2021 Tesla Model 3 acceleration & cruise control problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. 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
2. Filed May 11, 2026UTDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   When using cruise control, there has been 4 times that the car has engaged in “phantom braking”. We were driving on highways going the posted speed limit of 70 mph, when the car suddenly slammed on the brakes and decelerated to less than 30 mph – all four times we were thankfully not being closely followed by another vehicle or we would’ve had a devastating crash. One time when we looked at the screen, it showed the outline of a person in the median but there was no person/…

   NHTSA complaint #11737015 · source
3. Filed Apr 17, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   2 problems 1,Phantom braking when cruise control is activated. 2, There's no rear door mechanical release in the event of a electrical power failure in the event of R.T.A

   NHTSA complaint #11731767 · source
4. 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
5. Filed May 28, 2025NCCrashTowedElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Attempting to park. Slowly inching forward while turning left. Vehicle accelerated. (Sudden Unintended Acceleration: SUA) Vehicle jumped a curb, bounced off a tree, dropped off the curb before comping to a stop. Internet search shows other similar reports; attributed, by Tesla, as pedal misapplication. This was not "pedal misapplication". I am not looking for anything. But NHTSA should increment occurance counter by 1. Tesla has a problem. Electrical or Mechanical...do not…

   NHTSA complaint #11663381 · source
6. 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
7. Filed Oct 25, 2024MDDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   My Tesla was operating in Full-Self-Driving Beta when it experienced a sudden uncontrolled accelration event. I was driving on [XXX] at approximatley [XXX] this morning. The road speed limit was 40 mph. The car display was correctly showing that the road speed limit was 40mph. The speed offset in the cars setting was limited to 5 mph max above the speed limit. While the car was driving it suddenly accelerated very hard from approximately 40 mph to over 60mph before I was…

   NHTSA complaint #11621879 · source
8. Filed Oct 18, 202435,000 miUTElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model 3. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the braking system erroneously activated, causing the vehicle to abruptly decelerate. The contact stated that the failure was due to a failure with the computer reading the speed limit as 45 MPH instead of 65 MPH. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 35,000.

   NHTSA complaint #11620649 · source
9. Filed Jun 20, 2024OHDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Ever since Tesla rolled out an update for everyone to beta test FSD, the adaptive cruise control has been changing speeds when near interstate type exits and entrances. I've had it change from 75 down to 40 mph which is dangerous in traffic. This change in speed some times is just a drop to the next 5mph increment, such as from 73 to 70. Sometimes it is more from 73 to 65 at the same place/exit. It is not consistent. The only thing consistent is it's near exits even when not…

   NHTSA complaint #11595575 · source
10. Filed Jun 6, 2024TNCrashElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

    The vehicle, a 2021 Tesla Model 3, had an episode of sudden unintended acceleration. I was almost stationary waiting to make a left when the car accelerated by itself, left the road, crossed a grass field at high speed and crashed into bushes. The vehicle was not on auto pilot, it resulted in damage of almost $ 20.000 as estimated by insurance. The vehicle is available for inspection, it will be checked by Tesla service after the damage is fixed. There were no previous…

    NHTSA complaint #11592876 · source
11. Filed Apr 13, 2024CODriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    This car, like many Teslas, is experiencing what has been come to be known as phantom braking. When in the autopilot or full self driving, this car will occasionally to frequently, depending on the day, suddenly break where it will decelerate from say 65 mph to 45 or 50 in a very short period of time. This can happen in very busy traffic conditions. It seems to happen when I'm going faster rather than slower. For example, I haven't experienced it so much on City Street. It…

    NHTSA complaint #11582795 · source
12. Filed Apr 6, 2024NVAcceleration & Cruise Control

    Latest update changed the cruise control to force inclusion of autopilot. Cruise control function is now unavailable with without this autonomous feature. It's not only distracting, but aggravating. What's worse, is there's no online ability to inform or complain directly to Tesla. This isn't the first safety-related software glitch. Please get them to fix these issues.

    NHTSA complaint #11581524 · 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