TESLA Complaints

View complaints related to TESLA. The complaints found here are submitted by actual consumers with first hand experience. You can submit your own complaint to the NHTSA or call the Hotline, Monday-Friday 8am to 8pm at (888) 327-4236, TTY: (800) 424-9153.

  • 2020 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Reston, VA

    I own a 2020 Tesla Model 3. Over approximately the past 2–3 weeks, the vehicle has developed a noticeable rattle/creaking noise coming from the left-front suspension area. The noise was not previously present and appears to be getting my attention as a potential suspension-related safety issue. I am concerned because my vehicle falls within the model-year range of Tesla Model 3 vehicles associated with reported front suspension/lateral-link issues. I understand NHTSA is investigating reports involving front suspension component failures that could potentially affect vehicle control. I contacted Tesla through the Tesla app and requested that the vehicle be inspected because of the suspension noise and my safety concern. Tesla provided an estimate requiring approximately $240 for diagnosis/inspection before determining the cause. At this time, I have not experienced a suspension separation, crash, injury, or loss of vehicle control. However, because the vehicle is producing a new and persistent noise from the left-front suspension area, I am concerned that this could be an early indication of a suspension component problem. I am submitting this complaint so NHTSA has a record of the symptoms on my vehicle and can determine whether they may be related to other reported front suspension failures. I am also requesting that this complaint be considered in connection with any ongoing investigation involving front suspension/lateral-link failures in 2020 Tesla Model 3 vehicles. I will retain Tesla service records and any inspection findings and can provide additional information if requested.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2025 TESLA CYBERTRUCK
    - Plano, TX

    I own a 2025 Tesla Cybertruck AWD. The fixed lower rail beneath the front passenger seat has two exposed openings. On September 7, 2026, a metal key fell through one opening into an inaccessible enclosed area beneath the seat and floor structure. The key could not be seen or retrieved. While driving, I repeatedly heard it sliding as the vehicle accelerated, stopped and turned. I attempted to reach it by creating a hand-sized opening in the lower protective panel, damaging that panel, but I still could not locate the key. While parking in my garage, I suddenly heard the key drop into a deeper area instead of continuing to slide. The unexpected sound startled me and I immediately braked. During this abrupt reaction in the confined garage, the right exterior mirror struck the garage structure and was damaged. This presents a design and safety concern. Small everyday objects can fall through the exposed seat-rail openings into an inaccessible vehicle cavity, move unpredictably and distract the driver. There is no apparent cover, screen or plug, and no reasonable owner-accessible retrieval method. I request that Tesla explain the purpose of these openings and why they are unprotected; inspect the vehicle and confirm whether the key could affect wiring, seat components, the battery enclosure or other systems; remove the passenger seat and necessary trim to retrieve the key; repair the damaged lower panel; and repair or provide reimbursement or goodwill assistance for the damaged right mirror. Tesla should also protect the vehicle’s existing paint protection film during repair and escalate the openings to its engineering or product-safety team for a preventive solution. I can provide photographs of both openings, the damaged panel and mirror, and can provide my VIN privately.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2023 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Santa Barbara, CA

    The car is providing an error message while driving with FSD that the glass in-front of the forward-looking cameras used for full self driving have become obstructed by a film building up between the interior glass and the camera housing. I have opened a repair ticket with Tesla and they replied that they expect this area will need to be cleaned every 6 to 12 months at my own expense. The car is never exposed to smoke or vape fumes, but instead humidity appears to be causing the issue since the compartment is not fully sealed. The first time this happened Tesla offered to clean the compartment for free and indicated they sealed it in a way that would keep this from happening in the future that turns out not to be true and their technician now says the cost will be $60 per cleaning every 6 to 12 months their documentation further recommends against attempting to clean this area without their professional assistance.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2026 TESLA CYBERTRUCK
    - Luquillo, PR

    Tesla FSD failed to measure an entrance correctly and scratched the left side of the truck. Affected left rear passenger door, left rear flares, left rocker panel.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2016 TESLA MODEL X
    - McCordsville, IN

