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2023 Model 3 RWD - Sudden Power Loss While Driving, Then Restarts

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Laura J. · rep 0 · May 22, 5:21 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2023 Tesla Model 3 RWD

Hi everyone,

I'm experiencing a very frightening issue with my 2023 Tesla Model 3 RWD. While driving, usually at highway speeds, the car will suddenly lose all power. The screen might go black, or show a warning, and the car just coasts. It's like the entire electrical system momentarily shuts down.

After a few seconds, sometimes up to a minute, it will often 'restart' itself, and I can regain power and continue driving. This has happened three times now, and it's incredibly dangerous, especially on the highway. There isn't always a clear pattern or specific warning light before it happens, though sometimes a 'Service Required' message flashes.

Has anyone with a newer Model 3 experienced a sudden, complete power loss like this? What could possibly cause such a critical failure? I'm worried about driving it.

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 5:21 AM

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ClearTheCode admin answer:

Experiencing sudden and complete power loss while driving your 2023 Tesla Model 3 is an extremely serious and dangerous issue that requires immediate attention. This indicates a critical failure within the high-voltage electrical system or the main power delivery components of the drivetrain. The fact that it restarts suggests an intermittent connection or a component that is failing under specific conditions.

Potential causes for such a critical power loss include:

  1. High-Voltage Contactors: These are relays that connect and disconnect the high-voltage battery from the rest of the vehicle's electrical system. A faulty contactor can intermittently open, cutting off power to the drive unit and other systems. This is a common point of failure for sudden power loss.
  2. Main Battery Fuse: While designed for catastrophic events, an intermittently failing or improperly seated main high-voltage fuse could cause a temporary power interruption. This is less common but possible.
  3. Inverter/Motor Controller Failure: The inverter is responsible for converting the battery's DC power to AC power for the electric motor. A sudden failure or intermittent fault in the inverter or its control unit can cause an immediate loss of propulsion. The system might then reset and temporarily regain function.
  4. Battery Management System (BMS) Fault: A critical fault within the BMS could cause it to shut down the high-voltage system to protect the battery, leading to power loss. If the fault clears, it might allow the system to restart.
  5. Loose High-Voltage Connections: Any loose or corroded connections within the high-voltage cabling could cause intermittent power interruptions, especially under vibration or load.

When to See a Shop: Do not continue to drive your vehicle if it is experiencing sudden power loss. This is a significant safety hazard. You should contact Tesla service immediately and arrange for your vehicle to be towed to a service center. Explain the exact symptoms: sudden, complete power loss, screen blackouts, and subsequent restarts. They will need to perform extensive diagnostics on the high-voltage system, including checking contactors, fuses, the inverter, and the battery pack itself. This issue will likely generate critical diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) that Tesla's proprietary tools can read, even if they don't appear on your dash.

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