Tesla Model Y Complaints (2021)

1,061 consumer complaints on file.

#11452647February 17, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I’ve been driving my Tesla mostly under autopilot about 90% of the time over the past 4 months. During that time, I’ve experienced about 30 or more phantom braking issues where the automatic braking system will engage when there is no object in front of the car. It’s all happened when autopilot was engaged. It happens during the day, generally on a single lane road, and also at night when on coming traffic lights are blinding. Each time it causes the car to rapidly slow down and causes the car behind me to slam on their brakes, potentially causing an accident. This needs to be fixed since it’s safety risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452645February 17, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Several times over the past 6 months the car suddenly slowed down without any reason while driving on autopilot with nothing ahead of it on highway (there was no change of speed limit so that can’t be an explanation). Also known as “phantom breaking”
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452642February 17, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
We are familiar with managing the controls which, in my experience, operate similarly to other vehicles with similar safety and driver-assist features. Unfortunately, in regards to the effectiveness and ease of operation of the TACC, our Tesla is by far the worst of the 5 vehicles with which I'm familiar. The experience of managing TACC with oncoming traffic is frustrating, distracting and sometimes unsafe. Autosteer, because it builds on TACC's systems, is similarly deficient although the features it provides would be extremely welcome when TACC is improved. Nearly every oncoming large truck (including many pickup trucks) caused TACC to brake the car TACC assisted braking was inconsistent. Sometimes an immediate, slight reduction in speed (5-10mph) and other times it was an immediate major reduction in speed, on the order of half-speed within 3 - 5 seconds. It was common to have the car brake from 65 - 35 for no other reason than a large, oncoming truck. After 3 or 4 occurrences of heavy braking, I would turn off TACC and manually maintain speed with the accelerator. This in itself is fatiguing and I would eventually resort to a system in which I would disengage TACC when approached by a truck, usually 200 - 300 yds away and then reengage when traffic was clear Heavy braking was severe enough that, if a there had been a closely following/unaware car, it would have rear-ended our vehicle TACC (and Autosteer) seem "happiest" when following other vehicles and, even on 2 lane highways, phantom braking was much less frequent A standard cruise control (no Traffic Assist except for Following Distance) is not available but would be welcome Summary: On the Interstate Highway system TAAC works reasonably well but could use improvement. On 2 lane highways TACC is more work and less safe than operating the vehicle manually and, as a system designed to reduce driver workload and improve safety, it fails.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452639February 17, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES
I’ve had this vehicle since June 2021 and experienced times when it would automatically brake abruptly, as if I were about to hit the vehicle in front of me. The first couple of times, I thought it was something I had to calibrate within the digital dashboard, but realized that it wasn’t something that could be adjusted — it was just the vehicle’s way of using it’s sensors to prevent me from colliding with the vehicle in front of me. The problem is that I wasn’t ever in danger of hitting anything in front of me. There were even times when I was gradually braking, but the vehicle automatically took over and broke for me. The painful part of it is that when this happened, it was so sharp and abruptly braking that I could feel my head jerk forward. It wasn’t until recently that I learned that this is actually a very big problem experienced by many other Tesla Model Y owners — called “Phantom Braking”. I’ve also had many other issues with the vehicle’s operating system, and have had to bring the vehicle in for Tesla service 5-6 times within a period of 7 months of taking lease of the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452627February 17, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Anytime we are using the adaptive cruise in our Model Y, we have experienced "phantom braking" issues where the car suddenly brakes for no apparent reason, decreasing cruising speed from 60-70 mph by as much as 20 mph all at once. This mostly occurs on two lane highways and with oncoming vehicles that are larger (truck, etc.). Also sometimes occurs cresting a hill. It happens so often that we do not use the crusie control feature unless we are on an interstate with dividers between oncoming traffic and ourselves. Any rural two-lane highway causes multiple incidences of "phantom braking" every time we use it. Literally happened dozens of times at this point.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452616February 17, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
While driving in autopilot the car will randomly slam on the breaks multiple times at all speeds from 30-60mph even when the road is empty. This can increase if a large bus/truck is on the other side of the road in the opposite direction.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452605February 17, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
On almost all my long highway trips (about 4 hours long), if I have traffic aware cruise control (TACC) enabled on my Tesla Model Y, I experience one or more episodes of phantom braking. The first time it occurred I had owned the car for only a few weeks and was not yet accustomed to its fast acceleration. I was driving at about 70mph on a clear day with no one in front of me when the car suddenly braked. My first impulse was to hit the brake to disengage TACC, but I realized that would slow down the car more, increasing the chance I might be rear-ended. So I hit the accelerator and rocketed back up to 80mph before settling back to normal speeds. I was fortunate to be on a straightaway with no one ahead of me. Since then I have experienced phantom braking with TACC enabled under similar circumstances, i.e., with no cars or trucks in front of me and in clear weather in daytime. With more experience, I have noticed that the problem happens more often when I am passing a truck on the highway, especially when doing so around a curve. In past years I have driven numerous rental cars with adaptive cruise control and have never experienced anything like the phantom braking of the Model Y. This is not normal behavior and I hope you can get Tesla to fix it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452602February 17, 2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ADAS:AUTONOMOUS/SELF DRIVING
