2017 Tesla Model 3 Driver assistance Problems

I am writing to file a formal safety complaint against Tesla, Inc. regarding a software update failure that has disabled legally required vehicle functions on my Tesla for over two years. For more than 26 months, my vehicle has been unable to complete a software update through Tesla's over-the-air (OTA) update system. As a direct result of this failure, my vehicle's display screen does not function for the first several minutes of every drive. This prevents me from accessing my speedometer, turn signals, and other legally required safety features, rendering the vehicle non-compliant with federal and state motor vehicle safety standards during this period. I have made multiple documented attempts to resolve this issue through Tesla's customer support channels over the course of these two years. Despite these efforts, the issue remains unresolved. Tesla has now informed me that resolving the defect will require a paid service visit — despite the fact that the failure originates within Tesla's own software update infrastructure, not from any action or negligence on my part. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this matter on the following grounds: 1. The software defect disables legally required vehicle safety functions, including the speedometer, turn signals, hazard lights, and more. 2. The defect has persisted for over two years despite repeated good-faith efforts by the vehicle owner to resolve it through the manufacturer. 3. Tesla's OTA update system is manufacturer-controlled infrastructure. A failure within that system constitutes a manufacturer defect, not a maintenance issue. 4. Tesla is requiring payment from the consumer to correct a defect in their own systems. I believe this issue may not be isolated to my vehicle and could affect other Tesla owners experiencing similar OTA update failures. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether a broader safety defect exists and whether a recall or corrective action is warranted.

NHTSA ID

11726794

Incident

Jan 1, 2024

I had just finished Supercharging my vehicle from 50% to 80% and when I entered the car to drive home two warnings showed up 1. Steering assist was reduced and it might be more difficult to drive; and 2. Lane departure avoidance warning was not working. I did a hard reset twice - (foot on the brake while pressing the two steering wheel 'wheels') and began driving the 10-15 minute home. After an incredibly scary and difficult drive down a circular driveway, and great difficulty turning the wheel to make a right turn in one try, I picked the straightest route to my home - stopping one more time to hard reset. Again nothing! Luckily there was no traffic but I had to make 9 ninety degree turns to get there. I got home - taking 4 tries to maneuver the car into my driveway and garage. I left the car in the garage. Tesla service was closed for the weekend so I arranged for a tow on Monday. The next (Sunday) morning I did another reset and this time the steering assist worked, and I have to assume the lane departure avoidance was working as well because I only drove around the block and put it back in the garage. I understand other models of Tesla have been recalled for this very issue and I'm wondering why the Model 3 was not recalled as well since the software is the same is it not? I don't know if there was something wrong with the Supercharger that created the problem.

NHTSA ID

11559386

Incident

Dec 9, 2023

Within a week of posting a complaint here about phantom braking while in autopilot, my autopilot was disabled. Does the NHTSA share VIN numbers with the manufacturer? Because that sure felt like retaliation by Tesla

NHTSA ID

11540903

Incident

Jan 21, 2023

Feb 25 around 4pm PT we were driving north on US Hwy 101 using the basic cruise control feature of our Model 3. Based on our settings I believe this would be considered adaptive cruise control, but I'm not sure. Enhanced Auto-Pilot was not in use. On a largely open highway, in particular with no one in front of us, and thankfully, no one close behind us, the car suddenly started to lose speed, not brake, just lose speed. I pressed the right-hand button on the steering wheel and called out "report bug" so there should be an incident record with Tesla I believe. After letting it slow a bit, I pressed the accelerator to resume and it resumed speed ok. I have used the "report bug" several times on this issue so there should be records of other incidents. Feb. 26, around noon. Traveling on Central Expwy at 55, the car suddenly slowed to about 25 in the space of a few seconds before re-accelerating. No visible object to cause this. Thankfully, no one behind me which is why I let it drop speed to see what it would do. Again, this was using CC, not EAP. This first happened on Jan 14, '22 using cc on s-bd US 101. I have video of this, but it's 19MB, so can't upload. I took to Tesla service and they concluded it was moisture obstructing camera view. Made no sense then as you would it expect to occur constantly, not intermittently. Presumably if this was a vacuum issue, they would have checked that. I think the 3 works CC by wire.

NHTSA ID

11509183

Incident

Feb 26, 2023

The vehicle frequently applies emergency braking when approaching overpasses at night while driving on highways at night at normal speeds. This happens about once per 100 miles or so.

NHTSA ID

11502607

Incident

Jan 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2017 Tesla Model 3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11481876

Incident

Aug 26, 2022

Experiencing unexpected braking on freeway while on cruise control. Car brakes for apparently no reason. There is no warning, vehicles in sight, on clear sunny day. Has braked up to 3 times/hr on two different days on road trip. No indicators say that anything is wrong with the car or its cameras. It is jarring and scary for both driver and passenger. Collecting info for Tesla service appt in August. Read info of phantom braking for newer Teslas. We drove this same route in this car in summer of 2019 and didn’t experience phantom braking.

NHTSA ID

11473378

Incident

Jul 11, 2022

Many phantom braking incidents both on autopilot and in adaptive cruise control mode result in surprising (and frightening) sudden braking for no reason. In high traffic conditions, this could lead to a possible rear-end collision. The adaptive cruise control has become so unstable in the last few months we will not use it. As this is a mature feature that used to work nearly flawlessly this is very frustrating to go backwards with an update.

