2017 Tesla Model S · symptom sheet
Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)
- 34owner reports
- 37,798median miles
- 7involved a crash
Newest report Dec 4, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
102 of the 424 complaints on this car are about collision avoidance. 34 of those describe phantom braking.
Tick what matches of 34 reports
Phantom braking on other Model S years
No other Model S model year has enough reports of phantom braking for a sheet of its own. See every Model S year.
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 (7 reports) and the software (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on collision avoidance covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
All 9 recalls on the 2017 Tesla Model S, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into collision avoidance on the Model S
Sudden unintended acceleration. Open.
Unexpected brake activation. Closed jun 29, 2026.
Automatic vehicle control systems. Closed jan 19, 2017.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 5,602 and 60,000 miles, from the 11 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“During a road trip (May 2023) with cruise control activated, I had at least 5 phantom braking events. The most serious was in Las Vegas on the freeway with a very severe braking event. I now no longer use cruise control in crowded traffic so that I won't get rear ended when a phantom braking event happens.”
Filed Jul 16, 2023
“When using the automated cruise control or full self driving, it will unexpectedly phantom brake. Seems to happen more when there is full sun. I have the latest updates. Did much better when cloudy, but it would still phantom break a few times during a 12 hour trip. But when in full sun, it did brake 10+ times.”
Filed May 26, 2023
“numerous incidents of phantom braking on open unobstructed highway, causing potential rear end collision. Reported to Tesla on several occasions. Currently on my 3rd MCU(media control unit). Service scheduled with Tesla but I am not optimistic since it has been a persistent issue since owning the car in 2017”
Filed Sep 26, 2022
“I have experienced an increase in the number of phantom braking incidents when my autopilot is engaged. It's been on hilly roads but the car would just decelerate extremely fast when nothing was there. I also had two incidences on the highway where the screens froze and I couldn't control the instrument panels or see my speed etc.”
Filed Jun 6, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 7 of 34 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
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 109 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 107 reports
- A/C blows warm or the compressor fails 25 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 25 reports