2020 Tesla Model 3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 452 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2020 Tesla Model 3, 2% of the 452 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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 filing a complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my 2020 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus. While driving on the freeway, the car displayed a “Power Limited - OK to Drive” message, followed by “Power Reduced,” and then automatically limited my speed to 60 mph. This happened unexpectedly on a busy freeway, nearly causing an accident with a car behind me. …”
NHTSA complaint #11622202, filed 2024-10“I got a power reduced dir_a126 error code that limited my speed to 55 mph. This is dangerous on the highway as 55 mph is significantly under 70 mph and cars were almost rear ending me.”
NHTSA complaint #11517983, filed 2023-04“12v battery failed without warning. Car was parked. Was unresponsive. Could not unlock the car. Able to open trunk and passenger side door only. Drivers side would not open. Touchscreen black no power to Do anything car essentially dead with no warning. There should have been on screen display informing driver of the need to replace 12v battery. There was none. Car needed to be towed. If this has happened while we were in the car we would have been locked in. Tow operator jumped the battery to open hood. Touchscreen restarted but car still unresponsive. Multiple warnings on screen. …”
NHTSA complaint #11532387, filed 2023-07“The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while reversing or driving forward, while depressing the accelerator pedal and adjusting the seat, the vehicle independently shifted to park abruptly. There were no warning lights illuminated. A software update was previously completed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and suggested a reboot and service on the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11485510, filed 2022-09, 20,000 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and using Self Driving feature, the vehicle experienced phantom braking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and continued to drive the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated while reversing, the vehicle inadvertently moved forward and slightly bumped into a guardrail. There was no further information provided. The contact depressed the brake pedal and was able to successfully reverse after several attempts. …”
NHTSA complaint #11457302, filed 2022-03, 10,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10234999Apr 29, 2022Some Heat Pump Model 3 vehicles were built without a hydraulic control unit (HCU) wake-up wire, and in rare circumstances, braking and stability control related alerts may appear…
- 10234998Apr 29, 2022Some Model 3 vehicles were built without a hydraulic control unit (HCU) wake-up wire, and in rare circumstances, braking and stability control related alerts may appear on the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2020 Tesla Model 3
157 complaintsOther or unknown
81 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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