2023 Tesla Model 3 · symptom sheet

Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)

91owner reports
5,000median miles
13involved a crash

Newest report Aug 27, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

213 of the 417 complaints on this car are about collision avoidance. 91 of those describe phantom braking, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2023 Model 3.

Tick what matches of 91 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 radar or camera sensor (10 reports) and the software (10 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on collision avoidance covers the 2023 model year as of Sep 9, 2026.

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 2,000 and 11,000 miles, from the 12 reports that gave a mileage.

622

5523

1624

925

526

What owners wrote

“Since purchasing this vehicle in May 2023 I have had four (4) instances of the vehicle automatically braking (phantom braking) while traveling at a higher speed on the interstate using cruise control (Autopilot). This has occurred during both daylight and nighttime driving. At the time it occurred, only once was there a vehicle in front of me, but far enough away that the auto braking should not have activated.”
Filed Jul 24, 2023

“When driving in highway using autopilot, the car suddenly slammed on the brakes. This made no sense at all as there were no cars in front of it.”
Filed Jul 13, 2023

“Phantom braking occurred 3 times over the span of several minutes while driving at highway speeds. The first two incidents occurred while utilizing Autosteer. The third time occurred while only using cruise control.”
Filed Jul 9, 2023

“Multiple times the car while on cruise control has slammed on brakes due to seemingly nothing. It's without warning our alert and it is extremely violent. It happens at least once every week.”
Filed Jul 3, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 13 of 91 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.