2021 TESLA MODEL Y Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking Problems

Phantom braking, rapid deceleration occur without warning and randomly.

Car rapidly brakes when in cruise control and auto pilot. Will also rapidly brake when a car passes by. It will always be random and sudden. Also, occasionally the screen will turn off and I will lose the screen completely and not know my speed.

The contact owns a 2021 Tesla Model Y. The contact stated while driving with the cruise control activated, the vehicle erroneously applied the brake. The contact stated that the brakes were immediately released independently of driver assistance. There were no warning lights illuminated. The failure had occurred approximately 6 - 10 times. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,000.

I've been having problems with phantom braking, primarily on highways. This problem has gotten much worse in the last month or two. The car will unexpectedly brake while either autosteer or adaptive cruise control are engaged while driving on the freeway, and typically (although not exclusively) when my speed is approx. 70-80 MPH (where speed limit is 75-80 MPH). This will happen approx. once every half hour, although it is sporadic and often happens in spurts. Until about 1 month ago this would happen only while autosteer was engaged. However, during the last month or so ago this has also been happening while adaptive cruise control is engaged (without autosteer engaged). It happens most often when I am in the left lane passing a semi-truck which is in the right lane, although it happens other times as well. Always without any warning. It has happened a total of probably 20-30...

When the traffic aware of cruise control or auto pilot is engaged, particularly on two-lane roads with opposing traffic, phantom breaking occurs with about 90% of the approaching semi tractor trailers, and perhaps 25% of the approaching automobiles.

I have had issues since i purchased this vehicle in march of 2021 where driving down the highway with Adaptive Cruise Control enabled and it will suddenly slam on the brakes at highway speeds with no other vehicles around. This sudden braking is so severe at times that everyone in the car is thrown forward and bracing for a false impact. This has caused several close calls for vehicles following me. Also the severity of the braking in winter weather causes the vehicle to lose traction and potentially place all the occupants and others on the road at risk. During my time in the FSD Beta program i was able to report all of these events, sometimes dozens of times a day. Eventually I asked to be removed from the program as it seemed worse in the program than when on a standard build version of the software.

Our Tesla started last month braking suddenly and hard when cruise control was enabled. This is happening at night when cars are passing us going in the opposite direction. At no point did the braking occur due to cars actually being in our lane or potential accident. These braking errors happen when normal driving conditions under or at the speed limit with clear visibility.

I too have had an issue were without warning or provocation when on cruise control, whenever a semi-truck approached in the oncoming lane, or on four-lane divided highways, my car decelerated from 75 miles per hour to 40 miles per hour in a matter of seconds. I have also had the car phantom break when going under a overpass on a highway and while crossing 2 lane bridges. Luckily no accidents so far but definitely terrifying.

This car is subject to frequent "phantom braking" . Using adaptive cruise control or full self driving, the car will occasionally brake hard for no logical reason. This happens every time I drive the car on two lane roads, i.e., with vehicles approaching from the opposite direction in the opposite lane. It happened from the time I took delivery until the present. It happened today (2-17-22). In 90% of cases, the phantom braking is triggered by a large vehicle - semi truck or bus, approaching from the opposite direction. In 10% of cases, the cause is either not clear, or caused by a smaller vehicle. The phantom braking occurs in all lighting conditions - right sunlight, overcase, night. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Tesla.

The vehicle sometimes brakes dangerously hard at highway speeds, nearly causing the vehicle behind me to nearly rear-end me.

On 2021 August 18 Wednesday at approximately 2:40 pm (Eastern time USA) and again at 2:59 pm, my Model Y braked severely while driving at high speed. Weather: Moderate to heavy rain due to passage of the remnants of Hurricane Fred. Location - incident 1 (about 2:40 pm): Pennsylvania Turnpike eastbound, just west of the Somerset exit. Location - incident 2 (2:59 pm): PA 219 South (limited-access expressway) near Meyersdale, PA. Situation/speed - incident 1: (2:40 pm): Driving in the passing lane traveling at approximately 70 mph. Cruise control was engaged. Situation/speed - incident 2: (2:59 pm): Driving in the passing lane traveling at approximately 70 mph. Cruise control was engaged. Description of incident (2:40 pm): The incident happened on a downhill curve while passing another vehicle when the Model Y braked suddenly and sharply. The speed dropped from approximately 70 mph to approximately 40 mph. The area was a...

