Consumer Complaints

The NHTSA recently forced Tesla to perform a "recall" including an over the air update that made changes to the Tesla Full Self Driving features. Before the recall I felt very safe driving my Tesla on FSD mode. After the update my car feels much less safe with an almost exponential increase in the number of on screen warnings that distract me and do not increase the safety of the vehicle. We do not need these unnecessary notifications that cause constant distraction from the driver's ability to pay attention to the road. These need to be immediately removed as I feel they will directly cause me to become distracted enough to lose control of my vehicle. We need less distractions so we can maintain focus on the road. Any on screen warnings forces the driver to look away from the road to look at the warning, then we get an additional warning for looking at the previous warning. This causes an endless loop of micro distractions that on long drives lead to increasing frustration and increased sensitivity to them. This is a serious safety concern that that was implemented without Tesla vehicle owner feedback and needs to be immediately rescinded. We actually need to force Tesla to provide less on screen warnings and distractions instead of more to increase safety and driver attention to the road. Thank you for reading my concerns.

After the latest update the Tesla autopilot feature is very unsafe to use. The screen constantly pings and nags the driver to pay attention drawing my attention away from the road. The system has become so sensitive that adjusting the AC down a degree causes the warning to pop up which distracts the driver and in my opinion is significantly less safe than the older version. The warnings are too sensitive and the noise/warnings flashing are significantly more distracting

Ghost forward collision warnings appear from time to time even tho there is no one in front of the vehicle. Sometimes when the vehicle in front of me is turning left/right the collision warning will alarm me of possible impact even tho there was no real threat for anything to happen. Also, it happens when you want to park behind a parked vehicle (it happened to me today) and alerted me of a possible crash, while i was crawling to park. I wouldn't mind these ghost warnings, but since I am using Tesla Insurance which gives monthly insurance premiums based on the safety performance of the driver (FCW is one of those and the most important one) this is always impacting me financially at the end of the month. Tesla should be forbidden to use a technology that is not perfect in order to determine the price of the insurance.

Three incidents within 5 minutes of what Tesla owners call "phantom braking" whenever the car has cruise control on. For no predictable reason and no warning the car brakes suddenly and forcefully - could be shadows, reflected lights, oncoming traffic, who knows. It is a scary phenomenon and caused me to get in very dangerous situations - almost got rear ended at 60 mph. This is after owning the car for only 10 days. Called Tesla and they had no answer except to say that the car "will learn."

Using the cruise control frequently results in the autopilot system abruptly applying the brakes, risking a rear-end collision. This happens even when no car is in the lane in front of me. The cruise control is integrated with the autopilot system, which apparently is mistaking oncoming traffic with a car in my lane. The cruise control is integrated with autopilot and its traffic-awareness feature. The cruise control cannot be disconnected from autopilot, and the following distance feature cannot be turned off as with other makes of cars. I reported the issue to Tesla service and was told other drivers have reported the issue, yet the issue has not been brought to the attention of all Model 3 owners.

Turn signal causes excessive glare effect on the side repeater cameras during nighttime use. Driver is unable to view blind spot camera feed properly when engaging in a lane change.

On drives longer than 40 miles, camera faults cause cruise control systems to degrade in function and then when the faults are cleared, full functionality resumes without driver alerts. Side repeater camera feeds and rear camera feeds inconsistently load, or take an extended time period to load (10+ seconds). Tesla has confirmed that the autopilot computer (HW3) likely needs to be replaced, but this error/messaging is not directly accessible to the customer. The inconsistent failure behavior of the vehicle could easily lead less technical owners/drivers to incorrectly interpret how the car is behaving. The only message you receive while driving could be that 'cruise control is not available', and 'automatic emergency braking unavailable' with a message that the features may be restored later in the drive. My coworker has a 2022 Model Y and the same component failed on his vehicle and needed to be replaced under an extended warranty that was purchased from Tesla. I'm unsure how widespread the failure of this critical safety system is; we both purchased FSD and both had the same component fail and need replaced. I don't personally know others who own this vehicle with the FSD package to know for sure.

