Diagsheet

2021 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet

Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out

  • 103owner reports
  • 13involved a crash

Newest report Aug 17, 2026 · checked Sep 19, 2026

103 of the 1,068 complaints on this car describe false collision warning.

Tick what matches of 103 reports

20
75
45
2

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the software (24 reports), the forward camera (8 reports) and the radar sensor (7 reports).

Recalls and investigations

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

24V-153Feb 27, 2024
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings:External/Pedestrian Alert

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2013, 2018-2021 Model S, 2020-2021 Model X, 2018-2022 Model 3, and 2020-2022 Model Y vehicles. A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 141, "Minimum Sound Requirements for Hybrid and Electric Vehicles."

Risk and remedy
Risk: Pedestrians may be unaware of an approaching vehicle if the PWS sounds are muted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla released an over-the-air (OTA) software update, release 2023.44.30.14, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2024. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-24-00-006.

When it happens

Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.

120
1521
7122
423
524
425
326

What owners wrote

“This car is continually slamming on the brakes when in cruise or autopilot I have reported this to Tesla and tried to have them repair it but they say it’s normal. My 2019 didn’t hav3 this issue. One time I’d did this my wife started to chock on her gum when it slammed the brakes on so hard it dropped about 40mph in a few seconds.”

Filed Feb 2, 2022

“I have written to you before on my Tesla automatic emergency braking (phantom braking) problem. I am updating you on the issue. Please see the enclosed file.”

Filed Jan 28, 2022

“When using cruise control or autopilot the vehicle will suddenly slam on the brake which almost caused an accident on multiple occasions. The lack of lasers has caused the cruise control and autopilot to become very dangerous to myself and others in road as the phantom braking it does for no reason is very powerful.”

Filed Jan 21, 2022

“Every time I drive on a two lane undivided highway with traffic aware cruise control or AutoPilot engaged, the car will slam on its brakes when a large vehicle is passing in the oncoming lane, even if the passing vehicle is safely passing. Phantom braking with vision only.”

Filed Dec 6, 2021

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 13 of 103 reports involved a crash and 1 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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