521 of the 4,327 complaints about the Tesla Model 3 (12.0%) concern Brakes, making it the model's third-largest problem area. That share is 2.0× the Brakes share across all tracked vehicles.
521Complaints · Brakes
12.0%Share of complaints
2.0×vs. all vehicles
26Last 12 months
15.2%Share involving a crash or fire
1Related recalls
Analysis
26 Brakes complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 46 in the 12 months before — down 43%.
80 of these reports (15.2%) describe a crash or fire, with 42 injuries and 2 deaths mentioned.
1 recall campaign relates to this area, most recently campaign 21V387000 (2021-05-25, model years 2019, 2020 and 2021).
The contact owned a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH in traffic on a sunny day, the vehicle drove over a pothole, and the traction control and ABS warning lights illuminated.
Brakes · 2026-09-03 · ODI 11761825 · Crash
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.
Brakes · 2026-07-14 · ODI 11750430 · Crash
On 10/09 at approx. 10:30 AM EST, my 2024 Tesla Model 3 was operating on Full Self-Driving (Supervised) on Cummings, GA. Without warning, the vehicle steered off the paved roadway.
Brakes · 2026-10-09 · ODI 11770113
"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.
Brakes · 2026-10-06 · ODI 11769364
The contact owns a 2026 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the steering wheel independently turned to the left and the right. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended.
Brakes · 2026-10-06 · ODI 11769327
Urgent Safety Concern — Uncommanded Braking During Manual Driving. On October 2, 2026, while driving my 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range manually at approximately 45 mph and slowing to make a turn at an intersection, my vehicle unexpectedly applied very…
Brakes · 2026-10-04 · ODI 11768851
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER Campaign 21V387000 · 2021-05-25 · Model years: 2019, 2020, 2021
Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and tighten, or replace the caliper bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-33-002.
