2020 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet
Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out
- 25owner reports
- 5involved a crash
Newest report Aug 5, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
25 of the 451 complaints on this car describe false collision warning.
Tick what matches of 25 reports
False collision warning 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: 2019, 2024, 2025, 2026.
What this problem usually is
This group is about the forward collision warning itself. Owners describe alarms with nothing ahead, a forward camera that fails or reports itself blocked, and other safety features shutting off at the same moment. A lot of them happen at highway speed, and a lot end with a dealer who couldn't reproduce it.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the software (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on collision avoidance covers the 2020 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.
All 21 recalls on the 2020 Tesla Model 3, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“While using the autopilot function car unexpectedly brakes almost to a stop for no apparent reason. This happened in different driving conditions, day, night, other cars around and on empty roadways, both divided and connected two and four lane freeway and side highways. Brakes so hard that objects fly off the seat and cars traveling behind my vehicle have had to break themselves and or change lanes.”
Filed Dec 24, 2022
“Was driving Tela on 237 Clavaras Blvd heading towads 880 South just before Abott ave in Mlipitas town California Tesla Model 3 acelrated suddenly hitting the car in fronts, emegency automatic braking did not kick n. Earlier it had autopilot set not sure if it tured off. We were surirsed, my wife was driving and I was i passenger seat none of the safety measure worked in the Tesla. My car is totaled.”
Filed Dec 22, 2022
“Phantom braking issue. Cruise control set at 68mph. Medium freeway traffic at 7pm. Noticed disabled car ahead on the shoulder. No danger. As we approached the car, my car went into a panic stop as if it thought a collision was ahead. Car braked and skidded. I was able to regain control and accelerate and avoid a rear end collision. No waring or repair issues”
Filed Nov 29, 2022
“Car randomly apply brakes when no obstacle present while Auto Pilot is engaged. Also gives a lot of false collision warnings.”
Filed Oct 13, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 5 of 25 reports involved a crash. 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
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 95 reports
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 91 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 50 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 48 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 46 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 33 reports
- Airbag warning light or recall 30 reports
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) does something unsafe 27 reports