Tesla Model 3 2022 — Reported problems

Starting around June 2026, my 2022 Tesla Model 3's automatic emergency braking stopped working. The left side camera and the forward-facing camera have also failed, and Dog Mode (cabin climate protection for pets) no longer works. Software version 2026.38.3.2, 62,500 miles. Tesla Service diagnosed a failed Autopilot computer (HW3) and quoted $3,100 to replace it with another HW3 unit. Tesla denied my goodwill request because the car is past 50,000 miles. A car only about 4 years old has lost its automatic emergency braking and camera-based safety systems, which puts me and other drivers at risk. I'm asking NHTSA to look into HW3 computer failures that disable these safety systems.

In a rented 2022 TESLA MODEL 3 entering a right veering on-ramp, the vehicle failed to respond to driver steering inputs at normal speed. I released the accelerator and there was no degenerative braking. I applied brakes, but the ABS was violently shaking without stopping and I noticed something illuminate on the computer screen. Unable to turn the steering wheel at all, we made severe impact with the left guardrail injuring both my wife([XXX]) and I. The Steering Assist Reduced warning light remained illuminated after the accident and I took a picture. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

There are hundreds of reports regarding Tesla HW3 computers overheating following the software update to Full Self-Driving (FSD) Lite V14. On 19 SEP 2026, I was required to replace the HW3 computer on my 2022 Model 3 Performance; the total price was approximately ($2,700.00). As the computer was perpetually stuck in a reboot status, the car's safety and security systems weren't functioning properly (e.g. forward collision assist, lane-keeping assist, cameras, Sentry Mode, etc.). Additionally, while parked overnight, the car drained 2-3 times more power as the computer remained stuck in the reboot loop. The computer clearly failed following a software update that increased the performance outside of the design tolerances. However, because my vehicle was out off warranty (both years and mileage), Tesla required me to pay out of pocket for the repair as it was deemed to be normal wear & tear. Of note, we bought the vehicle brand new in June 2022 and it had 62,652 miles at the time that the computer was replaced; Tesla's New Vehicle Limited Warranty is 4 years / 50K miles. I, like many other owners across multiple forums, believe that Tesla needs to take accountability for this failure and reimburse the owners who lost critical safety capabilities as a result of a poorly designed software update that was rushed through production. Additionally, leading up to the failure, I had not used FSD for more than a one month trial period, but I did regularly use Autopilot. Also, Tesla replaced the failed HW3 computer with another HW3 computer, which has me stressed that this issue is likely to happen again in the near future.

On [XXX], at approximately [XXX] in Baker, California, my 2022 Tesla Model 3 contacted charging equipment and protective barriers while moving slowly into a charging space during what I observed to be an Autopark maneuver. I was watching the vehicle camera display and was not manually steering or accelerating. The car did not show or sound any warning before impact. It was not raining. No one was injured, there was no fire, and no police report was filed. There was visible damage to the side of the vehicle. No one has inspected the damage yet. The vehicle will be available for inspection after my trip. I reported the incident to Tesla and requested preservation and review of available records. The data export I received did not contain incident-specific camera recordings, Autopark/control logs or EDR data that I could identify. No recording USB drive was located. I have damage photographs and a charging-session record. The cause has not been independently determined, and I have not received a substantive engineering finding. I am reporting a possible safety issue with Autopark for investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My Tesla was operating with Full Self-Driving (FSD) (Supervised) engaged when it initiated a left turn across the path of an oncoming vehicle traveling in the opposite direction, resulting in a collision. During the incident, FSD was controlling the vehicle's driving behavior and initiated the left turn despite the presence of oncoming traffic. The Tesla collided with the approaching vehicle while executing the turn. I am concerned that the FSD system failed to properly recognize or respond to oncoming traffic, failed to determine whether the left turn could be safely completed, or made an unsafe decision to turn across the path of another vehicle. This incident created a significant safety risk for the occupants of both vehicles. I believe the collision may indicate a safety-related problem involving FSD's intersection handling, left-turn decision-making, detection of approaching vehicles, or collision avoidance capabilities. I request that NHTSA review this incident as a potential FSD safety defect and obtain relevant FSD engagement records, vehicle telemetry, camera footage, steering commands, and collision data from Tesla to determine why the vehicle initiated the left turn into oncoming traffic.

