2020 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet
Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)
- 95owner reports
- 12,000median miles
- 7involved a crash
Newest report Jun 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
200 of the 451 complaints on this car are about collision avoidance. 95 of those describe phantom braking, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Model 3.
Tick what matches of 95 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 radar or camera sensor (16 reports) and the software (14 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 recalls on collision avoidance cover 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.
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 21 recalls on the 2020 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
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“Vehicle was at a stop with brake engaged and then it proceeded to go full speed into a vehicle two meters away without acceleration pedal engaged. Emergency brake did not activate during or slightly before the collision. The brakes had to be engaged manually, but vehicle was already past a certain velocity on its own accord to be able to stop properly without damaging property or harming pedestrians.”
Filed Mar 22, 2022
“Phantom breaking on my car, just like everyone else. In autopilot on the highway my car will break pretty hard when there is nothing in front of it. Seems to occur when approaching bridges and large signs. If I drive on the highway every day, it will happen to some degree at least once a drive. At least once this nearly caused an accident (I was almost rear ended because my car braked for no reason)”
Filed Feb 19, 2022
“My car has experienced phantom braking for no apparent reason when on cruise control or auto pilot. Tesla claims to have to looked at the cars programming remotely and found no problem. I took the car to a Tesla dealer for a seat belt recall and asked them to also repair the phantom breaking. Again they said that they found nothing wrong with the car.”
Filed Feb 17, 2022
“Phantom braking can occur when vehicles are passing at night and during the day for no reason. There is no adequate control to enable the windshield wipers. Many menus to access the wiper controls. Not safe”
Filed Feb 17, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 7 of 95 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
- 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
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 25 reports