Tesla Model 3 2021 problems
The Tesla Model 3 is a battery electric mid-size sedan with a fastback body style built by Tesla, Inc., introduced in 2017. The vehicle is marketed as being more affordable to more people than previous models made by Tesla. The Model 3 was the world's top selling plug-in electric car for three years, from 2018 to 2020, before the Tesla Model Y, a crossover SUV based on the Model 3 chassis, took the top spot. In June 2021, the Model 3 became the first electric car to pass global sales of 1 million.
An upgraded Model 3 with revamped interior and exterior styling was introduced in late 2023 for countries supplied by the Shanghai factory, and in early 2024 in North America and other countries supplied by the Fremont factory.
History
In an interview for Wired Science recorded during 2006, Elon Musk presented the Model 3 as likely being affordable by most people able to purchase new cars, aiming for a $30,000 price point. In 2008 the car was stated to be a family car. In 2017 Tesla added that the Standard Range version of the all-electric car would have an estimated EPA-rated range of 215 miles (346 km), a five-passenger seating capacity, front and rear trunks, and promised sports-car levels of acceleration performance. Tesla said it would have a 5-Star safety rating and have a drag coefficient of Cd=0.225. This is lower than the Tesla Model S drag coefficient of Cd=0.24, which, in 2014, was the lowest among the production cars of the time.
Within a week of unveiling the Model 3 in 2016, Tesla revealed they had taken 325,000 reservations for the car. These reservations represented potential sales of over US$14 billion. By August 2017, there were 455,000 net reservations.
Industry experts were dubious when, in May 2016, Tesla announced its decision to advance its 500,000-total-unit build plan (combined for Model S, Model X, and Model 3) to 2018, two years earlier than previously planned, in order to accelerate its target for Model 3 output. As predicted, there were "production bottlenecks" and "production hell". In May 2016, Tesla issued US$2 billion in new shares to the stock market to finance the plan.
The company plans for the Model 3 are part of Tesla's three-step strategy to start with a high-price vehicle and move progressively towards lower-cost vehicles, while the battery and electric drivetrain were improved and paid for through the sales of the Roadster, Model S, and Model X vehicles.
On April 18, 2018, Tesla updated its production target to 6,000 vehicles per week by the end of June 2018, an increase from its previous target of 5,000 vehicles per week which was previously promised at earlier dates. On July 1, 2018, Elon Musk announced that Tesla had met its production goal of 5,000 cars in a week.
On February 28, 2019, Tesla announced the availability of the highly anticipated Standard Range trim priced at $35,000 (equivalent to $41,710 in 2023). However, on April 12, 2019, Tesla announced that the Standard Range model would no longer be available for ordering online, but only over the phone or in stores. Autopilot, previously a $3,000 option, was included in all versions of the Model 3 except for the Standard Range, while each version's price only increased by $2,000. In February 2019, the Model 3 passed the Chevrolet Volt to become the all-time bestselling plug-in electric car in the U.S. Model 3 sales surpassed the Nissan Leaf in early 2020 to become the world's all-time top selling plug-in electric car.
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Common Tesla Model 3 2021 problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Tesla Model 3 2021, here are some common problems with the car:
- Software Glitches: Some users have experienced software issues, ranging from minor interface problems to system breakdowns. Regular software updates and clear communication with Tesla's customer support are recommended to mitigate these issues and ensure smooth operation of the car.
- Autopilot Quirks: Autopilot, Tesla's autonomous driving technology, has been reported to disengage unexpectedly or misjudge driving conditions. Following Tesla's instructions for using Autopilot and staying attentive while driving can help prevent potentially dangerous situations.
- Charging Difficulties: Despite the increasing availability of charging stations, some Model 3 owners have faced challenges with charging, such as incompatibility with certain stations or slower-than-expected charging times. Understanding charging networks and utilizing Tesla's Supercharger network can help alleviate these concerns.