FSD failed to completely stop. I have video footage from Tesla showing the FSD stayed active and never disengaged yet the Tesla disengaged the brake. I can text or email the video pricing the car was actively using FSD until impact. I had the self driving enabled the vehicle decelerated from about 45 mi down to 0 MI but when the vehicle reach 1 mile it disengage the brake allowing the car to roll into the car in front of me I literally had less than one second to react I really believe the car will stop on its own. I have video proof the video was in full self driving mode and we all know the Tesla's are designed not to run into the back of any vehicle. I posted the video online and received numerous comments saying that the gas pedal and the brake were pressed at the same time however per Tesla you cannot press the gas and brake at the same time on any Tesla. My car has also pulled off from Red light intersections if I'm the first one at the light with the light still being read the car just accelerates on it's on it goes right through the intersection this is also messed up and I'm sure Tesla is aware of this as well. I'm terrified to drive this car with the self-driving engage. I want Elon musk to respond to me personally and apologize. PLEASE follow up with me so I can send y'all the video.

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH with Autopilot engaged, another vehicle cut in front of the contact's vehicle and applied the brakes, but the contact's vehicle failed to decelerate and required manual driver intervention. The failure mileage was 30,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds during peak sunlight, FSD failed to operate as intended, causing the contact to drive manually in daily traffic. The message "Full Self-Driving Not Available" was display with an audible chime. In addition, the contact stated that while the FSD feature suddenly deactivated independently, causing the contact and his family passengers to violently jerk forward while transition into manual Hands-On driving. The failure mileage was approximately 82,573.

"Subject vehicle (2022 Tesla Model 3, VIN: [XXX]) was deployed for commercial rideshare passenger transportation by fleet operator Hertz/Uber with active catastrophic life-safety system failures. Onboard Tesla Service Mode telemetry confirmed: (1) Restraints Control Module (RCM) is powered OFF with status 00, leaving primary front and knee airbags and seatbelt pretensioners completely inoperative during public commercial transit; (2) Master Cylinder Hydraulic Brake Pressure telemetry is registered as 'Unavailable' under iBooster (IBST) and Electronic Stability Program (ESP); (3) Steering torque calibration offsets of -97 Nm and -14° angular pulling bias were applied to compensate for structural suspension collision damage; (4) Active diagnostic trouble code VCFRONT_a611 radiator heat rejection failure causing severe battery and powertrain thermal throttling; and (5) Non-functional windshield wipers and blocked camera sensors violating FMVSS 104 and FMVSS 208." INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

When the chair automatically moves to the easy in and out setting it does so without any safety measure to stop it moving when blocked. It is so strong that it crushed my hydroflask water bottle when it was stuck beneath. If that had been a foot or arm of a person, or if they were just unable to move away then it could cause serious injury like broken bones or crushing.

At approximately 32,916 miles, the powered trunk lift strut on my 2022 Tesla Model 3 separated from its mounting ball stud during normal use. There was no collision or external impact. When the strut separated, it struck the rear glass and caused the glass to break. Tesla inspected and repaired the vehicle. Tesla’s final service invoice states: “Strut failure was responsible for breaking back glass.” I am concerned that failure of the powered trunk strut attachment on a relatively low-mileage vehicle can cause broken glass and may create a safety risk.

My 2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range has developed a failure of the Autopilot/ADAS computer. The AP computer remains installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection. The vehicle operated normally before software update 2026.26.6. Following the update, Driving Visualization and Autopilot began going offline, along with automatic headlights, automatic turn signals, emergency braking, collision and traffic warnings. The failures have continued despite software/firmware reinstall, DAS reset, camera calibration, and hard reset. Tesla Service inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the AP computer is defective and recommended replacement at approximately $2,600. I paid $120 for Tesla's diagnostic assessment. Service Mode has recorded repeated AP watchdog/kernel-panic events, including APS_w169_TurboA_SCS_LKUP, APS_w134_appMIA, APS_w135_appCritical, and PM_a041_dasMIA. The vehicle has also recorded simultaneous exits of multiple camera streams, sometimes causing camera feeds to go black while driving. Service Mode has shown the AP ECU in Coreboot/INIT, intermittent loss of communication between the AP ECU and infotainment ECU, missing GNSS Ethernet communication, and unavailable AP temperature telemetry. This creates a safety concern because multiple safety-related driver-assistance and camera-dependent systems can unexpectedly become unavailable while driving. The vehicle remains manually drivable, but the driver must unexpectedly operate without previously available functions. The failure can also affect automatic headlights and turn signals, requiring manual operation. I am reporting this as a potential safety defect because multiple ADAS/camera systems fail simultaneously and the AP computer repeatedly crashes/reboots. The failure began after a software update, although Tesla has stated that some alerts predated the update. Due to the GPS board contacting the autopilot first before the infotainment, precise location is off and navigation is unavailable.

