2020 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet
Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)
- 47owner reports
- 3,500median miles
- 3involved a crash
Newest report Jan 22, 2025 · checked Oct 2, 2026
138 of the 280 complaints on this car are about collision avoidance. 47 of those describe phantom braking. Only driver assist is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 47 reports
Phantom braking 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
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 software (13 reports) and the radar or camera sensor (7 reports).
Recalls and investigations
3 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.
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
NHTSA investigations into collision avoidance on the Model Y
Sudden unintended acceleration. Open.
Unexpected brake activation. Closed jun 29, 2026.
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“I was driving with cruise control on and the car violently hit the brakes when there was no one in front of us. We have noticed this is more common when cresting a hill. This happens at least once every time we are on a road trip. This needs to be addressed. We know we are not the only person having these issues with the Tesla and the âphantom brakingâ”
Filed Oct 3, 2023
“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
“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
“The car keeps phantom braking at highway speeds when there are changes in the color of the road surface or sometimes when overtaking a slower car or truck in the right lane.”
Filed Jun 3, 2022
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 3 of 47 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
- Adaptive cruise or lane keeping misbehaves 51 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 36 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 30 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 30 reports