- Door Handle Malfunctions: Issues with the flush door handles failing have been noted, making it difficult to open the doors. This could be due to faulty sensors or power outages, and contacting Tesla service for assistance is recommended to address this problem.
- Connectivity Concerns: Connectivity issues have been reported, affecting functions like remote app control, navigation, and software updates. Maintaining a stable internet connection and keeping the car within cellular range can help minimize these concerns.
- Wind Noise and Panel Gaps: Some drivers have complained about excessive wind noise at higher speeds and panel gaps that are not uniformly spaced. While Tesla's manufacturing standards have improved, occasional inconsistencies may still occur. Contacting Tesla service centers for feedback and assistance is advised to address these aesthetic and functional issues.
- Battery Degradation: Over time, the battery life of the Tesla Model 3 may degrade, impacting mileage and overall performance. Avoiding quick charging and extreme heat can help reduce the risk of battery degradation.
- HVAC and Climate Control Issues: Owners have reported problems with climate control systems, such as erratic temperature regulation and unusual noises from the fans. If the climate control system malfunctions, it is recommended to have it checked by Tesla's service department.
- Phantom Braking Problems: Some users have experienced phantom braking, where the car abruptly stops without a clear cause. This issue poses a safety risk and may be related to a combination of the car's sensors, software, and hardware. Despite software upgrades aimed at resolving this problem, some customers continue to face phantom braking issues.
Is a Tesla Model 3 worth it 2021?
For 2021, Tesla has made some significant improvements to the Model 3, many of which can't be replicated with a simple over-the-air update. As such, the 2021 Model 3 is worth holding out for. Along with improvement to the styling, the Model 3 gets a better interior console with two wireless charging pads.
Does Tesla Model 3 have quality issues?
Wind Noise and Panel Gaps
Some drivers of the Model 3 have complained about wind noise at greater speeds and of panel gaps that aren't uniformly spaced. Even though Tesla's manufacturing standards and reliability have increased over the years, there may still be inconsistencies on occasion.
What is the most common issue with Tesla's?
Battery and Charging Related Issues
One of the key components in any Tesla vehicle is its high-capacity battery pack. While Tesla's battery technology has come a long way, issues related to charging and battery life can still arise.
Is Tesla Model 3 reliable?
Is the Tesla Model 3 reliable? Tesla came a respectable tenth (out of 32 brands) in the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey. The pre-facelifted Model 3 (2019-2023) did quite well too, coming eighth out of 20 models in the electric car category.
Tesla Model 3 2021 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Tesla Model 3 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Forward collision avoidance problems
- Service brakes problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Tesla Model 3 2021 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints Tesla Model 3 2021
The NHTSA has received 572 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Tesla Model 3 2021. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Tesla Model 3 2021 vehicles.
2024-10-25
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-25
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EB6MF
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: My Tesla was operating in Full-Self-Driving Beta when it experienced a sudden uncontrolled accelration event. I was driving on [XXX] at approximatley [XXX] this morning. The road speed limit was 40 mph. The car display was correctly showing that the road speed limit was 40mph. The speed offset in the cars setting was limited to 5 mph max above the speed limit. While the car was driving it suddenly accelerated very hard from approximately 40 mph to over 60mph before I was able to stab the brake pedal and kick the car out of full self driving mode. There were no errors, warnings, or signs that anything was wrong with the car. I have also notified Tesla via the service request function in the Tesla App under the section for "software performance". INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-10-18
STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-14
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA8MF
- Components: STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: 1. Autosteer/Lane assist failure, yes its available for inspection upon request with Tesla 2. Due to above failure met with a crash which led to severe medical issues 3. The car has been totalled and the car is not functional, waiting on Tesla to inspect and confirm 4. Police has filed a crash report but manufacturer, insurance yet to inspect the vehicle or component 5. Absolutely NO WARNING lamps/messages prior to the failure.
