2018 Tesla Model S acceleration & cruise control problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed May 22, 2026CACrashTowedBrakesAcceleration & Cruise Control

   I pulled my Tesla Model S in a parking lot, and as I turned the car into a parking spot, the car suddenly accelerated, jumped the curb next to the parking lot and hit a tree. The car speed when I pulled into the parking lot and then into a parking spot was very low. so I was very surprised and startled to see the car suddenly on its own accelerating and jumping the curb.

   NHTSA complaint #11739421 · source
2. Filed Oct 22, 2023TXDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   While driving using cruise control, in the space of 9-10 miles, the vehicle had 14-16 instances of sudden, unexpected braking for no reason. Most were moderate braking incidents slowing the car 15-30 mph before I hit the accelerator to get the car back up to speed. 2 incidents were where the car slowed 5-10 mph then resumed speed. Very disconcerting. There was little to no traffic on the road and in every case, there was no other car within a 1/2 mile or more to the front.…

   NHTSA complaint #11551255 · source
3. Filed Mar 12, 2023CADriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   On freeway in traffic, autopilot is enabled. Vehicle is running perfectly fine in start stop traffic slowing down and speeding up as needed. Traffic starts to clear up, and as vehicle speeds up, there is a sudden slowdown again. Instead of braking/slowing down, autopilot turns off without an additional audible alarm (just the standard sound for turning off autopilot), instead the forward collision warning alert goes off. Able to brake in time to prevent accident.

   NHTSA complaint #11511387 · source
4. Filed Dec 18, 2022WIDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Driving down an interstate at the speed limit, with light traffic. No cars immediately or in ahead of me. The car put on the brakes, or what is commonly referred to as "phantom braking" as I understand it. It has done this on prior occasions and I am familiar with it. It generally seems to be triggered by inconsistent pavement coloring or shadows. The car rapidly braked until I took over (I was using "Navigate on Autopilot" which was managing the speed and lane-keeping).…

   NHTSA complaint #11497939 · source
5. Filed Dec 17, 2022CODriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   While driving out 2018 Model S, it will brake hard while in adaptive cruise control of full self-driving mode for no reason. This happens frequently, whether driving on the highway or on city roads. It is terribly unsafe. I'm afraid eventually someone following too close will hit me.

   NHTSA complaint #11497885 · source
6. Filed Nov 10, 2022NMBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Apparent software issue with Adaptive Cruise Control causing unexpected hard braking at highway speeds. Random hard braking occurs on open road when road is clear, flat, and no other vehicles nearby. Narrowly avoided being 'rear-ended' during several occurrences by car behind. I drove the car this week on a two day road trip from Palm Springs to Santa Fe and this issue must have occurred 18-20 times during the 750 mile trip. I also tried using difference settings and nothing…

   NHTSA complaint #11493005 · source
7. Filed Sep 27, 2022CACrash1 injuredTowedAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model S. The contact stated while pulling into a parking space, the vehicle accelerated at high speeds without any warning, causing the vehicle to run through a construction site and collide with a building. The air bags were deployed, and the passenger in the vehicle was injured and sought medical attention. The contact was unsure if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was…

   NHTSA complaint #11486791 · source
8. Filed Apr 26, 202238 miCACrash1 injuredAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2018 Tesla Model S. The contact stated that while driving down an inclined driveway the vehicle suddenly experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to lose control of the steering and crash into the nearby RV garage. During the incident, the airbag was deployed and the driver sustained injuries to both knees and left hand. No police report was taken. The cause of the failure was not determined. The contact indicated that the failure had…

   NHTSA complaint #11462178 · source
9. Filed Mar 24, 2022GAElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Vehicle will routinely reboot while driving. During this time the turn signals, speed information and other vehicle information is not available while driving.

   NHTSA complaint #11458167 · source
10. Filed Feb 5, 2022MDBrakesDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    This incident happened some time ago but I read recently about complaints related to "phantom braking" which I also experienced. I was driving on the highway at speed with my cruise control activated. There was no traffic close in front of me, but a large semi was in the lane to my right. This vehicle triggered sharp braking of my car. It was very scary, but I immediately overroad the braking to avoid being hit by a vehicle behind me. I have never used my cruise control…

    NHTSA complaint #11450584 · source
11. Filed Feb 3, 2022CADriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    Driving on a freeway at 75mph with autopilot turned on, the car suddenly braked, requiring manual intervention to accelerate to intended speed. After this the car continued as normal. There was no visible obstruction. Fortunately I have had this happen while a vehicle has not been behind me otherwise there is a possiblity of a crash.

    NHTSA complaint #11450081 · source
12. Filed Dec 2, 202019,700 miFLDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    While driving on the expressway, cruise control was engaged at 65-70 mph for 3-5 minutes, until suddenly, the car slowed down all by itself to around 50mph with vibration and jerking. The brake was not depressed at all. No other cars were in front of me or around me at the time of incident

    NHTSA complaint #11377444 · 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