2021 Tesla MODEL 3 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
657 owner complaints analyzed
22 distinct recall campaigns
9,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 42 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 281 of 657 complaints (42.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 351 | 53.4% |
| Steering behavior | 48 | 7.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 36 | 5.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 0.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 0.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 281 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 228 |
| Service Brakes | 124 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 122 |
| Unknown Or Other | 93 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 75 |
| Electrical System | 63 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 29 |
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 281; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 228; Service Brakes: 124; Vehicle Speed Control: 122; Unknown Or Other: 93; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 75; Electrical System: 63; Visibility/Wiper: 29
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 31 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 31; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (31). 615 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 71 |
| 2022 | 339 |
| 2023 | 93 |
| 2024 | 74 |
| 2025 | 42 |
| 2026 | 37 |
2020: 1; 2021: 71; 2022: 339; 2023: 93; 2024: 74; 2025: 42; 2026: 37
Pattern summary
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 351 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 48 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 36 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11385293 · 2020-12-28 (December 28, 2020)
WHEN I TEST DROVE THE TESLA MODEL 3, THERE WAS AN OPTION TO TURN REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO LOW. THIS ALLOWED THE CAR TO HAVE MORE OF A COASTING EFFECT WHEN ONE LIFTS THE FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR. WHEN I RECEIVED DELIVERY OF THE CAR, THE ABILITY TO REDUCE THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING EFFECT WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE REMOVAL OF THIS FEATURE IS BEING DISCUSSED AT LENGTH IN ONLINE FORUMS. THE LATEST VERSION OF THE OWNERS' MANUAL STATES THAT REGENERATIVE BRAKING IN THE STANDARD SETTING COULD CAUSE THE CARE TO LOSE TRACTION IN WINTER CONDITIONS AND THAT D…
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 11385293 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11399195 · 2021-03-04 (March 4, 2021)
ON FEBRUARY 28, 2021 AT 4:08 PM.. THE APPROXIMATE TIME OF MY ARRIVAL AT WORKPLACE WHICH IS ALSO DISPLAYED IN MY NAVIGATION. AS SOON AS I'M DOING A REVERSE TO PARK MY TESLA FOR SOME REASON AND IT DID HAPPEN SO QUICKLY ACCIDENTALLY PRESS THE ACCELERATOR HARDER AND AS A RESULT I CAUSE AN ACCIDENT THAT MY REAR BUMPER HIT THE CAR BEHIND ME THAT WAS PARKED. THE DAMAGED WAS HUGE THAT IT KNOCK OFF THE PARKED CAR FRONT BUMPER, IT BROKE THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT AND BUCKLED THE ENGINE HOOD. IT REALLY BOGGLES ME AS TO HOW IT HAPPENED, I RE-CREATE THE SCENAR…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11399195 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11429782 · 2021-08-19 (August 19, 2021)
When accessing the on-screen owner's manual, the Tesla screen freezes completely and no controls or signals are available. After the screen freezes, the air conditioning starts to blow at a full blast for about 30 seconds. The Tesla screen then goes blank for about two minutes, at which time the driver has no access to signals, speedometer, alerts, or any other car information detail. It is not clear if lights or doors are impacted. The car is able to accelerate and brake during this period, but the driver is essentially "driving blind." Afte…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413727 · 2021-04-25 (April 25, 2021)
-BODY PARTS ON CAR A LOT WERE OFF ALIGNED, SERVICE DEPT WON'T HELP OR ANSWER CALLS - SENTRY MODE DRAINS BATTERY (SALES REP SAID IT DOESN'T, SINCE THE CAMERA STORAGE ISN'T STORED ON THE CAR) - REAR PASSANGER DOOR PANEL IS NOT ON CORRECT - THERE WAS GREEN TAPE INSIDE THE CAR - THE WINDOW TRIM WAS HANGING OFF. - ADAM TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD BE WORKING WITH THE 'REMARKETING TEAM' TO GET ME A BETTER THAN NORMAL TRADE IN QUOTE. SAID HE WAS WORKING WITH A SPECIAL TEAM TO GET ME A QUOTE - AND THAT THE TEAM SHOULD HAVE OFFERED ME A LONG RANGE VEHICL…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11428290 · 2021-08-09 (August 9, 2021)
Tesla: 2021 Model 3 (Standard w/Full Self-Driving Capability) Vehicle Safety Issues as of August 09, 2021: 1. Vehicle does not have interior rear manual door release to allow rear seat occupants to escape in case(s) of emergency or vehicle electrical power failure 2. Vehicle does not have an exterior manual release for all doors in order to allow first responders the ability to assist or rescue vehicle occupants and/or driver 3. Vehicle doe not provide regenerative charging of 12V batter used as the only primary source of power to operate all O…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11428290 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11523406 · 2023-05-23 (May 23, 2023)
On May 22, 2023 driving south on I-580 through Reno with the Tesla adaptive cruise control, there's a 55mph construction zone. As a result, I use the right scroll wheel to adjust the speed from 65 to 55mph. The scroll wheel didn't work. As a result, I turned off the cruise control with the right steering wheel stalk. At the same time, I noticed the vehicle speed indicator on the upper left of the CRT display was malfunctioning; both failing to respond to changes in the car's speed, and then indicating erroneous speeds (at one point indicatin…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11523406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11585722 · 2024-04-29 (April 29, 2024)
I have a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The current owners manual shows how to open the rear doors in the event of loss of power using an emergency latch at the bottom of the door pocket. Our car doesn’t have that latch in the rear doors (though the front doors each have one). This concerns us and we feel it is unsafe for the back seat passengers.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11585722 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11721572 · 2026-03-02 (March 2, 2026)
The vehicle is undriveable due to a high‑voltage enable safety lockout triggered by ECU identity/MAC mismatch after a software/update window; local service instructed me to ‘safely disregard’ active safety alerts contrary to vehicle telemetry, creating a safety risk. Chronology (key timestamps) • Jan 28, 2026 , Low‑voltage undervoltage precondition recorded (DIF_a018). • Feb 2nd, 2026 , Low‑voltage undervoltage precondition recorded (DIF_a018). • Feb 03, 2026 08:46 , Identity/MAC invalidation alerts (CP_a089 / CP_a077); HV‑enable blocked casca…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11721572 at NHTSA ↗