With its latest upgrade, 2026.20.6.11 with full self-driving V14 Light, Tesla no longer allows users to set a max speed. This is very dangerous, especially in school zones where the vehicle, with Full Self-Driving, consistently misreads the speed limit. There is no way to revert this "upgrade." Many people have posted about this concern, but Tesla is ignoring it.

The Tesla service center in San Antonio Texas installed new tires and a new wheel on my vehicle and one of the tires was installed inside out based on the manufacturer’s specifications. I’ve been driving this vehicle for about 4 months /5k miles with the risk of this tire malfunctioning and causing an accident.

To Whom It May Concern, I am reporting what I believe is a foreseeable child-safety risk involving Tesla’s Toybox feature. Tesla allows parents to PIN-restrict Arcade, Theater, and the web browser, but Toybox remains accessible. Recently, I briefly went inside my home to use the bathroom, and my child slipped outside and climbed into my parked Tesla specifically to use the touchscreen and Toybox. Fortunately, I discovered him quickly. In hot weather, however, a child remaining unnoticed inside a parked vehicle could face serious injury or death, particularly if climate control were disabled, changed, or failed. Tesla already has the software infrastructure to restrict entertainment features. Adding Toybox to Parental Controls appears to be a straightforward safety improvement. I believe this omission creates an unnecessary and foreseeable risk to children and warrants review as a potential vehicle safety concern. Sincerely, [XXX] Tesla Model 3 Owner INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

My 2022 Tesla Model 3 has experienced recurring intermittent loss/reduction of power steering assistance. The vehicle displays “Steering assist reduced – Steering may require increased effort.” The problem has occurred multiple times over a period of months and may disappear after the vehicle is power cycled or the alert clears. Tesla previously evaluated the vehicle for this condition. On July 8, 2026, Tesla documented the steering-assist-reduced complaint and recommended replacement of the RWD steering rack/steering gear, with an estimated repair cost of approximately $3,018. On August 20, 2026, the warning occurred again. Tesla Service Mode recorded fault EPAS3S_a005_sent2Mia, described as “Torque Sensor 2 signal not received,” with the potential impact listed as “Steering assist reduced.” The vehicle simultaneously generated UI_a020_SteeringReduced. The warning subsequently cleared again, but this is a recurring intermittent failure involving the vehicle’s electronic power-assisted steering system. I am concerned that the steering assistance could become reduced or unavailable while driving. Tesla has already determined that replacement of the steering rack is required, but the repair is customer-pay. I am reporting this because this appears to be a recurring safety-related steering defect and I am concerned that other vehicles may experience the same failure.

the suspension lower lateral links bushings are wearing down without much usage. my car had 31k miles and the bushings already need to be replaced. this is very dangerous.

I am the owner of a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The front control arms on this vehicle are defective as manufactured. From the factory, these components have demonstrated premature failure, abnormal noise, loosening, and/or separation risk that is not consistent with normal wear on a low-mileage vehicle of this age. Symptoms experienced include [describe your exact symptoms clearly and factually — examples: progressive clicking, clunking, popping, or creaking from the front suspension/wheel area; especially noticeable during low-speed turns, reverse, or over bumps; any feeling of looseness, pull, or change in handling; any actual detachment or near-detachment]. These symptoms began at approximately 75000 miles on July 27th 2026. This is not isolated wear. Front control-arm and related suspension-link failures (including lower lateral links that can detach from the subframe) have been the subject of multiple owner complaints, prior Tesla recalls (including NHTSA campaign 21V-835 for improperly torqued lateral-link fasteners on certain Model 3/Y vehicles and the later 23V-235 expansion), technical service bulletins addressing water intrusion and noise in upper control arms, and a current NHTSA preliminary evaluation (opened 2026) into front lower lateral-link detachment on a large population of Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. Owners report that failures can occur with little or no prior dashboard warning, only possible audible cues, and can render the vehicle undrivable or cause sudden changes in alignment and directional control. A sudden separation or failure of a front control arm/lateral link while the vehicle is in motion creates an unreasonable risk of loss of vehicle control, crash, or injury to the driver, passengers, and other road users. Because the condition appears to originate from factory assembly, design, or component durability issues rather than owner abuse or ordinary high-mileage wear, and because similar failures are widely reported across Tesla owners.

