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 Oct 2, 2026
181 of the 1,079 complaints on this car describe brake wear.
Tick what matches of 181 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
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.
The brake caliper bolts may be loose, allowing the brake caliper to separate and contact the wheel rim.
All 23 recalls on the 2021 Tesla Model Y, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 1,200 and 18,850 miles, from the 18 reports that gave a mileage.
What owners wrote
“This car is exhibiting random âphantom brakingâ 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. 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 363 reports
- Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking) 330 reports
- Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out 104 reports
- Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 103 reports
- Suspension noise, struts or alignment 75 reports
- Battery dies or the car will not start 52 reports
- Seat belt or seat problems 43 reports
- Full Self-Driving (FSD) does something unsafe 35 reports
- Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 30 reports
- Windshield cracks or distorts 26 reports