2021 Tesla Model 3 Problems, complaints & recalls

immediately shifted to reverse. That forced me to disconnect FSD again and drive home. Only in one instance was traffic encountered. These disconnects cause slow downs. In heavy traffic they may cause other drivers to jam on brakes to avoid my car. 2. Unexpected reversing When I arrived in my driveway, FSD attempted to reverse so it could continue its incorrect navigation route. intervened for the 4th time and drove the vehicle to my house. 3. Incorrect speed selection On [[redacted]] where the posted speed limit is 40mph, FSD selected the following speeds: Initially 25mph subsequently 60mph. Finally 25mph again. These behaviors raise serious safety concerns. Are these problems related to FSD 14.3 Lite, navigation mapping or speed limit recognition? , INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

worsened. The vehicle now experiences: Completely black rearview/backup camera. Black or unavailable side and other camera feeds. Loss of lane markings, surrounding vehicles, and road visualization. A frozen navigation map and unreliable vehicle positioning. Random system alerts, warnings, freezing, and loss of functionality. I have attempted restarting the vehicle's computer and reinstalling the software. Neither resolved the problem permanently. These failures affect important safety-related vehicle functions, particularly the rearview camera and camera-based driving assistance systems. I am concerned that a Tesla software update may have triggered or contributed to a failure affecting multiple vehicle systems. I cannot independently establish the cause, which is why I am requesting regulatory review. I am asking NHTSA to document this complaint, investigate whether similar failures have been reported in 2021 Tesla Model 3 vehicles, and determine whether this may represent a broader safety-related defect. I am particularly concerned about the complete loss of the rearview camera and other camera systems.

diagnostic review of the vehicle's alert and signal history by Tesla Service confirmed an internal hardware communication failure directly induced by the software rollout. The official service logs state that the secondary Autopilot processor, designated as "Processor Turbo-B," has suffered a fatal fault and is failing to communicate. Tesla documentation acknowledges that this software-induced hardware lockup prevents the car from completing future software updates and has permanently disabled the safety vision suites. Current Vehicle Status: A subsequent physical replacement of the 12V low-voltage battery failed to resolve or clear the faults, confirming a permanent failure of the primary computing hardware. The manufacturer requires an out-of-pocket Car Computer replacement cost of $2,136.00 to restore federally mandated safety features that were operational prior to the manufacturer's software deployment. The vehicle is currently being operated without active safety overrides, emergency braking, or backup visibility.

but the vehicle has not yet been inspected or repaired by the manufacturer or any independent shop. While currently only a noise (NVH) issue, progressive wear of this ball joint can lead to play in the suspension, uneven tire wear, degraded steering feel, and potential loss of control if the joint fails.

occurred during a Tesla-initiated update. A non-functioning rearview camera eliminates the driver's rear view and increases the risk of a backover collision, and the loss of automatic emergency braking removes forward crash protection. This matches numerous existing complaints in this database describing the same Hardware 3 computer failure and camera loss after a software update, one of which reports a resulting collision. Tesla has declined to repair it at no charge despite the failure being caused by its own update, approximately 3,000 miles out of warranty. I am requesting NHTSA open a defect investigation into Hardware 3 Autopilot-computer failures that disable the rearview camera and automatic emergency braking.

available for inspection The warnings only appeared after failure occurs. sometimes its right away when car is put in drive, other times it happens without warning mid drive. I have not had back and forth correspondance with Telsa - I have an pending request for service visit, however due to backlog they wont see the vehicle for 15 days minimum.

the vehicle was under the 50,000-mile limit. There was no crash, no fire, and no injury. The concern is premature failure/wear of the complete front suspension link set at under 50,000 miles. These suspension links are safety-critical components affecting steering and vehicle control, and failure or detachment could affect handling. The problem was confirmed and repaired by the Tesla service center. The symptom prior to repair was the grinding noise from the front; no warning lamps are known. Whether the replaced components are available for inspection is UNKNOWN. The failed components are the same front suspension lateral links addressed by NHTSA recall 21V835 (this vehicle was checked and is NOT in that recall population) and the front lower lateral link detachment under NHTSA investigation PE26006. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

hitting the glass on opening and closing. Tesla installed a new power strut, then removed it. A service message stated the hinge was replaced and the liftgate remains far out of alignment; the service record does not list a hinge replacement. The visit was marked resolved. The power trunk no longer functions. The bent liftgate contacts the rear glass on every cycle, so the glass can break on anyone standing at the rear of the vehicle while the trunk is opened or closed. Tesla referred the vehicle to a collision center, classified the repair as body damage, and stated its Extended Service Agreement does not cover it. No repair date or loaner was provided, and Tesla gave no guidance on whether the trunk is safe to use in the meantime. Other owners of 2021-2023 Model 3s with the factory power trunk have reported the power strut bending the hinge and liftgate in normal use. I am reporting this as a potential defect in the power liftgate strut and hinge design. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

serious safety concern for my family, including our newborn child. I request that this be urgently reviewed and determine what triggered the braking, including whether AEB, ABS, or another braking-control system intervened in suck similar cases, so many were reported online. Please also provide the diagnostic findings and a written assessment of whether the vehicle is safe to operate.

