2020 Tesla Model 3 Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 81about this part
- Share
- 18%of 452 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,600miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 81 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2020 Tesla Model 3, 18% of the 452 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,600 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I get repeated warnings that the door pillar cameras are blinded. When I check it is condensation between the camera and the pillar glass. They attempted to repair this last year by removing a seal for better air circulation. The problem remains. In cold weather this happens, and it means that any of the automated functions that depend on the cameras can't work correctly or at all. They have no solution. The front camera actually has a defogger in the glass in front of it. Why Tesla can't solve this problem is absurd. …”
NHTSA complaint #11396830, filed 2021-02, 8,500 miles“When I slowed down on a city street, and turned into a parking lot, the car speeded up by itself. And the brake didn't respond when I stepped on it. The car glided into a power post.”
NHTSA complaint #11302127, filed 2020-01, 1,250 miles“See attached for details. We have experienced at least two unexpected hard braking incidents in our 2020 Tesla MODEL 3 equipped with autopilot. In one incident, just as autopilot was engaged, the Tesla braked suddenly from 65 MPH to 50 MPH. Other drivers were forced to brake hard to avoid collision. On the same day, while in adaptive cruise control, the Tesla suddenly braked hard at a speed of 78 MPH, down to 60 MPH. Tesla has been notified by others who have had similar experiences, so they are aware of this hazardous problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11324811, filed 2020-05, 2,300 miles“We are an car media in china. We leased a 2020 Tesla MODEL 3 standard range plus on march 15, 2021, for program shooting. On march 18, when a team member trying to close the storage compartment cover in front of the central armrest box while operating, the cover did not close successfully and popped up unintentionally. A corner of the cover scratched the outer side of his right thumb. Following is his narrative in regard of this incident: when I was driving the Tesla MODEL 3 on march 18, 2021, and pulled over the vehicle, I opened the interior cover to store items. …”
NHTSA complaint #11406059, filed 2021-04, 1,600 miles“I bought a Tesla MODEL 3 on 9/19/20. On 9/23/20 I was waiting in my car in a line of cars at a fast food delivery window, stopped 8-10 ft behind a large vehicle with my foot on the brake as well as in the park mode because of the slow service ahead. After a while I realized that my Tesla had started moving slowly towards the vehicle in front. Pumping the brake, trying to change the gear to reverse did not stop the car. The screen data disappeared and a message flashed saying that all safety features were off. I opened the door which is supposed to stop the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #11373812, filed 2020-11, 50 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11008831Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008830Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008829Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008827Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008824Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008807Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008806Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008805Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008803Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
- 11008800Sep 30, 2024Tesla does not provide physical owner's manual copies. Instead, all available owner’s manual content is integrated into the vehicle software, and only the content relevant for a…
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 34% |
| 2025 | 37 | 30% |
| 2024 | 72 | 32% |
| 2023 | 59 | 14% |
| 2022 | 94 | 12% |
| 2021 | 95 | 14% |
| 2020 | 81 | 18% |
| 2019 | 81 | 13% |
| 2018 | 175 | 17% |
| 2017 | 5 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2020 Tesla Model 3
157 complaintsVehicle speed control
69 complaintsBrakes
48 complaintsSteering
47 complaintsSuspension
46 complaintsElectrical system
42 complaintsLane departure
35 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
28 complaintsSeats
23 complaintsSeat belts
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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