2024-10-18
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-18
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EC1MF
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the braking system erroneously activated, causing the vehicle to abruptly decelerate. The contact stated that the failure was due to a failure with the computer reading the speed limit as 45 MPH instead of 65 MPH. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.
2024-10-03
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EC2MF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the hood opened unintentionally, the A/C unit and the radio intermittently turned on and off, the infotainment system screen intermittently turned black and randomly turned back on, along with several other failures that occurred. No warning lights was illuminated. The failures occurred on several different occasions. The contact was notified that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V554000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Electrical System) however, while attempting to update the vehicle software, the vehicle failed to complete the software update. The vehicle was drivable and was taken to the place of residence; the contact attempted to get in contact with Tesla Roadside Assistance however, once the contact reached the "confirm pickup spot" screen, the screen froze and would not confirm the request. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact attempted to notify the manufacturer however, the contact received no response in return. The failure mileage was unknown.
2024-10-01
STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-30
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EB8MF
- Components: STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
- Summary: While driving, I started to hear a creaking sound while backing up and turning the wheel left. The sound became worse over the course of a few weeks. The steering also felt a little loose. I reached out to the manufacturer for a service appointment, and could only be scheduled about a month out. After a few weeks, while trying to parallel park, the car felt like a tire was stuck, or had a flat. I stopped the car to look at all of the tires and they looked fine. When I returned home, I tried to recreate the issue with my wife moving the car slowly from the driver seat while I looked at the wheels. As she turned and backed up, the creaking sound was very loud, but the tires looked fine. When she put the car in drive and began to pull back into the driveway, I could see the front passenger tire was turned abnormally far to the left, looked like it was leaning, and it was locked (not rolling). Once we had the car in a safe position, I jacked up the car and looked at the passenger control arm to see a bolt completely missing from the front suspension lateral link. The other bolt was 1/2 of the way out and barely holding on. If this had come apart at highway speeds, I am afraid it could have killed or seriously injured my family.
2024-09-13
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-25
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA2MF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model3. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V554000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted but saw no recall information related to the VIN. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2024-09-09
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-02
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA0MF
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Front passenger safety restraint system fault alert popping up every few minutes while driving. It is the most irritating thing and there is no way for me to fix it without spending over $500 dollars. This is seemingly a common problem for this make and model through reddit posts and car forums. I was also told by a employee at the tesla service center that they see this very often. It is shocking that Tesla hasn’t taken responsibility in fixing this, when there is nothing any of us could’ve done to have this happen. I’ve seen people get quoted anywhere from $500-2,000 for this exact problem. It is so beyond distracting while driving.
2024-09-09
AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-02
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA0MF
- Components: AIR BAGS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Front passenger safety restraint system fault in sensor, sensors won’t stop going off and giving me warnings while driving.
2024-09-05
BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-08
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA5MF
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: I started receiving messages that the cameras were occluded and that there was an error and ALL of my system safety features were disabled. No front forward collision warnings, no emergency braking available, nothing available and the system computer that showed all of the traffic and everything completely disappeared from the screen, the car has literally gone blind. All of this started happening on with the camera issues in May, but I thought that it was a software issue and would be addressed in the next update, although the critical disengagements were supposed to be sent to Tesla. I took the car to the service center on 9/4/24 at 9am, and they stated that the did a system test and saw that the triple camera was showing a fault and so they replaced the camera and gave it back to me the same day. Everything worked for the rest of that day for a service that took at least 3hours to figure out. Today after I get off of work at 1pm and I go to initiate FSD and I get 3miles from my residence( I live <8mi from my job) and the system disengages again asking me to take over and all of my critical systems have yet again been disabled. My whole safety is compromised at this point yet again. I immediately bring the car back and they tell me that it's going to take them an additional 30-45 mins to "diagnose" the issue although it's the same thing that's been happening that was supposedly fixed yesterday. After that wait time the service consultant comes back and tell me that the car is throwing all kinds of codes and that, "It's still safe to drive." When I told that it cannot be safe to drive if all of the critical systems were disabled he suggested that I take it and they can do a remote log pull so they can look more into the issue or I can leave it as the part that's needed needs to be ordered anyway. I don't know how they can order a part if they're claiming to not know what's wrong with it. Something else is going on that they don't want to take accountability for!
