2020 Tesla Model 3 driver assistance problems

Filed Oct 28, 2026 · Driver assistance · NC

I have a 2020 Tesla Model 3 with Full Self Driving (FSD) and am having trouble with "limited visibility" warnings daily on all cameras in direct sunlight since getting the V14 Lite software. I am aware that here is an NTSB investigation, EA26-002, that specifically raised concerns about Tesla's visibility-degradation detection software, including updates to that system. I have a 2020 Tesla Model 3 with old cameras using software for new, better by far, cameras. Tesla also acknowledges in its July 2026 investor materials that FSD v14 Lite transfers behavior developed for AI4 into the camera and computing configuration of AI3/HW3.

Filed Oct 16, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · DE

VEHICLE INFORMATION Make/Model/Year: Tesla Model 3 (2020) Component: Steering / Autonomous Control (ADAS) INCIDENT SUMMARY While driving on Autopilot/FSD southbound from [XXX], the vehicle experienced a sudden, uncommanded lateral steering excursion (phantom steering actuation) pulling abruptly toward the roadside shoulder. The driver had to immediately apply manual counter-steering torque to override the system and prevent a major collision. This unprompted steering correction caused the passenger side mirror structure to strike a roadside utility pole. KEY SAFETY FACTORS Sudden loss of directional control caused by computer-generated steering inputs rather than driver command or road obstruction. Quick driver intervention prevented a severe collision, but resulted in structural impact to the entire passenger mirror assembly. An official service ticket has been filed with the manufacturer requesting an immediate engineering telematics log pull (Steering Angle Sensor inputs vs. manual override torque, FSD state logs, and camera arrays) for the specific timestamp. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Aug 5, 2026 · Driver assistance · CA

All Teslas vehicles running HW3 / AI3 Autopilot self driving computers have been known for years to have a defective design problem with the cooling system without its own dedicated cooling and which puts the self driving computer last in the cooling looping at the top of the cooling stack. When the computer fails and they will Tesla requires the owner to replace the computer. This does not result in a redesigned improvement to the computer or cooling system that reduces the thermal stress being applied to the new computer. Tesla is now pushing a new version of the self driving FSD software with the “v14 Lite” release over the last two weeks. This software release uses large complex software models which Tesla design to use every part of the HW4 / AI3 compute power which stressed the computer by pushing it to it compute limiting. All this compute is causing the computer to overheat and fail. Tesla then require owners who are all out of warranty now to pay thousands to replace the computer. This replacemen uses the same flawed cooling system and the same computer incapable of dealing passive compute requests on it by the latest v14 Lite software to eventually cause the computer to just require the replacement computer to eventually need yet another replacement of the same flawed design at owners cost. There is also supposed to systems which monitor the thermal stress on the computer and shut it off abruptly until it cools down which is not ideal at freeway speeds which is not happening. Recall to address and resolve the issue with improved cooling, more powerful computer that doesn’t reach maximum capacity and it’s each use, and less taxing software needs to be issue. This is a major safety design problem which Tesla has not addressed. There only solution is to just replace design constrained components with the exact same parts at owners cost. These multiple design issues can and often result is sudden shutdown of the computer, or worse case sudden complete failure.

Filed Jul 27, 2026 · Driver assistance · MA

On XXX, at approximately 2:47:42 PM, I was driving a 2020 Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD VIN [XXX] on a two-lane road in the Adirondacks with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) active. The vehicle was traveling approximately 50–52 mph. An oncoming SUV moved toward or across the double-yellow centerline while passing a bicyclist. FSD reacted with a sudden and aggressive steering maneuver to the right. The vehicle crossed the white edge line and entered the paved shoulder. Because it appeared that the vehicle might leave the roadway, I immediately took control and steered it back toward the travel lane. The vehicle then oscillated sharply in both directions before stabilizing. External telemetry shows lateral acceleration reaching approximately 0.88 g in one direction and 0.84 g in the opposite direction, with a 1.72 g peak-to-peak lateral swing. Vehicle speed fell from approximately 50 mph to approximately 28 mph during the recovery. No collision or injury occurred. The rapid deceleration and stabilization appeared consistent with possible electronic stability-control intervention, but I cannot confirm that from the available external telemetry. I have preserved the front dashcam video and telemetry file. I request that Tesla preserve and review the internal vehicle logs, including FSD commanded steering, planned path, driver steering torque, road-edge perception, oncoming-vehicle perception, stability-control activation, individual-wheel braking, and motor-torque reduction. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 21, 2026 · Driver assistance · AK

Car was sitting at a red light while in Full Self Driving (supervised). The screen showed at least four red lights. Suddenly the car started to move forward while the lights were still red. I was able to stop it from going further. This has happened before and I reported it then. If I had not had my foot near the brake pedal the car might have just run through the light.

