Vehicles · Insights

2020 Tesla Model 3

2020 Tesla Model 3: forward collision avoidance leads the complaints

Owners filed 428 complaints with NHTSA. Forward collision avoidance is the most reported area at 36%, followed by vehicle speed control (16%) and service brakes (11%). Vehicle speed control is the most serious by outcome, with 16 crashes, 9 injuries, 2 fires, and 1 death. Steering and the electrical system each also carry 1 reported death, so both are worth a careful look.

Most reported areas

Forward Collision Avoidance safety 36%
The single biggest complaint: 154 reports (36%), tied to 11 crashes. No fires, injuries, or deaths are reported in this area.
Vehicle Speed Control safety 16%
Second most reported and the most serious area: 67 reports (16%), linked to 16 crashes, 9 injuries, 2 fires, and 1 death.
Service Brakes safety 11%
46 reports (11%), tied to 7 crashes, 4 injuries, and 1 fire. Test the brakes thoroughly on a drive.
Steering safety 10%
43 reports (10%), linked to 6 crashes, 2 injuries, 1 fire, and 1 death. Worth a close look given the reported death.
Electrical System safety 9%
39 reports (9%), tied to 7 crashes, 7 injuries, and 1 death. No fires reported, but the injury count makes this worth checking.

Source: NHTSA owner complaints · 428 complaints

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General information compiled from public NHTSA complaint data, for reference only, not professional advice and not reviewed by automotive experts. Verify before acting; Studio AM is not responsible for decisions made from it.