2024-09-04
STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-29
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA6MF
- Components: STEERING,LANE DEPARTURE
- Summary: lost power steering suddenly on the road.
2024-08-20
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-19
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EBXMF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding a critical malfunction that occurred with my Tesla Model 3 on [XXX], in West Palm Beach, Florida. This incident raises significant concerns about the safety and reliability of Tesla vehicles, particularly following software updates. Incident Overview: On [XXX], around 5:00 PM, I placed my French Bulldog in the back seat of my Tesla Model 3 and closed the passenger side rear door. As I walked around to the driver’s side, all the doors locked automatically, and I was unable to open any of them. Despite multiple attempts to unlock the car using both my iPhone and key fob, the vehicle remained locked. My dog was trapped inside the car, and I became increasingly panicked, especially considering the extreme summer heat in Florida. I immediately contacted Tesla customer service, but after a 15-minute conversation, they were unable to unlock the car remotely. I was forced to call 911, and the fire department had to break the passenger side window to retrieve my dog. Even after the window was broken, the doors still wouldn’t unlock, and I had to pull my dog out through the shattered glass. Additional Details: The car was charged to 80% just a couple of days before this incident. After this incident, the car is completely dead. It is non-functional, and I cannot power it on or access any of its systems. The day before this incident, I completed a software update on my Model 3, which I believe may have caused or contributed to the malfunction. There is CCTV evidence of the entire incident, which I can provide upon request. My dog was severely traumatized by this experience and is now fearful of being in the car, even when it is parked in the garage. I was also extremely distressed during the incident, and the situation could have resulted in a much worse outcome. Please advise on the next steps for an investigation, and let me know if you require any further information or evidence. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-08-17
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-06-16
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA1MF
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: While getting a routine tire change, my mechanic alerted me to the fact that nuts were missing from the rear suspension on both sides. On one of them, the bolt had nearly slid out as a result, and could have been very dangerous as it did so. The tires had been rotated at this shop prior to this, and they had not noticed it. So the nuts must have loosened enough to fall out between 21,496 miles on 2/15/2023 and 26,278 miles on 6/16/2023. We never noticed anything out of the ordinary with regards to noise, vibration, or handling.
2024-08-15
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-13
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EB4MF
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: Without any warning from feel unstable, wobbly, or noisy, my car began pulling hard to the right as I was going straight on a small street. I was going about 10 m-15 miles an hour. My steering wheel did not respond to my efforts to straighten the vehicle and my brakes did not slow the car’s path. I was only stopped by two parked cars on the side of the road that I bounced off of. When I got out, bystanders pointed to the sheared tie rod on the front passenger side. The witnesses stated it was clear from their view that if I had been going faster on a wider street there would have been severe injury Instead of only three cars being damaged. My car was three years old and had passed its annual inspection one week before. The police were called twice but did not come within three hours so the car was towed without a police report.
2024-08-11
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA4MF
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: Rear left seatbelt randomly stopped latching properly. Seat belt buckle goes into the latch but doesn't stick inside and just slides right out.
2024-08-10
UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-10
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EB8MF
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Location: 35.084609,-92.414194 While driving through the roundabout north to south on Amity road, the car has twice now applied automatic emergency braking while exiting the roundabout. There is a billboard 200ft from the road with an image of a person on it. The car is confusing that as a person in the road. This has caused my dog to be thrown (thankfully buckled in) and us to almost be rear-ended both times. This is extremely dangerous issue.
