14 complaints reported

2020 Tesla Model 3 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
14
Crashes
6
Fires
0
Injuries
3

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jan 2026

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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2026
Sep 2024

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 repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2024
Nov 2023

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 divider and not veering to the right or left and running onto incoming traffics on both sides of the street. The car came to a stop after coming off the other end of the divider (approximately 100 ft) and ended on one of the lane from the opposite traffic. Thankfully there were no cars on that lane at the time and I was able to sluggishly drive the car safely into an adjacent parking lot. I, as well as other could have been seriously injured or killed. All wheels and tires are visibly damaged and possibly the underside as well. The car is in a body repair shop and waiting for inspection at this time. I already reported the incident to my insurance and Tesla companies. All inspections and reports are pending at this time. There was no police report since there was no collision or bodily injuries. There were no warning signs, signals, messages, or symptoms from the car or from Tesla before the incident. The car 12V battery was changed 3 months prior by Tesla Service Center. This is my first encounter with this sort of problem.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2023
Aug 2023 Crash

Sudden acceleration while driving and at stop sign

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2023
Jun 2023

The car had unintended acceleration. I was driving and suddenly it sped up really fast and I needed to slam on the brakes. This was on a residential street so it was really dangerous. This happened once before, on a highway. Both times this happened, I was touching the wipers controls. I have no idea if it’s connected or coincidence.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2023
Dec 2022 Crash

I was on the exit lane coming from Costco on 12/31/2022 at around 12:20 PM with a speed of about 40 miles . My exit is about 100 yards away. Tesla model 3 that I’m driving suddenly accelerated at high speed and pulled towards right and hit the wall next to freeway exit lane. Then it hit the wall on rear tailgate and rolled to middle of freeway within a fraction of seconds. Two vehicles coming on the freeway hit my car and after second hit my car completely stopped in the middle of freeway. I was able to come out safely and later CHP officers came and towed the vehicle

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2022
Aug 2021 Crash Injury

The contact stated that while idling and waiting to pick up the elementary school kids in their vehicle, a 2020 Tesla Model 3 suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and crash into the rear of the contact's vehicle and trailer. During the incident, the contact sustained a lower back injury and the driver of the Tesla Model 3 suffered a chest injury. A police report was taken at the scene. No further information was available. The failure mileage was unknown.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2021
May 2021 Crash Injury

THE CONTACT OWNED A 2020 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND JUMPED FORWARD AND HIT ANOTHER DRIVER THAT WAS STANDING OUTSIDE IN BETWEEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT AND REAR DOOR. THE HOOD OPENED AND OBSTRUCTED HIS VIEW WHICH CAUSED HIM TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO INJURIES SUSTAINED BY THE CONTACT. THE TWO OTHER DRIVERS SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. ONE DRIVER RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND WAS TRANSPORTED BY AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND DEEMED TO BE A TOTAL LOSS. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY AT THE CONTACT'S PLACE OF BUSINESS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,500.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Mar 2021
Dec 2020

I TOOK DELIVERY OF MY TESLA AT THE BEGINNING OF APRIL 2020 - I HAVE NOT BEEN OUT MUCH BECAUSE OF LOCKDOWN. ON ONE OF MY EARLY JOURNEYS THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED. I WAS SHOCKED BUT THOUGHT I HAD INADVERTENTLY DONE SOMETHING EG CRUISE CONTROL OR HEAVY FOOT EVEN THOUGH I BELIEVED IT WAS TOTALLY UNPROMPTED YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED ABOUT 20- 25MPH APPROACHING A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING WHEN THE CAR SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED- IT WAS UNDENIABLE ! I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE PEDAL BUT IT DIDN'T SLOW - I JAMMED ON THE BRAKES TO HALT THE ACCELERATION. WHEN I ARRIVED HOME I GOOGLED 'SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION ' TO SEE WHAT HAD CAUSED IT AND WAS HORRIFIED TO DISCOVER THERE IS A LOT OF ALLEGATIONS TO TESLA WHICH HAVE BEEN DENIED. I RANG TESLA AND THEY SAID THEY'D SEND A MOBILE ENGINEER WITHIN 4 DAYS!!! I LIVE IN UK BUT AM AWARE YOU ARE COLLECTING DATA ON THE MATTER - I LIVE IN UK SO FILING THE FORM DIDN'T ALLOW A UK PHONE NUMBER- +[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2020
Apr 2020 Crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE COMING TO A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A PICKUP TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO INJURY INFORMATION PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT TESLA PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING REMOTELY BUT REFUSES TO INFORM THE CONTACT OF THE RESULTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT AFTER AN INTERNAL INVESTIGATION THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALLBACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2020
Mar 2020