NHTSA ID

11450215

Incident

Jan 20, 2022

Essentially all of the safety and convenience features repeatedly shut off. Lane departure, autopilot, regenerative braking, VSC, emergency braking, airbags, traction control, automatic vehicle hold, stability control, and a few others stopped working on multiple occasions. This definitely put my life and my family's life at risk. The problems were reproduced and confirmed by the dealer and the vehicle was inspected by the manufacturer. All of the warning lamps and messages only popped up when the failure occurred. Tesla initially "fixed" all of these issues by doing a wheel alignment. Obviously this did not work and eventually a much more extensive repair was done. Also, they provided a loaner with tires so bald they the tread was below the wear bar.

NHTSA ID

11446684

Incident

Nov 16, 2021

On August 9th, 2021 I was traveling on Interstate 40, in NC, at MM 103 at approximately 70 mph. when with no warning the Main Control Unit (MCU) went blank. Adaptive Cruise control, speedometer were not operable or could not be seen. The MCU reset after a brief (5 second) pause. I immediately placed a service request for August 25th with Tesla. Tesla updated the firmware and performed standard maintenance on August 25th. See attached screenshots. On October 26th, at approximately 505 in the afternoon, I was traveling on I-40, in NC, at 70 mph when again the MCU went out but did not reset itself and remaind blank for the remainder of my trip, approximately 20 minutes. During this time adaptive cruise control, speedometer, turn signals, wipers and lane assit features were inoperable. I was able to complete my travel that afternoon in the car. On October 28th, I placed a service request for November 9th, with Tesla and shared the video I had of the incident. Tesla investigation into the incident indicated "We have concluded the investigation and found the crash (MCU) to be related to a current firmware bug that is known by our engineering team. We do not yet have a timeline when it will be fixed." This indiactes that Tesla knew of the issue with the firmware and has not resolved it. On Nov 2nd, 2021, Tesla cancled my November 9th, request for service due to software issue. I immediately reopened the claim, requesting the MCU be replaced and the newest version of software and driver safety features be installed I have not heard from Tesla about a resolution.

NHTSA ID

11439164

Incident

Oct 26, 2021

The Autopilot system on my vehicle malfunctioned, leading to the vehicle colliding into a stationary road barrier at highway speeds. The vehicle sustained severe damage as a result of the collision and was no longer operable.

NHTSA ID

11421345

Incident

May 26, 2018

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IT RECEIVED A SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD CALLED EMERGENCY LANE DEPARTURE AVOIDANCE WHICH IS TESLA'S FANCY NAME FOR A LANE DEPARTURE WARNING SYSTEM. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO THEIR SERVICE CENTERS 3 TIMES TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BECAUSE IT ONLY WORKS <50% OF THE TIME - NEVER WORKS DURING RAIN, SHADOWS ON THE ROAD, AND VARIOUS OTHER NORMAL ROAD & WEATHER CONDITIONS. EACH TIME I GET THE CAR BACK FROM THE SERVICE CENTERS I'M INFORMED THAT THAT SYSTEM IS WORKING NORMALLY. IN LATE JUNE OF 2020 I PURCHASED THEIR BASIC AUTO-PILOT SOFTWARE SYSTEM FOR $2,170 WHICH IS A COMBINATION OF BOTH LANE KEEPING ASSISTANCE (TESLA'S SELF STEERING) AND ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL (TESLA'S TRAFFIC & ROAD AWARE CRUISE CONTROL). THIS SOFTWARE HAS HAD "GLITCHES" AND MALFUNCTIONS EVER SINCE THE PURCHASE. I CONTACTED MARIE MOORE (ASSISTANT MANAGER AT TESLA'S BELLEVUE, WA) ABOUT THE ISSUES AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS SOFTWARE WAS A "SELF LEANING" TYPE AND WOULD IMPROVE WITH USE. THE FIRST ISSUE WAS THE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH AUTO-PILOT ENGAGED THE CAR WOULD VEER RIGHT A FEW TO SEVERAL FEET TOWARD MOST ON & OFF RAMPS UN-NERVING MYSELF & PASSENGERS AS WELL AS GETTING CLOSE TRAFFIC UPSET ENOUGH THAT I WOULD GET HONKED AT OR WORSE. IT GRADUALLY GOT BETTER SO THAT IT WOULD ONLY VEER RIGHT SIGNIFICANTLY LESS. HOWEVER ON 4/19 MY CAR RECEIVED A NEW SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD THAT STATED IT WOULD IMPROVE THE AUTO-PILOT & COLD WEATHER PERFORMANCE. I DROVE THE CAR ON A 140 MILE FREEWAY TRIP ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE CAR WOULD RADICALLY VEER RIGHT ON ~90% OF ALL ON RAMPS! TWICE IT NEARLY JERKED THE STEERING WHEEL FROM MY GRIP AND ATTEMPTED TO STEER COMPLETELY OFF THE FREEWAY & ONTO THE ON RAMP. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE LYNNWOOD, WA SERVICE CENTER ON 4/26 AND WAS TOLD ONCE AGAIN THAT THE CAR WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY & THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO; & SAME WITH CRUISE CONTROL ISSUES

NHTSA ID

11414426

Incident

Apr 20, 2021

Mileage

39,800 mi