2024-08-09
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-08
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA9MF
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I am writing to report a serious safety concern regarding the non-deployment of airbags during a recent traffic accident. The incident involved a collision where I was struck on the driver’s side front. Despite the severity of the impact, the airbags did not deploy, which raises significant concerns about the effectiveness and reliability of the airbag system in such scenarios. Incident Overview •Accident Type: Collision with impact on the driver’s side front •Airbag Response: No airbag deployment Safety Concerns The non-deployment of the airbags during this incident is alarming, as airbags are a critical safety feature designed to protect occupants during a collision. In this case, the failure of the airbags to activate could have resulted in serious injury or even death, depending on the circumstances. The lack of deployment suggests a potential defect in the airbag system that may compromise the safety of other vehicles of the same make or model.
2024-08-09
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-09
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA4MF
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed the contact noticed a knocking sound coming from the suspension with no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed as the front suspension lateral link separated. The contact was informed that the front suspension lateral link needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 51,543.
2024-07-24
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-24
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA0MF
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle experienced phantom braking, causing the contact to lose control of the vehicle. The contact was driving in a rainstorm during the failure and stated that the vehicle had not hydroplaned nor had the accelerator pedal been released. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure occurred another time during a rainstorm. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
2024-07-11
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-11
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA7MF
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Horn does not work. Seems to be a regular occurrence in this model. SAFETY ISSUE!
2024-07-01
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA4MF
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,SEATS
- Summary: Passenger SRS system fault. Initial error is due to a fault with the occupancy sensor. Presumably disabling or degrading seatbelt pre accident tensioning and proper airbag deployment. Also causes repeated & distracting beeps throughout drive.
2024-06-20
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-20
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EC4MF
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Ever since Tesla rolled out an update for everyone to beta test FSD, the adaptive cruise control has been changing speeds when near interstate type exits and entrances. I've had it change from 75 down to 40 mph which is dangerous in traffic. This change in speed some times is just a drop to the next 5mph increment, such as from 73 to 70. Sometimes it is more from 73 to 65 at the same place/exit. It is not consistent. The only thing consistent is it's near exits even when not in an exit lane or nearest lane to the exit. This "Feature" needs to be removed as it is unpredictable which makes it dangerous. Owners manual [XXX] Cruising Near or On Exits INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-06-06
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EC7MF
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The vehicle, a 2021 Tesla Model 3, had an episode of sudden unintended acceleration. I was almost stationary waiting to make a left when the car accelerated by itself, left the road, crossed a grass field at high speed and crashed into bushes. The vehicle was not on auto pilot, it resulted in damage of almost $ 20.000 as estimated by insurance. The vehicle is available for inspection, it will be checked by Tesla service after the damage is fixed. There were no previous warnings, this is the first incident of this kind. It is not clear what component malfunctioned, probably some electric/electronic device in charge of acceleration. It was obviously a very dangerous event that could have jeopardized my safety and/or some others.
2024-05-29
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-26
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EC1MF
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: While driving, no warning, car went dead, no control over lights, windows (can’t use hand signals), power steering, unclear if parking brake worked. Had towed. 12v battery died. No explanation as to why there was no warning.
2024-05-01
SERVICE BRAKES,VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EA7MF
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES,VISIBILITY/WIPER,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: Tesla ADAS detects non existent objects and issues collision alerts and phantom brakes randomly if there is no cars in front of the Tesla, braking abruptly and almost getting me into rear end accidents. Tesla ADAS freaks out when making lane changes randomly, shaking violently and giving the driver and its passengers a fishtailing simulation. Auto wiper triggers randomly while it's sunny, distracting the driver and forcing an interaction on the center console to stop it. Auto wiper cannot be turned off as it reengages upon using Tesla ADAS. The rear view camera lags. It stutters and shows me a delayed view. Compounded by the Model 3's very small rear view mirrors and side mirrors, this is incredibly dangerous as I have no way of gaining sufficient visibility of the back of the car. Tesla service told me this is all normal.
