2018 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet

Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)

100owner reports
24,500median miles
9involved a crash

Newest report Aug 20, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

285 of the 1,011 complaints on this car are about collision avoidance. 100 of those describe phantom braking.

Tick what matches of 100 reports

nothing was in front of me

on the highway

near an overpass, shadow or truck

nearly rear-ended

the dealer found no fault

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the software (22 reports) and the radar or camera sensor (17 reports).

Recalls and investigations

2 recalls on collision avoidance cover the 2018 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

24V-153Feb 27, 2024

Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Risk and remedy

Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.

21V-846Oct 29, 2021

Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Camera

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Model S, Model 3, Model X, and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles operating software version 2021.36.5.2. A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.

Risk and remedy

Risk: Unexpected activation of the AEB system may cause the car to stop suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service has released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, free of charge. The recall began October 25, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-00-004.

NHTSA investigations into collision avoidance on the Model 3

DP23-002opened Jun 29, 2023

Speed control · model years 2017 to 2023

Sudden unintended acceleration. Open.

NHTSA summary

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP20-001 on the basis that intermittent high electrical current demands on the vehicles' 12VDC systems may have caused some or all of the incidents examined by ODI in DP20-001. The petitioner bases this information on a review of open-source research and the DP20-001 denial. The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number: 11528471.

PE22-002opened Feb 16, 2022

Collision avoidance · model years 2018 to 2024

Unexpected brake activation. Closed jun 29, 2026.

NHTSA summary

On February 16, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22002) to investigate reports of unexpected deceleration while driving with the adaptive cruise control system engaged in Model Year (MY) 2021 â 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles manufactured by Tesla. The subject systems include Autopilot (all versions), Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC). These complaints have been colloquially referred to as âphantom brakingâ. ODI opened PE22002 to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to assess any resulting safety issues in the subject vehicles. The alleged defect is an unexpected and unrequested vehicle deceleration triggered by the subject system during subject system engagement. The alleged defect does not occur when the subject system is not in use and is separate and distinct from Automated Emergency Braking (AEB). During vehicle operation, AEB is actively monitoring in the subject vehicles regardless of subject system and its intervention is accompanied by audible and visual collision warnings. A Vehicle Owners Questionnaire (VOQ) trend originating in November 2021 prompted ODI to open PE22002. VOQ narratives reported unexpected brake activation while using TACC, Autopilot or FSD. The trend grew from 99 by the end of 2021 to 314 by February 16, 2022, when PE22002 was opened. ODI sent Information Request (IR) Letters to Tesla on May 4, 2022, and July 11, 2024, to request salien

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 20,000 and 41,023 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.

118

420

621

6022

1623

524

325

526

What owners wrote

“My Model 3 regularly brakes at highway speeds for no reason it does this in daylight but more frequently at night also - it appears more common in the rain - where reflections off the wet pavement seems to appear as solid objects to the cruise control i have stopped using the cruise control now - it is frightening to have the car suddenly slam on the brakes at highway speeds”
Filed Mar 9, 2022

“I read in the news that you are investigating phantom braking in cars without radar. I want to make sure you are aware that this is also affecting cars with radar. Each software update makes it worse as they seem to use the radar less and less.”
Filed Feb 18, 2022

“Phantom braking- was driving at 65mph and car hard braked and decreased to 55mph in 1 or 2 seconds”
Filed Feb 17, 2022

“My 2018 Tesla model 3 experiences âPHANTOM BRAKINGâ specifically and repeatedly traveling eastbound on the Loop 202 approaching 32nd street in Phoenix AZ. I have reported this issue to Tesla with no resolution.”
Filed Feb 17, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 9 of 100 reports involved a crash and 4 people were hurt. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.