2017 Tesla Model S · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 25owner reports
- 37,798median miles
- 8involved a crash
Newest report Jul 29, 2024 · checked Oct 2, 2026
25 of the 424 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 25 reports
Brake wear on other Model S 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: 2014, 2015, 2021, 2022, 2023.
What this problem usually is
Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.
What got replaced
Few of these reports name the part that was replaced.
Recalls and investigations
No recall on the brakes covers the 2017 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 3,700 and 54,504 miles, from the 8 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“On several occasions, I have been doing highway driving, and my 2017 Tesla Model S suddenly brakes without warning. It happens primarily on cruise control and around curves on the highway. On a trip to Atlanta earlier this year, it happened twice. I bought the car used in 2021, and it drives very well, but the unexpected braking at high speeds is scary.”
Filed Jun 8, 2022
“Driving with autopliot engaged. I was in the left lane of a two lane highway when another car entered the highway to my right and car suddenly slammed on the brakes. i disengaged the autopilot. It happen several more time, so it is now a function I no longer use unless the highway is empty. I believe is was a $1000 option.”
Filed Feb 24, 2022
“Multiple times during our drive experienced random braking and alert sounds going off. Had wife and dog in the car which were also jolted forward due to the sudden braking in the middle of the freeway. Clear weather (post-rain) in night conditions.”
Filed Feb 5, 2022
“When in Full Self Driving mode, on the highway going on an overpass.... the vehicle suddenly applies the brakes. Imagine going from 70 mph to 40 for no reason. I discussed with Tesla, they said the vehicle is reading the speed limit from the road below the overpass. Very unsafe.”
Filed Feb 4, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 8 of 25 reports involved a crash and 3 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found
Other problems on this car
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 109 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 107 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 34 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 25 reports