2023 Tesla Model 3: airbags did not deploy in a crash

Filed Aug 29, 2025 · Acceleration, Airbags · MD · crash · 2 injuries

Vehicle Information: 2023 Tesla Model 3 VIN: [XXX] Incident Date: [XXX] Location: [XXX] Summary of the Problem: On [XXX], while Autopilot was active, my 2023 Tesla Model 3 suddenly accelerated without driver input. I was pressing the brake pedal, but the vehicle surged forward uncontrollably, struck a fence and a tree, and caused major property damage. Both I and my wife (passenger) required urgent care treatment after the crash. Details / Safety Defect Evidence: •Tesla’s own raw logs show the accelerator spiked to 100% immediately before impact. •Brake pressure was recorded prior to impact, proving the brake pedal was applied. •Despite this, Tesla’s official Vehicle Data Report falsely states “manual brake not applied.” •Autopilot did not disengage when the brake was pressed, contrary to Tesla’s design claims. •The vehicle logged a “Near-Deploy Collision” at ~27 mph, yet the airbags did not deploy. Why This Is a Safety Defect: This incident reflects multiple critical failures: 1.Sudden unintended acceleration. 2.Failure of brake-override safety design. 3.Airbag non-deployment in a crash severe enough to trigger “Near-Deploy.” 4.Inaccurate Tesla reporting that conceals braking input. This defect created an extremely dangerous situation that could easily have resulted in fatalities. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigate Tesla vehicles for unintended acceleration, brake override failure, and airbag non-deployment. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 14, 2025 · Airbags, Brakes · VA · crash · 1 injury

The contact rented a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH in the rain, a vehicle in front of him abruptly slowed down. The contact depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle jerked to the side. The contact stated that the emergency braking system unexpectedly activated ("slams on") while he was driving due to the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system falsely detecting a potential collision. There were large rocks in the roadway, and there was no traction, causing him to crash into an embankment. The driver's side airbag did not deploy. The other airbags in the vehicle had deployed. The contact sustained a fractured rib, and medical attention was provided at the hospital. The vehicle was towed to a towing company. There were no reported fires. A police report was filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where an unknown diagnosis was completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Jan 7, 2025 · Airbags, Brakes · NC · crash

during a hydroplaning incident on a ramp, the tesla refused to budge or give any steer. Major issue was no air bags deployed during collision.

Filed Nov 19, 2024 · Airbags · OH · crash · 1 injury

After a collision the screen flashed "Air bags deployed". The car then turned on the hazards, called 911 then vented the windows. The issue is the air bags did not deploy at all. I suffered a concussion and whiplash due to the accident. No warning lamps or messages ever appeared before while driving the vehicle.

Filed Mar 14, 2024 · Acceleration · 100,000 miles · SC · crash

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently. The contact lost control of the vehicle, coming to a complete stop after crashing into two poles and veering into a brick wall, where the vehicle briefly continued to accelerate. The air bags did not deploy. A Police report was filed. There were no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Action Number: DP23002 (Speed Control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Dec 28, 2023 · Airbags · CA · crash · 2 injuries

I was rear ended and pushed into the car in front of me. My car was totaled and no airbags went off.

Filed Oct 17, 2023 · Acceleration, Body · CA · crash · 1 injury

Tesla Model 3 Policy #: [XXX] Claim Number: [XXX] I hope this email finds you well. I am writing to report an incident involving my Tesla Model 3 (Blue) and to initiate the process for an insurance claim. The incident occurred on [XXX], at approximately 2:15 PM. My fiancée was the driver of the vehicle at the time of the incident. Incident Details: - Date: [XXX] - Time: Approximately [XXX] - Vehicle: Tesla Model 3 (Blue) Location: The incident took place on the freeway merge from [XXX], where it merges onto [XXX]. Heading home. Circumstances: My fiancée was operating the vehicle in Autopilot mode while maintaining her hands securely on the steering wheel. As she approached the freeway merge from ramp [XXX], heading onto [XXX], she experienced an unexpected jolt. Despite her continuous control of the steering wheel, the Autopilot system seemed to be accelerating without her input. Simultaneously, my fiancée felt a sudden tire malfunction, which resulted in a significant loss of control over the vehicle. Despite her best efforts to maintain the car's position within the lane, the Tesla Model 3 veered off the freeway and entered the adjacent Ravine area. Impact and Airbags: Upon entering the Ravine area, the vehicle experienced a collision. multiple plants/highbrush/uneven terrain as well as having to maneuver around 2 large palm trees which resulted damage to side mirror. Notably, none of the vehicle's airbags were deployed during the incident, and there were no sensor alerts, except for the tire pressure warning light. Also there wasn't any record of dashcam recording when we checked the car. We are seriously concerned that the airbags did not deploy , attached are photos concerning the damage. I would like to emphasize that my fiancée was diligently following safety guidelines and had her hands on the steering wheel while using Autopilot. This incident occurred suddenly and unexpectedly. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 11, 2023 · Acceleration, Transmission · 500 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while their spouse was parking the vehicle and pressing the parking button, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The vehicle jumped the curb, crashing into two different vehicles to eventually be stopped after crashing into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. There was damage to the other vehicles and to the tree. The driver received injuries to their neck and back. Medical attention was not needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle had been towed. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who had not diagnosed or repaired the vehicle as of yet. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 500.

Filed Aug 2, 2023 · Acceleration, Brakes · CA · crash

I was stopped before turning left into a parking space. I was driving slowly. The car stopped but I did not engage the brake as a Tesla will stop once the foot is removed from the accelerator. At that point the car leaped forward at full speed hitting parts of a building and a fence. I did NOT step on the accelerator. No one was injured. The airbags did not deploy even though there was $17,000 damage to the front of the car. There were no warning signals. The person inside the building was waiting for me and saw the car come to a stop.

Filed May 11, 2023 · Driver assistance · 30 miles · LA · crash

The contact rented a 2023 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while testing the collision avoidance system the vehicle was moving at 2 mph and the brake pedal was not depressed the collision avoidance system did not activate. The vehicle collided with another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30. The VIN was not available.