While driving in autopilot the car will randomly slam on the breaks multiple times at all speeds from 30-60mph even when the road is empty. This can increase if a large bus/truck is on the other side of the road in the opposite direction.

Anytime we are using the adaptive cruise in our Model Y, we have experienced "phantom braking" issues where the car suddenly brakes for no apparent reason, decreasing cruising speed from 60-70 mph by as much as 20 mph all at once. This mostly occurs on two lane highways and with oncoming vehicles that are larger (truck, etc.). Also sometimes occurs cresting a hill. It happens so often that we do not use the crusie control feature unless we are on an interstate with dividers between oncoming traffic and ourselves. Any rural two-lane highway causes multiple incidences of "phantom braking" every time we use it. Literally happened dozens of times at this point.

We are familiar with managing the controls which, in my experience, operate similarly to other vehicles with similar safety and driver-assist features. Unfortunately, in regards to the effectiveness and ease of operation of the TACC, our Tesla is by far the worst of the 5 vehicles with which I'm familiar. The experience of managing TACC with oncoming traffic is frustrating, distracting and sometimes unsafe. Autosteer, because it builds on TACC's systems, is similarly deficient although the features it provides would be extremely welcome when TACC is improved. Nearly every oncoming large truck (including many pickup trucks) caused TACC to brake the car TACC assisted braking was inconsistent. Sometimes an immediate, slight reduction in speed (5-10mph) and other times it was an immediate major reduction in speed, on the order of half-speed within 3 - 5 seconds. It was common to have the car brake from 65 - 35 for no...

Several times over the past 6 months the car suddenly slowed down without any reason while driving on autopilot with nothing ahead of it on highway (there was no change of speed limit so that can’t be an explanation). Also known as “phantom breaking”

I’ve been driving my Tesla mostly under autopilot about 90% of the time over the past 4 months. During that time, I’ve experienced about 30 or more phantom braking issues where the automatic braking system will engage when there is no object in front of the car. It’s all happened when autopilot was engaged. It happens during the day, generally on a single lane road, and also at night when on coming traffic lights are blinding. Each time it causes the car to rapidly slow down and causes the car behind me to slam on their brakes, potentially causing an accident. This needs to be fixed since it’s safety risk.

Traffic aware cruise control frequently hard brakes / emergency brakes on 2 lane roads when large vehicles such as semis and dump trucks approach in the opposite direction even though all vehicles are properly in their respective lanes. This presents a serious risk of being rear ended as well as heart attack for startled passengers. TACC is so bad it's not just unusable it is unsafe.

Please see attached pdf complaint letter regarding relentless phantom braking in my 2021 Tesla Model Y. Let me know if there is a problem reading this letter. Thanks

Slams on the brakes without warning. Almost caused semi to hit me from behind. This is very dangerous and must be fixed.

Car on cruise control slammed on brakes and did so every time I lifted got off accelerater until I disengaged and reengaged cruise control

PHANTOM BRAKING When cruise control is engaged (not auto steer or full self driving) the vehicle will intermittently slow down or apply corrective braking when no hazard exists. This happens more frequently on 2 lane roads but also happens occasionally on multi-lane freeways. On a 2 lane road, my vehicle will either slow down, brake or break HARD when anything larger than a SUV is coming from the other direction at normal speeds and in his lane. I have also experienced this when there is nobody for 1+ mile in front of behind me. If there are cars behind me, I find myself covering the accelerator and ready to floor it in case my car suddenly slams on the breaks. This make cruise control very unsafe and stressful. I have another Tesla vehicle doing the same thing and will post separately on that one. Thank you. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT...

Issue #1 When on autopilot, vehicle can suddenly brake on its own (phantom braking) without warning. This happens frequently on major highways and in some instances I have to respond quickly to prevent rear end accidents. Issue #2: Vehicle only alerts when another vehicle is suddenly stopping in front and does not automatically brake as required.

on the 2022 Model Y, they have an Emergency Braking issue when the cruise control is set and you meet an oncoming car the Model Y will slam on its brakes.

