2018 Tesla Model 3 Forward collision avoidance Problems
- Complaints
- 203about this part
- Share
- 20%of 1,035 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 27,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 203 complaints about the forward collision avoidance of the 2018 Tesla Model 3, 20% of the 1,035 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 27,000 miles. 26 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was in bumper to bumper traffic on the freeway about to change lanes. I was on totally manual operation. The car suddenly accelerated and hit a car and continued with my foot on the brake to hit another car. There was no collision damage warning or avoidance automatically stopping the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11403707, filed 2021-03, 55,921 miles“While driving on a highway Tesla suddenly hard braked out of nowhere. My speed dropped from 70 to 30 in a couple of seconds. There was an 18 wheeler behind me and it could have been a deadly collision if I hadn't intervened. This is a known Tesla but that someday would kill someone.”
NHTSA complaint #11402908, filed 2021-03, 28,200 miles“While driving major federal freeways (i65 & i85) between houston and n.c., the car while on autopilot and traveling at freeway speed (70 MPH) would emergency brake when approaching some (6-7 times) overpasses apparently thinking the overpass was crossing traffic or a forward obstruction. This also occurred (3-4 times) when it was simply a rise in the freeway ahead. The braking only lasted for maximum 1-2 seconds, but since the vehicles behind me would not be expecting me to brake, I consider this a serious safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11403975, filed 2021-03, 15,000 miles“Three separate problems: (1) rear camera goes black when backing up. (2) forward facing camera gives error on screen driving visualization temporarily degraded when driving. This happens on road and freeway. (3) screen became completely unresponsive to input. Map display was working. Following software reset procedure fixed this.”
NHTSA complaint #11374975, filed 2020-11, 4 miles“While driving, the vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own and began operating without my control. Despite my attempts to steer away from surrounding traffic, the vehicle continued to self‑propel, crossed the median, and entered oncoming lanes, resulting in a head‑on collision with another car.”
NHTSA complaint #11772684, filed 2026-10Related recalls
- 22V063000Feb 4, 2022Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played…Covers: Tesla Model 3 2017–2022, Model X 2020–2022, Model S 2020–2022 +1 more
- 21V846000Oct 29, 2021Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A…Covers: Tesla Model 3 2017–2021, Model S 2017–2021, Model X 2017–2021 +1 more
Forward collision avoidance: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 24% |
| 2025 | 30 | 24% |
| 2024 | 49 | 22% |
| 2023 | 179 | 42% |
| 2022 | 535 | 69% |
| 2021 | 411 | 61% |
| 2020 | 157 | 35% |
| 2019 | 170 | 27% |
| 2018 | 203 | 20% |
| 2017 | 8 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2018 Tesla Model 3
192 complaintsOther or unknown
175 complaintsElectrical system
168 complaintsAir bags
143 complaintsSeat belts
105 complaintsVehicle speed control
91 complaintsBrakes
89 complaintsSteering
83 complaintsSeats
74 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
61 complaintsBody and structure
60 complaintsLane departure
51 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Tesla Model 3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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