2020 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early
- 35owner reports
- 3,000median miles
- 6involved a crash
Newest report Apr 21, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026
35 of the 275 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 35 reports
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.
Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Model 3 and 2020-2021 Model Y vehicles. The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and tighten, or replace the caliper bolts as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 23, 2021. Owners may contact Tesla customer service online by visiting www.tesla.com/support/contact or by calling 1-877-79-TESLA (or 1-877-798-3752). Tesla's number for this recall is SB-21-33-002.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“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
“We were driving on a highway and suddenly we got a red steering weel image with a sharp noise and a warning message something about automatic emergency braking disable and we can't use a cruise control feature. I don't feel safe to drive. Tesla can't tell me when it will be fixed.”
Filed Nov 2, 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
“Driving 1400 miles Santa Fe-Austin TX-Santa Fe, experienced phantom braking over 15 times. Generally happened while cruising on autopilot at 70-80 mph. Phantom braking occurred with no warning and for no apparent reason. The car suddenly jerked and lost 5-10 mph, and the autopilot went off.”
Filed Sep 24, 2022 · 1,400 miles
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 6 of 35 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.
Other problems on this car
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 51 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 47 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 30 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 29 reports