The vehicle will randomly brake with no traffic in broad daylight (shadows cast by trees?), or always at the same area (e.g. when entering or exiting Sumterville, FL from the south), or when a large vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction (such as a semi rig), often producing an audible alert but at times without any warning. My previous vehicle, a Model 3 equipped with radar and the old software still relying on it for input, would also produce phantom braking events, but only in small numbers. The new Model Y with vision only is unreliable and dangerous, and practically useless when adaptive cruise control is engaged. This has been occurring since day one. Never before have I experienced such dangerous behavior in any prior vehicle, let alone one as modern and expensive as a Tesla.

Numerous phantom breaking incidents. Dangerous

This is an ongoing issue. When using autopilot, I experience phantom braking, usually with large oncoming trucks on 2 lane highways. The problem is worse with logging trucks, but I've had it happen with vehicles as small as school buses. In the worst cases, the collision alarm sounds and the car slows up to 30mph immediately. I have this happen at least twice every morning on my 7 mile drive to town. I have videos that capture this event. Photos don't work

When we were driving in cruise control and auto pilot on two different trips, the car would brake for no reason We experienced dramatic breaking -Frequently up to 20 mph. These incidents would occur when a car was approaching us on a 2 Lane Highway but often for no apparent reason. We feel this poses a high risk of rear end collision if a car is behind us when it breaks

I was driving on a 2 lane highway using cruise control and the car suddenly aggressively slowed down. I have owned the car since October 2021 and this is probably the 15th phantom breaking event that has occurred. Cruise control on this car is not trustworthy nor safe on a 2 lane non-divided highway.

While traveling at night on a 2-way highway at about 65-70mph my vehicle incorrectly thought every semi-truck I encountered was in my lane and would apply hard braking. This has happened 10+ times.

On February 1st, 2022 I was driving with my wife from the Naperville, IL area to Holland, MI. We were on I 94 headed east, approximately 20 miles west of Michigan City Indiana headed east. I was driving around 65 miles per hour. We were on a 4 lane highway- all the cars on those 4 lanes were headed in the same direction. There was a truck in front of us ( headed in the same direction ) that was located to the right of us in the lane to our right and it was about 60 or 70 feet in front of us. All of a sudden the car, that had been operating on Autopilot, braked suddenly. We went from 65 to almost 0 in a split second and if my wife and I weren't wearing seat belts we would have been very seriously injured. My neck suffered a...

Phantom braking hard braking on freeway with no cars or objects around

I am driving down the highway and the car brake checks hard 3 separate times one one occasions for no reason while using Auto Pilot.

The Tesla has been doing phanton breaking. For example on the highway using dynamic cruise control or autopilot. When a truck is merging to the right lane it will apply quite the break force. Almost got rear ended cause of this on the highway. Observed this a few times on drive from Ga to NJ. I also noticed going up and down hills with dynamic cruise control it will sometimes trigger the front collision warning or phanton break. This seems to be sporadic and doesn’t like one lane back roads. Last and it least I also noticed that using auto pilot the car forces you to use auto high beans. On the highway at night it will go off and on a lot to the point drivers on opposite side of the road would flash their lights to let me know about the high beans. The model teslas doesn’t use...

This car is exhibiting random “phantom braking” incidents when cruise control or auto pilot is engaged. In EVERY incident the road is clear ahead and in the adjacent lanes, with no other vehicle traffic. The car will appl full emergency braking for no reason, and with no warning

When cruise control is active, the car slams on the brakes for no apparent reason. This happens basically every time I drive the car. I’m always concerned it will cause me to be rear-ended.

The car experiences phantom braking when adaptive cruise control is engaged. Happens most often when going under an overpass but has happened on clear open roadway as well (no cars around).

Phantom braking. I can’t use the cruise control at all because it constantly brakes and swerves when nothing is in front of the car. I took the car to the device center and was told they can’t do anything.

When driving with Adaptive Cruist Control on, the car will randomly slam on the brakes (phantom braking) for no reason. It can be with a shadow on the road or, VERY commonly, when any car or large truck passes on a 2-lane highway or road. It's extremely dangerous to any cars behind and to myself.

