2021 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet
Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out
- 76owner reports
- 7,500median miles
- 2involved a crash
Newest report Sep 10, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
76 of the 664 complaints on this car describe false collision warning.
Tick what matches of 76 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 (16 reports), the forward camera (10 reports) and the radar sensor (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on collision avoidance covers the 2021 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 22 recalls on the 2021 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
“Interior camera circuit failed in the main computer as diagnosed by Tesla, it disables most safety features of the car, no collision warning or avoidance, no automatic emergency breaking, no lane departure warning or correction, no reverse cam, no cruise control or self driving, and probably more. Only Tesla can replace it because it's vin matched to the car, for $2400. This part should be more durable”
Filed Sep 10, 2026
“I drove into my neighborâs driveway to drop her off. As I slowed down and applied the brakes to stop, the car failed to respond. It continued forward, running over the flower and plant pots at the edge of the driveway, crossing the backyard, and finally colliding with the trees and bushes at the rear of the property. All airbags deployed, and the vehicle was damaged beyond repair.”
Filed Oct 24, 2025
“My full self driving computer has crashed for the 3rd time since owning the vehicle which controls all of the cars safety features.. Tesla says they wonât do anything because the car is past the warranty by 9,000 miles.. so Iâm basically stuck with a 1980âs Tesla.”
Filed Apr 18, 2023 · 9,000 miles
“Traffic Aware Cruise Control in the 2021 Model 3 is down right dangerous. Constant random braking for no reason at all. Happens multiple times if I use TACC on 2 lane roads. Happens nearly every time I use TACC on a 4 lane road. If I have traffic behind me I cannot use TACC at all for fear I would be rear ended.”
Filed Nov 16, 2021
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 2 of 76 reports involved a crash and 1 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 262 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 239 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 125 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 59 reports