tire). The tires were delivered underinflated at approximately 35-37 PSI instead of the placard-required 42 PSI cold. After I inflated them to 42 PSI, the right-rear tire initially would not hold pressure and dropped to approximately 31 PSI, indicating a bead-seating or valve defect from installation; it later accepted 42 PSI but requires monitoring. My normal commute involves sustained highway driving at 70+ mph. Operating at highway speeds on tires rated below the vehicle manufacturer's specified load index, combined with underinflation and a suspected bead/valve installation defect causing pressure loss, creates a risk of heat buildup, tread separation, or sudden blowout and loss of vehicle control. Walmart did not correct the installation: staff attempted to install only three of the four correct replacement tires and later told me to purchase an additional tire at my own expense. I declined both. No crash, fire, injury, or police report resulted. The tires remain on the vehicle pending resolution. This complaint documents the safety hazard created by the incorrect tire fitment and defective installation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

software update briefly fixed the problem, but it returned after the vehicle updated to FSD Lite v14.1 Lite, software build 2026.26.6.5. This is a repeatable reverse-parking safety defect that can cause property damage and could injure someone. No one was injured, and no other property was damaged. The vehicle and its logs are available for inspection. Please review the FSD parking-space selection, reverse path planning, obstacle detection, and braking behavior for these events.

front subframe, both front lower lateral links, the front lower compliance link assemblies and the front aero shield were replaced, followed by a four-wheel alignment and a post-repair test drive. There was no collision, no impact damage and no tampering. The failure occurred at approximately 41,766 miles. SAFETY RISK: the lower lateral and compliance links locate the front wheels. Fasteners securing them backing out or failing can allow a link to separate from the subframe, shifting alignment and affecting steering control. This vehicle is driven regularly at highway speed, often with driver assistance engaged, and by more than one driver in the household. A separation at speed could have caused a loss of control. WARNING SYMPTOMS: an audible clunk from the front suspension and a loose-feeling front end, first noticed shortly before the vehicle was taken in. No warning lamp or message appeared. CONFIRMATION: the failure was diagnosed and repaired by the manufacturer's own service center, and the diagnosis appears as printed text on the factory repair invoice, which is available. The replaced parts may no longer be available for inspection. This vehicle has no open or completed suspension recall. Existing recall campaigns covering front suspension lateral link fasteners on this model did not include it. The repair was paid out of pocket.

both pillar cameras and the front-main camera, proper voltage to the cameras, no short to body, and no change after testing a known-good camera. Tesla concluded that the affected cameras share a deserializer path internal to the HW3 car computer and diagnosed an internal car-computer failure requiring complete computer replacement and camera calibration. The safety concern is loss of the rear-view camera and multiple camera-based driver-assistance functions, reducing rear visibility and eliminating features that rely on those cameras. Tesla did not identify the root cause of the internal HW3 failure or establish that the preceding software event could be excluded as a cause, trigger, or contributing factor. Tesla has separately acknowledged in NHTSA Recall 26V283 that software on certain HW3-equipped Model 3 vehicles can prevent camera streams from reaching the MCU and result in loss of the rear-view camera image. I am not claiming that recall necessarily applies to this specific failure; I am reporting the similar sequence so NHTSA can determine whether there may be a broader defect pattern. The vehicle remains unrepaired and is available for inspection upon request.

Officer [[redacted]], badge # [redacted], refused due to there was no collision and no accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

take-control prompt and returned control to the driver. The system did not display a reason for the prompt, so I cannot attribute it; I am reporting that it occurred while visibility through the windshield was degraded. The condition is not removable by normal means. Windshield wipers and washer fluid do not clear it. The defroster/defogger does not clear it, which rules out interior condensation. It required manual scrubbing to reduce, and it has recurred repeatedly since. It presents only in high humidity or after precipitation; in dry conditions the glass appears normal. The condition did not exist prior to the windshield replacement. I have photographs taken from the driver's seat showing the obscured view. I reported this to Tesla on 8/22/2026 through two in-app channels; both were closed without a response. I escalated by email on 8/24/2026. The service manager responded and scheduled an inspection. As of this filing the substance has not been identified, no cause has been determined, and no correction has been made. The condition remains active. I am filing because a windshield that intermittently obscures forward vision under ordinary weather conditions is a driving hazard, and because the vehicle has been operated in that condition while awaiting resolution. No crash, injury, or fire has occurred.

warning lights or messages. Tesla inspected the vehicle and diagnosed both front lower lateral links and both front lower compliance links as needing replacement, along with an alignment. Tesla estimated approximately $1,960. CPR EV Repair replaced the diagnosed lower suspension components. After removal, the bushings showed significant visible deterioration, including cracked, torn and separated rubber around the inner sleeves. CPR EV also advised that the front upper control arms were worn and would need replacement. I was concerned for my safety because failure or separation of a deteriorated front suspension component while driving could affect steering or vehicle stability and potentially cause loss of control. Although I did not experience a complete separation or crash, the rapidly worsening and eventually constant symptoms made me concerned about continuing to drive. I have Tesla's estimate, CPR EV documentation and photographs of the deteriorated components after removal.