WHEN I SHIFT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND USE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO MOVE THE CAR FORWARD AND IT WORKS FINE. WHEN I RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE CAR ACCELERATE AND REQUIRES ME TO BRAKE. THIS OCCURS AT LOW SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR INTO TESLA AND THEY SAID USER ERROR. THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGES WHEN I SHIFT INTO DRIVE. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE I HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2020
Jan 2020

ON 1/17/2010, AT 12:12PM, I DEPARTED MY HOUSE IN NORWELL. AFTER 1.65 MILES, BETWEEN 99 FOREST AVE AND RIVER STREET (APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET FROM RIVER STREET), I RELEASED MY FOOT FROM THE FRICTION BRAKE, AND THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TOWARD RIVER STREET. I PUT MY FOOT BACK ONTO THE FRICTION BRAKE, AND IT STOPPED. THE CAR WAS NOT IN AUTO-PILOT MODE. I AM NOT AWARE OF CRUISE CONTROL BEING ON. IN ANY CASE, IF IT WAS ON, I DID NOT PUT IT ON ON PURPOSE, AND FURTHER, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON SINCE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE FRICTION BRAKE PEDAL JUST BEFORE THE EVENT. ENCLOSED IS AN IMAGE OF MY TRIP LOG SHOWING THAT MY DRIVE STARTED AT 12:12PM. ALSO ENCLOSED IS A MAP SHOWING THAT IT WAS 1.65 MILES FROM THE START OF MY DRIVE. I DO NOT HAVE DASH-CAM FOOTAGE OF THIS SINCE MORE THAN ONE HOUR HAS PASSED AND I DID NOT MANUALLY TAG IT WHEN IT OCCURRED BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW OF AN INVESTIGATION AT THAT TIME.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2020
Jan 2020 Crash Injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TESLA MODEL 3. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATED CRASHING INTO A PARKED TRUCK AND PUSHING IT SOME DISTANCE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES SUCH AS BRUISING TO THE BACK AND NECK THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REVERSE OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND DRIVE TO THE HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT NO RECALL WAS UNDER THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATE 407.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2020
Dec 2019

DRIVING IN FREEWAY FAST LANE IN LIGHT TRAFFIC AT 10:30 AM ON OVERCAST MORNING WITH TESLA ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SET FOR 70 MPH AND 4-CAR FOLLOWING DISTANCE. THE CAR IN FRONT MOVED 1 LANE TO THE RIGHT LEAVING NO CARS AHEAD. MY CAR ACCELERATED GENTLY TO 70 AND THEN AS I APPROACHED AN OVERPASS THE CAR SUDDENLY BRAKED (OR WENT TO REGENERATION) AND SLOWED INSTANTLY TO ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE ACCELERATOR AND RETURN TO SURROUNDING TRAFFIC SPEED AND MOVE RIGHT TO THE NEXT LANE AND RECOVERED FROM THE SHOCK AND SURPRISE OF WHAT OTHER TESLA OWNERS REFER TO AS "PHANTON BRAKING". I WAS FORTUNATE THAT NO OTHER CARS WEREN'T FOLLOWING ME OR THEY LIKELY WOULD HAVE CRASHED IN THE BACK OF MY CAR. I SPOKE WITH OTHER TESLA OWNERS WHO REPORT THE SAME RANDOM, SURPRISE, POWERFUL BRAKING WHEN APPROACHING OVERPASSES.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 TESLA MODEL 3, Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
Incident: Dec 2019

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2020 Tesla Model 3 has 14 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL complaints on file. 6 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.