2020 Tesla Model 3 acceleration & cruise control problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 29, 2026CACrashAcceleration & Cruise Control

   I was making a right turn from the parking lot onto the street, a maneuver I have made hundreds of times previously without any issue. My foot was on the accelerator pedal as normal for this turn. The vehicle accelerated far faster than intended for this maneuver, with tires screeching, and continued across the width of the street. The vehicle's front left wheel struck the curb on the opposite side of the street from the parking lot exit. The wheel sustained significant…

   NHTSA complaint #11753407 · source
2. Filed Jul 14, 2026TXCrash1 injuredTowedBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

   On July 11 at approximately 6:47 a.m., I was operating my Tesla Model 3 on Interstate 65 in Hart County, Kentucky, with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged during normal highway travel. Approximately one hour earlier, I had departed a highway rest area after sleeping from the previous day’s travel. Rain developed during the trip, but I observed adequate visibility, apparent roadway traction, and I was not impaired. I was traveling in the far-right lane of a three-lane…

   NHTSA complaint #11750430 · source
3. Filed Jan 1, 2026CAAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The newer versions of FSD do not allow driver control of the max speed. The current versions allow you to set a maximum speed with a scroll wheel on the steering wheel.

   NHTSA complaint #11708226 · source
4. Filed Oct 9, 2025AKDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Incident #1 Vehicle sitting at a red light. After several seconds the vehicle operating under Tesla FSD suddenly started to drive as if the light had turned green, which it had not. I stopped it immediately. Incident #2 Vehicle was stopped a t a red light and started forward again as it the light had changed but had not. I noticed a flashing red light at the next intersection a few hundred feet away. So, I went around the block and tried again and it behaved the same. After…

   NHTSA complaint #11692447 · source
5. Filed Jul 19, 2025CADriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

   Vehicle must have thought a shadow line in the road from a bridge indicated a wall I was about to hit, as it slammed on the breaks in the middle of the freeway. Car behind had to swerve to avoid. On the same trip, several nags of 'keep eyes on the road' were incorrect, as my eyes were directly on the road, but phone was in hand functioning as a microphone taking voice memos. Car proceeded to shut itself down while in the middle of the freeway, causing me to go slower than…

   NHTSA complaint #11674749 · source
6. Filed Oct 27, 2024CAAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   I am filing a complaint regarding a serious safety issue with my 2020 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus. While driving on the freeway, the car displayed a “Power Limited - OK to Drive” message, followed by “Power Reduced,” and then automatically limited my speed to 60 mph. This happened unexpectedly on a busy freeway, nearly causing an accident with a car behind me. The message advised that “exiting and re-entering the vehicle may restore operations.” I took the freeway exit…

   NHTSA complaint #11622202 · source
7. Filed Aug 9, 2024WAAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving with the cruise control feature activated at various speeds, the brakes applied inadvertently. The contact also stated that the cruise control feature failed to operate as intended after dark, after deactivating inadvertently. Additionally, the contact stated that the front and rear cameras displayed phantom images and failed to work as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…

   NHTSA complaint #11607511 · source
8. Filed Jul 7, 2024PAElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The Tesla is reflecting an error “DIR_a126” that is reducing the speed below the speed limit and with no rhyme or reason. Tesla services are not available and the problem is intermittent. Additionally, based on research it is found to not have consistent resolutions and reasonings

   NHTSA complaint #11599829 · source
9. Filed Apr 5, 2024FLBrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control

   I took delivery of this Tesla Model 3 last month and have been using it often for my commute. Tesla’s “Traffic Aware Cruise Control” is dangerous and has put my life at risk multiple times now when driving on the highway at night. It slams on the brakes as if it is about to crash when nothing is ahead. It also slammed the brakes when passing a semi truck that was accelerating from being stopped on the shoulder. If anyone was behind me, they would have crashed into me. This…

   NHTSA complaint #11581449 · source
10. Filed Dec 26, 2023WABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    While operating TACC with lane keeping assist, I experienced multiple iterations of phantom braking when the road and weather was clear ahead. This phantom braking could potentially cause other drivers to collide with the vehicle that unexpectedly braked in the middle of the highway. This problem has been a common issue with multiple people taking their cars to the service center to get checked out with no problem identified. There are no warning lights or indicators that…

    NHTSA complaint #11561858 · source
11. Filed Dec 13, 2023CACrash1 injuredTowedFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    We had Model 3 with instance of unintended acceleration at the gate of a parking lot. This car was bought in May 2020. On December 6, 2020, she was on the way out of the parking gate and suddenly the car accelerated, hitting the side wall of the gate. The car flew over a two-way street, resulting in a compound fracture of her right hip requiring internal fixation and transfusion. The vehicle was inspected by the police. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other…

    NHTSA complaint #11560002 · source
12. Filed Nov 15, 2023CAAcceleration & Cruise Control

    I was already situated in the left turn lane on a two way city street, slowing down, and about to come to a full stop before making a U turn when I felt a surge in power before the car picked up, accelerated uncontrollably, and launched forward. In front of the turn is a raised cemented median strip divider where the car hit and went on top of it. Instinctively, I just held on to the steering wheel firmly to keep the car straight so that it will stay on (top) and within the…

    NHTSA complaint #11555372 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology