NHTSA complaint #11422754

Owner complaint summary

On June 6th, 2021, we were driving home in our 2019 Tesla Model 3. We were at the intersection of 7th Street and 36th Avenue in Moline, Illinois. We were stopped on 36th Avenue heading east trying to turn north onto 7th street. We were stopped behind another vehicle when our Tesla started creeping slowly forward toward the vehicle in front of us. My wife, who was driving, stepped on the brake. But instead of stopping, the Tesla suddenly accelerated, careening off the car in front of us and then heading into the intersection at full speed. My wife was able to avoid hitting two vehicles on 7th Street in the intersection, but then hit a steel stoplight pole across the intersection. The right front passenger tire was torn off the Tesla and the airbags deployed. No one was hurt. But we damaged two other vehicles and totaled our Tesla. My wife insists that she did not hit the accelerator pedal. I believe I remember when she attempted to stop the car, she might have accidentally bumped the control behind the steering wheel that activates the adaptive cruise control. I do not know. But the adaptive cruise control should not activate under 35 MPH. The Moline Police department investigated the accident and issued report number 2021005635. You can download this report on https://buycrash.com. I have seen other reports on sudden unintended acceleration from Tesla's and wanted to report this incident.