2021 Tesla Model 3 Body & structure Problems

I am reporting a safety concern regarding the glovebox fascia on my Tesla Model 3. The material on the glovebox trim is peeling and separating, which appears to be caused by prolonged exposure to heat inside the vehicle. The peeling fascia creates concerns about the durability and integrity of the interior component, as the material may continue to deteriorate over time. Loose or damaged trim could potentially interfere with the proper use of the glovebox, create sharp edges, or become a distraction while driving. I am requesting that Tesla inspect the affected area and determine the appropriate repair or replacement to ensure the vehicle remains safe and maintains proper interior component quality.

NHTSA ID

11751588

Incident

Jul 10, 2026

I wrote several months ago about my 2021 tesla model 3 that the rear doors do not have any mechanical door handle release and is a big safety concern also how can a manufacturer get away with this and also not informing the consumer that anyone sat in the back may perish if involved in a accident and can't get out.

NHTSA ID

11715697

Incident

Jul 1, 2021

There is no manual door release for the rear doors. Thus rear passengers are at risk should the electrical system fail in a crash. Tesla should be required to provide a modification that allows rear passengers to manually open the rear doors.

NHTSA ID

11706553

Incident

Dec 22, 2025

We were not able to open the door after the 12 V battery died; fortunately we were not inside the car else this could have been catastrophic. There was no way for anyone trapped inside to come out.

NHTSA ID

11697191

Incident

May 30, 2025

This car is dangerous to rear passengers there's no mechanical door release cable so if there's a loss of electrical power and the car is involved in an accident the rear people or children are trapped

NHTSA ID

11691744

Incident

Jun 28, 2021

The passenger door handle is inoperable . The door handle is stucked open.

NHTSA ID

11687821

Incident

Sep 16, 2025

Tesla doors are opened from the inside of the vehicle by pressing a button. In the event of a power failure, the buttons will not open the doors. The front doors have an additional manual release to open the door. However, the rear doors do not. In a power failure mode, rear seat passengers will be unable to open their doors to exit the vehicle. Newer model Teslas contain the manual release for the rear doors. However, I have contacted Tesla and they have no plans to address my vehicle. I consider this a life threatening issue. Tesla should be required to retrofit any of their vehicles that have no way to manually open the rear doors.

NHTSA ID

11626097

Incident

Mar 1, 2021

I was driving in the street at 10 miles, I turned to the right and I push the break but the car didn't break and I crashed with the car in front of me.

NHTSA ID

11581335

Incident

Apr 4, 2024

Automatic Trunk (Lift Gate) Guillotine Problem: The convenience of the trunk (lift gate) is a helpful feature to the driver and/or passengers of the vehicle, but this feature can be deadly at the wrong place and wrong time, for example: The driver/passenger presses the open/close trunk (lift gate) and a child’s hand, head, and/or body part is against/leaning/underneath/over that opening while the child is blocking/obstructing the opening/closing which can cause injury and/or death. That child’s body part can be crushed/trapped in between the closing/opening between the truck (lift gate) vehicle frame, for example: While a young child spontaneously darts in/around the vehicle during the opening/closing of the trunk (lift gate) and looks/sees/wants an item and instinctively runs to and grabs the item not knowing or forgetting about the opening/closing of the trunk (lift gate) and at that moment the trunk (lift gate) strikes and/or traps the child’s extremities causing injury, amputation, and/or death. * There should be an audible noise and sensors notifying the vehicle occupants about the opening/closing of the trunk/door/lift gate and 2 detection sensors. Audible Noise - A beeping noise or gentle soft song during the opening/closing of the trunk (lift gate). * Trunk (lift Gate) Opening/Closing Motor and Motion Detection Sensor. Trunk (lift Gate) motion motor freeze and stop - If there is an opening/closing abnormality the trunk (lift gate) would immediately freeze operation until the button is pressed to open/close. * Trunk (lift Gate) Opening/Closing Sensor. Trunk (lift Gate) that would make sure the trunk (lift gate) is completely open and/or completely closed.

NHTSA ID

11581256

Incident

Dec 24, 2023

Wide gap on left back side of trunk whenever it’s closed shut. Opens and close fine but it’s not properly closed. Water gets in through the gap and gets in the trunk whenever it rains or I go to the car wash

NHTSA ID

11540144

Incident

Aug 18, 2023

Tesla had been sending me messages since last year about the safety recall notice but they have not downloaded the necessary firmware update to remedy the safety issue NHTSA Recall no: 22V-702

NHTSA ID

11517985

Incident

Nov 18, 2022

Random "phantom braking" while using autopilot or cruise control. Causes the car to slam on brakes and has lost control once almost causing me to go off the road. Also, has brake-checked many cars that follow behind me while I'm using autopilot or cruise due to the phantom braking. Also Tesla Repair center in Chicago replaced my front bumper with a discolored front bumper that had the same issue of peeling on the inner edges of the bumper as the prior front bumper. When I brought up the issue to Tesla they said that was a manufacturing process issue due to the molding process of the bumpers and that is how they all are. If that is the case why change the bumper? Could have just told me that's how all the cars are and saved a lot of my time. Also, have had many repairs from Tesla that don't seem to end. These cars arent being produced in a consistent manner. What was promised during the purchase of the car doesn't seem to hold up.