The steering system failed. I'm not sure about the availability for inspection. My safety was put at risk when my car collided with another car. I had just pulled out of my driveway and turned to go down the street a short distance from a stop sign where I would turn left. From a video taken by one of the car's cameras, the car went to the left side of the street and started toward the intersection where the car hit another vehicle. I have driven to the intersection numerous times. There is no way that I would have pulled toward the left side of the street. I believe that something in the steering system malfunctioned. This put me and other drivers on the road at risk. I don't know if the the problem has reproduced. There was a policeman at the site, but he would not inspect the vehicle for a malfunction. My insurance company must have inspected the car as they called today to inform me that the car is totaled. The failure happened so quickly, that I had no warning.

Tesla changed the entire user interface with their software update to version 11. I believe that this software update will cause vehicle accidents since they removed quick access to critical features and replaced them with entertainment apps. As the driver of the vehicle I do not need quick access to video games / streaming services, and more importantly I should not have to go through several screens to access key functions like the window defrosters. Tesla removed quick access to the defrosters, the wiper controls, the seat heaters and tire pressure. Even the music player now causes driver distraction. This new update is an accident waiting to happen and is geared toward entertainment instead focusing on a safe driving experience. The windows that pop up on the screen even block critical features like wiper blade control. Tesla claims that since they removed the buttons for wipers and defrosters that I could use the voice command but with this new update the voice command feature usually crashes. The new icons for user interface a so small that they cause eye strain and make difficult to see the road after checking the screen. The bottom of the screen is stuck in night mode which also causes eye strain. Since this vehicle has no buttons just a touch screen this drastic change to the user interface is a serious safety hazard. Tesla needs to add an actual physical wiper control switch to their vehicles. The automatic wiper mode is defective because Tesla did not install rain sensors on their vehicles. Also the new software has a serious bug where the vehicle disables the safety systems (all cameras and the lane departure warning system). The vehicle safety systems were disabled on 12/26/21 and 12/30/21. I informed Tesla on both occasions and they saw this software flaw in my vehicle computer files. Please make sure that Tesla fixes their vehicle interface before someone crashes from distracted driving/difficulty using the touch screen interface.

Software Update Version 11 makes it dangerous to drive when the front and/or back windshield fogs up. Getting the defogger to turn on requires multiple attempts to find icons and then more icons and then more options while attempting to drive the car (or pull over out of traffic to hunt down the defrost "button".) My windshield fogged up in a matter of seconds and it was impossible to SEE who was ahead of me, see the road, or get pulled over to avoid an accident while I struggled to find the software "button" hidden deep in the menus/screens somewhere. Also, blind spot warning camera is DANGEROUS. It requires the driver to look away from the road and traffic, attempt to interpret complex visual data, and make a split-second decision (all while driving is traffic). It's way WORSE than not having the distraction at all. I love my Model 3, but someone needs to reign-in Tesla and keep them from forcing owners to drive their cars in an UNSAFE manner.

AUTOPILOT/CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGE FUNCTION SHOULD NOT BE ON ACTIVATED BY SELECTING UP/REVERSE ON THE GEAR SELECTOR. CAR INADVERTENTLY WENT INTO R REVERSE WHEN DISENGAGE WAS COMMANDED. NARRATIVE: CAR WAS ON INTERSTATE AT HIGHWAY SPEED WITH NAVIGATE ON AUTOPILOT AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ON. AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND THE STATE POLICE BEGAN TO SHUT DOWN THE ROAD. THE CAR SUCCESSFULLY AND SAFELY AUTOMATICALLY STOPPED BEHIND TRAFFIC IN FRONT. POLICE BEGAN DIRECTING STOPPED TRAFFIC TO MOVE OFF ROADWAY. I SELECTED "UP" OR DISENGAGE ON THE GEAR SELECTOR AND THE CAR INSTEAD WENT INTO REVERSE. I STEPPED ON ACCELERATOR AND CAR MOVED BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. DISENGAGE AUTOPILOT/ADAS NEEDS TO BE A SEPARATE FUNCTION AND DIFFERENT CONTROL MOTION FROM SELECTING R REVERSE LIKE ON MODEL 3. VERY DANGEROUS.

