2021 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 Oct 4, 2026NCBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   Urgent Safety Concern — Uncommanded Braking During Manual Driving. On October 2, 2026, while driving my 2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range manually at approximately 45 mph and slowing to make a turn at an intersection, my vehicle unexpectedly applied very strong braking for approximately 1–2 seconds before releasing. Neither Autopilot, FSD, nor Traffic-Aware Cruise Control was engaged. I am concerned about a possible unintended Automatic Emergency Braking activation or…

   NHTSA complaint #11768851 · source
2. Filed Sep 9, 2026INBrakesElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   As we were normally driving, the car lost power immediately with no warning sign. After the power is lost, brake does not function, electrical door button doesn't function, hazard light doesn't function. Car was able to scroll to a complete stop to the side of the road. The steering wheel is locked. Again, BRAKE DID NOT FUNCTION after the power is lost. No button works, no screen turns on, car is not able to turn to neutral. There was no collision prior and no warning prior.…

   NHTSA complaint #11763172 · source
3. Filed Jun 12, 2026TXBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The forward-facing camera and Autopilot computer system on my 2021 Tesla Model 3 has failed. The dashboard first showed intermittent warnings that "Automatic Emergency Braking is currently unavailable" and "Adaptive headlight features are unavailable." Over several weeks the problem worsened from intermittent to constant, and the vehicle progressively lost its forward road visualization and all active safety features. Using the vehicle's Service Mode diagnostics, the…

   NHTSA complaint #11743634 · source
4. Filed Oct 24, 2025GAFireBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   I drove into my neighbor’s driveway to drop her off. As I slowed down and applied the brakes to stop, the car failed to respond. It continued forward, running over the flower and plant pots at the edge of the driveway, crossing the backyard, and finally colliding with the trees and bushes at the rear of the property. All airbags deployed, and the vehicle was damaged beyond repair.

   NHTSA complaint #11695420 · source
5. Filed Jul 30, 2025WABrakesSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - ABS, Automatic Emergency Braking, Traction Control, Stability Control failed while braking using the regenerative braking. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - While coming to a stop using the regenerative braking, the regenerative braking immedietely ceased to work, and the driver had to immediately apply the hydraulic brakes to avoid a rear end…

   NHTSA complaint #11677290 · source
6. Filed Jul 28, 2025MDCrash1 injuredTowedBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / Unknown

   On [Wednesday, 07/09/2025], I was driving my Tesla Model 3 in rainy conditions when the vehicle suddenly swerved and crashed into a sidewall. The road was wet but not flooded, and I was traveling at a moderate speed. As I lifted my foot off the accelerator to slow down, the car's regenerative braking system engaged abruptly, which I believe shifted weight forward and caused the rear tires to lose traction. This led to hydroplaning and complete loss of control. There were no…

   NHTSA complaint #11676548 · source
7. Filed Jul 1, 2025TXBrakesOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Incident Details: • Date of Incident: [XXX] • Time: [XXX] • Location: San antonio, Tx • Weather/Road Conditions: Clear, dry highway; 90 F • Speed: 60 mph; • Description: while driving my 2021 Tesla Model 3 with Full Self-Driving (FSD) software version 12.6.4 engaged, the vehicle unexpectedly changed lanes without my input, likely due to the Auto Lane Change feature. Immediately after, it braked hard for and unrecognized slowing traffic ahead. This sudden jolt caused…

   NHTSA complaint #11670627 · source
8. Filed Jun 7, 2025CABrakes

   On [XXX] at approximately [XXX] on [XXX] in Oakland, CA, I was intending to park the car on the street at the curb. As I started to pull to the side of the road to park, the brake suddenly fully engaged, bringing the car to an immediate complete stop. My foot was not on the brake at the time. There were no obstructions of any kind in the road or in front of the vehicle. No warning sounds, messages or lights were activated before, during or after the incident. The incident…

   NHTSA complaint #11665526 · source
9. Filed Dec 1, 2024COBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   vehicle constantly phantom brakes while driving. i have reported 100+ incidents thru my tesla "report bug" feature. It will read the speed limit sign on the off ramp and slow the vehicle down 20mps abruptly, it will see a car on an onramp and slam the brakes on thinking there is a collision coming. it is every single day using cruise control

   NHTSA complaint #11628144 · source
10. Filed May 1, 2024VABrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechVisibility & Wipers

    Tesla ADAS detects non existent objects and issues collision alerts and phantom brakes randomly if there is no cars in front of the Tesla, braking abruptly and almost getting me into rear end accidents. Tesla ADAS freaks out when making lane changes randomly, shaking violently and giving the driver and its passengers a fishtailing simulation. Auto wiper triggers randomly while it's sunny, distracting the driver and forcing an interaction on the center console to stop it.…

    NHTSA complaint #11586244 · source
11. Filed Apr 5, 2024CACrashTowedBody & StructureBrakes

    I was driving in the street at 10 miles, I turned to the right and I push the break but the car didn't break and I crashed with the car in front of me.

    NHTSA complaint #11581335 · source
12. Filed Mar 10, 2024TXBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    While driving [XXX] on [XXX] in Texas, the Tesla autopilot abruptly and forcibly applied the brakes while I was driving approximately 77 mph. I was almost rear ended by a semi truck due to this issue. This happened again about 20 miles down the road and I disengaged the cruise control and autopilot altogether at that point. This is a continuous problem that needs to be addressed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

    NHTSA complaint #11576482 · 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