The contact owned a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the vehicle was unoccupied, the vehicle independently started while parked in the driveway and caught on fire. No warning lights were illuminated prior to the failure. The contact stated that the fire spread to the residence and the residence burned down. The contact's daughter and her significant other were able to exit the residence safely. The local Fire Department arrived on the scene to extinguish the fire. The contact stated that the fire had started near the charging port. A Police Report was not filed. In addition, the contact stated that his daughter and her significant other suffered severe mental distress. Medical attention was not sought. A Fire Report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of camera and safety feature functionality for eight hours daily. The message "Adaptive Headlights Feature Unavailable" was displayed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a complaint was filed. The contact was referred to a service center that was over an hour away. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the cost. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

My car randomly gave me alerts that my steering alignment fault then came the following two days later Automatic Emergency Braking is unavailable Feature may be restored on next drive 20:55 | DI_a246 Automatic vehicle hold disabled Use brake pedal when stopping 20:55 | DI_a223 Traction control disabled Drive with caution 20:55 | APP_W264 Lane Departure Avoidance features unavailable Features may be restored on next drive 20:55 | DI_a222 Stability control disabled. I take my car to a mechanic and they show me that my lower control arms are damaged. Tesla is more than 2 weeks out for something that has caused my car to act completely unsafe and not normal.

The horn on the steering wheel rarely works UNLESS it is pressed directly in the middle. I have tried to honk the horn when there is a safety event but it rarely works. This is definitely a safety issue. This has been going on since I bought the car June 2022. Full self drive is also unsafe and it will make sudden turns, accelerate too quickly, or have phantom braking. This can be unsafe for other drivers. I heard that this is improved with newer models, but if it is unsafe for older models like my 2022, it should not be available.

I own a 2022 Tesla Model 3 that is just past the 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. I bought it used from Tesla inventory and picked up my vehicle on June 1st, 2026 with ~32,000 miles on the odometer. The front passenger safety restraint system alert (RCM2_a636) first appeared on June 5, 2026. On June 15 at 64,008 miles, Tesla Service confirmed the airbag alert and front passenger OCS issue. They found the occupant classification system module damaged and exposed, replaced it, and noted the passenger-side module shorting was also causing a driver-side error. Both cleared after the repair and test drive. Cost: $363.23. The same alert came back. On July 30 at 66,475 miles they found an open in the passenger seat cushion self-capacitance trace wire and the driver occupancy sensor voltage out of range. They replaced the front passenger seat cushion trim and the driver seat occupancy sensor. Alerts cleared and the self-driving button now worked from park again which never did prior showing the issue was never fixed the first time. Cost: $930.36. No crash or injury, but this is a real safety risk. The restraint system may not work as designed and airbags could fail to deploy properly. This exact RCM2_a636/OCS fault keeps happening to other Model 3 owners both before and after warranty on forums, and Tesla has service bulletins on the same parts, yet people still end up paying for the repairs who are out of warranty and also have their safety and life at risk. Please investigate this as this is a severe safety defect.

Tesla software update 2026.20.6.11 v14 Lite NA-2025.44 removed manual speed control for Full Self-Driving. The driver can no longer set a maximum speed. The vehicle chooses its own speed and it is frequently wrong and dangerous. Curves are the worst failure. The car enters curves too fast. It accelerates through curves. It does not slow to a safe speed before the curve begins. The driver has no way to cap the speed. The scroll wheel is dead. There is no override. Posted speed limits are ignored. The vehicle uses bad map data instead of reading visible signs. It will do 65 in a 55. It will not slow down when the sign says 55. The driver cannot force it to obey the posted limit. Speed control is gone. The driver is a passenger watching the car make bad decisions. This is not safe. This is not driver assistance. This is loss of control. NHTSA must require Tesla to return manual speed control immediately. A human driver must be able to cap the speed at all times. The current software removes that ability and creates a clear safety hazard.

U.S. registered Tesla operating in [XXX]. Full Self-Driving engaged. Dark, nighttime conditions. Vehicle was traveling toward low traffic zones near the edge of [XXX] when the system made a severe mistake. The car went off the main road. Driver was forced to take control off-road after the system lost control. Damage to the rims occurred. At the time of this incident, manual speed control was still available. The driver could cap the speed. That capability has since been removed by a software update. The current version is more dangerous. If the same incident happened today, the driver would have no way to limit speed or prevent the system from repeating the error. The defect is the progressive removal of driver control from the Full Self-Driving system. Earlier versions allowed manual speed caps. Current software does not. This vehicle is U.S. registered and runs U.S. software on American roads. The same defect that caused this off-road incident in Mexico now exists without the safety net of manual speed control. The software is dangerous. The removal of driver overrides makes it worse. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

