NHTSA Complaint #11486575 — 2018 TESLA MODEL 3

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL issue reported to NHTSA

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Complaint Details

ODI Number 11486575
Vehicle 2018 TESLA MODEL 3
Component FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL
Date of Incident
Date Filed
Mileage N/A miles
Crash No
Fire No
Injuries 0
Deaths 0
Vehicle Towed No
State KS

Consumer Description

Constant "phantom braking" occurrences despite great conditions (sunny, no wind, good visibility, low traffic) during a road trip that was two hours both ways. Typically happened when coming to the crest of small hills, or when "road mirages" due to light refraction, or when a car in the distance just became noticed by the vehicle. Happened both on divided highway and two lane highways. Several braking occurrences were pronounced enough to be likened to not quite slamming on the brakes, but definitely applying them firmly. This, besides being terrifying and attention grabbing, itself a safety issue, it could also mean close following vehicles may have to react in such a way to also apply brakes heavily at highway speeds which could cause a rear end collision or swerving to avoid my vehicle. I also get little to no warning it's about to happen, until it does, no alarms go off, and in general it was noticing the hills, mirages, and vehicles just coming into the car's "sight" that the correlation of the phantom braking was occurring. I know this is known by Tesla, and I am going to take it in for a winter tire swap this week, and let the dealer know it is a major issue with my car.

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