2019 Tesla Model 3 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 63about this part
- Share
- 10%of 620 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,110miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 63 complaints about the brakes of the 2019 Tesla Model 3, 10% of the 620 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,110 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I turned into a perpendicular parking space in a home depot parking lot. I let up on the accelerator as the car inched closer to the curb. As I began to press the brake to bring the car to a complete stop, the car suddenly lurched forward, jumped the curb, crossed the grass median and come to rest on the hood of another car. I know my foot was on the brake at the time and contend that the incident was due to a vehicle malfunction.”
NHTSA complaint #11278152, filed 2019-11, 1,265 miles“While driving in the left-most lane on mopac expressway in austin (although has happened other times and places as well) with full self driving autopilot engaged (and with the car having been in control for quite some time before this), the vehicle slammed on the brakes for no apparent reason. I immedately pressed the accelerator to override the breaking action and avoid being rear ended. To the best of my knowledge no accidents occurred as a result, however it did cause multiple cars behind me to have to brake. …”
NHTSA complaint #11363121, filed 2020-10, 19,950 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11231846, filed 2019-07, 1,999 miles“I previously submitted a concern with this car that occurred in december 2019. Tesla in milford, ct had the car in service for 23+ days because of errors with the car: alert messages included (but weren't limited to) power reduced, front motor disabled, etc. The car kept powering off while I was driving and the brakes and steering malfunctioned. Tesla ultimately diagnosed the problem as a shorted penthouse harness. Two weeks after receiving the car back, the error messages reappeared. The car broke down again and had to be towed back to Tesla in milford, ct. …”
NHTSA complaint #11308965, filed 2020-02, 8,500 miles“The vehicle experiences sudden braking while driving freeway spped around 65 to 70 MPH in the freeway underneath overpass during sunny day using autopilot. Tesla autopilot consider shadow underneath the overpass as stand still vehicle and apply sudden brakes. This can be very dangerous. I have reported this problem 2 times already to Tesla support, but, nothing has been done.”
NHTSA complaint #11310222, filed 2020-02, 15,720 milesRelated recalls
- 21V387000May 25, 2021Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to…Covers: Tesla Model 3 2019–2021, Model Y 2020–2021
Related service bulletins
- 11033173May 8, 2026On certain Model 3 vehicles, brake lines may be corroded beyond acceptable limits, which may result in loss of brake fluid. Loss of brake fluid will result in a customer facing…
- 11029583Feb 11, 2026On certain Model 3 vehicles, brake lines may be corroded beyond acceptable limits, which may result in loss of brake fluid. Loss of brake fluid will result in a customer facing…
- 10186277Dec 22, 2020Certain Model 3 vehicles may have sustained damage to the Electric Park Brake (EPB) housing during the vehicle assembly process.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 3% |
| 2025 | 13 | 11% |
| 2024 | 5 | 2% |
| 2023 | 56 | 13% |
| 2022 | 169 | 22% |
| 2021 | 126 | 19% |
| 2020 | 48 | 11% |
| 2019 | 63 | 10% |
| 2018 | 89 | 9% |
| 2017 | 3 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2019 Tesla Model 3
170 complaintsElectrical system
92 complaintsAir bags
88 complaintsSuspension
82 complaintsOther or unknown
81 complaintsVehicle speed control
71 complaintsLane departure
70 complaintsSeat belts
57 complaintsSteering
54 complaintsSeats
47 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 Tesla Model 3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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