On XXX, while Full Self-Driving (Supervised) was engaged, my 2022 Tesla Model 3 RWD abruptly decelerated without any visible vehicle, pedestrian, debris, or other obstacle requiring braking. Based on my best recollection, this occurred on approximately five separate occasions in clear daylight with clean cameras. On XXX, the first event occurred near XXX while traveling from [XXX] toward the [XXX]/[XXX] area. I took manual control for about 30 minutes. After I re-engaged FSD, a second event occurred and included approximately three rapid braking pulses. The occupants lunged forward during both episodes. On XXX, the drive from [XXX] to the Ukiah Costco was normal. On the return toward [XXX], FSD suddenly braked hard at approximately 63 mph and reduced the vehicle's speed by about 25 mph, to approximately 38 mph. Family members and friends in the vehicle were startled and moved forward. Later that day, there were two additional unexpected braking episodes while traveling from XXX toward XXX. I used accelerator input to override the unwanted braking. The unexpected highway-speed deceleration created a risk of being struck from behind and made the system unpredictable to supervise. No crash, fire, injury, or property damage occurred. I do not recall a warning message before the braking. The vehicle has not been inspected or diagnosed for this issue and is available for inspection upon request. As of XXX, the vehicle reports Tesla software 2026.20.3 and FSD (Supervised) v12.6.4; it has Hardware 3. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The center touchscreen/camera display system in my 2021 Tesla Model 3 is malfunctioning. The vehicle’s camera views do not work properly on the center display, including camera visibility needed for reversing and safe operation. The failed system is available for inspection upon request. This creates a safety risk because the vehicle relies heavily on the center screen to display camera views and vehicle information. When the camera display does not work properly, rear and surrounding visibility is reduced, especially while reversing, parking, changing lanes, or maneuvering around pedestrians, vehicles, curbs, and other obstacles. Tesla has refused to repair or cover the repair. The problem has been reported to Tesla. Tesla has not provided a satisfactory safety-related repair solution. It is unknown whether Tesla has fully inspected the failed component or confirmed the exact cause. There were no known warning lamps before the failure. The symptom is that the camera display/center screen camera views do not function properly when needed. The issue appears to involve the center display, camera display system, camera hardware, wiring/harness, vehicle computer, or related software. The exact cause is unknown. I am reporting this as a potential safety defect involving loss or malfunction of the camera display system in a 2021 Tesla Model 3.

The contact owns a 2022 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, abnormal crackling and bubbling sounds were heard coming from underneath the rear seat. While driving later, an electrical arcing sound emanated from the same area. While at a local charging station, the contact discovered that the battery failed to charge when connected to a high-voltage charger; however, the battery could still be charged at the contact's residence using a 110-volt charger. The vehicle was driven to a local dealer, who was unable to identify the problem, and no service was performed. The vehicle was driven back to the charging station, but the high-voltage charging failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to a local service center, where it was diagnosed and it was determined that the high-voltage battery required replacement. The high-voltage battery was replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,200.

My wife had a collission on June 25th at 2 30PM CST while she was parking her vehicle in her office parking spot. The car suddenty sped and hit a tree. We suspect it be a misfire in Tesla.

