2020 Tesla Model 3 Electrical Problems

I was operating my Tesla with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged when the incident occurred. I was turning right onto [XXX] from [XXX] and was positioned in the left right-turn lane approaching a railroad crossing. The railroad crossing gates were already fully lowered, indicating an approaching train. Despite the lowered crossing gates, the vehicle accelerated forward into the crossing rather than stopping. The vehicle drove through the lowered crossing gate, which struck and shattered the windshield. Seconds later, the train passed through the intersection. I did not command the vehicle to proceed through the lowered gates. The incident resulted in significant damage to the windshield and raised serious safety concerns because the vehicle entered an active railroad crossing immediately before the train arrived. The vehicle was towed to a Tesla Service Center due to the damage. Fortunately, no collision with the train occurred and there were no injuries, but the incident had the potential to result in catastrophic injury or death. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11755168

Incident

Aug 2, 2026

The wiring in my trunk harness was severed due to the repeated opening and closing of my trunk. This caused my reverse lights to fail and my trunk latch to stop working. This issue is part of a known recall: Campaign 21V-00D. Tesla attempted to fix the issue in 2023 but the poor repair did not work. I took my Tesla to the dealer and they refused to remedy the issue unless I would pay $1300. I persuaded them to lower the feet to $300 but still feel that I should not pay anything because this issue was due to the recall.

NHTSA ID

11746953

Incident

Apr 2, 2026

The screen (which controls all functions of the vehicle) starts to go haywire. It's almost like there is a phantom touching the screen and pressing buttons. The screen will start zooming in and out - changing your navigation destination. The air controls will turn on full blast and then you are unable to shut them off because the screen will not respond. It becomes a giant distraction to the driver (imagine a screen that large malfunctioning) and tesla does not think this is a safety issue. We reported it to them. They couldn't replicate the issue (is what they told us and then let us know it was out of warranty and we could just replace the screen to a tune of almost $2000). There are no cracks or issues with the screen itself. I cannot upload the videos as they are too big to share but I can send them to an email address.

NHTSA ID

11739307

Incident

Dec 1, 2025

My Tesla Model 3 was brought to Tesla Princeton Service Center on February 27, 2025 for a 12V battery replacement. During the service visit, Tesla also replaced the rear glass, citing the rear defroster as the root cause of the battery drain — a repair that was added without prior discussion and increased the total invoice from an original estimate of $180 to a final charge of $1,730. Upon picking up the vehicle, the rear backup camera, blind spot cameras, navigation system, Sentry Mode, and windshield wiper sensor were all non-functional. None of these systems showed any malfunction prior to the service visit. Tesla Princeton’s service advisor denied responsibility without performing diagnostics, and in a subsequent message admitted he could not determine the cause with certainty without diagnostics — which have still not been performed. The vehicle was discharged from a licensed Tesla Service Center in a condition non-compliant with FMVSS 111. I have escalated this matter to Tesla executive leadership in writing and am filing this NHTSA complaint to create a federal record of this safety violation.

NHTSA ID

11722273

Incident

Mar 3, 2026

After loading our two children ages 2 and 5 in to vehicle and securing in car seats, the car doors were closed and would not reopen. The children were unable to open the doors themselves. The trunk and other entries did not open. There was no obvious way to open the doors or the issue the car was experiencing. The battery cover would not open. Eventually after I searched the Internet I determined that the 12V battery died (no warning whatsoever, doors worked before loading children) and this caused all occupants to be detained in vehicle as the emergency release is the mechanical means of opening the door and this emergency release is not intuitive or obvious. Within 20 minutes I was able to use an arcane hot wiring method to unlatch a door with a spare 12 V source and a hidden 12 V port not immediately obvious either. Thankfully not in setting of an emergency, not a sunny or excessively warm day and had internet access to research this event. If any of the above were true, life limb and property loss would easily have occurred.

NHTSA ID

11708507

Incident

May 12, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk became inoperable. The contact stated that the trunk latch failed to open when the trunk release was engaged using the mobile application, the instrument panel, or the trunk release button. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Visibility, Back Over Prevention). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed. The contact was informed by the dealer that the cable harness was not repaired and that a zip tie was placed on the cable harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that after the dealer visit, the trunk failure persisted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69,125.

