2024 Tesla Model 3 Problems Revealed: What Drivers Are Reporting
Key reported issues for the 2024 Tesla Model 3 include turn signal button failures, intermittent power steering loss, and horn malfunctions in wet conditions.
The 2024 Tesla Model 3 continues Tesla’s innovation in the electric vehicle market, positioning itself as a compelling choice for drivers seeking performance and advanced technology. This article investigates widespread complaints and safety concerns linked to the 2024 Model 3 using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), consumer feedback, industry reports, and Lemberg Law’s internal insights. Drawing on our experience helping drivers with defective vehicles and lemon law claims, our firm reviews these patterns to help consumers understand recurring issues and their rights.
Multiple data sources reveal a range of issues affecting 2024 Tesla Model 3 owners. Based on the frequency and severity of complaints, the top problems include:
Turn Signal Button Failures: The turn signal buttons on the steering wheel frequently become stuck or fail to activate.
Horn Malfunction in Wet Weather: The speaker-based horn becomes muffled or inaudible during rain or snow.
Phantom Braking and Cruise Control Irregularities: Unexpected braking and erratic cruise control behavior have been reported, contributing to near-collision events.
Touchscreen Freezes and Camera Failures: Intermittent freezing of the instrument cluster and rear camera disrupts driver assistance and safety features.
Power Steering Assist Loss: Sudden reductions in steering assist make turning difficult, posing severe safety risks, sometimes requiring towing.
Other less frequent issues include unexpected door openings, suspension vibrations at highway speeds, and problems with the Full Self-Driving (FSD) system.
2024 Tesla Model 3 Issue Summary
Complaint Category
Number of Complaints
Unknown Or Other
54
54
Electrical System
31
31
Steering
31
31
Exterior Lighting
25
25
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
The redesigned turn signal system replaces traditional stalks with capacitive buttons on the steering wheel. Numerous owners report buttons becoming stuck or unresponsive while driving, leading to unsafe lane changes and turn signaling failures.
Reported symptoms and challenges include:
Turn signal buttons become physically stuck, preventing activation despite firm presses.
Incorrect signals activate (e.g., pressing right signal activates left indicator).
Buttons may fail to work intermittently, typically for several seconds or minutes at a time.
Increased difficulty signaling turns or exits on curves and roundabouts due to steering wheel rotation.
Repeated steering wheel replacements by Tesla do not resolve the malfunction.
“Known issue” status by Tesla’s service centers with delayed repair options.
Owner quotes from complaint data highlight the frustration and risk: “The button turn signal will not function about 10% of the time making it very dangerous for me when I do need to signal. People attribute this problem to resting your thumb over the button for an extended period of time and the steering wheel no longer registering the input. I believe that this is a tremendously dangerous design flaw. Tesla should return to the stalk turn signals.”
Top Problem #2: Horn Malfunction in Wet Conditions
The 2024 Tesla Model 3 uses an external speaker for the horn and pedestrian warning system instead of a traditional mechanical horn. This design leads to significant volume reduction or complete horn failure during and following rain, snow, or when the speaker housing fills with water.
Owners report:
Horn becomes muffled or inaudible in wet conditions.
Horn sounds return only after the speaker dries out over time.
This recurring failure poses a serious safety hazard, especially in poor visibility situations.
Tesla service has acknowledged the issue but considers it “normal” without providing a permanent solution.
One complainant noted: “In instances of rain or snow. The horn along with the pedestrian warning system do not function properly and aren’t audible. It appears to me that there is water intrusion into the speaker of which the horn and pedestrian warning system both use and that is what muffles the sound.”
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Top Problem #3: Phantom Braking and Cruise Control Malfunctions
The Model 3’s advanced driver assistance systems, including Traffic Aware Cruise Control and Full Self-Driving (FSD), have been linked to unexpected and severe braking events. Phantom braking, where the car slows without an apparent hazard, can create rear-end collision risks.
The vehicle brakes suddenly despite no clear obstacles ahead.
Speed drops drastically on curves or inclines without driver input.
FSD navigation errors cause unexpected lane changes or failure to yield properly.
Some drivers report difficulty disengaging cruise control promptly, increasing collision risks at highway speeds.
Take a look at how one owner described the issue: “Multiple instances of phantom braking, car will suddenly slam on brakes without any indication of danger or anything to avoid. This has happened at least a dozen times and we are fearful that it will cause an accident.”
So What Can You Do If Your Model 3 Is a Lemon?
A lemon vehicle is one that has persistent defects impairing its use, value, or safety, despite multiple repair attempts within a reasonable timeframe. If you are experiencing ongoing issues like those described above, it is important to document every malfunction thoroughly, including dates, repair attempts, and dealership communications.
Vehicle owners should file complaints with the manufacturer and relevant government agencies, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Legal protections under state lemon laws may entitle you to a refund, replacement, or cash settlement.
If your 2024 Tesla Model 3 continues to have unresolved defects, contact Lemberg Law for a free consultation. Our legal team can help you understand your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve under lemon law.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions. He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