2024-04-29
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-28
- VIN: 5YJ3E1EB7MF
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I have a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The current owners manual shows how to open the rear doors in the event of loss of power using an emergency latch at the bottom of the door pocket. Our car doesn’t have that latch in the rear doors (though the front doors each have one). This concerns us and we feel it is unsafe for the back seat passengers.
Tesla Model 3 2021 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 19 recalls for different components of the Tesla Model 3 2021.
2024-07-24
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2024 Model Y vehicles. The hood latch assembly may fail to detect an unlatched hood condition after the hood has been opened.
- Consequence: An unlatched hood can fully open, obstructing the driver's view and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 24, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-012.
2024-05-28
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2024 Model S, 2015-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles. In the event of an unbelted driver, the seat belt warning light and audible chime may not activate as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence: A seat belt warning system that fails to alert occupants of an unbelted seat belt can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update. Owner notification letters were mailed July 26, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-008.
2024-02-27
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS:EXTERNAL/PEDESTRIAN ALERT
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
- Consequence: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.
2024-01-30
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2024 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, 2019-2024 Model Y, and 2024 Cybertruck vehicles. An incorrect font size is displayed on the instrument panel for the Brake, Park, and Antilock Brake System (ABS) warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 105, "Hydraulic and Electric Brake Systems" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
- Consequence: Warning lights with a smaller font size can make critical safety information on the instrument panel difficult to read, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla began releasing an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-003.
2023-12-12
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling 2012-2023 Model S, 2016-2023 Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with all versions of Autosteer leading up to the version(s) that contains the recall remedy. In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, the prominence and scope of the feature's controls may not be sufficient to prevent driver misuse of the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature.
- Consequence: In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, and the driver does not maintain responsibility for vehicle operation and is unprepared to intervene as necessary or fails to recognize when Autosteer is canceled or not engaged, there may be an increased risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 10, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-008.
2023-02-15
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: STEERING:AUTOMATED/ADAPTIVE STEERING
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving Beta (FSD Beta) software or pending installation. The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution. In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver's adjustment of the vehicle's speed to exceed posted speed limits.
- Consequence: FSD Beta software that allows a vehicle to exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla will release an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-00-001.
2022-10-21
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:ANCHORAGE
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The second-row left seat belt buckle and second-row center seat belt anchor may have been incorrectly reassembled during vehicle service.
- Consequence: An incorrectly reassembled seat belt anchor can impair the performance of the seat belt during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and reassemble the seat belt anchors as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-20-004.
2022-09-19
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, and 2021-2022 Model S and Model X vehicles. The window automatic reversal system may not react correctly after detecting an obstruction. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
- Consequence: A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update of the automatic window reversal system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 31, 2032. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-013.
2022-05-09
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model 3 and 2021 Model Y vehicles. The fisheye and narrow camera cable terminals were incorrectly installed in the cable harness connector, resulting in swapped camera views.
- Consequence: Swapped camera views can prevent the vehicle's cameras from detecting crossing objects and high-curvature lane lines, impairing the Autosteer and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) performance, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla Service will correct the swapped terminals and recalibrate the cameras, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 8, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-17-007.
2022-04-18
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2018-2022 Model 3 Performance vehicles. The unit of speed (mph or km/h) may fail to display on the speedometer while in Track Mode. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 101, "Control and Displays."
- Consequence: The driver may not know how fast the vehicle is traveling without the mph or km/h unit display, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 17, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-008.
2022-04-12
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model Y, Model X, Model S, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
- Consequence: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, including Summon and Smart Summon, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall supersedes recall 22V-063. Vehicles configured with Summon or Smart Summon and already remedied under 22V-063 will need to have the new remedy software installed.
2022-02-04
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Model S, Model X, Model Y, and 2017-2022 Model 3 vehicles. The Boombox function allows sounds to be played through an external speaker while the vehicle is in motion, which may obscure the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."