I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED AND SHOCKED FROM WHAT HAPPENED LAST DECEMBER 10, 2019 (TUESDAY). AT AROUND 5:50 AM, I AM SLOWLY DRIVING AT THE PARKING LOT OF MY OFFICE AT STRYKER CORPORATION IN SAN JOSE, CA. I AM SLOWLY PARKING MY CAR AND THEN THERE'S A SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ON MY CAR WHICH I CANNOT EVEN CONTROL OR STOP. THE ACCELERATION SPEEDS UP AUTOMATICALLY ON ITS OWN EVEN IF I'M STEPPING ON THE BRAKE. DUE TO THE SPEED UP ON THE ACCELERATION, THE CAR WENT OVER THE CURB WITH SO MUCH SPEED AND MOVED TOWARDS THE TENT WHICH IS THE SMOKING AREA IN OUR WORK. THE WINDSHIELD OF MY CAR BROKE WHEN IT HIT THE TENT AND THE CAR STILL MOVED TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ISLAND. LUCKILY, MY CAR LANDED ON A BUCKET OF CEMENT WHICH HELPED MY CAR TO STOP. IT WAS REALLY A TERRIFYING INCIDENT WHICH I DIDN'T EXPECT TO HAPPEN BECAUSE MY CAR IS NEW AND I THOUGHT THAT IT'S THE SMARTEST AND SAFEST CAR. I HAVE A DASH CAMERA ON MY CAR AND I HAVE A VIDEO OF THE WHOLE INCIDENT THAT WILL PROVE THAT MY STATEMENTS ARE TRUE.

the car consistently has phantom braking. the speed will drop around 15 miles of speed immediately. it also will slow on rolling hills and random long turns on cruise control. most recent date listed

the vehicle consistently has pillar camera blockage warnings. I have had this repaired once but it still happens. this would not be a problem except the vehicle offers no other cruise control than adaptive. my concern is the vehicle consistently has phantom braking ( listed in a separate complaint I have made). I am concerned the two issues are related. the last time this happened is reported below.

I had come to a complete stop at the red light for about 1-2 minutes when, unexpectedly, my car surged forward and collided with the vehicle in front of me. Initially, I believed someone had rear-ended me and caused the accident, but that turned out not to be the case. Although I attempted to apply the brakes to prevent the collision, it was unfortunately too late.

Date: December 28, 2025 Time: Approximately 3:25 PM Vehicle: 2026 Tesla Model Y Incident Location: Southbound on the I-35N feeder road, just north of Highway 114. Safe Harbor Location: Burger King (15925 N Hwy 114, Northlake, TX) Statement of Facts: I was driving my 2026 Tesla Model Y southbound on the I-35N feeder road at approximately 3:25 PM today. I was traveling at a steady speed of 55 MPH. Without any warning chime or dashboard notification, the front hood (frunk) suddenly and violently flew open. The hood slammed into the windshield, shattering the glass across my entire field of vision and completely obstructing the road ahead. I was forced to perform an emergency "blind" stop on the feeder road. Once the vehicle was under control, I drove at approximately 10 MPH with zero forward visibility to reach a safe location off the main road. I pulled into the Burger King parking lot located at the intersection of I-35 and Highway 114 to inspect the damage and call for assistance. Key Safety Failures: • Software Failure: At no point before the hood flew open did the vehicle alert me that the frunk was unlatched. • Mechanical Failure: The latching mechanism failed to hold at standard highway speeds, creating a life-threatening visibility hazard. • Structural Damage: The windshield is fully shattered, and the hood and hinges are visibly warped from the force of the impact. Conclusion: This incident was a catastrophic safety failure. Given Tesla's history of recalls for this exact issue (NHTSA Recall 24V-554), it is clear that this 2026 model either suffers from the same defect or the previous "software fix" is insufficient to protect drivers.

