2021 Tesla Model Y acceleration & cruise control problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Sep 24, 2026CACrashTowedAirbagsFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   On September 23, 2026, the vehicle was being driven at low speed when the driver experienced sudden and unexpected acceleration. The vehicle rapidly accelerated and a collision occurred. The driver reports that she did not intentionally accelerate the vehicle to this degree. Vehicle data and the Event Data Recorder (EDR) were subsequently obtained. The data records the vehicle accelerating from approximately 0 mph to approximately 35 mph in about four seconds, with the…

   NHTSA complaint #11766674 · source
2. Filed Aug 25, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

   I own a 2021 Tesla Model Y with an HW3 car computer. At approximately 54,000 miles, the vehicle developed intermittent failures of the cameras, GPS/navigation, and cruise control. On two occasions during the same routine drive, about 40 minutes into the trip, the GPS, cameras, and cruise control abruptly stopped functioning at approximately the same location. The first occurrence was about July 7, 2026 at 9:15 AM and the second August 7, 2026 at about 3:15 PM. I made the…

   NHTSA complaint #11759495 · source
3. Filed Aug 7, 2026GADriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Separately, the system could not hold a consistent speed on open highway with no vehicle ahead. It would surge from a set 70 mph to roughly 72-73 mph and then drop back, repeatedly, producing a pulsing acceleration and deceleration. The system also hesitated frequently and issued repeated audible alerts without an identifiable hazard present. I previously filed a complaint regarding phantom braking on this same vehicle (ODI number 11450326, filed February 4, 2022), which…

   NHTSA complaint #11755578 · source
4. Filed Jun 9, 2026AZDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   I am submitting this complaint to request an investigation into a serious safety defect involving my Tesla vehicle. On multiple occasions, the vehicle has experienced a significant and unexpected loss of acceleration when I attempted to enter or cross intersections. Despite pressing the accelerator, the vehicle failed to respond as expected, leaving me unable to accelerate normally while entering active traffic. This is not a minor hesitation or inconvenience. It is a…

   NHTSA complaint #11743088 · source
5. Filed May 7, 2026MIDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The vehicle began experiencing repeated Autopilot/FSD failures while driving. Symptoms included sudden Autopilot disengagements, cruise control becoming unavailable, and loss of road visualization/navigation display functionality. The issue progressively worsened over time. The vehicle was first brought to Tesla service in 2025 for the same overheating-related concern. At that time, Tesla identified a coolant-related issue, topped off the coolant system, and returned the…

   NHTSA complaint #11736263 · source
6. Filed Apr 15, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechOther / UnknownAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Incident Date: April 11, 2026 Approximate Time: 6:30 PM Component(s): Unknown (Suspected: Electronic Stability Control, Steering, ADAS) Description of Incident: On April 11, 2026, at approximately 6:30 PM, I was operating my Tesla Model Y on a highway with a self-driving mode engaged. I experienced what appeared to be a sudden, unintended acceleration combined with an erratic "zig-zag" steering pattern across multiple lanes. I am not certain of the technical cause, but the…

   NHTSA complaint #11731428 · source
7. Filed Feb 27, 2026NYDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Vehicle will suddenly apply brakes while using standard cruise control for no apparent reason. This is extremely dangerous as it has almost caused several accidents on the highway. I have almost been rear-ended several times. This is a very common problem and well documented problem referred to as "phantom braking" on Teslas and something needs to be done immediately.

   NHTSA complaint #11720876 · source
8. Filed Nov 19, 2025NCElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   Detailed Description of the Defect: Friday Incident: While picking up my son from school, the vehicle abruptly disabled multiple safety and driver-assist features. The car rolled backward on a slight incline, failed to display any surrounding vehicles on the FSD visualization, and retained accelerator input even after I removed my foot from the pedal. The vehicle continued to speed up slightly in Drive and Reverse without my input. Soft resets did not resolve the issue.…

   NHTSA complaint #11700358 · source
9. Filed Oct 27, 202538,727 miMAAcceleration & Cruise Control

   The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated that while coasting into the garage, the vehicle independently accelerated. No warning light was illuminated. An independent mechanic or dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. However, the contact was in the process of repairing the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 38,727.

   NHTSA complaint #11695849 · source
10. Filed Apr 18, 2025CADriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise ControlSteering

    The Adaptive cruse control would stop working off an on. also it would give false land departure warnings causing driver to swerve thinking they were going to run into another care

    NHTSA complaint #11655447 · source
11. Filed Feb 10, 2025OKDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    Several times on residential speed control the system does not recognize yellow flashing school speed reduction signs. Never slows or breaks. The speed of 25 mph does not register on the screed (other speed signs do). I told tesla service center when other services were being done. They said they were aware. I have seen no improvement over the last several months

    NHTSA complaint #11641759 · source
12. Filed Oct 15, 2024FLDriver Assistance & Safety TechAcceleration & Cruise Control

    My Tesla still has the phantom braking problem. It is repeatable and consistent. I can tell when it will occur on a route that I drive regularly. Day or night does not seem to alter the occurrence. There is no indication on the touch screen when this occurs. Traffic volume does not matter. It always occurs at the same places so it should be relatively easy to fix if someone would just monitor my computer when it occurs. I regard this as a dangerous problem on the freeway…

    NHTSA complaint #11619769 · 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