On [XXX], at approximately [XXX], I was traveling northbound at the intersection of [XXX] and [XXX], with the vehicle’s self-driving feature engaged. As I approached the intersection, the vehicle unexpectedly proceeded into a left turn despite the traffic signal displaying a red left-turn arrow. I immediately recognized that the vehicle was not stopping and had to take control by forcefully jerking the steering wheel and slamming on the brakes to prevent the vehicle from running the red light and potentially causing a serious collision. There were no actions on my part that would have caused the vehicle to continue through the red left-turn signal. The weather was clear, the roads were dry, and there was no rain or any adverse weather conditions that would have affected visibility or vehicle operation. This incident raises serious concerns about the reliability and safety of the self-driving system under normal driving conditions INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Vehicle was operating under Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) on [XXX], on [XXX]. While FSD was engaged, the vehicle struck a large object/debris that was present in the travel lane. The system did not appear to detect or avoid the obstacle. The impact caused severe damage to two wheels and two tires, and the vehicle required towing. Tesla Service later confirmed that the damage was caused by road debris and replaced the damaged wheels and tires. I am submitting this report because I am concerned that the FSD system failed to identify or respond to a significant roadway hazard. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I was driving my Tesla 3 back from LA yesterday. The car has "AI3" hardware not "AI4". The software is fully up to date. I do *not* subscribe to "Tesla FSD (Supervised)" but the car is equipped with "Autopilot". I was driving in "Autopilot" mode driving southeast on [XXX] between Eloy, Arizona and Marana, Arizona, on a clear freeway in bright daylight, at about [XXX] PT on [XXX]. The car suddenly slammed on the brakes for an emergency stop for no good reason. There was nothing in front of us. Fortunately it was clear behind me so no one slammed into us. We came to almost a complete stop. The "Autopilot" disengaged. I'm not sure why. I might have pressed the accelerator out of instinct to keep moving. During the incident a message in bright red briefly came up on the screen. I didn't get a chance to read it but I did catch the word "error" like some error in software was triggered. Once we got moving again and all was fine although my wife was in shock. I did not engage "Autopilot" again for the rest of the trip and I'm reticent to do so ever again. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I am reporting a severe structural defect in the 2022 Model 3 front suspension and wheel hub assembly that poses an imminent threat of catastrophic failure. My vehicle is nearly new, with less than 30k miles. As the original, single owner who maintains this car, a critical failure of this nature is highly premature and indicative of a manufacturing defect rather than normal wear-and-tear. The issue manifests as a progressive clicking and popping noise from the front wheel area during operation. After noticing this sound, I took my vehicle to the dealership. The technician's inspection revealed that critical structural components were loose and failing. The technician explicitly warned me that this specific failure carries a direct risk of sudden wheel separation while the vehicle is in motion. This forced me to take immediate, emergency action right there at the dealership; leaving the shop without fixing it was simply not an option, as driving my car in that condition would have caused immediate and dangerous consequences on the road. A wheel separating or a suspension collapsing at highway speeds is an inherently fatal scenario that endangers my life, my passengers, and the public. This mechanical failure is highly similar to the defect described in NHTSA Number: 21V835000, which covered front suspension lateral links separating from the subframe and carries the same dangerous consequences. However, because my vehicle is a '22 model, Tesla refused to acknowledge the connection to that safety campaign and denied coverage under the drivetrain warranty. I was forced to pay over 800 out of pocket to resolve this hazard. While I could afford this, many drivers cannot. Tesla’s failure to expand their recall to the '22 model year means thousands of drivers are unwittingly operating a ticking time bomb. NHTSA must investigate this issue and force Tesla to expand the recall to include '22 vehicles before this known, fatal defect causes an an entirely preventable tragedy.

I purchased the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package for approximately $10,000 on my 2022 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD. Tesla marketed FSD as a feature that would enable autonomous driving capabilities including Navigate on Autopilot, Auto Lane Change, Autopark, Summon, and city street driving - all to be delivered via software updates. Tesla has since confirmed my vehicle's HW3 (Hardware 3.0) computer cannot support FSD as advertised. There is no hardware upgrade path. The FSD Transfer Program that allowed owners to move their purchase to a new vehicle ended March 31, 2026 with no accommodation for affected owners. The system regularly fails to perform as advertised. It requires constant human supervision despite being sold as "Full Self-Driving." I have sent three formal complaints to Tesla's executive team (May 7, 8, and 12, 2026) with zero response. Tesla's own support chatbot confirmed I am not eligible for FSD transfer.

Driving at low speed, the control arm became unfastened from the frame and the front driver's side wheel collapsed into the frame of the car.

While driving my Tesla, Autopilot was engaged and navigating with the destination entered. At the time of the incident, my hand was on the steering wheel when the vehicle suddenly attempted to make a hard right turn toward a divider. This was not an exit or intended route, which raises serious concerns about what caused the vehicle to react that way. In addition, I have experienced multiple battery-related issues with this vehicle. The battery has already been replaced once, and on approximately 2–3 occasions the vehicle entered “Turtle Mode,” limiting the car to about 35–50 mph. This created a serious safety hazard because it occurred while I was driving on the highway alongside tractor-trailers and fast-moving traffic.

I’m writing to express my disappointment with Tesla's decision to stop the transferable option for the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package, which I purchased for $12,000. At the time of purchase, Tesla promised this feature would be transferable to a new vehicle, which was a key factor in my decision. The sudden removal of this option, without prior notice, feels unfair and deceptive. I urge Tesla to reconsider this change or offer a satisfactory resolution for customers like me who relied on the original terms.