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH in autopilot mode, a truck in the middle passing lane going in the opposite direction, approached the vehicle, and the vehicle stopped abruptly. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred while driving. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452581February 17, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Phantom breaking while driving with cruise control.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452573February 17, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
On 2021 August 18 Wednesday at approximately 2:40 pm (Eastern time USA) and again at 2:59 pm, my Model Y braked severely while driving at high speed. Weather: Moderate to heavy rain due to passage of the remnants of Hurricane Fred. Location - incident 1 (about 2:40 pm): Pennsylvania Turnpike eastbound, just west of the Somerset exit. Location - incident 2 (2:59 pm): PA 219 South (limited-access expressway) near Meyersdale, PA. Situation/speed - incident 1: (2:40 pm): Driving in the passing lane traveling at approximately 70 mph. Cruise control was engaged. Situation/speed - incident 2: (2:59 pm): Driving in the passing lane traveling at approximately 70 mph. Cruise control was engaged. Description of incident (2:40 pm): The incident happened on a downhill curve while passing another vehicle when the Model Y braked suddenly and sharply. The speed dropped from approximately 70 mph to approximately 40 mph. The area was a construction zone but not an active construction zone at the time. There were construction barrels and flags on the shoulder of the left lane. There were concrete Jersey barriers/K-rails in the median strip between the eastbound and westbound lanes. The lane markings were visible but may have become obscured by rain/mist and a vehicle in the right lane. There was no vehicle behind the Model Y. Description of incident 2 (2:59 pm): While passing another vehicle the Model Y braked suddenly and sharply. The speed dropped from approximately 70 mph to approximately 55 mph. The area was a staging area for a construction zone but not an active construction zone at the time. There were construction barrels and flags on the shoulder of the left lane but no other barriers or fences. The lane markings were visible but may have become obscured by rain/mist and a vehicle in the right lane. There was no vehicle behind the Model Y.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452560February 17, 2022
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
The vehicle sometimes brakes dangerously hard at highway speeds, nearly causing the vehicle behind me to nearly rear-end me.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452559February 17, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
This car is subject to frequent "phantom braking" . Using adaptive cruise control or full self driving, the car will occasionally brake hard for no logical reason. This happens every time I drive the car on two lane roads, i.e., with vehicles approaching from the opposite direction in the opposite lane. It happened from the time I took delivery until the present. It happened today (2-17-22). In 90% of cases, the phantom braking is triggered by a large vehicle - semi truck or bus, approaching from the opposite direction. In 10% of cases, the cause is either not clear, or caused by a smaller vehicle. The phantom braking occurs in all lighting conditions - right sunlight, overcase, night. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Tesla.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452540February 17, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
I too have had an issue were without warning or provocation when on cruise control, whenever a semi-truck approached in the oncoming lane, or on four-lane divided highways, my car decelerated from 75 miles per hour to 40 miles per hour in a matter of seconds. I have also had the car phantom break when going under a overpass on a highway and while crossing 2 lane bridges. Luckily no accidents so far but definitely terrifying.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452527February 17, 2022
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
While driving at highway speeds I have recently had repeated unexpected breaking events occur while using adaptive cruise control. It happens without warning and for no apparent reason. The breaking is significant and could easily result in a rear end collision.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452521February 17, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
Our Tesla started last month braking suddenly and hard when cruise control was enabled. This is happening at night when cars are passing us going in the opposite direction. At no point did the braking occur due to cars actually being in our lane or potential accident. These braking errors happen when normal driving conditions under or at the speed limit with clear visibility.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452519February 17, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
I have had issues since i purchased this vehicle in march of 2021 where driving down the highway with Adaptive Cruise Control enabled and it will suddenly slam on the brakes at highway speeds with no other vehicles around. This sudden braking is so severe at times that everyone in the car is thrown forward and bracing for a false impact. This has caused several close calls for vehicles following me. Also the severity of the braking in winter weather causes the vehicle to lose traction and potentially place all the occupants and others on the road at risk. During my time in the FSD Beta program i was able to report all of these events, sometimes dozens of times a day. Eventually I asked to be removed from the program as it seemed worse in the program than when on a standard build version of the software.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452507February 17, 2022
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving at highway speeds with the cruise control activated, the vehicle had erroneously applied the brakes causing the vehicle to reduce the speed. The failure had occurred on multiple occasions. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 10,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452494February 17, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
My Tesla Y suddenly decelerates while in cruise control at the same location on a highway. It occurs when I am passing an exit ramp, but not exiting. The car reads the exit ramp speed of 45 and suddenly decelerates from. 65 to 45. It never reads exit ramp speed when I am not using cruise control and am exiting.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452479February 17, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Phantom braking at all speeds both on city streets and on highways. On the highway 138 between Palmdale and Victorville California I was unable to use cruise control because the car would continually brake. I was the only car on the road at the time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11452471February 17, 2022
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
When the traffic aware of cruise control or auto pilot is engaged, particularly on two-lane roads with opposing traffic, phantom breaking occurs with about 90% of the approaching semi tractor trailers, and perhaps 25% of the approaching automobiles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Tesla Model Y