    My 2016 Tesla Model X is subject to NHTSA Recall 24V615000 for detaching roof appliques. The component was previously inspected by Tesla under this campaign. August 30, 2026 the center spine applique completely detached and flew off the vehicle at highway speeds, creating an immediate road hazard. Tesla Service is now refusing to replace the missing component under the recall campaign, claiming a prior inspection absolves them of coverage. The vehicle currently exhibits the exact safety defect intended to be cured by the recall.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2026 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Fredericksburg, VA

    I had the car in Full Self Driving Mode. The car turned off the road into a ditch, in which I had to take over the car.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2020 TESLA MODEL X
    - Scottsdale, AZ

    The seat belt in the middle row of the 6 seater model X can get wrapped under the seat and locked, creating a very dangerous situation for children or anyone sitting in that seat. The seats in the 6 seater middle row Do Not fold down, and there's no way to release this seatbelt once it gets locked

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2018 TESLA MODEL 3
    - Oneonta, AL

    While my wife was driving, the high-voltage battery failed and the car went into reduced power/limp mode. Tesla later determined that coolant had gotten into the high-voltage battery and caused it to fail. My main concern is that we had no warning that there was a coolant leak or that coolant was getting into the battery. There was no low-coolant warning or anything telling my wife that there was a serious problem developing. By the time the car started giving high-voltage and reduced-power warnings, the damage had already occurred and Tesla said the battery needed to be replaced. What concerns me even more was what happened after Tesla received the car. Tesla removed the battery and quarantined it in the parking lot. They told us in writing that it was removed because of coolant ingress as a safety precaution and that a specialized technician had to determine whether the battery was safe to discharge. During a phone call, a Tesla employee also told me they quarantined it because there was a possibility the battery could explode and they did not want anyone injured or anything damaged if that happened. That was alarming because my wife had just been driving this car, and afterward it sat in our driveway while we waited for it to be taken to Tesla. At no point were we told that the battery could be dangerous or that the vehicle should be kept away from people or property. We had no idea Tesla would consider the condition serious enough to quarantine the battery once they received it. Tesla later confirmed in writing that coolant ingress was the root cause of the battery failure. I would like NHTSA to look into why this condition was able to get this far without warning the driver and whether other vehicles could have the same issue.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2026 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Oro Valley, AZ

    Vehicle: 2026 Tesla Model Y System involved: Full Self-Driving (Supervised) Date of incident: September 2, 2026 Approximate time: 5:20 PM Location: I-10 area near Tucson, Arizona Crash: No Injury: No Near-miss / safety-critical event: Yes I am reporting a serious safety incident involving the Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system in my 2026 Tesla Model Y. On September 2, 2026, at approximately 5:20 PM near Tucson, Arizona, I was using Full Self-Driving (Supervised) while traveling toward I-10. The vehicle was expected to enter I-10 but did not enter the highway as intended. Instead, the vehicle proceeded onto a service road, then entered an abandoned parking lot. Rather than safely correcting the route it started towards highway ramp against the normal direction of traffic. I immediately took manual control,stopped in an empty emergency area between the ramp and the service road and activated my emergency hazard lights. I remained stopped while approaching traffic slowed after observing my vehicle. Once it was safe to proceed, I manually and slowly repositioned the vehicle in the correct direction and entered I-10 using the ramp. There was no collision and no injury. However, I believe this event created a serious and potentially fatal risk because the vehicle’s automated driving system directed the vehicle toward a highway ramp in the wrong direction, creating the possibility of a wrong-way conflict with incoming traffic. I am also notifying Tesla for evaluation. I wonder if more similar incidents were reported recently (I learned the fatal collision killing passenger on Oct 31st in AZ due to FSD malfunction).

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE
  • 2026 TESLA MODEL Y
    - Chicago, IL

    Whenever I disengage full self driving the car forces me to tell it why I did it via an on screen selection. It does not go away after a period of time. I used to be able to dismiss it by hitting the voice button twice but they've removed that loop hole. It's very distracting and forces me to interact with the screen while driving. The selection screen also blocks the blind spot cameras. It comes up even when disengaging to park. Someone is going to wreck messing around with this forced distraction.

    Source: NHTSA WEB SITE