NHTSA ID

11705132

Incident

Dec 15, 2025

Mileage

69,215 mi

Software update was pushed onto my car, after the update the car autopilot ECU no longer works. When the ECU finally failed these features were stuck or are completely broken/not working: - Auto dim rear view mirrors (these were stuck in dim mode, preventing me from seeing in rain or darkened environments such as at night or under shade, 0% visibility under these conditions when changing lanes or reversing) - Rear view camera completely stopped functioning, as did all cameras on the car - Forward collision warning no longer works - Autopilot (ADAS features in general) no longer functioning including lane keep assist - On screen navigation is locked in place where the car failed (screen shows location where the car ECU presumably failed). I am further unsure if the following features function as required: - Airbag deployment - AEB (Automatic emergency braking)

NHTSA ID

11673796

Incident

Jul 13, 2025

Car radio goes so loud it damaged my ear nerves. This results in pain especially when exposed to loud sounds

NHTSA ID

11640726

Incident

Jul 1, 2024

Back and buttocks area suffered electrical burns and pain from Tesla Seat Heaters (in heated seats) twice 1. Happened in 2024 on temperature level 3 2 Although I turned it down it happened again in 2025 on temperature level 2

NHTSA ID

11640654

Incident

Feb 4, 2025

My Motor Control Unit failed. No reason given by Tesla Service Center. It simply just died. They cannot find a reason, and they also said I didn't do anything to cause the MCU to fail. Service Center agrees this is a rare event. Likely got a really faulty MCU to start with. I bought my car in 2020, so just over 4 years later my MCU died.

NHTSA ID

11621654

Incident

Oct 19, 2024

Found the front body controller to be internally faulted

NHTSA ID

11603096

Incident

Jul 17, 2024

The Tesla is reflecting an error “DIR_a126” that is reducing the speed below the speed limit and with no rhyme or reason. Tesla services are not available and the problem is intermittent. Additionally, based on research it is found to not have consistent resolutions and reasonings

NHTSA ID

11599829

Incident

Jul 7, 2024

I AM STILL WAITING FOR TESLA TO MAKE THIS REPAIR. I HAVE CONTACTED A SERVICE CENTER SEVERAL TIMES AND TRIED TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT ONCE. TESLA CANCELLED THE APPOINTMENT AND KEEPS TELLING ME THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS TO MAKE THE REPAIR. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR AND A HALF SINCE TESLA ANNOUNCED THE RECALL AND IT HAS FAILED TO REPAIR MY CAR. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE HARNESS CAN SHORT OUT AND CAUSE A FIRE.

NHTSA ID

11579885

Incident

Mar 28, 2024

Braking and Stopping - Braking system - Improperly functioning braking systems. I experienced a problem with the brake pedal, brake calipers, and/or any component of a Model 3 braking system. “Model 3 has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that prevents the wheels from locking when you apply maximum brake pressure. This improves steering control during heavy braking in most road conditions…Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking do not operate when driving at very low speeds (see Collision Avoidance Assist on page 128). Do not rely on these features to warn you, or to prevent or reduce-the impact of a collision. (Tesla owners Manuel71-73) I stop on a downward slope with my foot on the brake to wait for a gate to open in my apartments. I let go of the brake and the vehicle remained steady until it started rolling. When it started rolling, I jam my foot on the brake but the brake is engaged (locked). The vehicle accelerates, the brakes and steering wheel is locked giving no control over the vehicle. The vehicle drives through the gate and into a wall. The airbags deploy and I get out immediately for caution of explosion and shock. I call a tow truck and made a claim with USAA. I got a concussion and multiple injuries on my body. I’ve been getting medical treatment for 6-8 months. USAA didn’t help as they deemed the accident was my fault and totaled the vehicle. I bought the vehicle for more than what’s it’s worth. I have loan payment that I can NOT pay. This was my only asset and this accident changed my work life. Tesla gave me the run around on how to make a claim and no compensation. Directed me to insurance company. This demonstrates failure of an Braking System, operating electric vehicles, company responsibility, safety and transportation regulations and policies. These vehicles are highly dangerous for my safety and others as there’ve been multiple accidents and deaths.

NHTSA ID

11577318

Incident

Apr 29, 2023

The Rear Drive Unit of our Tesla failed on our Tesla Model 3 2020 (2 years at the time of incident). It is no longer available for inspection as it was replaced by Tesla. We had our drive unit fail for our 2020 M3 driving in the middle of what is considered one of the most dangerous freeways in [XXX] . After all the warnings came online, we had 30 seconds before the entire car stopped. Of the warnings (Power Reduced, Acceleration and Top Speed Reduced, Automatic Emergency Breaking is Disabled) there was no indication that the car would shut down. We made it to the exit ramp, but couldn’t make it to the shoulder so we blocked the entire exit. [XXX] was able to come in and help tow our car to a safer location. We took it to Tesla to be serviced and when asking the service rep if there’s any way we could have seen this coming, she just brushed it off as “it happens” and that there was no way to tell. It took us a while to feel comfortable with that. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11571324

