2019 Tesla Model 3 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 4%of 620 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 4,236miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the body and structure of the 2019 Tesla Model 3, 4% of the 620 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 4,236 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am female safe driver with clean driving records, my Tesla was third car stopped at traffic light on dec 19th in the city street, and all of sudden, I strongly believe that it triggered unintended spontaneous acceleration that resulted in accident with two cars ahead of me, damaged all 3 vehicles including mine, I pushed the brake immediately & parked before all airbags in my car deployed. …”
NHTSA complaint #11300156, filed 2020-01, 4,361 miles“Do to a large back windshield (entire vehicle roof is made out of class) I believe that the heat makes the windshield crack. I posted a video on youtube explaining how my vehicle windshield broke down by the intense heat, a person replied with the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11320507, filed 2020-04, 13,428 miles“This incident happened because of sudden acceleration issue in Tesla mode 3 in our parking lot. I was parking between 2 cars on my right. So, was really slow. While turning there was a sudden acceleration and the vehicle was at a high speed. Since, I was turning, the car rotated at the high speed and in the process my car hit car on my left, 3 cars on my front. There was severe damage to my car and a flat tire. Fortunately, no people were affected. When the accident happened, all systems stopped functioning.”
NHTSA complaint #11300620, filed 2020-01, 4,000 miles“My wife was trying to park the car in our garage when the car suddenly sped up and hit our inner garage wall. It then reversed back and hit the wall a second time. Then it automatically reversed and parked on the neighbor's driveway. Both the sterling air bag and airbag near the feet deployed. The car's front was smashed. Our garage wall and door are also badly damaged. I have asked Tesla to investigate if it was because of the autopilot taking over but have not received a response from them yet after more than a week.”
NHTSA complaint #11267131, filed 2019-10, 7,143 miles“Autopilot was engaged. The Tesla vehicle sensors failed to recognize 2 parked vehicles on the right side of the street while driving, and collided with them. Anti-collision mechanism and auto-braking failed to apply, resulting in collision.”
NHTSA complaint #11302321, filed 2020-01, 3,370 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11001923Apr 16, 2024Certain Standard Range Model 3 and Model Y vehicles that received the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) HV Battery Retrofit did not receive the 2nd row floor reinforcement plate…
- 10243082Aug 2, 2023Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may need a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) installed in the front passenger seat before servicing its subcomponents.
- 10240953Jun 16, 2023Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may need a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) installed in the front passenger seat before servicing its subcomponents.
- 10240946Jun 8, 2023Certain Model 3 and Model Y vehicles may need a different Occupant Classification System (OCS) installed in the front passenger seat before servicing its subcomponents.
- 10235969Apr 27, 2023On some Model 3 vehicles, water may have leaked inside the trunk area through the trunk lid.
- 10235966Apr 17, 2023On some Model 3 vehicles, water may have leaked inside the trunk area through the trunk lid.
- 10235962Apr 5, 2023On some Model 3 vehicles, water may have leaked inside the trunk area through the trunk lid.
- 10173429Mar 17, 2020On some Model S, Model X, and Model 3 vehicles, condensation might build up inside of the B-pillar applique, potentially obscuring the B-pillar camera. This condition might cause…
- 10172382Feb 14, 2020Some Model 3 vehicles were built without butyl patches on the LH and RH front 1st row floor panels. Consequently, the sound of normal body flexing is heard and is not dampened.
- 10166053Sep 25, 2019On some Model 3 vehicles, the front and/or mid aero shield panels might be missing.
Body and structure: other model years
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 complaintsBrakes
63 complaintsSeat belts
57 complaintsSteering
54 complaintsSeats
47 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2019 Tesla Model 3
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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