NHTSA ID

11497987

Incident

Aug 21, 2021

The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH through standing water, he heard an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that upon parking the vehicle, he noticed that the rear bumper had separated from the frame. The contact found the rear bumper on the ground a block away from his residence. The vehicle was taken to a Tesla Service Center who informed the contact that the failure was caused by water damage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The manufacturer advised the contact to take the vehicle to an auto collision repair shop where the vehicle could be repaired by his insurance provider. The failure mileage was approximately 59,800.

NHTSA ID

11489956

Incident

Oct 5, 2022

Mileage

59,800 mi

Seat sensor fail and was able to drive in the middle of the intersection to make a left turn. Since the sensor fail if vechicle is driven less the 5 mph the car will go in park- very scary when in the middle trying to turn left

NHTSA ID

11489213

Incident

Jul 6, 2022

The front latch on the front trunk was replaced due to a fault about a month ago. It has since opened on its own completely while parked.

NHTSA ID

11451752

Incident

Feb 13, 2022

I want to report an issue I have with Tesla concerning the damage that occurred to my vehicle as a result of a failure of Tesla FSD version 10.3 firmware release 2021.36.5.2 recalled by Tesla on 10/29/21 NHTSA recall number 21V-846. At noon on 10-24-21, I was testing the latest release of FSD as part of the beta program. My Tesla was in self-driving mode on a city street at 35 mph. This was the same route it had already successfully done earlier in the day, when suddenly the car jumped over the curb, causing damage to the bumper, to the wheel and a flat tire. This appeared to have been caused by a discolored patch in the road that gave the FSD a false perception of an obstacle which it tried to avoid. Immediately after the accident, the car was towed to the service center. The repair was finished on 10/27/21 at which time I was asked to pay $2,332.37 to take possession of the car. I explained that the damage was caused by the recalled version of FSD NHTSA recall number 21V-846 and that Tesla should be liable for the damages. I was advised that the engineering team would conduct an investigation and based on the results the money would be reimbursed. However, I did not agree to pay hoping that after the investigation Tesla would honor the recall. After two months of waiting, there is still no communication on the results of the investigation even though the case is quite simple. The car was going straight at a very low speed in self-driving mode. There is nothing except the recalled version of FSD that could have changed its trajectory. Therefore, it is obvious that nobody looked at this issue and there is no commitment to doing so anytime soon. I communicated using the Tesla app chat that I am not willing to wait indefinitely and gave notice that I intend to file a petition with the Court. I gave e-mail notice to Tesla’s resolution team as well to make sure that my notice reaches Tesla’s legal department. I have paid the invoice on 12/22/21 to get my car back.

NHTSA ID

11444772

Incident

Oct 24, 2021

-BODY PARTS ON CAR A LOT WERE OFF ALIGNED, SERVICE DEPT WON'T HELP OR ANSWER CALLS - SENTRY MODE DRAINS BATTERY (SALES REP SAID IT DOESN'T, SINCE THE CAMERA STORAGE ISN'T STORED ON THE CAR) - REAR PASSANGER DOOR PANEL IS NOT ON CORRECT - THERE WAS GREEN TAPE INSIDE THE CAR - THE WINDOW TRIM WAS HANGING OFF. - ADAM TOLD ME THAT HE WOULD BE WORKING WITH THE 'REMARKETING TEAM' TO GET ME A BETTER THAN NORMAL TRADE IN QUOTE. SAID HE WAS WORKING WITH A SPECIAL TEAM TO GET ME A QUOTE - AND THAT THE TEAM SHOULD HAVE OFFERED ME A LONG RANGE VEHICLE AND HE APOLOGIZED - CALLED ME WITH A REGULAR TRADE IN QUOTE. HE WENT TO THE TESLA.COM WEBSITE AND SUBMITTED A TRADE IN QUOTE AND WAS NOT WORKING WITH A 'SPECIAL REMARKETING TEAM" - KEVIN CALLED ME AND ASKED FOR ADAM AND IF I HAD RECEIVED MY TRADE IN QUOTE THROUGH THE WEBSITE, FIGURED IT OUT THAT IT WAS ME AND NOT ADAM, HUNG UP AND BLOCKED ME. - CALLED AND WANTED TO TAKE MY CAR IN FOR THE ISSUES - THE ADVISOR WOULDN'T GIVE ME HIS NAME AND THAT HE FELT THREATENED BECAUSE I ASKED FOR HIS NAME. - MY WIFE GOES DOWN TO TESLA COSTA MESA TO SPEAK TO KEVIN WONG THEN SPEAKS TO BRIAN AND FINDS OUT JARED IS WHO ACCUSED ME OF THREATENING HIM. - JULIA CALLED ME AFTER THAT INTERACTION, THE SAME DAY AND GAVE ME THE 3 OPTIONS - WENT BACK AND SAID 'IT WAS A MISCOMMUNICATION' -CAR AC STOPPED WORKING WHEN DRIVING -CAR WOULDN'T START -REAR SMALL WINDOW SHATTERED BY ITSELF WHEN DRIVING ON FREEWAY, CAUSING US TO SWERVE AND ALMOST HITTING THE SIDE BARRIER.

NHTSA ID

11413727

Incident

Apr 22, 2021

Mileage

5,100 mi