2020 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet
Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves
- 51owner reports
- 3,500median miles
- $2,666median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Feb 25, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
136 of the 280 complaints on this car are about collision avoidance. 51 of those describe driver assist, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2020 Model Y.
Tick what matches of 51 reports
Driver assist on other Model Y 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: 2025.
What this problem usually is
These reports come from drivers whose assistance systems did something they didn't ask for. Adaptive cruise switches itself off, or brakes for a car that isn't there. Lane keeping tugs the wheel toward the line, or a "sensor blocked" message appears on a clear day. Because both systems can brake or steer, owners tend to file them as safety complaints, and NHTSA files them under speed control, lane departure or forward collision.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the software (15 reports) and the camera (9 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on collision avoidance cover the 2020 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.
A communication error may cause false forward-collision warning (FCW) or unexpected activation of the automatic emergency brake (AEB) system.
All 24 recalls on the 2020 Tesla Model Y, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into collision avoidance on the Model Y
Sudden unintended acceleration. Open.
Unexpected brake activation. Closed jun 29, 2026.
What owners paid
5 of the 51 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,400 to $3,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 3,000 and 20,000 miles, from the 9 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“Have had several issues with phantom braking. When in cruise control or auto drive there are times nothing is in the roadway but the vehicle will brake in middle of hwy. very dangerous”
Filed Feb 15, 2023
“While driving on highway using cruise control, the vehicle (without the driver's assistance) applied brakes to quickly slow the rate of speed. This occurred three times in the span of ten minutes. The weather was sunny and no other vehicles or objects were in the vicinity of my vehicle. After the third occurrence, I stopped using cruise control for the remainder of the trip.”
Filed Dec 3, 2022
“While on cruise control at @72mph the car has been âphantomâ braking. The last time there were flurries, but the first several times there was nothing impeding the car nor were any vehicles within camera range. This is a very unsettling feeling. No, no and no. There have been reports to your site with this regard. tyvm”
Filed Oct 25, 2022
“With car in cruise control on freeway, sudden and hard application of brakes by vehicle, no human input.”
Filed Jun 30, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 51 reports involved a crash. 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
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 47 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 36 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 30 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 30 reports