2021 Tesla Model 3 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 3%of 673 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,340miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Tesla Model 3, 3% of the 673 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,340 miles. 2 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.
“my 21 M3P 27K miles threw BMS_a079 I've never used a supercharger and rarely charge over 80% mostly charging at work on lvl 2 & occasionally at home on lvl 1 vehicle will no longer charge I've tried 2 Button reset and HV disconnect no help. 27k miles seems unreasonable for a battery malfunction on a vehicle that has been cared for meticulously.”
NHTSA complaint #11657017, filed 2025-04“While parked, as I selected R (reverse), the car lurched and displayed two warning messages: Rear motor disabled - safe to drive and Vehicle shutting down - PULL OVER SAFELY . The drive train was locked up and I fear that if the car had been moving when this happened, it would stopped suddenly possibly causing an accident. The car was towed away.”
NHTSA complaint #11433929, filed 2021-09“When I was driving on highway the suddenly I lost power and if I press gas pedal it would not go. I applied brake to slow down and pull over but as soon as I applied the brake it corrected on its own and continued to go since I did had similar issue like this previously I called Tesla and asked them to tow it to the shop. This is the 3nd time that I'm having an issues with drivetrain that my car was towed to shop.”
NHTSA complaint #11429014, filed 2021-08“When driving with the adaptive cruise control on, the car will for no reason, briefly slam on the brakes for no reason. I have almost been rear ended twice because of this. check mark box above in this web page would not allow me to check the adaptive Cruise Control item.”
NHTSA complaint #11429825, filed 2021-08“The adaptive cruise control (Tesla autopilot ) system has unexpectedly disengaged and applied light to heavy braking numerous times. The system frequently mistakes a particular highway sign for a stopped vehicle and applies moderate braking. The system has also applied light to heavy braking in circumstances where I simply cannot figure out what the camera is interpreting as a hazard. This puts me and other drivers around me at risk as it is unnecessary and unpredictable braking at highway speeds in traffic. …”
NHTSA complaint #11483402, filed 2022-09Related service bulletins
- 10235000Apr 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…
- 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…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2021 Tesla Model 3
411 complaintsBrakes
126 complaintsVehicle speed control
123 complaintsOther or unknown
95 complaintsElectrical system
80 complaintsLane departure
34 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaintsSteering
28 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsFuel system
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 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