2021 Tesla Model 3 Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 123about this part
- Share
- 18%of 674 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 10,650miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 123 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2021 Tesla Model 3, 18% of the 674 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 10,650 miles. 11 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.
“When I test drove the Tesla MODEL 3, there was an option to turn regenerative braking to low. This allowed the car to have more of a coasting effect when one lifts the foot off of the accelerator. When I received delivery of the car, the ability to reduce the regenerative braking effect was not available. The removal of this feature is being discussed at length in online forums. The latest version of the owners' manual states that regenerative braking in the standard setting could cause the care to lose traction in winter conditions and that drivers should select the low setting. …”
NHTSA complaint #11385293, filed 2020-12, 15 miles“vehicle constantly phantom brakes while driving. i have reported 100+ incidents thru my tesla report bug feature. It will read the speed limit sign on the off ramp and slow the vehicle down 20mps abruptly, it will see a car on an onramp and slam the brakes on thinking there is a collision coming. it is every single day using cruise control”
NHTSA complaint #11628144, filed 2024-12“I was driving with the Autopilot on, traveling about 65 mph on the freeway when the automatic emergency braking system kicked in for no reason. There was absolutely nothing in front of the car when it aggressively braked, very suddenly. I was very lucky no one was behind me. I have not reported this directly to Tesla, no one has inspected or confirmed this event.”
NHTSA complaint #11509117, filed 2023-02“Driving on I-5 North from Los Angeles to San Francisco with adaptive cruise control activated. Suddenly and without warning car activates emergency braking as if it sees an obstruction on the road but obviously road was clear of any obstructions. This happened 4 times then I finally decided to no longer use cruise control. This happened on a clear sunny day around noon time 9/8/23.”
NHTSA complaint #11543746, filed 2023-09“Any time I have the car in autopilot, it unexpectedly phantom brakes. Even when I'm not using autopilot, and I am using cruise control, the phantom braking still occurs. In several instances I have had people come close to hitting my car's rear. The braking is not subtle. It is rapid and aggressive. This issue creates a major danger for anyone in my car and others on the road.”
NHTSA complaint #11450434, filed 2022-02Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 7% |
| 2025 | 14 | 11% |
| 2024 | 21 | 9% |
| 2023 | 69 | 16% |
| 2022 | 171 | 22% |
| 2021 | 123 | 18% |
| 2020 | 69 | 15% |
| 2019 | 71 | 11% |
| 2018 | 91 | 9% |
| 2017 | 4 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2021 Tesla Model 3
411 complaintsBrakes
126 complaintsOther or unknown
96 complaintsElectrical system
80 complaintsLane departure
34 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaintsSteering
28 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
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 28, 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