $100 FOR THE REPAIR. SHE DIDN'T HAVE AN
• TOOK MY CAR FIVE TIMES FOR BRAKE/SUSPENSION CLICKING, DRIVER SEAT NOISE (BULLETIN ALREADY AVAILABLE), AND STEERING COLUMN RATTLE ( ADVISED BY TESLA TO MOVE THE STEERING A LITTLE BECAUSE IT TOUCHING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ( BAD DESIGN AND SHOULDN'T THE CUSTOMER CHANGE HIS COMFORT TO COMFORT THE BAD DES
• TOOK MY CAR FIVE TIMES FOR BRAKE/SUSPENSION CLICKING, DRIVER SEAT NOISE (BULLETIN ALREADY AVAILABLE), AND STEERING COLUMN RATTLE ( ADVISED BY TESLA TO MOVE THE STEERING A LITTLE BECAUSE IT TOUCHING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ( BAD DESIGN AND SHOULDN'T THE CUSTOMER CHANGE HIS COMFORT TO COMFORT THE BAD DES

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MY WIFE HAS A TESLA MODEL 3 CAR, PURCHASED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND HAVING ABOUT 8000 MILES ON IT. THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN AND CANNOT INSERT THE SAFETY BELT TO THE BUCKLE. MY WIFE SCHEDULED A SERVICE FROM THE APP. THE COMPANY SENT AN INVOICE FOR OVER $100 FOR THE REPAIR. SHE DIDN'T HAVE AN”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

88 complaints

• I WAS MOVING FORWARD AT ~15 MPH OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS ON A CITY STREET WHEN BOTH ELECTRIC MOTORS STOPPED WORKING BRINGING US TO A HALT ON THE TRACKS. THE CAR WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO NEUTRAL TO ALLOW IT TO BE PUSHED OFF OF THE TRACKS NOR WOULD IT RELEASE THE BRAKES UNTIL PUT INTO TOW MODE WHICH
• WHILE DRIVING THROUGH MY WORK PLACE PARKING LOT, MY TESLA SUDDENLY STOPPED AND DISPLAYED A FAULT CODE AND REQUESTING IMMEDIATE RETURN OF THE CAR TO A TESLA SERVICE CENTER. MY CAR WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS WHEN I TRIED TO EXIT, EITHER VIA THE TOUCH SCREEN UNLOCK ICON, ELECTRIC DOOR UNLOCK BUTTON, OR
• I JUST BOUGHT THE NEW TESLA MODEL 3 LAST WEEK FOR LONG RUN BATTERY BUT IT'S NOT GIVING ME FULL RANG OF MILES AND DROPPING CRAZY AMOUNT OF BATTERY . THE WAY TESLA IS TELLING THE PEOPLE ABOUT MILEAGE , IT'S NOT WORKING THAT WAY , I HAVE LONG RANG MILEAGE AND IT'S SUPPOSED TO GIVE 310 MILEAGE AFTER

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 2 fire reports💥 4 crashes

“I WAS MOVING FORWARD AT ~15 MPH OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS ON A CITY STREET WHEN BOTH ELECTRIC MOTORS STOPPED WORKING BRINGING US TO A HALT ON THE TRACKS. THE CAR WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO NEUTRAL TO ALLOW IT TO BE PUSHED OFF OF THE TRACKS NOR WOULD IT RELEASE THE BRAKES UNTIL PUT INTO TOW MODE WHICH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

80 complaints

• THREE TIMES WHEN DRIVING THE TESLA THE SCREEN STARTS FLASHING, THEN EITHER GOES BLACK OR FREEZES. THE TESLA'S SCREEN IS FOR NAVIGATION AND DRIVING SETTINGS. IT'S VERY SCARY TO DRIVE WITH A FROZEN SCREEN BECAUSE THE CAMERAS DON'T WORK: AND THE INTERACTION WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE CAR IS UNKNOWN.
• HI, ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE: HTTPS://WWW.BUSINESSINSIDER.COM/TESLA-MODEL-S-CATCHES-FIRE-IN-SAN-FRANCISCO-GARAGE-2019-5 TESLA CEO ELON MUSK HAS SAID THE COMPANY'S VEHICLES ARE LESS LIKELY TO CATCH FIRE THAN GAS-POWERED ONES, BUT DATA FROM THE NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION S
• I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, SECOND IN LINE. MY CAR LUNGED BACKWARDS HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME. I HAD DONE NOTHING TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS SLIGHT DAMAGE TO MY REAR END AND THEIR FRONT END. MY NECK DID WHIPLASH. THERE WAS AN INFANT IN THE BACKSEAT WHO WAS INJURED IN THE OTHER CAR. THE DRIV

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports💥 12 crashes

“THREE TIMES WHEN DRIVING THE TESLA THE SCREEN STARTS FLASHING, THEN EITHER GOES BLACK OR FREEZES. THE TESLA'S SCREEN IS FOR NAVIGATION AND DRIVING SETTINGS. IT'S VERY SCARY TO DRIVE WITH A FROZEN SCREEN BECAUSE THE CAMERAS DON'T WORK: AND THE INTERACTION WITH THE FUNCTIONING OF THE CAR IS UNKNOWN. ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 1026 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PURCHASED THE SPECIAL FEATURE ADAPTIVE AUTO PILOT BACK IN 06/2020. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, ALMOST BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO AN ABRUPT STOP THREE TIMES ON
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: WHEN IN CRUISE CONTROL MODE AND A VEHICLE CROSSES MY TRAFFIC LANE FAR ENOUGH AWAY TO POSE NO HAZARD TO ME, MY CAR SLOWS VERY SUDDENLY. THIS SLOWING FOR NO APPARENT REASON PUTS ME IN DANGER OF BEING REAR-ENDED BY FOLLOWING TRAFFIC. A SIMILAR SLOW DOWN HAPPENS IF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME MAKES A RIGHT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: MY WIFE HAS A TESLA MODEL 3 CAR, PURCHASED EARLIER THIS YEAR AND HAVING ABOUT 8000 MILES ON IT. THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE IS BROKEN AND CANNOT INSERT THE SAFETY BELT TO THE BUCKLE. MY WIFE SCHEDULED A SERVICE FROM THE APP. THE COMPANY SENT AN INVOICE FOR OVER $100 FOR THE REPAIR. SHE DIDN'T HAVE AN
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I WAS MOVING FORWARD AT ~15 MPH OVER A SET OF RAILROAD TRACKS ON A CITY STREET WHEN BOTH ELECTRIC MOTORS STOPPED WORKING BRINGING US TO A HALT ON THE TRACKS. THE CAR WOULD NOT SWITCH INTO NEUTRAL TO ALLOW IT TO BE PUSHED OFF OF THE TRACKS NOR WOULD IT RELEASE THE BRAKES UNTIL PUT INTO TOW MODE WHICH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)