Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jun 4, 2025
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 415 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2023 Tesla Model 3 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming engine
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 4, 2025
Documenting a sudden unintended acceleration experience. Today while driving and trying to stop for a red light, I lightly applied pressure on my brake pedal to brake for the red light. Midway through the braking, my car lunged forward for about half a second. Went through the dash cam footage, and I noticed that the footage skipped half a second as well. Seems like something electrical that caused the car to lunge. This is a huge safety issue.
NHTSA ID
11664745
Incident
Jun 3, 2025
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 6, 2024
Crash reported1 injury reported
Vehicle was in cruise control, and cruise control did not deactivate causing the vehicle to propel into a building, causing airbag deployment. Safety sensors of car failed to recognize building, other vehicles, and obstructions as required.
NHTSA ID
11606916
Incident
Aug 3, 2024
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 1, 2024
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Car stopped working in middle of road How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Luckly there were no traffic or car behind , I am not moving the lane. Personal safety and passenger safety Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Tesla service center at spring field NJ , told me, Front module was at fault and replaced Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? By Tesla Service Center at Spring Feild NJ Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Car shows CP_A044 Unable Charge error while car is running suddenly Car shows move the vehicle side , it will shutdown then shut down the car.
NHTSA ID
11605855
Incident
Jul 27, 2024
Engine
Filed Dec 28, 2023
The contact rented a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50-60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The Engine Lost Power message was displayed, instructing the contact to pull over immediately; unable to drive, exiting and re-entering the vehicle may restore operation. Following the directions, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to the destination. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 39,500.
NHTSA ID
11562401
Incident
Dec 27, 2023
Mileage
39,500 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 28, 2023
Within one day of taking ownership of a new 2023 tesla model 3, the car suddenly stopped running, slowing rapidly to a crawl on the highway, causing a potential hazardous situation. Error code DI_a137 appeared onscreen, and a message that the vehicle was not drivable. After several minutes on the shoulder, the car behaved normally. I cancelled my trip and attempted to return home. The fault recurred, forcing me to pull off the road again. After several minutes the car allowed me to return home. There was never any prior warning. Tesla roadservice picked up the car and today notified me repairs have been made. Tesla Lynwood WA confirmed the intermittent high voltage inverter problem. The rear motor inverter was replaced. I have heard of many such failures in the U.S. and a recall in China for this engine failure problem.
NHTSA ID
11529369
Incident
Jun 25, 2023
Engine
Filed Jun 20, 2023
The contact's son owns a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 386.
NHTSA ID
11527936
Incident
Jun 9, 2023
Mileage
386 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 20, 2023
After backing out of a parking place I could not switch into "drive". The car froze and had to be put into "tow mode" to be pushed aside and later taken to a dealer. Before being collected the car was partially blocking a car park, but there was no other safety risk. Warnings appeared when the event occurred, but not prior to. The rear drive unit was replaced under warranty.
NHTSA ID
11502899
Incident
Jan 16, 2023
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Nov 13, 2022
Picked up car from the dealership same day and had only 40 miles total on odometer. The car was running smooth. I was driving with my daughter in the passenger seat (12 yrs old) and got 2 error codes and my car went limp in the carpool lane. Basically went into neutral. Deceleration from 75mph .I had to avoid cars next to me to get to the shoulder and was driving at most 30-40 mph hoping a car would not slam into my rear. By the grace of God I made it to the shoulder safely. “Acceleration and Top Speed Reduced” and “Automatic Emergency Braking is Disabled” were the two errors. I’d never been so stressed. That was highly dangerous and I’ve been reading online of several other Tesla owners suffering the same fate. Please don’t wait until someone gets injured or killed before making Tesla recall their cars. I’ve been hearing its the Rear Drive Inverter (Motor) that is faulty according to others online. The service center has not diagnosed the problem with my car yet but I think that is the same issue. I feel that Tesla is negligent and should be penalized for allowing these cars to be driven off the lot by unsuspecting customers.
NHTSA ID
11493392
Incident
Nov 13, 2022
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own