Filed Jul 2, 2026 · Driver assistance, Steering · CA · 1 injury

On XXX at approximately 5:00 PM, I was driving my 2020 Tesla Model 3 on [XXX] from [XXX] toward [XXX], with Tesla FSD engaged. Near the area where the center divider begins/ends, the vehicle crossed the double yellow/divider area and entered the opposing traffic lane. There was no oncoming traffic at that moment, so there was no crash, but this created a serious potential head-on collision risk. The car also did several hard jerks that aggravated my neck and back that it has been consistently doing for a long time which cause worse ongoing headaches. The system/component that malfunctioned was Tesla FSD/Advanced Driver Assistance, including lane keeping/steering behavior. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of others were put at risk because the vehicle moved into the lane for oncoming traffic. I had to intervene and no longer feel safe using FSD. I have reported unsafe FSD behavior to Tesla multiple times before, but the issue has not been resolved. Tesla service has previously listed the concern as “FSD not working properly/test drive required” and/or general diagnosis, but I have not received a clear written resolution explaining why the vehicle crossed into the opposing lane or how Tesla will prevent this from happening again. There were no warning lamps or messages that I recall before the vehicle crossed into the opposing lane. If Tesla has vehicle logs or telemetry for the incident, I request that they be reviewed. I am reporting this because the vehicle may repeat this unsafe behavior and create a head-on collision risk. The car continues to behave unsafely and erratically. i have a log of some of the incidents. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 22, 2026 · Driver assistance · CA

Subject: Tesla HW2 FSD – Advertised Safety/Autonomy Features Not Provided Description: I am reporting an issue regarding my 2020 Tesla Model 3 equipped with Hardware 2 (HW2) and Full Self-Driving (FSD) package. Although the vehicle is listed and sold as “FSD capable,” Tesla has stopped providing FSD software updates for HW2 vehicles. My vehicle is stuck on FSD version 12.6.4 and cannot receive newer versions (v12.7, v12.8, v13, etc.). Tesla continues to advertise FSD as an evolving safety and autonomy system, but HW2 vehicles are no longer receiving the required updates to maintain or improve safety functions. This results in: • Safety-related features not being updated • Autonomy features advertised at purchase not being delivered • OTA updates being discontinued without notice • Tesla refusing to provide a hardware upgrade path (HW3) despite FSD being purchased on this VIN This creates a safety concern because the vehicle is operating with outdated perception and driving models while newer vehicles receive critical improvements. Tesla has not provided a remedy, timeline, or alternative solution. I request the federal safety agency to investigate Tesla’s failure to provide advertised and safety‑related FSD functionality for HW2 vehicles. Vehicle Info: 2020 Tesla Model 3 Hardware: HW2 FSD purchased on VIN (previous owner) Purchased used in July 2023 Current FSD version: 12.6.4 (no further updates)

Filed May 12, 2026 · Driver assistance · NY

Tesla was on Full Self Driving following a curve in the road were traffic lights. Lights were red Car should have stopped but did not. Ran red light with no attempt to stop or slow down.

Filed Apr 24, 2026 · Driver assistance · MI

Driving S/B on Ann Arbor Saline Road. Had FSD on the Tesla engaged. Needed to make left turn onto Maple. Left arrow light to Maple was red. Traffic light to continue straight on Ann Arbor-Saline was green. Despite left arrow being red, Tesla did not slow and ran red light to make left turn onto Maple.

Filed Mar 5, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · NJ

My Tesla Model 3 was brought to Tesla Princeton Service Center on February 27, 2025 for a 12V battery replacement. During the service visit, Tesla also replaced the rear glass, citing the rear defroster as the root cause of the battery drain — a repair that was added without prior discussion and increased the total invoice from an original estimate of $180 to a final charge of $1,730. Upon picking up the vehicle, the rear backup camera, blind spot cameras, navigation system, Sentry Mode, and windshield wiper sensor were all non-functional. None of these systems showed any malfunction prior to the service visit. Tesla Princeton’s service advisor denied responsibility without performing diagnostics, and in a subsequent message admitted he could not determine the cause with certainty without diagnostics — which have still not been performed. The vehicle was discharged from a licensed Tesla Service Center in a condition non-compliant with FMVSS 111. I have escalated this matter to Tesla executive leadership in writing and am filing this the federal safety agency complaint to create a federal record of this safety violation.