2022 Tesla Model 3 with approximately 19,373 miles. Third-party tire shop inspection on April 25, 2026 identified visible tearing of front lower control arm bushings on BOTH sides (bilateral failure). Rubber bushing material has separated from inner metal sleeve on both left and right front lower control arms in identical pattern. No impact event or curb strike. Symmetric bilateral failure indicates manufacturing/material defect, not impact damage. Failure occurred at mileage well below the 40,000-70,000 mile range commonly cited for this known Tesla Model 3 lower control arm bushing wear pattern. Suggests accelerated failure mode that warrants investigation. Photos from third-party inspection attached. Vehicle scheduled for Tesla service center evaluation under remaining factory warranty.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The front windshield (Acoustic Glass) failed due to a spontaneous stress fracture. The crack originated from the edge of the glass without any external impact. The vehicle has been repaired, but the service records and high-resolution photos of the crack are available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The spontaneous crack occurred suddenly during a heatwave, significantly obstructing the driver’s forward visibility. Furthermore, the crack expanded rapidly during a subsequent rainstorm and temperature change, compromising the structural integrity of the windshield and potentially interfering with the front-facing ADAS cameras (Autopilot/Safety features) located behind the rearview mirror. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes. The problem was formally inspected and confirmed by the Tesla Burlingame Service Center. They issued a written evaluation report stating the damage was a "Stress Impact" (a manufacturing/structural defect) rather than a rock chip. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Yes, the component was inspected by the manufacturer (Tesla Service Centers in both Burlingame and San Francisco). Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No warning lamps or messages appeared. However, this vehicle was previously subject to a Heat Pump recall (22V045) related to defrosting issues, which may have contributed to long-term thermal stress on the windshield structure prior to this failure.

I went to open the trunk on my 2022 Tesla Model 3 using the normal electric trunk button above the license plate. When I clicked the button, the trunk opened a few inches, made an abnormal noise, and then came crashing shut. At this point, I opened trunk manually to see what occurred and immediately saw the electrically-operated trunk strut separated from the trunk and also a crack in my rear glass as a result of the strut breaking off and getting sandwiched between the glass and the trunk lid when it came crashing shut. This is not only a major design flaw, but a huge safety concern. Other Model 3 owners on Reddit have experienced this exact same event happen, clearly indicating the flaw in the part and design of it. In the newer generation Model 3 from 2024 until present, Tesla has changed the design of the trunk strut because they knew it was flawed on the last one. My 2022 Model 3 has the older, more dangerous design. Had my hand and fingers been under the trunk when this occurred, I could’ve sustained a serious injury from the weight of the trunk collapsing on me, but it thankfully didn’t. There is no failsafe in place like a backup gas strut in the event that something like this happens and Tesla put the entire weight of the trunk lid on one electrically-actuated strut on the left side that is prone to misalignment and failure. Tesla needs to be held accountable for this design flaw in the older Model 3s as this trunk part is beginning to wear out or become misaligned in many people’s vehicles by this point. My car has only 62,500 miles on it and this managed to occur. It’s only a matter of time before this part fails on many other Tesla owners, causing massive financial losses and potential injury.

My 2022 Tesla Model 3 experienced a heat pump compressor failure at approximately 89,457 miles. Tesla Service Center diagnosed an internal failure in the heat pump system. The heat pump system controls cabin heating, windshield defrosting, and thermal management for the vehicle. When the system failed, the vehicle lost heating and proper defrost capability. This can impair windshield visibility during cold or foggy conditions, creating a potential safety hazard while driving. Tesla quoted approximately $3,000 to repair the compressor and declined warranty assistance despite the system being critical to safe vehicle operation.

While using Tesla's Full Self-Driving (Supervised) software on the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) and other highways, the vehicle’s automated steering system repeatedly malfunctions by failing to maintain lane centering. Specifically, the car drifts or actively steers across double yellow lines into the lane of oncoming traffic. This issue is a persistent failure of the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) and Lane Keeping Assistance. The vehicle has attempted this maneuver multiple times at [Approximate Speed, e.g., 40-60 mph], requiring immediate and forceful manual steering intervention to avoid head-on collisions with oncoming vehicles. The system provides no warning chimes, error messages, or "Take Over Immediately" alerts prior to crossing the lines; it appears to perceive the oncoming lane as a valid path or fails to recognize the double yellow boundary entirely. This has occurred during [mention conditions: e.g., bright daylight with high glare / night time]. The vehicle is equipped with Hardware 3.0 (HW3). I believe the 1.2-megapixel camera suite or the processing power of the HW3 computer is insufficient to safely navigate the geometry of the PCH or any roads within mountains/hills. I have attempted to "Clear Calibration" and performed system resets, but the life-threatening behavior persists. The vehicle and its internal data logs are available for inspection. I have also sent "Bug Reports" via voice command to the manufacturer immediately following these near-miss events.

