Diagsheet

2021 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

  • 181owner reports
  • 5,436median miles
  • 18involved a crash

Newest report May 26, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

181 of the 1,067 complaints on this car describe brake wear.

Tick what matches of 181 reports

2
3
10
1
56
6

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the ABS module (7 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the brakes covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

21V-387May 25, 2021
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper

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
Risk: Contact with the rim may cause a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
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

The middle half of failures fell between 1,200 and 18,850 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.

1421
11722
3023
1024
725
326

What owners wrote

“This car is exhibiting random “phantom braking” incidents when cruise control or auto pilot is engaged. In EVERY incident the road is clear ahead and in the adjacent lanes, with no other vehicle traffic. The car will appl full emergency braking for no reason, and with no warning”

Filed Feb 4, 2022

“Tesla slams on brakes for no reason. Causes a safety hazard with cars behind me. Was almost hit when my model y applied the breaks for no reason.”

Filed Feb 4, 2022

“Unexpectedly slamming on my brakes in response to imagined hazards, such as oncoming traffic on two-lane roads. This happens often and I have to shut off this feature to avoid a spin out on icy roads. Very hazardous. overly sensitive to trucks in the opposite lane. Car lurched from 50 mph to a near-stop in response to a large truck. Is this phantom braking?”

Filed Feb 3, 2022

“I drive on the highway from Dallas to Austin to Houston every week. Every trip I have about 2-4 phantom braking incidents at full speed. It seems to occur at similar points every time. It is incredibly alarming and I have to slam on the accelerator to not cause an accident. This needs to be repaired.”

Filed Feb 3, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 18 of 181 reports involved a crash and 10 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.

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