2017 Tesla Model 3 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 15%of 27 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2017 Tesla Model 3, 15% of the 27 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am writing to file a formal safety complaint against Tesla, Inc. regarding a software update failure that has disabled legally required vehicle functions on my Tesla for over two years. For more than 26 months, my vehicle has been unable to complete a software update through Tesla's over-the-air (OTA) update system. As a direct result of this failure, my vehicle's display screen does not function for the first several minutes of every drive. …”
NHTSA complaint #11726794, filed 2026-03“On August 9th, 2021 I was traveling on Interstate 40, in NC, at MM 103 at approximately 70 mph. when with no warning the Main Control Unit (MCU) went blank. Adaptive Cruise control, speedometer were not operable or could not be seen. The MCU reset after a brief (5 second) pause. I immediately placed a service request for August 25th with Tesla. Tesla updated the firmware and performed standard maintenance on August 25th. See attached screenshots. …”
NHTSA complaint #11439164, filed 2021-11“Feb 25 around 4pm PT we were driving north on US Hwy 101 using the basic cruise control feature of our Model 3. Based on our settings I believe this would be considered adaptive cruise control, but I'm not sure. Enhanced Auto-Pilot was not in use. On a largely open highway, in particular with no one in front of us, and thankfully, no one close behind us, the car suddenly started to lose speed, not brake, just lose speed. I pressed the right-hand button on the steering wheel and called out report bug so there should be an incident record with Tesla I believe. …”
NHTSA complaint #11509183, filed 2023-02“Experiencing unexpected braking on freeway while on cruise control. Car brakes for apparently no reason. There is no warning, vehicles in sight, on clear sunny day. Has braked up to 3 times/hr on two different days on road trip. No indicators say that anything is wrong with the car or its cameras. It is jarring and scary for both driver and passenger. Collecting info for Tesla service appt in August. Read info of phantom braking for newer Teslas. We drove this same route in this car in summer of 2019 and didn’t experience phantom braking.”
NHTSA complaint #11473378, filed 2022-07Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 7% |
| 2025 | 14 | 11% |
| 2024 | 21 | 9% |
| 2023 | 69 | 16% |
| 2022 | 171 | 22% |
| 2021 | 123 | 18% |
| 2020 | 69 | 15% |
| 2019 | 71 | 11% |
| 2018 | 91 | 9% |
| 2017 | 4 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2017 Tesla Model 3
8 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaintsSeats
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsLane departure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Tesla Model 3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology