2020 Tesla Model 3 brakes problems

Related recalls

• Recall 21V387000May 25, 20215,974 vehicles
  SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:CRITICAL FASTENERS · 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: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 3, 2026119,730 miNJCrash2 injuredTowedAirbagsBrakes

   The contact owned a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH in traffic on a sunny day, the vehicle drove over a pothole, and the traction control and ABS warning lights illuminated. The brake pedal was checked; however, fifteen minutes later the vehicle crashed into a 26-foot box truck. The contact stated that the box truck left the scene of the crash. The tire skid marks were 100 feet long. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated there was…

   NHTSA complaint #11761825 · source
2. Filed Jul 14, 2026TXCrash1 injuredTowedBrakesAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

   On July 11 at approximately 6:47 a.m., I was operating my Tesla Model 3 on Interstate 65 in Hart County, Kentucky, with Full Self-Driving (FSD) engaged during normal highway travel. Approximately one hour earlier, I had departed a highway rest area after sleeping from the previous day’s travel. Rain developed during the trip, but I observed adequate visibility, apparent roadway traction, and I was not impaired. I was traveling in the far-right lane of a three-lane…

   NHTSA complaint #11750430 · source
3. Filed Nov 24, 2025MDBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   While driving my Tesla Model 3 with self-driving engaged in excellent conditions, the car suddenly braked to a full stop. There was no apparent reason to do so and the driver did nothing. The road ahead was free of traffic, and no obstacles, pedestrians or animals were visible. It was possible to resume driving by turning self-driving off. Tesla forums online show many instances of others reporting similar problems in various Tesla models over several years. A rear end…

   NHTSA complaint #11701217 · source
4. Filed Oct 16, 202549,000 miNJCrash1 injuredTowedBrakes

   The complaint was filed on behalf of the contact's daughter. The contact's daughter owned a 2020 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated that while the contact's daughter was driving at 35 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact stated that the contact's daughter stated that the brake pedal felt spongy and unusual. The contact's daughter stated that the brake pedal was depressed to the floor; however, the vehicle still did…

   NHTSA complaint #11693937 · source
5. Filed May 29, 2025CABrakes

   Automatic breaking was initiated as I was pulling in a driveway as I got closer to a large trashcan. The braking was aggressive and I now have concerns that it might've given me minor whiplash as it was so sudden. I have pictures of where I parked. I was about 6-8 feet away from the trashcan when the car automatically braked. I've pulled into this spot numerous times and never had this reaction.

   NHTSA complaint #11663794 · source
6. Filed Feb 21, 2025CABrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionSteering

   This happened on 2/18/2023. After I charged my car at a local supercharging station, I drove on the local roads for about 2 miles when the car started shutting down. I could barely steer, and the computer monitor stated that the brakes were turning off, and other parts, like cameras, were losing functionality. I pulled over into the local park. I was frightened that my car was no longer functional and that I could be in grave danger driving again. I tried to call Tesla but…

   NHTSA complaint #11644199 · source
7. Filed Nov 9, 2024TXCrashBrakes

   My car did a Phantom break while I was driving on President George bush Turnpike E at the Dallas North tollway exit . I was taking the exit with in the speed limit of 40 miles per hour and was keeping the distance from the car in front. Suddenly the car did an automatic break and car slow down significantly. I got hit from behind and had damage to the bumper and trunk. Emergency break feature went out and an alert came. It is very concerning that the car stops in the middle…

   NHTSA complaint #11624374 · source
8. Filed Apr 5, 2024FLBrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control

   I took delivery of this Tesla Model 3 last month and have been using it often for my commute. Tesla’s “Traffic Aware Cruise Control” is dangerous and has put my life at risk multiple times now when driving on the highway at night. It slams on the brakes as if it is about to crash when nothing is ahead. It also slammed the brakes when passing a semi truck that was accelerating from being stopped on the shoulder. If anyone was behind me, they would have crashed into me. This…

   NHTSA complaint #11581449 · source
9. Filed Mar 14, 2024CACrash1 injuredTowedBrakesElectrical SystemSteering

   Braking and Stopping - Braking system - Improperly functioning braking systems. I experienced a problem with the brake pedal, brake calipers, and/or any component of a Model 3 braking system. “Model 3 has an anti-lock braking system (ABS) that prevents the wheels from locking when you apply maximum brake pressure. This improves steering control during heavy braking in most road conditions…Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking do not operate when driving…

   NHTSA complaint #11577318 · source
10. Filed Dec 26, 2023WABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    While operating TACC with lane keeping assist, I experienced multiple iterations of phantom braking when the road and weather was clear ahead. This phantom braking could potentially cause other drivers to collide with the vehicle that unexpectedly braked in the middle of the highway. This problem has been a common issue with multiple people taking their cars to the service center to get checked out with no problem identified. There are no warning lights or indicators that…

    NHTSA complaint #11561858 · source
11. Filed Nov 27, 2023PABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    While driving on the highway from philadelphia to allentown using I-476 north i was driving using cruise control and the car suddenly applied brakes ( phantom braking) there was no one either in front or sides or behind me. No accident happened

    NHTSA complaint #11557036 · source
12. Filed Nov 19, 2023CABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

    Driving on the freeway with the adaptive cruise control set to 78 mph. Traveling in the #1 lane, medium traffic, no vehicles in front of us for a while (in our lane or the #2 lane next to us). Roadway was dry, sun was overhead at that time of the day. Weather said it was 72 outside, so not excessively hot. While nearly cresting the top of a slight incline, the car hard-braked, taking the speed from 78mph to 58mph for no obvious reason. (Thank heavens the car behind us was…

    NHTSA complaint #11555919 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology