Diagsheet

2023 Tesla Model Y · symptom sheet

Brakes on its own (automatic emergency braking)

  • 228owner reports
  • 4,000median miles
  • 21involved a crash

Newest report Aug 10, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

555 of the 1,145 complaints on this car are about collision avoidance. 228 of those describe phantom braking. Only driver assist is reported more often on this car.

Tick what matches of 228 reports

65
122
50
66
13

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the software (29 reports), the radar or camera sensor (24 reports) and the windshield (6 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on collision avoidance covers the 2023 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

23V-489Jul 14, 2023
Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Camera

Tesla, Inc. (Tesla) is recalling certain 2023 Model S, Model X, and Model Y vehicles. The forward-facing camera may be misaligned, causing some of the active safety features such as emergency braking, forward collision warning, and lane assist to become unavailable without alerting the driver.

Risk and remedy
Risk: Safety features that are unavailable without any warning to the driver may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Tesla Service will inspect and adjust the pitch angle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 12, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877-798-3752. Tesla's number for this recall is SB-23-17-006.

NHTSA investigations into collision avoidance on the Model Y

DP23-002opened Jun 29, 2023
Speed control · model years 2019 to 2023

Sudden unintended acceleration. Open.

NHTSA summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a petition requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP20-001 on the basis that intermittent high electrical current demands on the vehicles' 12VDC systems may have caused some or all of the incidents examined by ODI in DP20-001. The petitioner bases this information on a review of open-source research and the DP20-001 denial. The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number: 11528471.
PE22-002opened Feb 16, 2022
Collision avoidance · model years 2021 to 2024

Unexpected brake activation. Closed jun 29, 2026.

NHTSA summary
On February 16, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE22002) to investigate reports of unexpected deceleration while driving with the adaptive cruise control system engaged in Model Year (MY) 2021 – 2022 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles manufactured by Tesla. The subject systems include Autopilot (all versions), Full Self-Driving (FSD) and Traffic Aware Cruise Control (TACC). These complaints have been colloquially referred to as “phantom braking”. ODI opened PE22002 to determine the scope and severity of the potential problem and to assess any resulting safety issues in the subject vehicles. The alleged defect is an unexpected and unrequested vehicle deceleration triggered by the subject system during subject system engagement. The alleged defect does not occur when the subject system is not in use and is separate and distinct from Automated Emergency Braking (AEB). During vehicle operation, AEB is actively monitoring in the subject vehicles regardless of subject system and its intervention is accompanied by audible and visual collision warnings. A Vehicle Owners Questionnaire (VOQ) trend originating in November 2021 prompted ODI to open PE22002. VOQ narratives reported unexpected brake activation while using TACC, Autopilot or FSD. The trend grew from 99 by the end of 2021 to 314 by February 16, 2022, when PE22002 was opened. ODI sent Information Request (IR) Letters to Tesla on May 4, 2022, and July 11, 2024, to request salien

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 2,000 and 8,000 miles, from the 20 reports that gave a mileage.

222
15923
4124
1525
1126

What owners wrote

“New car with less than 1800 miles. Multiple times where The car will frequently and unexpectedly slam on the brakes while in autopilot on the highway. Almost caused an accident twice and I was terrified. Did not know about this problem but this can cause an accident.”

Filed Mar 15, 2023 · 1,800 miles

“Car did phantom breaking when I was driving with my wife, 2 kids and Niece from NJ to Pittsburgh, PA. I was driving on autopilot and There was no car in front or on side and yet it suddenly applied break and car went doen to appx 40 mph. Luckily the car behind was at distance and they managed their breaking well. I see it as a big risk to me and my family while being on long rides on autopilot.”

Filed Feb 19, 2023

“Was using the adaptive cruise control in addition to lane keeping assist, collectively known as Autopilot. Was in the left most lane with no cars in front or beside and a car about 5 car lengths behind when max auto regen occurred aka "phantom braking". There were no indications of obstacles in front based on the screen rendering.”

Filed Feb 14, 2023

“Had Adas engaged for about 180 miles and had phantom braking atleast two times. There was no one in front or on side”

Filed Feb 12, 2023

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 21 of 228 reports involved a crash and 12 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.

Other problems on this car