2019 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet
Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)
- 77owner reports
- 21,100median miles
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Apr 3, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
231 of the 615 complaints on this car are about collision avoidance. 77 of those describe phantom braking.
Tick what matches of 77 reports
Phantom braking on other Model 3 years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
Phantom braking is a car that brakes hard on its own, often at highway speed, with nothing in the road ahead. About one owner in five mentions a near miss with the car behind.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the software (5 reports) and the radar or camera sensor (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on collision avoidance cover the 2019 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.
All 22 recalls on the 2019 Tesla Model 3, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into collision avoidance on the Model 3
Sudden unintended acceleration. Open.
Unexpected brake activation. Closed jun 29, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 8,500 and 41,000 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Phantom braking. During Basic autopilot (steering, braking in one lane) at times system applies brakes for no reason, which could cause rear-end collision with the following car. Usually happens at freeway speeds, with NO cars around the vehicle and the road is unevenly sightly with small grades or going past the crest of a large grade roadway happens when the vehicle peaks grade and descends down.”
Filed Jun 6, 2022
“Car will break "phantom breaking" slowing down +20mph very quickly with nothing on the highway in front or behind. It typically happens before bridges, major shadows on highway. There are 2 places in Little Rock Arkansas on the highway that it does it every single day in the same spot with nothing around! Has nearly caused people to crash into me from behind. I stopped driving with the autopilot.”
Filed Jun 5, 2022
“While driving along the interstate on my commute at freeway speeds 60-70 miles per hour, the emergency braking system will suddenly engage, and the car will issue a collision warning. During these incidents there is no car at risk for striking my vehicle or slowing down in front of my car. My commute usually occurs in the evening and early in the morning. This typically happens at least once during my work week.”
Filed Mar 3, 2022
“going down the highway (I75) and at a certain exit north of Sarasota FL the car just randomly and unexpectedly brakes (phantom braking) No cars around, just straight highway Has happened several times in this spot and also other spots”
Filed Feb 23, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 77 reports involved a crash and 2 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. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Airbag warning light or recall 85 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 82 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 77 reports
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) does something unsafe 73 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 64 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 63 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 60 reports