2021 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet
Forward collision warning goes off or the camera drops out
- 104owner reports
- 13involved a crash
Newest report Sep 14, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
104 of the 1,079 complaints on this car describe false collision warning.
Tick what matches of 104 reports
False collision warning 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: 2020, 2025.
What this problem usually is
This group is about the forward collision warning itself. Owners describe alarms with nothing ahead, a forward camera that fails or reports itself blocked, and other safety features shutting off at the same moment. A lot of them happen at highway speed, and a lot end with a dealer who couldn't reproduce it.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the software (25 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.
A factory reset muted the Pedestrian Warning System (PWS) sounds.
All 23 recalls on the 2021 Tesla Model Y, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
When it happens
Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.
What owners wrote
“The front collision warning is too sensitive and reacts unnecessarily to many events that are not a risk for collision. In addition, the sound of the warning is too loud causing the driver to become unnecessarily startled and may cause possible loss of control of the vehicle.”
Filed Apr 8, 2025
“Vehicle not acting safely, speeding up to pass stopped school bus with stop sign out and yellow lights flashing. This is a generic VIN as it applies to the current software on all FSD cars.”
Filed Apr 30, 2024
“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 itâs normal. My 2019 didnât hav3 this issue. One time Iâd 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
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 13 of 104 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. 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
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 181 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