I am filing a safety complaint regarding water intrusion into the rear tail lamp assembly of my 3-year-old Tesla Model 3. The rear tail light has progressed from minor condensation to active water accumulation and visible pooling inside the sealed housing. This is not light fogging — there is standing moisture inside the assembly. The vehicle has not been involved in any collision and there is no visible external damage to the lamp. I have already been pulled over, and drivers behind me have indicated that the affected tail light is not clearly visible. Reduced rear illumination creates a serious safety risk, particularly at night or in poor weather conditions. A malfunctioning tail lamp increases the likelihood of a rear-end collision. Rear lighting is a federally regulated safety component. Water intrusion into a sealed LED lighting assembly creates risk of electrical malfunction, corrosion, and sudden loss of rear illumination. The vehicle is currently out of warranty due to mileage; however, it is only three years old. A sealed LED tail lamp is not a wear-and-tear item and should not fail due to normal mileage accumulation. This appears to be premature sealing failure. I contacted Tesla Service regarding this issue. Their written response stated that because the vehicle is out of warranty due to mileage, any repairs would be at my expense. They did not address the safety concern or the presence of internal water accumulation. There are numerous reports from other Model 3 owners describing similar tail lamp water intrusion issues. I am requesting that NHTSA review whether water intrusion into sealed rear lighting assemblies constitutes a safety defect and whether further investigation is warranted.

While I was making a left turn my steering wheel suddenly got stuck. A vehicle almost hit me.

RECURRING 12V LOW-VOLTAGE SYSTEM FAILURE AND DEFECTIVE REAR DEFROSTER HEATER GRID VEHICLE: 2022 Tesla Model 3 (VIN: [XXX] ). ODOMETER: 114,093 miles at time of third service visit. SUMMARY OF DEFECT: Vehicle has experienced recurring low-voltage (12V) system alerts since late December 2025. The 12V battery has been replaced three times by Tesla service. After each replacement, the low-voltage alerts return within days. Tesla's diagnostic system detected a DCR (DC resistance) reading of 16.8 milliohms against a threshold of 16 milliohms, indicating the battery's internal resistance is too high for the vehicle's electrical system to function properly. A brand-new 12V battery showed "Degraded - Replace" status within one week of installation. These low-voltage errors did not exist before Tesla replaced the 12V battery during the first service visit. DIAGNOSTIC FINDINGS: During the third service visit (February 2026), Tesla technician performed a resistance check on the rear defroster heater grid and described it as "out of spec but not significantly." Ground straps were also described as "out of spec but again not significantly." The technician stated there was "no smoking gun yet" and it was "maybe a combination of all leading to the 12V warning." Tesla proposed replacing the rear backlight glass at a cost of 1,265 to the customer. Additionally, severe rodent damage was discovered in the front wiring harness with chewed wires and nesting material. Despite this confirmed damage to the electrical system, the service manager stated the rodent damage was "not associated with the error" while the technician simultaneously stated there was no confirmed root cause. SAFETY CONCERN: The recurring 12V low-voltage condition presents a safety risk. The 12V system powers critical vehicle functions including exterior lighting, hazard lights, door locks, windows, the vehicle's computer systems, and safety features. Repeated system alerts include DIF_a018_hwLVSupplyUV (ha INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD) drove the vehicle onto a curb inadvertently, a few days after a software update. The incident caused a scratch to the wheel and a cut in the tire. Tesla has refused to cover the repair, stating that FSD requires driver attention. The issue is that the vehicle had never driven into a curb on a 90-degree turn before. I had my hands on the wheel and did not anticipate the software making an incorrect decision and striking the curb. Full Self-Driving was engaged at the time, and the software made an incorrect calculation that resulted in the impact. Tesla should replace the damaged tire and repair the wheel. I have the 1 min recording of the incident but could not upload the video due ot its size being more than 10 MB.

When cabin heat is enabled, visible vapor/smoke emits from the front trunk area under the windshield cowl and is pulled directly into the cabin through the HVAC intake. The vapor has a chemical/sweet odor consistent with coolant or refrigerant. Smoke enters the passenger compartment, especially when stopped or idling. This occurs repeatedly in cold temperatures and stops immediately when HVAC heat is turned off. No warning lights appear. This appears to be a heat pump or coolant system leak upstream of the cabin intake, allowing chemical fumes to enter the cabin air stream. Occupants are exposed to fumes while driving. This is a safety concern due to inhalation risk and lack of driver warning.

While driving, the center display intermittently goes completely black. When this occurs, I lose access to the speedometer and all driver information. The issue has been ongoing and progressively worsening. The vehicle was purchased new. The issue was reported during the warranty period and initially attributed to software updates. A recent service visit confirmed the vehicle computer is failing, and the issue immediately recurred after pickup. Loss of speed and driver information while driving creates a safety concern.