I was at a stoplight behind a Toyota Tacoma. I must have stopped around 8 feet behind it. I was not using FSD and I was not one-pedal driving. My foot was on the brake. I must have been at a complete stop for approximately 10 seconds when my Model 3 suddenly accelerated full throttle on its own and rear ended the Tacoma, directly hitting its trailer hitch, causing my car's driver-side airbags to deploy. When it happened, the light was still red and my foot was still on the brake. I never touched the accelerator. Luckily I was driving alone. After the inital contact, my car sort of bounced off of his hitch then slowly lurched forward before it stopped. After that, it was immobile, leaving me stuck in traffic until it was towed away.

I AM WRITING TO REPORT URGENT SAFETY CONCERNS WITH MY 2018 TESLA MODEL 3, SOFTWARE VERSION 2023.44.30.5.1, AFTER THE NHTSA RECALL ON AUTOPILOT FUNCTIONALITY. I HAVE OWNED MY VEHICLE FOR OVER 4 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER HAD CONCERNS WITH THE ADAS / AUTO-PILOT / AUTO-STEERING FUNCTIONALITY UNTIL THE NHTSA REQUIRED CHANGES IN DECEMBER 2024. WHILE DRIVING ON I-405 IN GARDEN GROVE, CA, MY VEHICLE WHILE IN ADAS / AUTO-STEERING / AUTOPILOT MADE REPEATED AND UNUSUALLY PERSISTENT ATTEMPTS TO CHANGE FROM LANE 4 TO LANE 3. I HAD TO MANUALLY CANCEL EACH ATTEMPT, DESPITE MY SPEED BEING SET TO MATCH TRAFFIC FLOW. THIS ISSUE NEVER AROSE BEFORE THE SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE NHTSA RECALL. MOREOVER, THE VEHICLE CONSISTENTLY SIGNALED FOR DRIVER ATTENTION, DESPITE MY FULL ATTENTION TO THE ROAD, A CONCERNING NEW BEHAVIOR POST-UPDATE. THE NEED TO FREQUENTLY OVERRIDE THESE UNDESIRED MANEUVERS FORCED ME TO DISABLE THE ADAS AUTOPILOT/AUTO-STEERING. THIS PUTS ME AND MY VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AT RISK, AS I BELIEVE THE ADAS SYSTEM, FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY PRE-RECALL UPDATE, SAFELY MAINTAINED DISTANCE FROM VEHICLES AHEAD AND DID NOT MAKE UNINTENDED MANEUVERS TO CHANGE LANES. THESE ISSUES SUGGEST THE RECALL MODIFICATIONS ADVERSELY AFFECT AUTOPILOT FUNCTIONALITY, CREATING SAFETY HAZARDS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY ALARMING GIVEN THE POTENTIAL FOR SERIOUS ACCIDENTS DUE TO UNEXPECTED LANE CHANGES AND FALSE DRIVER ATTENTION ALERTS. I URGE THE NHTSA TO RECONSIDER THE RECALL MODIFICATIONS TO TESLA'S AUTO-STEER/AUTOPILOT ADAS FEATURES. IT'S CRUCIAL THAT RECALL ADJUSTMENTS DO NOT JEOPARDIZE VEHICLE AND VEHICLE OCCUPANTS SAFETY. A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE RECALL'S IMPACT IS NEEDED, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO AN AMENDMENT OR REVERSAL, TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF TESLA USERS AND OTHER ROAD USERS.

The contact owns a 2019 Tesla Model 3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced intermittent loss of the back-up camera. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 14,419. Parts distribution disconnect.

Adding our vehicle to the list of those affected by what seems to be commonly known as "Phantom Braking". The most recent occurrence was on Interstate 25 southbound in northern Colorado when the "Autopilot" (Adaptive Cruise Control) suddenly braked and reduced our speed from 75 to 51 mph, with no vehicles or other obstructions visible. We were almost rear-ended by a car following us, however. I want to point out that this was only the worst example of several episodes that occurred that day, and on earlier dates as well. We no longer use Autopilot, which makes long trips much less comfortable. I also want to mention that our vehicle does NOT have Tesla's "Full Self Driving" (FSD) installed, so my hands were on the wheel at all times.