- Consequence: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are obscured, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that will disable the Boombox functionality when the vehicle is in Drive, Neutral and Reverse modes, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed April 5, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-003. Note: This recall has been superseded by Recall 22V-235. Tesla's number for the new recall is SB-22-00-003.
2022-02-02
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model 3, Model S, Model X, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A software error may cause a valve in the heat pump to open unintentionally and trap the refrigerant inside the evaporator, resulting in decreased defrosting performance. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
- Consequence: Decreased defrosting performance may reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-18-002.
2022-02-01
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The audible chime may not activate when the vehicle starts and the driver has not buckled their seat belt. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence: The driver may be unaware that their seat belt is not fastened, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 1, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-002.
2022-01-27
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING:SOFTWARE
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Model S and Model X, 2017-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. The "rolling stop" functionality available as part of the Full Self-Driving (Beta) software may allow the vehicle to travel through an all-way stop intersection without first coming to a stop.
- Consequence: Failing to stop at a stop sign can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla will perform an over-the-air (OTA) software update that disables the "rolling stop" functionality, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2022. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-22-00-001.
2021-10-29
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
- Consequence: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.
2021-10-25
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: SUSPENSION:CRITICAL FASTENERS
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Model Y and 2019-2021 Model 3 vehicles. The front suspension lateral link fasteners may loosen, allowing the lateral link to separate from the sub-frame.
- Consequence: A lateral link separation could shift the wheel alignment, causing instability and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla Service will tighten or replace the lateral link fasteners as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 20, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-31-003.
2021-10-25
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
- Summary: Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2020-2021, 2023 Model 3 vehicles. The left and/or right side curtain air bag may have been improperly secured to the roof rail, which could result in a twisted air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
- Consequence: A twisted side curtain air bag may improperly deploy, increasing the risk of injury or occupant ejection during a crash.
- Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and realign the left and right side curtain air bag as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-20-006.
2021-05-25
- Manufacturer: Tesla, Inc.
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
- 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.
- Consequence: Contact with the rim may cause a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Negative Tesla Model 3 2021 car reviews
Positive Tesla Model 3 2021 car reviews
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After driving a Model 3, you'll never want another car again. However, don't test drive one unless you're ready and willing to buy, as every other car will feel inferior in comparison.
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This car is amazing! From the day I got it until today, it has performed flawlessly. It's incredibly comfortable too!
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Nothing beats the speed, handling, and technology. However, there is room for improvement in terms of refinement, such as better road noise insulation and automatic wipers. It would also be helpful to have a small screen behind the steering with relevant driver information. Additionally, some Tesla owners have reported issues with smelly or moldy AC, which could be addressed. How can we work together to improve this?
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I'm so glad to hear that you decided to purchase a slightly used Tesla instead of waiting for a new order to arrive! It sounds like you're really enjoying your new car and I think it's great that you're planning to go all electric now.
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Over the last 70 years, I have had the pleasure of owning and driving many vehicles, including sports cars and pickup trucks. However, my wife and I now drive a Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD, and it is by far the most enjoyable vehicle we have ever owned. At 86 years old, we prefer not to visit gas stations, and with our Tesla, we simply plug in every evening and charge the battery at the cheapest rate between 12:00 am and 5:00 am, ready to go the next morning. Purchasing our 2021 Model 3 from Tesla was an incredibly simple and stress-free process, unlike any other vehicle we have ever purchased. The car was delivered in perfect condition six weeks after ordering, with tight panel fits, perfect multicoat red paint, and extremely well-done interior and trunks with no misfits in the upholstery. While road noise is noticeable, it is not severe and is at an acceptable level, and the lack of engine noise makes it more noticeable. Single-pedal driving and using the central touch screen took some getting used to, but we adapted quickly. After 19 months, the 82-kWh Lithium-Ion battery has only degraded by about 2%, and the maximum battery capacity is now approximately 80-kWh for a maximum range of 346 miles. The Tesla 2021 Model 3 AWD is a great car, and periodic software upgrades continue to improve driving pleasure and safety. To date, the Model 3 has been absolutely maintenance-free. We are thrilled with our decision to buy a Tesla Model 3.
