2018 Tesla Model S · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 25owner reports
- 7involved a crash
Newest report May 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
25 of the 169 complaints on this car describe brake wear, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2018 Model S.
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 2018 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“I was entering my drive way waiting for the garage to open suddenly my car just accelerated and hit the wall.”
Filed Feb 12, 2026
“I was using the Enhanced Cruise Control and the car just slammed on brakes out of nowhere. There was not any cars ahead or beside me at the time. This has happened about 5-6 times since I purchased the vehicle on March 10, 2023”
Filed Jul 25, 2023
“On March 17, 2023 at approximately 4:00 pm MT, I was traveling at approximately 75 MPH with adaptive cruise control and auto pilot engaged when the car suddenly applied brakes with no obstruction ahead or behind or on the side. The car quickly slowed down to approximately 55 MPH, released the brakes and began to accelerate back to the speed limit of 75 MPH.”
Filed Mar 19, 2023
“I was travelling on the highway at high speeds when the traffic suddenly comes to a halt. My tires were screeching without any signs of ABS kicking in whatsoever. My car slid 20-30 feet since i braked.”
Filed Dec 16, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 7 of 25 reports involved a crash and 6 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