Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control — runs 5.1× the fleet median for that category across the 228 model-years tracked on this site.
432Complaints
20Recalls
50Crashes
2Fires
30Injured
2Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control (24.3% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control complaints here are 5.1× the median for that category across the 228 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 432 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
A twisted side curtain air bag may improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury or occupant ejection during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
An improperly attached fastener may prevent the seat belt system from performing as designed, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
A rearview camera that does not function reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:caliper
Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
The driver may not know how fast the vehicle is traveling without the mph or km/h unit display, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
Driving with improperly inflated tires increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: YES
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“late November of 2021, sunny weather, dry pavement. I was driving with Auto pilot (auto aware cruise control) on a 2-lane highway in rural MN…”NHTSA complaint 11452444 — filed 02/17/2022 · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
“My car has experienced phantom braking for no apparent reason when on cruise control or auto pilot. Tesla claims to have to looked at the…”NHTSA complaint 11452440 — filed 02/17/2022 · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
“On to different occasions while vehicle was in Enhanced Autopilot the car braked hard for no apparent reason. If another car had been close behind…”NHTSA complaint 11452379 — filed 02/17/2022 · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Tesla Model 3?
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control issues are the most-reported category, cited in 105 of 432 NHTSA complaints (24.3%), followed by forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking (81), unspecified/other issues (80), vehicle speed control (65). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2020 Tesla Model 3 have?
432 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 50 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 30 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.
Does the 2020 Tesla Model 3 have any recalls?
Yes — 20 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 22V037000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2020 Tesla Model 3's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
Install CarModelProblemsAdd it to your home screen for one-tap access — no app store.
Install CarModelProblemsTap Share, then Add to Home Screen.