Additional sources
More sources of information about Tesla Model 3 2021 problems:
How many people actually have issues with their Tesla? : r ...
https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModel3/comments/17xvm4k/how_many_people_actually_have_issues_with_their/
Nov 18, 2023 ... 2021 Model 3. 26K miles. Headlight stopped working and was fixed by Tesla. One flat tire, road hazard. Issues with automatic wipers and ...
2021 Model 3 Problems | Tesla Motors Club
https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/2021-model-3-problems.220341/
Feb 11, 2021 ... Upon delivery, there were a couple issues. Minor scratch/gouge on front bumper, spoiler wasn't stuck on well, and after getting home, realized ...
Problems with model 3 : r/TeslaModel3
https://www.reddit.com/r/TeslaModel3/comments/13lvp24/problems_with_model_3/
May 19, 2023 ... Bought new 2021 M3LR in 11/21. ~20K miles on it so far...every one of them a pure joy to ride. No issues since Day 1. Haters make me ...
Most Common Problems With Tesla Model 3 and Its Solutions ...
https://pimpmyev.com/blogs/speed-style-carbon-fiber/most-common-problems-with-tesla-model-3-and-its-solutions
Oct 18, 2023 ... Software Glitches · Autopilot Quirks · Charging Difficulties · Door Handle Malfunctions · Connectivity Concerns · Wind Noise and Panel Gaps · Battery ...
2021 Tesla Model 3 Reliability - Consumer Reports
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/tesla/model-3/2021/reliability/
"Main MCU failed. Initially had an OTA update fail, then all subsequent updates failed. Unit began freezing and randomly rebooting, eventually became impossible ...
Other years of Tesla Model 3
Are you having problems with your Tesla Model 3 2021?
Candelario Parisian 2024-08-24
My partner has been dreaming of owning this car for years, while I was not particularly interested. However, with the growing concern for reducing greenhouse gases, I decided to support his desire for this car. As for me, I am planning to trade in my X5 for a plug-in or excellent hybrid, but not another Tesla. During our test drive of the Model Y and Model 3, I found the Model Y to be one of the worst experiences I've had on the freeways of California. The visibility with the rearview and side mirrors was poor, and the ride quality was not up to par. However, the Model 3 was a different story. It drove like a dream and was definitely the fastest car I've ever driven. The seats were soft and comfortable, but the ride quality over rough roads could be improved. The road noise was also unacceptable for a car that's supposed to be silent. Elon, if you want to continue to lead the electric car market, these issues need to be addressed. The tech features were also a bit challenging, especially for those of us who wear sunglasses. However, the good news is that the car has many positive features, and I look forward to seeing how Tesla continues to innovate in the future.The sound system is great! My partner says he 'loves it' but I have to admit, it's not really my cup of tea.
Bailey Beatty 2024-07-05
Hi there! I wanted to share my experience with you regarding the electric car you mentioned. While it definitely looks impressive and has some cool futuristic features, I have found that the mileage gauge is unfortunately quite inaccurate. This has led to some unexpected supercharging stops during long distance trips, which can be frustrating. Overall, I'm not sure if I'm saving money compared to gas, but I hope this information helps you make an informed decision!
Hillard King 2024-03-16
Our team is confident that we can address the issues you have been experiencing with our product. We apologize for any inconvenience caused and assure you that we are committed to providing a high-quality product. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any further concerns or questions.
Laron King 2024-02-11
Just wanted to let you know that if someone hits you from behind or you get side-swiped and lose your side mirror, it might be difficult to find replacement parts due to underestimated demand. Unfortunately, there are very few independent body shops available and it can take months just to get a call back. I had to wait for 3 months just to get an appointment. Now, I can't see properly because the damage can't be fixed, but I hope that very soon this issue will be resolved.