Vehicle abruptly applied automatic braking as I was cruising at 40 mph. Went to an almost complete stop in a short distance. No one was behind me but if there were it would have been dangerous. Also, there were patches of ice in the road which made it even more dangerous.

When using AutoPilot, the car will without any basis or immediate need brake most abruptly without any due cause, as there is no traffic or cars around it. It’s usually when passing over overpasses but not always. This sudden deceleration has almost caused accidents. Only me being wary and cognizant has saved the car from being rear ended. Sometimes there’s no cars around but it still can be very dangerous. This has been happening over almost a year and Tesla has not done anything to address this widespread issue.

Tesla slams on brakes for no reason. Causes a safety hazard with cars behind me. Was almost hit when my model y applied the breaks for no reason.

Sudden, unexpected breaking multiple times while using autopilot cruise control.

On multiple occasions when auto pilot engaged, car will suddenly brake with extreme force. I have not been rear ended because of it, but it could very well happen. On Jan 30, as an example, travelling on divided 4 lane highway, no one in front of back, autopilot engaged, for no reason, it tried to come to a sudden complete stop while going 70mph. There was nothing in the road whatsoever. MULTIPLE other instances of this. On 2 lane roads, this happens even more frequently, I would estimate once every mile, though not always as severe.

Chronic problems with phantom breaking. We’re deathly afraid of getting rear-ended on the interstate. It’s a scary situation - we’re terrified.

I was driving north on I-5 in southern Washington on a sunny Sunday morning with low traffic in October 2020. I had only had the car for a few days and was using the autopilot and cruise control for the first time. As I approached an overpass that was casting a shadow across the highway, the car suddenly braked hard. Fortunately there were no vehicles immediately behind me. If there had been, I likely would have been rear-ended. About 15 minutes later, while driving in the middle of the three northbound lanes, a motorcycle passed me on the left and then cut across my lane to get to an exit. Again, the car braked suddenly. When I next stopped to charge the vehicle, I went online and read on various Tesla user chatrooms that this was a widely experienced problem. I immediately stopped using the autopilot and cruise control. I...

I have consistently experienced “phantom braking” when using cruise control. (I do not use full driver assist). I drive frequently on two lane highways and the braking occurs seemingly randomly, sometimes even when no other vehicles are close enough for concern, but usually when a large truck is approaching on the opposite side. I don’t recall having the problem while driving on divided highways. Each time this has occurred I am startled by the warning beep and am in fear of a rear-end collision, so I have stopped using cruise control except on multi-lane, divided highways. I read about “phantom braking” in the Washington Post and was surprised that there were not more similar complaints.

I just want to add my name to list to complain about phantom braking. You can't trust the adaptive cruise control to maintain correct speed as it will at random times brake hard when there is nothing in front of you. Maybe 20% of the times I use it.Sometimes it looks like a shadow on the road will cause it, maybe at night and when the weather is bad. It brakes hard too and you have to be ready to compensate. I think it is from using just cameras and no radar in my newer model

When driving on divided interstate highways using adaptive cruise control the car would suddenly without warning brake heavily. This is happening up to five times a day on long trips. Weather was clear, no other cars in front and no obstacles on the road. The only recourse was to slam the accelerator to the floor and hope no one was tailgating. This has also been happening on two lane roads when a truck or other large vehicle approaches. This was so dangerous we can no longer use the feature on two lane highways.

Driving a 4 lane road with not other vehicles in site the car suddenly braked to the point of locking up the seat belts and throwing items around the cabin. I reported this to the manufacturer and they were able to review logs and confirm that the car mistakenly saw something and applied the brakes. I would have been hot from behind if a car was following. I was told not to use this feature on certain roads. But I asked how to disable it I was told there is no way. This needs to be addressed before there is an accident. I was not using full self driving. I only had cruise control on.

While using cruise control, aka “Autopilot,” the brakes automatically engage, even with no reason to. It’s happened so many times at high speed, and while passing, that I am now scared to use “autopilot.” While using autopilot, I have to be ready to mash the accelerator peddle at any moment, due to unwanted breaking and it feels very dangerous. It can also be traumatic for passengers when the vehicle suddenly brakes hard at high speed. I’m worried it could also cause an accident if someone were right behind me and also traveling at a high rate of speed.