2020 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 36owner reports
- 3,000median miles
- 6involved a crash
Newest report Sep 24, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
36 of the 280 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 36 reports
Brake wear 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
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
One recall on the brakes covers the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.
All 24 recalls on the 2020 Tesla Model Y, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“Weâre getting errors for traction control, reduced traction, control, disabled automatic emergency, braking is unavailable, ABS disabled. This is a manufactures defect, and Tesla is requiring us to pay.”
Filed Sep 25, 2023
“On the last road trip, my car emergently braked for no reason when using cruise control and autopilot causing safety issues for cars behind my vehicle. This happened at least 6 times on my 500-mile round trip. I reached out to Tesla service and was told there is no fix at this time. in my opinion this is a dangerous problem that needs addressing in an urgent manner.”
Filed Jun 15, 2023
“Vehicle was on FSD and suddenly excessively braked almost to a stop when driving at 65mph causing occupants and cargo to fly forward and Injured our pet in the rear seat”
Filed Mar 22, 2023
“While traveling on RT 27 South in Florida on a bright sunny day with no traffic around the car and on adaptive cruise control my Tesla Model Y "phantom" braked twice within a mile or two of these incidents. This has happened several times before while on Full Self Driving mode but the first while on cruise control.”
Filed Feb 24, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 6 of 36 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 Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 51 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 47 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 30 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 30 reports