NHTSA Complaint #11450675 — 2018 TESLA MODEL 3

Tesla -- Front Driver Door Damage January 9, 2022. I recently had an accident with my 2018 Tesla Model 3 attempting to back out of my garage. On January 9, 2022, I put the car in reverse and started to back up the car when I noticed a potential obstruction. Alarmed, I jumped out of the car to move the obstruction behind the car, but in my haste I did not place the car in park. The car continued in reverse without me in the car. I quickly jumped back into the car to apply the brake and place the car in park. I was too late: the open car door hit the center post in the garage destroying the driver’s door. It all took place within one or two or, at the most, three seconds. The damage included a crumbled aluminum body panel, damaged hinges and damaged support beam. Total repair cost is $2900. I am surprised my Tesla Model 3 would continue to move in reverse without anyone in the driver's seat. Is this normal operation for Teslas? Is this a normal operation for other cars? (I have 2019 BMW X3 which immediately shifts from Reverse to Park when the car driver’s door is opened.) I believe this could have been a very dangerous situation. I have been advised that I should not have gotten back into the moving car, but I don’t know how much more damage could have resulted had I not been able to stop the car when I did. -------- 1. Car continued in reverse after I left car. 2. Dangerous jumping back into a moving car as car door is hitting garage support column. 3. The problem has not been reproduced. 4. Several auto repair shops provided estimates for repair. The car is at one of the auto repair shops now for repair. 5. There were no warning lamps, messages or other notifications.