Owners have reported 15 crashes and 4 injuries to NHTSA for the 2025 Tesla Model 3. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints21
STEERING
Owners report frequent issues with the steering assist in the 2025 Tesla Model 3, often describing a reduction in steering assistance that makes the wheel difficult to turn. This problem is commonly accompanied by dashboard alerts indicating "Steering Assist Reduced," and typically occurs at low mileages, sometimes with as few as 804 miles. Multiple complaints also highlight issues with the turn signal buttons on the steering wheel, which can be difficult to locate and sometimes fail to activate, especially when the wheel is turned. Safety implications include four crashes and one injury, with some reports of the steering locking or becoming unresponsive, leading to loss of control. These patterns suggest potential safety hazards for buyers considering this model.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints19
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report frequent issues with the horn on the 2025 Tesla Model 3, particularly when exposed to rain or snow, where it becomes muffled or inaudible due to its placement near the wheel well. Complaints commonly describe this as a safety risk, as the horn's failure could prevent drivers from alerting others in emergencies. Additionally, multiple owners mention problems with the turn signal buttons on the steering wheel, which can stick or become unresponsive, complicating safe lane changes. These issues typically arise without prior warning and are mentioned across various weather conditions, highlighting potential safety implications if not addressed.
Owner complaints11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners report that the 2025 Tesla Model 3 exhibits issues related to vehicle speed control, particularly when using Full Self-Driving (FSD) features. Complaints frequently mention the inability to manually set or adjust the maximum speed, with the car often exceeding posted speed limits, sometimes by significant margins. Several owners describe unexpected and aggressive braking or acceleration, sometimes leading to crashes, with one incident resulting in an injury. These issues typically occur after software updates, such as FSD V14, and are reported across various driving conditions, including city streets and highways. The safety implications include a heightened risk of collisions due to sudden speed changes and loss of control, making these reports critical for potential buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report several issues with the 2025 Tesla Model 3's electrical system, particularly involving the autopilot and Full Self-Driving (FSD) features. Complaints frequently mention unintended acceleration, sudden and unexpected vehicle maneuvers, and autopilot inoperability, with five incidents resulting in crashes. Symptoms include vehicles accelerating without driver input, turning unexpectedly, and failing to detect obstacles, often occurring at various mileages, such as 219 miles and 19,000 miles. Additionally, multiple owners describe intermittent failures with the turn signals and horn, particularly under specific conditions like rain. These issues present safety concerns, as evidenced by the reported crashes and instances of loss of control.
Severity signals: 5 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints7
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners report several issues with the 2025 Tesla Model 3's Full Self Driving (FSD) system, particularly concerning its forward collision avoidance capabilities. Complaints frequently mention instances where the FSD system disengages unexpectedly during braking, leading to potential near-collision situations unless manual intervention is applied. Additionally, multiple reports describe phantom braking events where the vehicle slows abruptly without apparent cause, and tailgating at high speeds on freeways, which poses a risk of rear-end collisions. Some owners also note problems with the vehicle attempting to proceed through red lights or failing to maintain lane discipline at intersections. These issues occur across various driving conditions and seem to manifest shortly after software updates, indicating potential software-related triggers. Safety implications are significant, as reported incidents could lead to loss of vehicle control or collisions if not addressed promptly by the driver.
Owner complaints4
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Owners report issues with the 2025 Tesla Model 3's steering wheel-mounted turn signal buttons, which frequently fail to activate the signals when pressed. Complaints commonly describe these buttons as unresponsive or intermittently failing to work, even after multiple attempts. Some owners note that the buttons may become stuck but later loosen up, and the problem is not consistently present but occurs randomly. No specific mileage information is provided, but the malfunctioning turn signals are described as posing a potential safety risk due to their unpredictability and the possibility of unintended signal activation. Buyers should be aware that these issues are distinct from concerns about the design and placement of the buttons, which may lead to accidental engagement or incorrect signal direction.
Owner complaints3
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2025 Tesla Model 3 report issues with the vehicle's emergency braking systems, particularly when using full self-driving (FSD) mode. Complaints frequently mention the car engaging emergency brakes without apparent reason, leading to abrupt stops. One report involves a crash where the emergency automatic braking activated unexpectedly, causing a rear-end collision. Another issue involves a detached under-dash panel obstructing the brake pedal, although regenerative braking allowed the vehicle to stop safely. These issues appear in new vehicles, suggesting they can occur at low mileage. Safety implications include potential crashes and loss of control, which are critical considerations for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints3
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2025 Tesla Model 3 frequently report issues related to the vehicle's structure, including design flaws in the turn signal buttons on the steering wheel, which may pose a risk if used incorrectly. Complaints also mention persistent alignment problems and camera system failures that affect visibility and safety features, such as Autopilot. Additionally, there are reports of power window failures and sudden air conditioning malfunctions that lead to loss of power while driving. These issues are noted to occur shortly after delivery or within the warranty period, yet remain unresolved. Safety implications include potential accidents due to impaired visibility and sudden loss of driving power on highways.
Owner complaints2
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2025 Tesla Model 3 report issues related to the power train, specifically involving drivetrain component failures and sudden unintended acceleration. One complaint describes a rear drive inverter failure that rendered the vehicle undrivable, requiring towing and replacement of the inverter assembly, occurring within the first year of ownership. Another complaint details an incident of sudden unintended acceleration while parking, leading to a crash and property damage, despite the driver asserting they were braking. These issues suggest potential safety implications, including loss of control and collision risk, which are critical for prospective buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2025 Tesla Model 3 report issues with airbag deployment during crashes. Complaints frequently mention that airbags, including side curtain and dash airbags, fail to deploy upon impact, even in significant collisions. In one instance, a crash resulted in two injuries when the airbags did not activate, and seatbelts reportedly did not lock properly. Another report describes a crash following sudden acceleration, where no airbags deployed despite the vehicle crashing into a garage. These incidents highlight potential safety implications, particularly in scenarios involving crashes, which may be a concern for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