Incident

Dec 22, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving 75 MPH at night with self-driving assist mode, the auto high beams lights engaged three times within 20 seconds. The contact stated that the driver ahead of him then decelerated and veered to the side of the road because it appeared that the contact was sending him an alert through the activation of the high beams. Additionally, the contact was pulled over by a Police Officer. The contact stated that the auto high beam feature was distracting to other drivers. The contact stated that he was unable to disengage the feature. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the driver did not have control over the feature. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11568635

Incident

Jun 29, 2023

Mileage

70,000 mi

On August 2, 2023 at 0400, the Tesla M3 was charging in the garage using a home charger. Smoke indicative of an electrical fire likely originated from the vehicle and eventually triggered a smoke alarm in the kitchen. The driver was unaware the source of the smoke was the Tesla, disconnected the Tesla and moved it out of the house to protect the vehicleb assuming a fire was in the house, and called firefighters who searched the home without success for a source of the fire. The driver now believes the Tesla was the source as the garage access door was cracked open to feed the charging cable from the 240v outlet in the laundry room. The nearest smoke detector from the Tesla is in the kitchen, where the driver smelled smoke from an electrical fire. At roughly 0745, the driver was about to complete a one hour commute to work in this Tesla unaware that the incident at 0400 was related to the Tesla. The driver experienced a sudden vector and velocity change in the vehicle while traveling at highway speeds. This is the driver's last memory of the accident that followed. A witness driving behind the Tesla described the vehicle traveling in clear lanes when it abruptly jerked left, then right into the side of the highway into concrete barricades. The Tesla was destroyed, airbags deployed, and the driver was rescued by first responders,firefighters, and paramedics. The driver was evacuated to the nearest hospital with serious injuries. The driver suffered broken ribs, a pneumothorax, several lacerations to head and chest, several contusions across the shoulder, legs, and body, and a mild traumatic brain injury.

NHTSA ID

11536830

Incident

Aug 2, 2023

12v battery failed without warning. Car was parked. Was unresponsive. Could not unlock the car. Able to open trunk and passenger side door only. Drivers side would not open. Touchscreen black no power to Do anything car essentially dead with no warning. There should have been on screen display informing driver of the need to replace 12v battery. There was none. Car needed to be towed. If this has happened while we were in the car we would have been locked in. Tow operator jumped the battery to open hood. Touchscreen restarted but car still unresponsive. Multiple warnings on screen. Tow mode would not work so car needed to be pulled with the rear wheels locked onto tow truck.

NHTSA ID

11532387

Incident

Jul 12, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 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 unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11518278

Incident

Apr 21, 2023

I got a "power reduced dir_a126" error code that limited my speed to 55 mph. This is dangerous on the highway as 55 mph is significantly under 70 mph and cars were almost rear ending me.

NHTSA ID

11517983

Incident

Apr 19, 2023

Left headlight blinker and windshield wiper not working. Happened twice once in 2022 and now. Repaired once in 2022 and when happens is dangerous because can’t signal and can’t use wipers in the rain

NHTSA ID

11516267

Incident

Apr 7, 2023

The problem is my car has been in the shop six times for an issue that Tesla claims it is unable to fix. I started smelling a burning smell (smoke coming from my air vents anytime the air is on) and brought it in. The first three times they were unable to find anything the fourth time they noticed debris That was embedded in the heating fins. They replaced that unit. The fifth/sixth time they actually took the HVAC unit out and noticed the entire plastic underneath was melted and warped. Since the smell has continued and I’m worried that it’s dangerous, I had the air quality tested. The formaldehyde levels were 50 times higher than the EPA recommends as a safe level. (HCH0 level of 6 ppm) I’ve submitted all this to Tesla and they said they are currently working with their legal team to figure out if a buy back as possible. The New York Attorney General told me that the car is not viable for a lemon law due to the fact they didn’t do three chances to fix it in 90 days. (The first 2 appointments were in the 90 days but the 3-6th were just past it) The car is not safe to breath air in and my lungs hurt from even spending a few minutes in the car. I’m worried about the effects it has on my health and I feel morally wrong to sell it to anyone else. Please help.

NHTSA ID

11506905

Incident

Jan 14, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated he was not able to operate the rear windows in the vehicle. The contact referenced his concerns about regulation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard: 571-6; not allowing him to open or close the rear windows. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure through the App. The failure mileage was approximately 44,300.

NHTSA ID

11504664

Incident

Jan 31, 2023

Mileage

44,300 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed on the highway, the vehicle was experiencing phantom braking. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving at various speeds with the cruise control or while using the autonomous self-driving feature. The contact stated that the battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11496395

Incident

Dec 1, 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V00D000 (Electrical System, Back Over Prevention, Visibility) and 22V702000 (Visibility) however, the parts to do the recall repairs were not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11494467

Incident

Nov 1, 2021